Gaming Forums => General Gaming => Topic started by: Maverick on March 19, 2008, 12:14:54 AM
Title: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 19, 2008, 12:14:54 AM
So I'm feelin' pretty bored sittin' around the house after work. I have to go to Target to get some standard monthly supplies, so I go on my merry way. While there, I decide I should get a cheap, older PC game to enjoy and perhaps free me from my "got nothin' to do" blues. I purchase Civilization III. I install the sucker, enter the program and navigate through the opening menu. Upon starting the game, I become immediately overwhelmed by all the menus and what not and close it after staring at the screen for approximately 30 seconds and laying down one city.
When I was younger, all throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I would devote hours of my life each day to playing games anywhere and everywhere I could find them. I was excited to find a new game and learn all its ins and outs and really get into it. I was never "overwhelmed" before. I'll probably go back to the game and go through a tutorial or something and see if I can bring myself to enjoy it, but I've never just had the experience of "WTF IS ALL THIS STUFF? *CLOSE PROGRAM*". It just really shocked me.
I don't know if I've just grown older and want more simplistic and direct gaming experiences to compensate for my lack of free time, or if I have just been out of the PC gaming scene for so long that I have lost that "drive" to spend the time to learn a new system. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it just a quality of PC gaming?
Or am I overreacting and Civ III just sucks ass? :P
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: ShyGuy on March 19, 2008, 01:13:40 AM
Here's what I do:
Find a time when you're supposed to be doing something else (taking out the garbage, filing your taxes), and then play Civ III. the game will become FASCINATING.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 19, 2008, 01:30:11 AM
Haha, actually I think you may have just solved my problem. Now you're making wish I didn't work at a family owned business or I'd call into work and give it a try.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 19, 2008, 02:04:05 AM
Civilization is a very complex game and I can see how just jumping into it without reading any documentation could produce that response. It's not something you should try to learn as you go along.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 19, 2008, 08:08:57 AM
Civilization III is my least favorite game in the Civ series (although, I haven't played Civ IV yet so...). Civ III is probably best if you try one of the scenarios where cities are already established so you can just go about doing your war stuff. One of my favorite scenarios was the war in the pacific one. I had a lot of fun as Japan with their cool special infantry unit with its extra mobility point. :D
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 19, 2008, 08:39:19 AM
Civilization III is my least favorite game in the Civ series (although, I haven't played Civ IV yet so...). Civ III is probably best if you try one of the scenarios where cities are already established so you can just go about doing your war stuff. One of my favorite scenarios was the war in the pacific one. I had a lot of fun as Japan with their cool special infantry unit with its extra mobility point. :D
What specifically about III didn't you like? I thought it was an all-around improvement on II. IV blows them both out of the water, though.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: UltimatePartyBear on March 19, 2008, 11:09:39 AM
I think it may have just been the mood you were in, Maverick. Sometimes I feel bored and restless and want to play a game, but can't actually get into anything. It's annoying.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: bustin98 on March 19, 2008, 12:59:10 PM
Sometimes I get to thinking "I should play [insert game barely played here] and get it over with", but then that makes it feel like a chore and I'm even less inclined to play it. Then I go to one of my old standbys and suffer through my guilt trip.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 19, 2008, 01:30:59 PM
I think it may have just been the mood you were in, Maverick. Sometimes I feel bored and restless and want to play a game, but can't actually get into anything. It's annoying.
Yeah, perhaps you're right. I just kind of feel like I wasted 8 bucks, so I'm gonna try to back to it tonight, and maybe turn tutorial mode on.
I just thought I would be into the game considering what great fun I had with Alpha Centauri and its expansion. Little did I know that the Civ interface was completely different from what I remember about Alpha Centauri. Dang it, now I want to find my old discs so I can play that instead!
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 19, 2008, 06:45:47 PM
What specifically about III didn't you like? I thought it was an all-around improvement on II. IV blows them both out of the water, though.
Well, I remember back when the game was still in development and I was a huge fan of the previous Civ games, so I was eagerly anticipating the release of this 3rd one. We were promised it would have multiplayer without an addon and there was talk about religions and unit workshops being added, but the final product fell very short of my expectations for the game.
