Civ 4 Multiplayer Info

[alanschu]

http://pc.ign.com/articles/650/650805p2.html

 

 

As I'll undoubtedly be purchasing this game at some point (or putting it on my Christmas list), I'd probably be game to play around with the multiplayer with some of the guys on this forum if they were interested.

[Cantousent]

I might just go for this one. I hope the design team isn't as interested in beating its collective chest and more interested in providing a great game. I've been a huge fan of the Civ series. Here's hoping this game actually ships with multiplayer and doesn't decide to put it in an expansion.

[alanschu]

Given the interviews and discussions I've made, it sounds like they learned their mistake with regards to multiplayer in Civ 3.

 

Still, I have high hopes. I like the pseudo Play-by-Email design, where if everyone is online, it plays like a standard MP game, but once someone has to leave, it can still be played via email.

[Cantousent]

I wouldn't mind trying a few games if the online play comes through.

[alanschu]

Shotgun Germany!!!

[Delta Truth]

Awh Why does everyone like being Germany ...

 

Well it seems the designers have decided to create the game first for a multi player interface then for solo action so hopefully its alot better and doesn't take forever either

 

and I guess they won't have that stupid polluntion squares , man I hated those

[Guest Fishboot]

I don't understand exactly why they want to fit 4X games with multiplayer. It's a terrible system for competition (mainly because the game has so much momentum - in a lot of cases you're losing in turn 200 because of a mistake you made in turn 3), I'd assume frustratingly slow, and very dependent on luck (a good starting position and a clear lane of expansion is as good as a win). I guess there aren't many options for cerebral competitive multiplayer out there outside of chess, but surely something like a turn-based squad tactics game would be better suited.

[alanschu]

According to the articles, the MP games can actually be pretty fast.

[Cantousent]

I'm willing to give it a try anyhow, Fish. I don't have to win and, should it become apparent that someone has reached critical mass, then we can always start a new one. I used to play a lot of HoMM on the lan, and that was another game where you could determine the winner pretty early most of the time.

 

I always like to play England, but I'm not keen on being on an island. So, random map, I call England.

[BuckeyeRowe]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to this one. I'm not really a multiplayer gamer, but this one should be good enough to take a shot at.

 

I always did enjoy Civ, and this one sounds like it will live up to the series. But I do agree with Elder said, that they should focus on making a good game, not to live up to the name. Fortunatly, from what I've heard, that's exactly what the designers have done.

[Walsingham]

Don't trust him! The filthy swine is still dodging my requests for a Close Combat game!

[alanschu]

OMG I completely forgot!!!!!

 

Hahaha sorry.

 

Although I do remember looking for my Russian Front CD and not finding it. I'm heading home again this weekend and will continue the search!

[PhantomJedi]

I'm game. I'm a big fan of Civ3 but from what i have heard the multiplayer was horrible. But then again I don't know because I never tried it. But this is tentative to the fact that I have money and don't find another game which I might buy. The graphics are looking great.

 

 

Shotgun Greece.

[Jumjalum]

Is there much difference between nations? I remember in the original Civ all it affected was your starting technology and units. Are there uniwue units or anything?

[alanschu]

Hmmmm....to be honest I can't remember.

 

I think they still have the "Militaristic, Expansionist" etc. traits between nations.

[Deraldin]

Hmmmm....to be honest I can't remember.

 

I think they still have the "Militaristic, Expansionist" etc. traits between nations.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Civ 3 had unique units based on your country. Rome had Legions (stronger swordsmen), France had Musketeers and Germany had Panzers I think. Each trait also had a specific bonus that went with it, from Industrious civs having workers who improved terrain faster to Scientific civs who got a bonus tech every age.

[alanschu]

Yes I remember all that.

 

I haven't heard whether or not they have or have not included those, but I'm betting on not.

 

I heard that they were going for less units this time, but the ability to specialize them in a huge variety of ways as they gain experience instead.

 

Maybe some of the bonus' will be civ specific.

[Deraldin]

Yes I remember all that.

 

I haven't heard whether or not they have or have not included those, but I'm betting on not.

 

I heard that they were going for less units this time, but the ability to specialize them in a huge variety of ways as they gain experience instead.

 

Maybe some of the bonus' will be civ specific.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Kinda like Alpha Centauri?

[alanschu]

WHat do you mean?

 

Alpha Centauri had customizable units in that you could set the attack power, defense, and whatnot.

 

I don't think Civ 4 is the same way. It's more like having less overall units, but still having the Phalanx, Rifleman, etc. etc. (Although no more defense and offense stat, just an overall power stat), but as they level up you can state things like +bonus to defense, +bonus city attack, +bonus city defense, etc.

[Deraldin]

WHat do you mean?

 

Alpha Centauri had customizable units in that you could set the attack power, defense, and whatnot.

 

I don't think Civ 4 is the same way.  It's more like having less overall units, but still having the Phalanx, Rifleman, etc. etc. (Although no more defense and offense stat, just an overall power stat), but as they level up you can state things like +bonus to defense, +bonus city attack, +bonus city defense, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ah okay. That cleared it up. Thanks.

[alanschu]

Both the previews I have read have stressed the importance of keeping veteran units alive, as their bonuses can be pretty useful if they've gained a huge amount of levels. It also makes "turtling" a little less viable, as I don't know how much you can level up (if at all) with no combat experience.

 

But you can make a great city defender by having +bonus city defense and +bonus defense, which stacks up for an impressive defender of cities. I imagine Town Walls will give it's usual bonus as well.

[Walsingham]

I don't like the sound of turtling. :ph34r: