Hmm, a necro'ed post, but an interesting one.
Personally, I think it's the opposite. There is much more in Civ V intended to trigger the reward response in the brain. In the beginning of Civ IV and earlier, the first few turns were often monotonous because of slow production and limited movement. By increasing movement and adding city defense, it freed the units to act in the early turns. Allowing user actions is a reward.
For the most part, Civ V removed penalties and replaced them with pure rewards. Instead of taking a penalty for your choices (like high upkeep in Civ IV), you simply chose a different bonus. Everything in the game seems designed around a bonus system. Unlocking a policy is as far as your brain is concerned, a reward.
Perhaps most visibly is that in Civ V, you can now purchase things. By using a fake currency, you actually get the same reaction to shopping in Civ V that you would going to the store. Your brain is rewarded by thinking you are actually shopping, and the immediate response reinforces this.
I think the problem is not a lack of rewards in Civ V, but satiation. With earlier games, there was a delay between reward actions, and when they came, they were large rewards. In Civilization V, you get a steady flow of small rewards. The brain is better with large rewards spaced out (once you are accustomed to the reward), however it can become addicted toward small rewards rapidly given. Instead of anticipating them gladly, they become a habit.
Civ V handles rewards differently. That is part of why it is better for newer players. I think the slower rate of rewards in Civ IV is part of its endurance, though. It also is probably why Civ IV vets were disappointed with Civ V...everything just happened so easy, when they were used to having to work for things.
I've played every Civ game since Civ II unhealthily over the years, and I cannot understand why someone would say Civ V is less rewarding. Adjusting tax sliders is not rewarding, unless you perceive a bonus for adjusting it. Of course, I realize this is an old thread, and the game might have been different on release, but much of the reward system in Civ V is part of the original design.
Personally, I think it's the opposite. There is much more in Civ V intended to trigger the reward response in the brain. In the beginning of Civ IV and earlier, the first few turns were often monotonous because of slow production and limited movement. By increasing movement and adding city defense, it freed the units to act in the early turns. Allowing user actions is a reward.
For the most part, Civ V removed penalties and replaced them with pure rewards. Instead of taking a penalty for your choices (like high upkeep in Civ IV), you simply chose a different bonus. Everything in the game seems designed around a bonus system. Unlocking a policy is as far as your brain is concerned, a reward.
Perhaps most visibly is that in Civ V, you can now purchase things. By using a fake currency, you actually get the same reaction to shopping in Civ V that you would going to the store. Your brain is rewarded by thinking you are actually shopping, and the immediate response reinforces this.
I think the problem is not a lack of rewards in Civ V, but satiation. With earlier games, there was a delay between reward actions, and when they came, they were large rewards. In Civilization V, you get a steady flow of small rewards. The brain is better with large rewards spaced out (once you are accustomed to the reward), however it can become addicted toward small rewards rapidly given. Instead of anticipating them gladly, they become a habit.
Civ V handles rewards differently. That is part of why it is better for newer players. I think the slower rate of rewards in Civ IV is part of its endurance, though. It also is probably why Civ IV vets were disappointed with Civ V...everything just happened so easy, when they were used to having to work for things.
I've played every Civ game since Civ II unhealthily over the years, and I cannot understand why someone would say Civ V is less rewarding. Adjusting tax sliders is not rewarding, unless you perceive a bonus for adjusting it. Of course, I realize this is an old thread, and the game might have been different on release, but much of the reward system in Civ V is part of the original design.
after you settle something like 40 cities you can get to point where every turn you have to visit at least 5 cities