I also really didn't like what they did with resources in the game. If you don't have Iron or Gunpowder in your territory then its pretty much game over. Without those resources you are stuck with catapults and spearmen until the discovery of riflemen. I really didn't like that about the game, and another thing I hated was how no matter what I did neither I nor the computer players managed to get past the industrial age before the game ended.
Oh, and another thing I hated was they got rid of those advisors from Civ II. *angry*
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Ceric on March 19, 2008, 09:25:49 PM
Civilation I felt was better than Civ 2 but I thought Civ 2 was excellent. The right amount of resources and everything. Looks like I'll skip Civ 3.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 20, 2008, 01:56:09 AM
Well I gave it another shot today. Did a lot better and actually filled up a good twenty minutes. Unfortunately my first and only city fell into civil disorder and I ended up quitting out of frustration.
Tomorrow maybe I'll really go for the gusto!
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 20, 2008, 12:19:00 PM
Civilation I felt was better than Civ 2 but I thought Civ 2 was excellent. The right amount of resources and everything. Looks like I'll skip Civ 3.
I'm not sure if I agree or not. I loved both of them, but Civ II had a VERY large number of mods and addons for it which extended its replayability to insane levels. Civ III was kinda meh in comparison. I mean, it did introduce some good additions, but it also cut stuff out and there were some additions (as I pointed out) that I really didn't like or feel made the game better. What they should have done was incorporated ideas from Alpha Centauri instead... Alpha Centauri is sorta a part of the Civ series, and happens to be my favorite. Civ III could have borrowed some ideas, but it didn't and that's why I just was disappointed by it.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 20, 2008, 01:49:01 PM
Civilation I felt was better than Civ 2 but I thought Civ 2 was excellent. The right amount of resources and everything. Looks like I'll skip Civ 3.
I'm not sure if I agree or not. I loved both of them, but Civ II had a VERY large number of mods and addons for it which extended its replayability to insane levels. Civ III was kinda meh in comparison. I mean, it did introduce some good additions, but it also cut stuff out and there were some additions (as I pointed out) that I really didn't like or feel made the game better. What they should have done was incorporated ideas from Alpha Centauri instead... Alpha Centauri is sorta a part of the Civ series, and happens to be my favorite. Civ III could have borrowed some ideas, but it didn't and that's why I just was disappointed by it.
Civ III did take a few things from Alpha Centauri, but not as many as it probably should have. Some of the best things, like being able to create your own units, don't really make sense in a historical setting. If you're interested in mods you should really check out Civ IV, in addition to adding in more stuff from Alpha Centauri (the Civil Engineering create-your-own-government screen), the game was made with mods in mind with most everything done in XML and an official SDK. There are some really cool mods available.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 20, 2008, 02:24:30 PM
Any advice for avoiding/fixing civil disorder early in the game? Like I said it crippled me yesterday.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 20, 2008, 03:18:49 PM
Civ III did take a few things from Alpha Centauri, but not as many as it probably should have. Some of the best things, like being able to create your own units, don't really make sense in a historical setting.
But Civ isn't a historical simulator. The point of the game is to be able to change history. That being the case, rather than be locked into a certain Unique Unit for the Civ I happen to be playing, why not let me design my own? The only difference between a Civ unit workshop and the Alpha Centauri unit workshop would be the lack of laser rifles and futuristic stuff like that, but the concept would be the same otherwise. Drop a crossbow on a cavalry chasis and give it a jaguar skin uniform and you've created some weird new unit that never existed, but it would be cool and very fun to do this. The point of games is to have fun, you know, and I would love to be able to design units in Civ.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 20, 2008, 03:51:32 PM
Civ III did take a few things from Alpha Centauri, but not as many as it probably should have. Some of the best things, like being able to create your own units, don't really make sense in a historical setting.
But Civ isn't a historical simulator. The point of the game is to be able to change history. That being the case, rather than be locked into a certain Unique Unit for the Civ I happen to be playing, why not let me design my own? The only difference between a Civ unit workshop and the Alpha Centauri unit workshop would be the lack of laser rifles and futuristic stuff like that, but the concept would be the same otherwise. Drop a crossbow on a cavalry chasis and give it a jaguar skin uniform and you've created some weird new unit that never existed, but it would be cool and very fun to do this. The point of games is to have fun, you know, and I would love to be able to design units in Civ.
