ask Lord of the Mark - about games

[Verrucosus]

Questions:
1) Which is your favourite Civ in the original Civilization? (This could be a game-related way of asking about your favourite colour.)
2) Which official (i.e. Microprose/Firaxis-published) scenario would you recommend to a Civ player with some experience who has always avoided playing scenarios? Why?
3) Which of the effects of the Pyramids (free choice of government / free granary) is (a) the better design choice and (b) closer to real history? Why?
4) Is it a sound strategy in Colonization to spend some time looking for the advanced tribes (Aztec/Incan) before founding a (major) colony? Why (not)?
5) If there was a remake of Alpha Centauri would you like it to be designed by (a) Sid Meier/Firaxis, (b) Brian Reynolds/Big Huge Games, (c) Soren Johnson/EA or (d) none of the above? Why?
6) In the original Imperialism, do you consider the European scenarios or the random map more enjoyable?
7) Do you consider the fact that the winning screen of Two Thrones congratulates you on founding the Union of Kalmar (a) a good joke, (b) a personal insult, (c) a fingerprint of the Paradox design philosophy, (d) a symptom of the state of the gaming industry or (e) none of the above?
8) Which mission in Caesar III did you find most challenging when you first played it? Why? (If you didn't play Caesar III, please substitute any other city-building game that has missions.)
9) How do you balance expanding your railway net with purchasing stock in Railroad Tycoon? (If possible, please use the original version to illustrate.)
10) Please define the terms "game" and "toy" using the example of RollerCoaster Tycoon.

Essay Topic:
"A small, but important thing. Don't sit in a comfortable chair! Don't allow yourself the luxury of comfort. It will relax your mind and take away your focus. I play all my games in a straight-backed, wooden chair. Yes, I get stiff and sore, but it is an important reminder." (Velociryx, SMAX Guide, p. 200)
Discuss.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
What was so special about Civ 2? Howitzer spamming and lack of borders was a real drawback IMO.

I'd like to try EU2 sometime. Is it TBS?

Civ2 was endlessly replayable, elegant, cool, just all round some kind of wonderful. I played SP, so if you didnt want to howie rush, you didnt have to. Anyway, by the time you got to howies, youd basically had a fun game anyway.

I liked the scenarios, which added to the replay, and were often very cool.

But basically it was the elegant way it demonstrated that very different civs could evolve from near identical starts, based on accidents of geography and history, and choices made, but driven by certain historical imperatives.

I can look up my column that will give you some idea of part of what I liked so much.

[lord of the mark]

[QUOTE] Originally posted by Verrucosus
Questions:

1) Which is your favourite Civ in the original Civilization? (This could be a game-related way of asking about your favourite colour.)

istr having luck with white civs roman/celt/Russian?

2) Which official (i.e. Microprose/Firaxis-published) scenario would you recommend to a Civ player with some experience who has always avoided playing scenarios? Why?

I had TOT, which means the only official scens I had were the fantasy sci fi scens. Rather I would recommend the unofficial scens, for example Seeds of Greatness by Paul Cullivan, which I liked so much, I wrote a civilopedia for it.

3) Which of the effects of the Pyramids (free choice of government / free granary) is (a) the better design choice and (b) closer to real history? Why?

Ive only played Civ2, free granary, so I cant comment on the game play impact of free gov that early. In Civ2 it presented the real dilemma of if you even wanted those granaries, on deity if you werent in position to deal with happiness issues.

Real history? I dont think the pyramids did either, they had to do with afterlife and religion. however the connection with granaries, is presumably a remembrance of the story of Joseph, and of early beliefs that they WERE granaries. So its cool.

4) Is it a sound strategy in Colonization to spend some time looking for the advanced tribes (Aztec/Incan) before founding a (major) colony? Why (not)?

Ive only played Col once, and it seemed to me better to start building at once, but I havent played enough to know.

5) If there was a remake of Alpha Centauri would you like it to be designed by (a) Sid Meier/Firaxis, (b) Brian Reynolds/Big Huge Games, (c) Soren Johnson/EA or (d) none of the above? Why?

Im not sure remake of SMAC is as good an idea as some folks think - in many ways it was complete and finished as it was, aside from graphics. A real improvement in SMAC 2 would probably mean paring down somewhat the overly complex rules, and making it more elegant. Im not sure BR would do that to his own work. So while im not the expert, Id bet on Sid Meier at this point. But i bet most of the folks asking for SMAC2 would hate it.

6) In the original Imperialism, do you consider the European scenarios or the random map more enjoyable?

Ive only played Imp2, and would have liked the opportunity to play at least once on a historical map.

7) Do you consider the fact that the winning screen of Two Thrones congratulates you on founding the Union of Kalmar (a) a good joke, (b) a personal insult, (c) a fingerprint of the Paradox design philosophy, (d) a symptom of the state of the gaming industry or (e) none of the above?

