This is a proposal, no idea if it's possible, but atleast we can discuss it. :)

After playing Pirates! again, it was nice to see how I was sailing the boat on one 'level'. And then when I went to attack a port, it sort of zoomed in or went to another part of the designed game which was a turn based strategy element. With several little units.

Now, let's put this frame into Civ 4.

We move our big units along as usual. When it comes to attack, we are essentially zoomed into a 'battle'. Now the big unit we had is split up into little individual groups. (maybe this can now raise the importance of 'armies')

This way, we can add in particular aspects like tree cover, height advantage, flanking, morale.

For the main map, we can have an army unit which can be loaded with a variety of troops, so when you zoom in you have a nice mixed set to fight with.

Thoughts?

but that will means u need to code AI really smart, to be able to compete with human intelligence. also how do u make multiplay version?

Surely, with SDK to come, it can atleast be on the level of Pirates! AI ?

I hadn't thought that far, only single player for now.

That's how SSS works.