There wouldn't be near as many choices as Alpha Centauri's sci-fi setting gave you but I suppose it could be done. I'm not sure it would be worth it for the few extra options you'd have.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 20, 2008, 07:16:54 PM
There wouldn't be near as many choices as Alpha Centauri's sci-fi setting gave you but I suppose it could be done. I'm not sure it would be worth it for the few extra options you'd have.
Why wouldn't there be? There have been lots of military advancements made between the stone age and the modern age. In fact, you should have far more choices than with Alpha Centauri.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 20, 2008, 07:19:06 PM
Quote from: insanolord
Make sure to build Temples in every city as soon as possible.
Thanks!
And everybody stop talking about Alpha Centauri. You're just making this game more frustrating by discussing one of the best goddamn games ever made. :P
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 20, 2008, 07:42:21 PM
Man, I'm jealous. I want Civ III but can't figure out how to squeezxe it into my budget. Hmm...
Hey, if ever you need something to spice up the game, try the official HistoriCanada mod that the CANADIAN GOVERNMENT made for Civ III!
Man, I'm jealous. I want Civ III but can't figure out how to squeezxe it into my budget. Hmm...
You can't afford 8 dollars in the Target bargain bin? :-\
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: animecyberrat on March 20, 2008, 11:42:00 PM
I discovered a long time ago I spend a lot more time reading about and discussing video games on the internet than I do actually playing video games. For some reason I spend more time lately playing Sim City SNES on the Wii than I do anything else. I am so close to getting the Mario Statue I can almost feel it.
I never played many PC games other than Mahjong, Sim City (original) Doom, Quake, and Duke Nukem, so I am not too familiar with the newer stuff, mostly cuz my piece of crap computer can't play any good games and I can't afford to upgrade video cards. (I couldn't even run Halo 1)
But this Civilization game does look interesting, does it require a hefty video card or is a standard built in 64mb card good enough?
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 21, 2008, 01:25:49 AM
If you find it (and don't already have it) I would suggest picking up Alpha Centauri instead. Otherwise, you may want to get Civ IV or just wait until Civ comes to the DS/Wii later this year. ;)
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 21, 2008, 01:42:57 AM
I discovered a long time ago I spend a lot more time reading about and discussing video games on the internet than I do actually playing video games. For some reason I spend more time lately playing Sim City SNES on the Wii than I do anything else. I am so close to getting the Mario Statue I can almost feel it.
I never played many PC games other than Mahjong, Sim City (original) Doom, Quake, and Duke Nukem, so I am not too familiar with the newer stuff, mostly cuz my piece of crap computer can't play any good games and I can't afford to upgrade video cards. (I couldn't even run Halo 1)
But this Civilization game does look interesting, does it require a hefty video card or is a standard built in 64mb card good enough?
You should see if you can find Civilization for the SNES. That game was ported from the PC by Koei and it makes use of the SNES mousepad that comes with Mario Paint. Maybe it hasn't been put on the VC yet, but I still highly recommend looking for it on ebay or whatever. Its true you could just play the PC version, but the SNES version actually has better graphics and some extra features which make it the better choice. The SNES version happened to be my very first experience with the series since I didn't have a PC way back then.
As for Civ III, that came out in 2001 or so. I think your standard 64mb card will be more than sufficient to play it, but once again I would suggest you play Civ I or Civ II first if you are new to the series. You may like Civ III but some people don't, and it would suck if you get a bad impression of the whole series just from that game. The original Civ and Civ II run on Dos and Win95 respectively, so those system requirements should be no problem at all to meet. And one of the good things about Civ II over most other games is that you play it in a window rather than fullscreen so it makes it very easy to do other stuff on your computer in the background like chat or listen to music or whatever.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: animecyberrat on March 21, 2008, 01:48:35 AM
Thanks for the heads up, I'll be looking for this on VC.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 21, 2008, 01:51:27 AM
CIV I is godly. It owns my life. I love it. So much.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 21, 2008, 05:29:20 PM
You should cheat on Civ 1 with Alpha Centauri.