I consider it an incentive to go ahead and install TT, the only game in the 6 pack I havent yet played.

8) Which mission in Caesar III did you find most challenging when you first played it? Why? (If you didn't play Caesar III, please substitute any other city-building game that has missions.)

Odd this is the first game youve considered it possible i havent played, yet I did play it. I put it aside after several scens, which seemed to be progressively more difficult.

9) How do you balance expanding your railway net with purchasing stock in Railroad Tycoon? (If possible, please use the original version to illustrate.)

I have never played RRT

10) Please define the terms "game" and "toy" using the example of RollerCoaster Tycoon.

The distinction is arbitrary. Theoretically a game is has goals (not necessarily competitive, see "non-competitive games") while a toy you invent, explore, manipulate, etc for fun.

But give someone a toy, and they can create goals, making it part of a game THEY invent. Give them a game, and they can choose to focus on HOW they get to the goal, or ignore the goal entirely, and use it as a toy. RCT? Well the scenarios all have goals, and in sandbox mode (which I didnt get to do, cause I only have the original) its a toy. But IN SC2000 in sandbox mode one tends to aim for a goal, and when I played RCT scens, I was more interested in fooling around with RCT than with the scen goals.

Essay Topic:
"A small, but important thing. Don't sit in a comfortable chair! Don't allow yourself the luxury of comfort. It will relax your mind and take away your focus. I play all my games in a straight-backed, wooden chair. Yes, I get stiff and sore, but it is an important reminder." (Velociryx, SMAX Guide, p. 200)
Discuss.

Im not as serious as Vel, and judging by your q's, as you are. Im not going to get paid a reward for winning on super deity, or getting to AC by 500AD. I play for fun, relaxation, and maybe sometimes to learn something. Im happy to relax my mind, thats the whole point.

[Verrucosus]

Oh dear, you really answered all of them!

I must say I had some fun putting together a mock exam for a well-rounded collector of strategy games. Although I can easily imagine Vel and others having a blast exactly by being serious and almost scientific about a particular game, I am a much more casual about games than my questions may have sounded. However, I will remember the scenario recommendation the next time I get back to Civ2.

Verrucosus

[Wiglaf]

LOTM: brace yourself.

Part One

(Objective questions)

1. Which came first, Test of Time or Call to Power?
2. Which effect is closer to life in civ2: the Hanging Gardens or the Colossus? Keep in mind this MAY be a trick question.
3. Civ2 advisors -- do they add to the gameplay, or are they just fluff?
4. Are terrorists a good idea for Civ5?
5. Should we hit Iran? If the US, hypothetically, took military action against Iran, how would this, in your opinion, impact Civ5 or Gal Civ 3, if these games were made?
6. Which is the better expansion - Galciv2: Dark Avatar or Civ4: Warlords? If you have not played either, guess based on what you think the games ought to be.
7. Have you ever thought that the world will run out of silicon and that computers would disappear? If this happened, how would people play games? Would gaming die?
8. How long did it take you to understand most of the mechanics of EU2? Please provide your answer in seconds rounded to the nearest full second.
9. Can a computer game ever truly calculate a random possibility? Are goody huts in Civ2 truly random?
10. Would you cheat on your wife if it meant a faster computer? (eg a much faster one)
11. Would you hit Tanya Harding, knowing full well she cheated at her sport?

That is Part one of my question quiz. it will count for 25% of your total quiz score.

Part Two

(Short Answers)

1. Please relate the Monty Python question "What is the airspead velocity of an unladen swallow" to gaming.
2. Any girls in games you play that are sexually appealing to you? Please discuss whether you think this is healthy if the answer is yes. If not, have you heard of Tomb Raider?
3. Would you call your daughter POTM in real life? Please discuss the potential consequences of referring to your daughter as a four letter acronym that is, in fact, a bastardization of your internet alias. If space permits, also mention some potential benefits.

This has been part two, and will count for another 25% of your final exam score.

Part Three

(Essays)

1. Is l33t speak just another form of ebonics that threatens to corrupt the way the youth speak? Please reference relevant facts and personal experiences in your response for full credit.

2. Compare and contrast gaming now with gaming 15 years ago (or 10 years ago, for 1/2 credit). What's changed? Do you detect homoeroticism in more games these days, for example? Cause I do.


This section will count for 50% of your final score.

Good luck.

[DrSpike]

[Verrucosus]

Indeed. Very professional. There's even the "Good Luck" part that seems to be the standard (if somewhat strange) conclusion of an exam paper. I wonder if Wiglaf will really try to grade the answers. (Poor LOTM, but he waived immunity by starting this thread.)

[lord of the mark]

[QUOTE] Originally posted by Wiglaf
LOTM: brace yourself.

Part One

(Objective questions)

1. Which came first, Test of Time or Call to Power?

I just remember trying to decide which to buy, and buying TOT.

