Alpha Centauri

[Spatzimaus]

Most of the features of AC would not implement well into the core Civ engine. For instance, the build-your-own-unit system is completely incompatible with the Upgrade system Civ4 added, so I don't see an easy way to include it in any Civ 5 mod. I'd love to see Firaxis make an official SMAC expansion to Civ 5 (just like how they made the Colonization expansion to Civ 4), but it wouldn't be simple.

That being said, back in Civs 3 and 4 I made mods that added most of the SMAC/SMACX technologies to the end of the existing Civ tree, so that you could play some future eras. I'm planning on doing the same in Civ 5, assuming the game is moddable enough to do what I want.

 

[Lancor]

You don't even need most of AC's features to give us a great game, as even the whole flair, world and story around it were very well made.

Such a complete modification mod would be a great thing, could even be a possible stand alone expansion pack in a few years.

 

[bernlin2000]

I remember loving Alpha Centauri (it's probably been a decade since I played it last). Conceptually its better than played out at times: I loved the unit workshop but it was confusing at times. Having actual unique civilizations is a concept that has never really carried over to any subsequent civ games, which is a big shame. I also thought the wonder/project videos were the best of any of the games, and they certainly won't be topped by CiV's pictures (however nice they may be). I guess it's too much to ask for a full-fledged Alpha Centauri 2, but Planetfall was a good mod, and I hope to see it again in CiV

I found that the interface was obtuse, overcomplicated and confusing to the point of making the game nigh unplayable. But customisation would be nice.

Well, I played it was I was 12, so it couldn't have been too hard. My brother, Dad, and I use to play over our LAN, and my brother was 9. It worked well enough to be a blast then . It simply doesn't compare to the interface of CivIV, of course. CivIV didn't have worms that you could create armies with, however

 

[Lord Tirian]

I remember loving Alpha Centauri (it's probably been a decade since I played it last). Conceptually its better than played out at times: I loved the unit workshop but it was confusing at times.

Thing about the unit workshop is: it was a well-beloved toy. But ultimately a fancy toy that only did one thing: it added newbie traps. CivIV-style promotions handle the need for customisation much better.

After a couple of games, you could figure out a handful of most cost-efficient configurations... and that's it. Plus, it created units, that are visually very hard to distinguish (where a little weapon nibble in front of it told you how strong it is) - terrible UI design, in hindsight. Not to mention that the AI was incapable of using it to its full potential (i.e. getting the most cost-efficient units only).

But it *was* incredible fun to play with! Fond memories, indeed!

Cheers, LT.

 

[Johan de Witt]

Yeah, Alpha Centauri was fun. I kinda assumed that someone would be making an Alpha Centauri mod for Colonization since it has the "sail to europe" option which could've been used for a planet colonization game. (Not that returning to Earth was in Alpha Centauri, but it could be).

But indeed, the unit customization seemed fun but in reality was really a hassle (I kept losing track and forgot to upgrade my units). The thing I liked most were the wonder stories/movies.

Let's hope some good modders decide to make a new Alpha Centauri mod or Sid decides it's time for a new science fiction game!