Anyhoo... I think I got it back. Taking ShyGuy's advice and skipping out on work to play it really helped! I seem to have settled in with the game a bit and have started having some real fun with it. This game is bringin' me back to my Alpha Centauri days.
For some reason, though, no matter how many cities I build, my citizens keep rioting because "it's too crowded". MOVE YOU BASTARDS!!!!
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: vudu on March 21, 2008, 07:44:32 PM
Any advice for avoiding/fixing civil disorder early in the game? Like I said it crippled me yesterday.
Make sure to build Temples in every city as soon as possible.
I've never played Civilization, but I have to ask, are you serious? Is that all it takes?
Jeez, religion really is the opiate of the masses.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 21, 2008, 08:36:52 PM
In Civ 3 you can also boost happiness by building a road to a luxury good like spices or ivory. It's been awhile since I played, but your government also helps a lot. The one you start out with (which I think is dictatorship, but I'm not sure) is pretty much the worst one there is except for anarchism. You'll want to move on to either Republic or Monarchy as fast as you can. And also don't forget to adjust your tax sliders so that you are giving at least 20% towards luxuries. Doing that should pacify most of your citizens.
Another thing you can do to shut people up is starve them to death by limiting the amount of food being produced and when the cities population drops that tends to get rid of the whiners. :P
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 21, 2008, 08:40:23 PM
Another thing you can do to shut people up is starve them to death by limiting the amount of food being produced and when the cities population drops that tends to get rid of the whiners. :P
Perfect.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 21, 2008, 08:41:06 PM
Any advice for avoiding/fixing civil disorder early in the game? Like I said it crippled me yesterday.
Make sure to build Temples in every city as soon as possible.
I've never played Civilization, but I have to ask, are you serious? Is that all it takes?
Jeez, religion really is the opiate of the masses.
That's not all it takes, but it does help. A temple is probably the first building every city should have before anything else. In addition, temples generate culture points which are also important. But after a while you may need more than a temple, and that's when you should build things like colosseums, cathedrals, and wonders.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: animecyberrat on March 22, 2008, 11:24:03 AM
Ok, I remember this game, its the one where your a hand and you play God right?
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 22, 2008, 11:55:39 AM
Ok, I remember this game, its the one where your a hand and you play God right?
I think you are thinking of Populous. In Civ you're not a God, but the leader of a civilization. You can't raise terrain or cast spells on people, but you can levy taxes and wage war just like the leader of a country.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 22, 2008, 12:12:16 PM
I thought he was talking about Black & White.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: animecyberrat on March 22, 2008, 03:41:50 PM
Maybe not, I never played any of those games. I just remember hearing about them.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 22, 2008, 04:23:39 PM
So I've been playing a game for several hours now, and I have progressed to the Industrial Age. Unfortunately I've been focusing on upgrading all my cities and maintaining my wealth rather than actually expanding my empire or military might.
The jackass Zulu threatened me and I don't take kind to empty threats. Unfortunately they were not empty, as I quickly had my ass handed to me and I had to ask for a peace treaty in exchange for my technologies.
I am also by far the smallest country on the planet, and don't know how to progress.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 22, 2008, 07:25:02 PM
So I've been playing a game for several hours now, and I have progressed to the Industrial Age. Unfortunately I've been focusing on upgrading all my cities and maintaining my wealth rather than actually expanding my empire or military might.
The jackass Zulu threatened me and I don't take kind to empty threats. Unfortunately they were not empty, as I quickly had my ass handed to me and I had to ask for a peace treaty in exchange for my technologies.
I am also by far the smallest country on the planet, and don't know how to progress.
My suggestion is to start building the best army you can and then unleash it against your weakest neighbor so you can absorb some or all of his territory.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: ThePerm on March 22, 2008, 10:25:25 PM
iv lost it too, for me i need to have something totally worht doing in order to do it in a game, unlocking stars in Super Mario Galaxy is not as satisfying as unlocking all-stars in smash bros, even if galaxy is more fun.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 22, 2008, 11:04:48 PM
So I've been playing a game for several hours now, and I have progressed to the Industrial Age. Unfortunately I've been focusing on upgrading all my cities and maintaining my wealth rather than actually expanding my empire or military might.
