In all probability

[Sarxis]

Probability plays- IMO- too big a role in many TBS games. The CIV line is one of them. Too often the "die must be cast" to resolve certain situations in CIV.

But games like Space Empires IV and, IIRC, Moo2 used little to no 'chance' in the game mechanics.

How will MOO3 be in this regard?

[Stormhound]

I think MOO2 used more chance than most people realized; it was just used in appropriate places.

That's what we've been trying to do; use chance in the appropriate places, and hard numbers where hard numbers should be used. You and I may differ on where that line belongs, of course.

Personally, I feel that chance plays an important part in games, IF it is set up so that a player has a chance to prepare things so that chance can fall in their favor. Sometimes that means a far deeper model (such as for combat), and sometimes that means having factors which are directly or indirectly controllable by the player. When used properly, chance is a superb tool. I'm quite confident that Alan agrees with me, based upon what I've seen of his design work both on MOO3 and other games.

[Sarxis]

Thanx!