Ptw Ii

[bulldog]

As the new patch is due out at the end of the week and PTW around November, I thought it might be time to start a thread devoted to the next expansion pack, if PTW proves to be a success. The reason to start the thread now is simple, lots of very good ideas were floated on this site when the announcement of PTW was made. However, Firaxis have on an number of occasions mentioned that it was then too late to incorporate any significant new ideas into the XP. Although lots of people probably have lots of great new ideas, for XP II, these ideas have to fit into the current Civ3 environment. So here is a brief list of things I would like to see.

1) 8 new civs (nothing new here)
2) Expanded diplomacy model i.e. variable length trades, restricted trades, more complex trade types, etc.
3) Fixed UN with a greater sense of negotiating a new world order
4) Wonder movies. They may be eyecandy but they are a tangible and real reinforcement of the mighty effort your civilization has undertaken.
5) Optional Optimal AI. Currently we have the standard AI. Soren has said that his objective is to create a FUN not an optimal AI. While I understand this completely, an OPTIMAL AI would a feel be a major selling point for existing CIV3 lovers.

This is just a brief list of what I think should be in a new XP if one is released and I don't think any of these items would be impossible to realise within the current CIV3 framework.

[bulldog]

If you look back at the history of CIV2 expansion and similar titles like AOE, you see that by the time the second expansion pack comes around, if it does at all, graphics play a much greater role as the core game engine has (hopefully) by that stage been optimised. So another couple of things I would like for XP 2 are:

(1) New unit graphic sets and associated scenarios for various historical periods.
(2) More movies at crucial game periods such as the beginning of a new age, the UN negotiations and decisions stage etc.
(3) Ability to set your playlists of mp3's to occur at various stages of the game.

As I only play single player, MP is not an issue for me but I will still buy PTW as it offers additional functionality for the single player.

A future XP will probably have to be focused at single player issues as except for bugs, I can't see many additional MP features that can be added.

As a newbie, there are undoubtably many more experienced players who can much better than me, detail how these additional features should work.

All I am interested in here is trying to gather additional ideas for a future XP so that Firaxis are hopefully aware of them before they start on one.

[Dimorier Maximus]

Originally posted by bulldog
5) Optional Optimal AI. Currently we have the standard AI. Soren has said that his objective is to create a FUN not an optimal AI. While I understand this completely, an OPTIMAL AI would a feel be a major selling point for existing CIV3 lovers.

I agree with those first 4 points for the most part, but can you beat the game on Deity level consistently? And you do know that optimal AI just means it is gonna cheat out the wazoo, right? However, seeing as that you want it optional, it's fine with me. But cheating AI pisses me off. I hate it when they expand at rates you know there is no way they could do. I believe that the last level the AI currently does not cheat on is Regent. Monarch is hard, because the AI cheats a little to stay ahead of or up to your level. Not that you still can't beat them if you are an expert.

[dunk]

I think what an optimal AI would be is one that uses stacks of units to attack as opposed to slow trickles, uses artillery and bombers on cities, and doesn't go after workers like they're only 2 of them ever allowed to be built in the game ever.

[zulu9812]

Personally, I'm gonna wait 'till Friday and see what isn't in that patch (I'm almost certain event and AI scripting won't be) before making a wish-list for the next XP. However, I have a strong suspicion that this patch and this XP will be the end of the official support for CivIII...

[lockstep]

I'm fairly sure that PTW will be patched as well, and also think that another XP is at least possible.

[bulldog]

What I mean with an optional Optimal AI is as followup to something Soren mentioned. He stated that his objective (which I agree with for a standard AI) is that it should be fun, not a "go all out for the win" AI. The reason I would like this to be added is multiple:
1) It will I feel considerably add to and maintain my enjoyment in the game for the next couple of years I hope (I don't play that many games but I have played the CIV series largely uninterrupted over the past 10 years). For players who either dont want to or dont anticipate having the opportunity to play multiplayer a lot, the AI is it.
2) The current AI does not always press its advantage as its objective is to not always win but to give the human player a good game. A good example of this is my current game where my northerly neighbours, the Iroquois, declared war twice on me during the ancient age. However, they attacked with archers while the had both the technology and resources for their MW. If they had attacked with a stack of MW, I would have been devastated as I hadnt built my military much.
3) Things like artillery, if the AI made optimal use of artillery, it would be much tougher on all levels.
4) The oft mentioned weak naval tactics of the AI.
5) etc. etc. etc.

I would think that many players would appreciate the added challange and this may keep us going until Civ4.

Also, the next XP if there is one will largely be sold to existing owners of CIV3 and this is one issue which I think will be a major selling point for Firaxis and a major reason to buy for players like myself.

And no, I am no great CIV 3 player, I am okay on Monarch and thinking about going up to Emperor. I just think the challange will be fun