The jackass Zulu threatened me and I don't take kind to empty threats. Unfortunately they were not empty, as I quickly had my ass handed to me and I had to ask for a peace treaty in exchange for my technologies.
I am also by far the smallest country on the planet, and don't know how to progress.
My suggestion is to start building the best army you can and then unleash it against your weakest neighbor so you can absorb some or all of his territory.
I turn into a total bloodthirsty war-loving world domination guy when I play CIV, but isn't there a way that Maverick's small little country can live in peace without invading anyone else? Is there a way a purely defensive military could work such that his small country could go on till time eternal?
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 22, 2008, 11:19:47 PM
I always seem to play Civ, Master of Orion, Alpha Centauri, and all those types of games for a long drawn out game. I don't care about multiplayer because everyone always seems to play for the quick kill, but I always set up the biggest size map with just a handful of nations and play well into the modern era. I love going for scientific victory or getting into a war between superpowers that lasts forever.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: oohhboy on March 22, 2008, 11:51:56 PM
I have found that war is a must for 4X games. Even if you don't start one yourself, some one else will. Hope for the best, prepare for the worse.
You can set yourself up for a defensive war, but depending on your government type, that might not be an option. With govs like democracy, war wariness hits hard and very quickly, so you have American style Shock and awe to end the war quickly and decisively. Basically blitz at least half most, if not all your opponent's cities in ten turns. It requires you to expect a war with your neighbor so position your guys along it. Concentrate most of them in one or two cites depending how large your army is. Then wait for war. Aircraft is a must for intercepting guys making a run for your cities, but those are few. once you knock them back into the defensive, that frees up aircraft to soften retreating units. The bulk of your army should be doing a smash and grab of the cities. If your fast enough, you can out run the defenders and take cities almost undefended. Having aircraft carriers off shore is great for opening up another front to draw off troops. Off course this is all modern age if tanks and mechanized infantry. Forget about artillery, not worth the time or damage to units or cities.
During all this time make sure that your entire nation is mobilized and cranking out units. Some are lost replacement, but most are for garrisoning since that places your taking aren't very happy about it all.
Unfortunately Civ games and especially civ 3 are not very conductive of world domination. It is mathematically impossible to achieve as your nation very easily falls into civil war past 150 cities. The empire size penalty is just too great to compensate for. I have seen A.I.s approach 200, but they are so weak internally, they fall over to a light breeze. Also having overseas holdings isn't worth anything as they are so inefficient, they drain resources as a whole. You pretty much have to burn down most of the world to gain the world domination victory.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2008, 12:05:04 AM
I have found that war is a must for 4X games. Even if you don't start one yourself, some one else will. Hope for the best, prepare for the worse.
You can set yourself up for a defensive war, but depending on your government type, that might not be an option. With govs like democracy, war wariness hits hard and very quickly, so you have American style Shock and awe to end the war quickly and decisively. Basically blitz at least half most, if not all your opponent's cities in ten turns. It requires you to expect a war with your neighbor so position your guys along it. Concentrate most of them in one or two cites depending how large your army is. Then wait for war. Aircraft is a must for intercepting guys making a run for your cities, but those are few. once you knock them back into the defensive, that frees up aircraft to soften retreating units. The bulk of your army should be doing a smash and grab of the cities. If your fast enough, you can out run the defenders and take cities almost undefended. Having aircraft carriers off shore is great for opening up another front to draw off troops. Off course this is all modern age if tanks and mechanized infantry. Forget about artillery, not worth the time or damage to units or cities.
During all this time make sure that your entire nation is mobilized and cranking out units. Some are lost replacement, but most are for garrisoning since that places your taking aren't very happy about it all.
Unfortunately Civ games and especially civ 3 are not very conductive of world domination. It is mathematically impossible to achieve as your nation very easily falls into civil war past 150 cities. The empire size penalty is just too great to compensate for. I have seen A.I.s approach 200, but they are so weak internally, they fall over to a light breeze. Also having overseas holdings isn't worth anything as they are so inefficient, they drain resources as a whole. You pretty much have to burn down most of the world to gain the world domination victory.
