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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Civilization 3 Preview
Froy King Shit *board owner*	posted on 03-03-2001 @ 12:06 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Feb. 01	From IGN: Okay, first things first: There is no official release date for the game so don't even ask. Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the actual preview. That Civilization is one of the most revered and respected strategy series of all time is a given. So how do you make the next version better? Simple -- keep all the good things about the previous games and add lots of cool new features. I'm surprised you didn't think of that on your own. The next game in the series, Civilization III, promises to do just that. Developed by Firaxis and overseen by the founder of the series, Sid Meier, Civ III will offer improvements in diplomacy, combat and graphics. That seems to be the main focus of the team right now, but Civ III will make improvements over its forebears in many other ways as well. But the overhaul to the diplomacy system is, by far, the most intriguing of the changes. While Civ II made great advances in this area, it still lacked the joy of back and forth negotiations on the finer points of empire management. The trick on the development side is to retain the intelligibility and convenience of the old interface while adding advanced options for Kissenger wannabes. The straight conversational interface will be retained here but the team wanted to add a little more flexibility to the negotiations. To that end, the team has added a bargaining table feature. You and another world leader can now sit down across a table and barter for really specific things. The basic treaties have been expanded to include mutual protection pacts, free passage agreements and trade embargoes against a third party. As before you can exchange technology, world maps and open communication with other civilizations. You may also barter with specific units, cities or manufactured goods. And of course, gold can change hands at any point as a factor of these negotiations. The chance to mix and match in your negotiations with your rivals is a welcome one. Anyone who's played the original game knows that it's not about war, right? Well, that was the intent at least. The challenge of the game was supposed to be peaceful coexistence and fair-minded competition with your rivals. But nobody played it that way; we played the game for conquest. A peaceful victory for me meant that I hadn't done my job right. The development team have made a point of adding several new paths to victory and have even broadened the definition of "victory" to let players approach the game from a unique perspective. But for me, it's still about kicking the other guys' collective imperial asses off the planet. Fortunately, the new game will still deliver that experience for those of us who want it. Firaxis have only released the names of a few of the units but we do know that the warrior, phalanx and catapult will be retained. Some of the later unit lists have been expanded to include things like Abrams and Panzer tanks and the F-15 and MiG jets. And as before, you can create your own units. Zones of control have also been retooled. In the past a unit could not move from a space adjacent to an enemy unit to another space adjacent to an enemy unit. In Civ III, things work a little differently. Zones of control will be a factor of the defending unit's mobility and firepower. It will, therefore, be much easier to maneuver around a phalanx than a tank. Maneuver speed will also affect the ability of your units to retreat from combat. The concept of national borders will also factor heavily into the game. The new system will expand on the model used in Alpha Centauri. The game will run on a brand new graphics engine. The team haven't released any in game shots yet but what we've seen of the unit models has impressed us so far. Units will be animated as they move about the map and engage in combat. Additionally, there have been some changes in the terrain features of the game. Terrain in the new Civ will be rendered like that in Alpha Centauri. No longer will we have to be content with a single level value for all terrain. Positioning an artillery unit on top of a mountain will increase its range considerably. There will also be a new emphasis on culture and nationality in the game. The particular characteristics and ideologies of the civilizations promise to play a larger role in this new game. Moreover, each civilization will have certain permanent benefits that set them apart from their rivals. Those of you who cry every time an empire game comes out that slights the Boers, Inuit or Rhodians will be glad to hear that there's a civilization editor here so you can create your own little Ainu empire. A few other things are being added to the game -- things like better mayoral AI for when your empire grows too big for you to administrate and a series of multiplayer options. We've also heard that the replay feature, which shows a time lapse progression of all empires across the map, will be included. Thank god. I mean, I love Civ II a lot. I still play it pretty regularly, but the fact that you don't get the cool end of game replay that was present in the first game really ticked me off. Luckily someone must have told Sid how much I missed this feature. As I said at the start, Firaxis isn't offering the slightest hint as to when the game might be finished but they have reported that they are "working full throttle on it." They've cruelly admitted that they have already designed a playable version of the game but they aren't quite ready to release it to the press. We've also heard no word on when the beta might start either. We're very anxious to get a look at this one and we'll be sure to post our impressions as the game comes closer to release. ~Matt/Froy from Jersey The Hell Hole Official Protector of Gay Marco & SwampJunk...if he ever decides to post. Also providing total immunity to Fayth
adolescentmasturbator	posted on 03-03-2001 @ 12:27 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01	Im waiting and waiting for this game. It looks real good. IT IS BETTER TO DIE ON YOUR FEET THAN LIVE ON YOUR KNEES
Fez The sky is blue	posted on 03-03-2001 @ 12:58 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Oct. 00	I still enjoy the one with 16 colors. ------------------------ See My Sig Pics! Froy's going to ban me so if you have any last words.... ;)
L|LDickBlack	posted on 03-04-2001 @ 12:08 AM
Psychopath Registered: Mar. 01	alpha centuri was good, where can civ III pick up tho? New look, same old tool
Gustave	posted on 03-07-2001 @ 5:43 PM
Hanger-On Registered: Mar. 01	I spent a lot of time on Civ II. I hope this one is just as good and has a lot of new features.
MrQuotes NO!!! You can't have any smiley faces in your status!!! G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Missile Command	posted on 03-07-2001 @ 11:13 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Nov. 00	i still play civ2 to this very day as homer would say "mmmmmmm civ3.." Poster child for Euthanasia
Dryblood	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 12:49 AM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Sep. 00	any idea abot when the release date will be? the original civ is still the best :D It's a message in blood It's your cryptic warning Within the message in blood Marks the years of pain, And your godforsaken ending to life - Pantera
skitchr4u G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Xtreme Skiing Assualt Force Split Personality #1	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 5:09 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00	i loved the original civ, and civ 2 was that much better...any idea if it still just a pc game?? i would guess yes, but would love to see it on psx!! keep us updated froy! adopted by Joey BigArms, then he graduated me, so i am no longer an adoptee!!! Thanks to Joey for all the help!
Gustave	posted on 03-08-2001 @ 10:24 PM
Hanger-On Registered: Mar. 01	Civ2 is on psx but it's not nearly as good as pc. The graphics are bad, the sound is repetitive, and the setup is limited.

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