Hey guys! Nice to see you all again. We recently downloaded the latest SVN update and started up a new hotseat game and I must say... I'm really impressed with all you've done since I was last here.
Sorry for vanishing for a bit (again) but we went down to one computer for a long time there and it has made finding time for being online in any fashion pretty rough (as well as even playing the game as hotseat is... erm... slow.)
So we've been taking a bit of a break from civ entirely. And admittedly, work is picking up and time is still a bit squeezed. But we've been finding some time to play lately so I'll be coming in and making some commentary and feedback more frequently now. As for doing much on the modding side... I'm not sure I can fit much in at the moment but we'll see. Historically, the more I play, the more I want to help with the modding itself. I know last time I wanted to do a lot more than I found I actually could.
But anyhow, so far, wow. So much improved balance, expansion on units and game features... it just keeps getting better and better! The crime system is really neat the way we have it now. The scouting/hunting progression is really quite perfect and the variety of animals and what you can now do with them is really wonderful. The heroes and culture developments are greatly improved. The new early naval units are a great touch. The AI is greatly improved and the game dynamics as a whole is really just a continuing perfecting masterpiece. All in all, I'm in awe of how many ideas I've sent forward have been implemented and put in play perfectly.
Reading through the forums I'm seeing a lot of interesting debates and concepts which I may chime in on soon... still trying to catch up and figure out what is currently an issue and what is not. Once I have a more clear idea I'll have more to say I'm sure.
DH... quitting the team to go your own way without expressing what we should be working on to get ourselves 'back on the rails'? Really? That would seem a tragic way for us to go considering I've always thought the teamwork here was so much of what makes this mod so amazing and have always considered you a big part of the core of that team. This mod still has a lot of tweaking yet to go I'm sure, and a lot of potential for constant expansive growth in concepts. It would be rough for the team to lose you buddy!
Anyhow, I'll start making some points here and there but I just wanted to preface any of that with a 'glad to be back' message first. You guys have been doing an amazing job!
its 5 years old.. 