The CPU players get in the habit of building a ton of cities, each with a low population. That's why you don't capture all cities, you burn most of them to the ground.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 23, 2008, 12:17:32 AM
Thanks for the help, you guys. I just saved and quit after Russia declaring war on me. Fortunately I finally found out to gain alliances, and have my two closest neighbors allied against my overseas invaders. They're the only reason I'm surviving.
For some reason although I seem to be about equal in tech tree to the more advanced civilizations on the planet, I haven't gotten to advance my units with my civilization. The most advanced unit I have is a freakin' rifleman and I'm well into the modern age. What am I doing wrong this time?
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 23, 2008, 12:44:52 AM
I have found that war is a must for 4X games. Even if you don't start one yourself, some one else will. Hope for the best, prepare for the worse.
You can set yourself up for a defensive war, but depending on your government type, that might not be an option. With govs like democracy, war wariness hits hard and very quickly, so you have American style Shock and awe to end the war quickly and decisively. Basically blitz at least half most, if not all your opponent's cities in ten turns. It requires you to expect a war with your neighbor so position your guys along it. Concentrate most of them in one or two cites depending how large your army is. Then wait for war. Aircraft is a must for intercepting guys making a run for your cities, but those are few. once you knock them back into the defensive, that frees up aircraft to soften retreating units. The bulk of your army should be doing a smash and grab of the cities. If your fast enough, you can out run the defenders and take cities almost undefended. Having aircraft carriers off shore is great for opening up another front to draw off troops. Off course this is all modern age if tanks and mechanized infantry. Forget about artillery, not worth the time or damage to units or cities.
During all this time make sure that your entire nation is mobilized and cranking out units. Some are lost replacement, but most are for garrisoning since that places your taking aren't very happy about it all.
Unfortunately Civ games and especially civ 3 are not very conductive of world domination. It is mathematically impossible to achieve as your nation very easily falls into civil war past 150 cities. The empire size penalty is just too great to compensate for. I have seen A.I.s approach 200, but they are so weak internally, they fall over to a light breeze. Also having overseas holdings isn't worth anything as they are so inefficient, they drain resources as a whole. You pretty much have to burn down most of the world to gain the world domination victory.
The CPU players get in the habit of building a ton of cities, each with a low population. That's why you don't capture all cities, you burn most of them to the ground.
Yeah. If you're a world conqueror, then you have the power to massively control and "re-settle" most of the world's population. It's your right. LOL.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2008, 01:16:00 AM
I have found that war is a must for 4X games. Even if you don't start one yourself, some one else will. Hope for the best, prepare for the worse.
You can set yourself up for a defensive war, but depending on your government type, that might not be an option. With govs like democracy, war wariness hits hard and very quickly, so you have American style Shock and awe to end the war quickly and decisively. Basically blitz at least half most, if not all your opponent's cities in ten turns. It requires you to expect a war with your neighbor so position your guys along it. Concentrate most of them in one or two cites depending how large your army is. Then wait for war. Aircraft is a must for intercepting guys making a run for your cities, but those are few. once you knock them back into the defensive, that frees up aircraft to soften retreating units. The bulk of your army should be doing a smash and grab of the cities. If your fast enough, you can out run the defenders and take cities almost undefended. Having aircraft carriers off shore is great for opening up another front to draw off troops. Off course this is all modern age if tanks and mechanized infantry. Forget about artillery, not worth the time or damage to units or cities.
During all this time make sure that your entire nation is mobilized and cranking out units. Some are lost replacement, but most are for garrisoning since that places your taking aren't very happy about it all.
Unfortunately Civ games and especially civ 3 are not very conductive of world domination. It is mathematically impossible to achieve as your nation very easily falls into civil war past 150 cities. The empire size penalty is just too great to compensate for. I have seen A.I.s approach 200, but they are so weak internally, they fall over to a light breeze. Also having overseas holdings isn't worth anything as they are so inefficient, they drain resources as a whole. You pretty much have to burn down most of the world to gain the world domination victory.
The CPU players get in the habit of building a ton of cities, each with a low population. That's why you don't capture all cities, you burn most of them to the ground.
Yeah. If you're a world conqueror, then you have the power to massively control and "re-settle" most of the world's population. It's your right. LOL.
