FGN interview w/ Firaxis...

fluxcapacitor · June 29, 2001, 15:47

http://www.fgnonline.com/pc/news/19126.html

I haven't even read it yet but its worth checking out...

KrazyHorse · June 29, 2001, 16:00

Not very much in the way of new info, except that there's no guarantee that this is the last Civ game, and a virtual promise that if Civ3 sells well, there will be a fourth. Good tip, though.

Sabre2th · June 29, 2001, 16:21

Really new there, but it sounds like Firaxis is at least getting close to finishing (I hope).

JamesJKirk · June 29, 2001, 16:39

Wasn't this the first time that a firaxian officially said when they were aiming to get this out directly?

KrazyHorse · June 29, 2001, 16:42

He does say that they're aiming for this fall...that means if I don't have a copy on the 22nd of December, somebody's gonna pay.

Inverse Icarus · June 29, 2001, 17:42

they should do less interviewing and more coding.

i'd rather have no info and the game now then all the info about the game but a december release

Gramphos · June 29, 2001, 17:53

Quote:

But, you know, if players want more…

I want more!

As the gametype is becoming better there is still more things that might be added and create Civ IV.

Sabre2th · June 29, 2001, 17:53

I'm with uber on this one. It also seems that a lot of the info they do give us is insignificant or incomplete.

yin26 · June 29, 2001, 19:50

Notice no mention of "improved AI." So the question remains: How will the comp handle all the fancy new things?

KrazyHorse · June 29, 2001, 23:30

Just 'cause they're not saying it constantly doesn't mean it ain't there. It's hard to describe to the public what exactly they've done for the AI; that'll just have to wait until we play it.

yin26 · June 30, 2001, 00:17

KH:

Of course. But are you telling me "Improved Graphics" is any harder to print than "Improved AI"? See the point?

KrazyHorse · June 30, 2001, 00:51

Yeah, but they can show pretty pictures for "Improved Graphics".

Rasputin · June 30, 2001, 01:22

if they dont give interviews how will they get their egos boosted !!!

yin26 · June 30, 2001, 02:36

Well, it's not as if any of those "Improved This" or "Improved That" stuff means anything anyway. But if you're going to mention Diplomacy, Trade, War and Graphics (show me the pretty pictures of Diplomacy, Trade and War, btw...can't right?), then certainly something like "and an AI that can handle it all really well" is the LEAST one might tack on.

Listen, Diplomacy and Trade are very complex things that will only have meaning in single player if the comp has been thoroughly built around it. The fact that NOTHING has been mentioned of that is cause for concern.

Sabre2th · June 30, 2001, 02:50

ummmm. I wouldn't recommend reading into these interviews so much yin. It's less of a headache because most of this info won't matter in the end.

yin26 · June 30, 2001, 02:52

I agree, of course. But if you're gonna hype a game, hype what actually MEANS something to gamers, for goodness sake! Heck, I'd pay $50 for Civ2 again if it had killer AI.

Rasputin · June 30, 2001, 02:55

Cant access that website from work, did they mention anything about MP ???

Sabre2th · June 30, 2001, 03:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Rasputin
Cant access that website from work, did they mention anything about MP ???

FGN Online: What can expect from the multiplayer side of things?

Jeff Briggs: We're working on some cool approaches to multiplayer that we’re not yet ready to talk about.

Rasputin · June 30, 2001, 03:19

Thanks for that.
notihng new then , i heard that statement long time ago...

Ralf · June 30, 2001, 03:33

Quote:

Originally posted by yin26
Listen, Diplomacy and Trade are very complex things that will only have meaning in single player if the comp has been thoroughly built around it. The fact that NOTHING has been mentioned of that is cause for concern.

Well, I certainly understand your concern, and also the crucial importance of it. But, I also believe that they gonna concentrate on the AI totally, first then most game-mechanical details already is put into place. Perhaps these details already is.

But yes, they could at least give us some principal hints about the AI-guidelines in some future Civ-3 website update. Also, what are their objectives and goals, comparing with the AI in Civ-2 and SMAC, and how (in princip) are they planning to achieve that?

Sabre2th · June 30, 2001, 09:16

No problem Rasputin

June 30, 2001, 16:41

I know how they can make the game stronger.
Level 7; You will never win, so don't even try it.
Code one; build warriors at a rate of 4 to 1 (human)
Code two; Go find human player city.
Code three; Redirect all AIs warrior to attack the Human player.
Code four; Has the asses fall, a little window come up and ask the human player would he/she like to sit back and watch the AIs kill each other or start a new game.

This is the game some of you are asking for right?

War4ever · June 30, 2001, 17:05

well at least its coming out (hopefully) this year.... i have three weeks of holidays coming .......

KrazyHorse · June 30, 2001, 17:44

Quote:

Originally posted by joseph1944
I know how they can make the game stronger.
Level 7; You will never win, so don't even try it.
Code one; build warriors at a rate of 4 to 1 (human)
Code two; Go find human player city.
Code three; Redirect all AIs warrior to attack the Human player.
Code four; Has the asses fall, a little window come up and ask the human player would he/she like to sit back and watch the AIs kill each other or start a new game.

This is the game some of you are asking for right?

What?

Swissy · June 30, 2001, 17:58

Quote:

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Just 'cause they're not saying it constantly doesn't mean it ain't there. It's hard to describe to the public what exactly they've done for the AI; that'll just have to wait until we play it.

It would be very easy to say, "the AI civs have been programed to uses every aspect of the game to give the player a challenging game experience."

But maybe that is what the "game balancing" he mentioned is about. They can't say it cause they haven't acheived it, yet.

June 30, 2001, 18:22

Quote:

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

What?

Its easy. A lot of player want the AI to be the best at everything, moving troops, attacking the Human, using stack formation, build more cities, so if that what they want, all Firaxis has to do is make level 7 so tough that no one, and I mean no can win.

Darkknight · July 4, 2001, 20:15

YYYEESSS!!!!!! THANKYOU GOD IT'S THIS FALLLL!!!

And more we want more!!

I'm so happpy! When I get back civ 3 might be only a few weeks away. I gotta hug someone ooohh!!!
Best news in months!

Breath breath in out OK...

Grumbold · July 5, 2001, 00:58

Quote:

Originally posted by joseph1944

Its easy. A lot of player want the AI to be the best at everything, moving troops, attacking the Human, using stack formation, build more cities, so if that what they want, all Firaxis has to do is make level 7 so tough that no one, and I mean no can win.

No. I think most people want to be able to say "I played a single player game last week on emperor/hard difficulty and won" and have a sense of achievement. Victory should not be guaranteed if you manage to survive the first part of the game, let alone possible with a single city. Creating a "killer mode" difficulty level won't appeal to anyone, especially if the AI still can't navigate from A to B in the most efficient line or understand how to compete effectively in tech research, wonder construction, empire expansion etc. It's like chess - almost all players want a chess simulator that can give them a challenging game while allowing them to win often enough to keep it enjoyable. Giving the AI 8 queens instead of pawns isn't the same thing at all.

Urban Ranger · July 5, 2001, 02:34

I don't think Jeff Briggs is a big programmer at Firaxis

As for a cheater level, it's ridiciulously easy to program, but who cares? Players want a challenge, not a decimation.

JellyDonut · July 5, 2001, 03:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Grumbold

Giving the AI 8 queens instead of pawns isn't the same thing at all.

Tried this in computer chess game. Computer won in 4 moves.