2. Which effect is closer to life in civ2: the Hanging Gardens or the Colossus? Keep in mind this MAY be a trick question.

You sir, are obviously not a gardener.

3. Civ2 advisors -- do they add to the gameplay, or are they just fluff?

I dont recall that TOT even had them.

4. Are terrorists a good idea for Civ5?

I would suggest that a terrorist attack anywhere near central MD would set back the development of Civ5. I hope Hunt Valley is well protected, Anyone checking the site of the Baltimore County emergency preparedness?

5. Should we hit Iran? If the US, hypothetically, took military action against Iran, how would this, in your opinion, impact Civ5 or Gal Civ 3, if these games were made?

See above.

6. Which is the better expansion - Galciv2: Dark Avatar or Civ4: Warlords? If you have not played either, guess based on what you think the games ought to be.

Victoria:Revolutions, though i havent played it

7. Have you ever thought that the world will run out of silicon and that computers would disappear? If this happened, how would people play games? Would gaming die?

I once thought the world would run out of card board, and gaming would die. Fortunately we learned to do closed end recycling.

8. How long did it take you to understand most of the mechanics of EU2? Please provide your answer in seconds rounded to the nearest full second.

about midway through the game documented in "Whither Spain"

9. Can a computer game ever truly calculate a random possibility? Are goody huts in Civ2 truly random?

Can a computer ever truly calculate a random possibility? someday we will have computers that will be able to flip coins, thus ending our reliance on the pseudorandom.

Goody huts were very tasty.

10. Would you cheat on your wife if it meant a faster computer? (eg a much faster one)

No, but I might one day buy a video card without explaining what it does.

11. Would you hit Tanya Harding, knowing full well she cheated at her sport?

What would be the point of that?


That is Part one of my question quiz. it will count for 25% of your total quiz score.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Wiglaf
1. Is l33t speak just another form of ebonics that threatens to corrupt the way the youth speak? Please reference relevant facts and personal experiences in your response for full credit.

2. Compare and contrast gaming now with gaming 15 years ago (or 10 years ago, for 1/2 credit). What's changed? Do you detect homoeroticism in more games these days, for example? Cause I do.


This section will count for 50% of your final score.

Good luck.

The impact of leetspeak is diluted by the much larger impact of teen IM speak. I say that speaking as a rent.

Gaming now is of course, far worse than gaming 30 years ago. The smell of cardboard. The discipline of taking 20 minutes to set up. The freedom of being able to change ANY rule you wanted. Then of course we couldnt just hit logoff, we had to pack up our games to go home - and then trudge home through the snow, uphill, both ways.

The past was better as it always is, and may still be (but probably wont) in the future

[Asmodean]

Originally posted by Wiglaf


7. Have you ever thought that the world will run out of silicon and that computers would disappear? If this happened, how would people play games? Would gaming die?

LOL - not bleedin' likely, as silicon is the single most common element on Earth. Even more so than hydrogen In the crust, Oxygen is more common, but take in mantle and core, there is no element more abundant on Earth than Silicon, so I would very much like to see us use it all up

[Zero]

1. what do u think about Bisu beasting on savior on the MSL finals? Has ZvP matchup forever changed after the result couple of months ago, or do u think this is a result of Savior's slump these days? Should Zerg players fear the new wave of strats/builds pioneered by BiSu who is on fire as of late?

2. Should play WoW? I've never played that game and it looks incredibly boring. Since everyone I know and their grandma is playing that game, should I give in? Especially starting so late and all...

3. I enjoy gay porn. Does that make me gay? Is fantasizing about chix with dix normal?

[DrSpike]

I'll help LotM out on this one:

1) Fascinating reps - the recent developments in Zerg v Protoss certainly represent a new wrinkle in the meta, but incremental change with overall balance maintained has been the norm for several years. So there's no real reason to believe otherwise in this case yet imo.

2) It can be boring, but it can also be amazing. Yes, you should play it, because it is no less than a cultural phenomenon now and no serious gamer like yourself should pass it by. Be warned if you do though you probably face about 3 months of addiction before you move on.

3) No it's not, and yes, you are gay.

[Dis]

hehe, I only played wow because it was on south park.

okay, I also played because everyone and their mother was playing. including my brother. Though I have yet to play with him. He plays alliance and on a different server.

I did start a couple alliance on his server. but I could neve catch up to him. he's level 70, and I don't have one char close to 70 yet.

I'm starting to get bored of wow, but I had lots of fun. And I'm still Jonesin' for a fix right now. It's like an addiction. So bad I developed carpal tunnel. I can barely even type right now. but it's hard to give up posting at poly.

[Ecthy]

I think you guys produce your posts with one of those spam generators

[DrSpike]

Yours is the only one I can see that isn't addressing the topic. And yeah, this one too now but that was provoked.