No power-mad dictator would have it any other way Kill Maim Frighten Destroy.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 23, 2008, 03:56:09 AM
I have found that war is a must for 4X games. Even if you don't start one yourself, some one else will. Hope for the best, prepare for the worse.
You can set yourself up for a defensive war, but depending on your government type, that might not be an option. With govs like democracy, war wariness hits hard and very quickly, so you have American style Shock and awe to end the war quickly and decisively. Basically blitz at least half most, if not all your opponent's cities in ten turns. It requires you to expect a war with your neighbor so position your guys along it. Concentrate most of them in one or two cites depending how large your army is. Then wait for war. Aircraft is a must for intercepting guys making a run for your cities, but those are few. once you knock them back into the defensive, that frees up aircraft to soften retreating units. The bulk of your army should be doing a smash and grab of the cities. If your fast enough, you can out run the defenders and take cities almost undefended. Having aircraft carriers off shore is great for opening up another front to draw off troops. Off course this is all modern age if tanks and mechanized infantry. Forget about artillery, not worth the time or damage to units or cities.
During all this time make sure that your entire nation is mobilized and cranking out units. Some are lost replacement, but most are for garrisoning since that places your taking aren't very happy about it all.
Unfortunately Civ games and especially civ 3 are not very conductive of world domination. It is mathematically impossible to achieve as your nation very easily falls into civil war past 150 cities. The empire size penalty is just too great to compensate for. I have seen A.I.s approach 200, but they are so weak internally, they fall over to a light breeze. Also having overseas holdings isn't worth anything as they are so inefficient, they drain resources as a whole. You pretty much have to burn down most of the world to gain the world domination victory.
The CPU players get in the habit of building a ton of cities, each with a low population. That's why you don't capture all cities, you burn most of them to the ground.
Yeah. If you're a world conqueror, then you have the power to massively control and "re-settle" most of the world's population. It's your right. LOL.
No power-mad dictator would have it any other way Kill Maim Frighten Destroy.
In Civilization, you act as a hive mind for the entire human race. I almost never went to Republic or Democracy when I played the first Civ because those governments diminished my power to rule, and I could better mobilize all of humanity towards a singular goal when I remained Monarchy or Communism.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: oohhboy on March 23, 2008, 04:46:34 AM
I always rushed for those government types since it allows me to out tech my neighbors. Of course it was inconvenient to have them around for times of war. Although it doesn't make my forces invincible. Bloody bowmen VS Jet aircraft. How dare you scratch the paint work.
In Alpha Centauri you still could do the tech thing almost regardless of faction. There are some factions that aren't err, open to such things. But it is a blast to send just one maxed out needlejet with string guns which clears out entire cities, fleets, armies.
Unlike nuclear weapons in Civ games, I truly feared the planet busters. When the A.I.s have them and are cornered, they have no problem setting them off in their own territory. If you know they have them, you have to form smash teams to waste them on the ground. Lets just say, things don't work out nice like a Tom Clancy novel.
Just go play A.C. It's not main line CIV, but it a heck of a lot better.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2008, 05:39:11 AM
I always play as the University in Alpha Centauri to really make my research fly to the point where if it were a race I would lap Sister Miriam. As for planet busters, they do make it hard to decide which way to vote about repealing the UN Charter. Having everyone turn on you if you use them is a good way to minimize their use, but nerve stapling can come in handy. Another great thing about Alpha Centauri is how blazingly fast it runs on a modern computer.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 23, 2008, 06:22:25 AM
Okay okay, you convinced me, Alpha Centauri is getting bought!
Lets just say, things don't work out nice like a Tom Clancy novel.
LOL
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2008, 06:30:51 AM
You'll probably have to settle for a used copy, the game's been out of print for a while, but it's worth it. It's probably the best PC game ever made. This has got me in the mood for it, I think I'll go play it now.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Kairon on March 23, 2008, 06:33:54 AM
I'm in the mood for a game of Deadlocked. You'll probably turn up your nose at it, but I was soooo the smaug, and my younger bro was soooo the tarth.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 23, 2008, 10:09:03 AM
So I've been playing a game for several hours now, and I have progressed to the Industrial Age. Unfortunately I've been focusing on upgrading all my cities and maintaining my wealth rather than actually expanding my empire or military might.
The jackass Zulu threatened me and I don't take kind to empty threats. Unfortunately they were not empty, as I quickly had my ass handed to me and I had to ask for a peace treaty in exchange for my technologies.
I am also by far the smallest country on the planet, and don't know how to progress.
My suggestion is to start building the best army you can and then unleash it against your weakest neighbor so you can absorb some or all of his territory.
I turn into a total bloodthirsty war-loving world domination guy when I play CIV, but isn't there a way that Maverick's small little country can live in peace without invading anyone else? Is there a way a purely defensive military could work such that his small country could go on till time eternal?
Yeah, but it isn't as easy. For defensive purposes you need every city to have at least one garrison unit, and if your cities are on the frontier then you should have at least two. I also recommend the frontier cities be fortified with walls and that you place a catapult or artillery unit in them. That way, when someone attacks the catapult will soften them up first automatically and then you can bombard the invaders on your turn from the safety of your walls.
I also recommend a swift cavalry unit be stationed there as well so you can sortie out of the walls and mop up the weakened attackers which try to flee. Remember that the best defense is a good offense so an offensive unit like cavalry is still good to have even when playing defensively.
That's my suggestions. Don't focus on city improvements until your defenses are up to code! Defense must come first, and if you neglect it and create a rich empire without defending it then you are just inviting attack. Not every city needs to be fortified or defended with multiple units, but frontier cities do. Make the defense of your frontier cities your top priority (and your capital too, of course).
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Chozo Ghost on March 23, 2008, 10:15:27 AM
Thanks for the help, you guys. I just saved and quit after Russia declaring war on me. Fortunately I finally found out to gain alliances, and have my two closest neighbors allied against my overseas invaders. They're the only reason I'm surviving.
For some reason although I seem to be about equal in tech tree to the more advanced civilizations on the planet, I haven't gotten to advance my units with my civilization. The most advanced unit I have is a freakin' rifleman and I'm well into the modern age. What am I doing wrong this time?
Unfortunately, Civ doesn't automatically upgrade units for you so you have to do that yourself and it costs money. If you have a really ancient unit then it is sometimes preferable to just disband it and build a new one to replace it.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2008, 12:34:42 PM
I pick the biggest map size but somehow still get stuck on the same island as the Gaians. Oh well, it's pretty easy to conquer a faction that's only got 2 cities. Then I get my first boat and I can't explore for 3 turns without running into Morgan. Sure, I get to kill them quick but the Hive and the Spartans get room to grow. A word of advice for Kairon, or anyone, never under any circumstances trust the Believers. The scientific output of the University with a strong military is a powerful combination (despite the support costs), but it needs a break now and then. It's fun, though, when other factions threaten you by pointing out their laser weapons while your forces are armed with missile launchers, 3 times the offenssive power.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: Maverick on March 23, 2008, 01:55:52 PM
Yeah you bastards, I'm stuck playing Civ III since I can't find my copy of Alpha Centauri or its expansion. :(
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on March 23, 2008, 02:04:26 PM
No-CD patches are your friend. I don't ever have to worry about where my discs are.
Title: Re: I think I've lost it... (my video game drive.)
Post by: oohhboy on March 24, 2008, 12:30:25 AM
You don't need one unit per city early and mid game in civ. Unless your empire is small or you set Barbarians to insane. Initially have a couple of fast units to hold back the hoards but don't actually build an army until you run into some one else. Also unless your trapped, early game war is very counter productive. You are better off with peace for a while until more mobile forms of warfare comes along.
IN A.C. you really do need one unit per city, if just to fight off the mind worms, or if your the appropriate faction, capture them. Once you out tech everyone, you can pretty much conquer at will limited by logistics and support penalties. Eventually you have to stop due to pressure on your economy.
Oh, I love putting those God believing heathens to the fire. It is impressive just how many units they can throw at you. Even with the tech advantage, they can give put up quite a fight.
Be sure to have some allies and if you go to war, be sure you have some sort of objective to it, whether it is a limited war or total. One of the worse things you can do is over extent yourself regardless of tech. In late game, the A.I. will pull a 6 day war by nuking their own territory. By that time, they only want to kill as many people they can before they go down.
