[NFP] Apocalypse Mode

[Deggial]

Apocalypse mode has finally gotten stale for me. Getting nailed by 3 Blizzards in 30 turns SUCKS. I lost something like 20 population and over 50 pillaged/destroyed tiles. I also learned that Blizzards can magically arc too, so that was fun.

I really like the comets at the end but it's just not fun constantly repairing your cities.

Twice already in this thread, I’ve requested the ability to adjust the disaster intensity in the ‘Apocalypse Mode’.
Twice I haven’t got more than one person to agree with me. I wonder why this is so. I assume that many players should feel the same way as I do:
In my opinion, without such a change the mode will merely be an exotic and rare “scenario” used for a special experience, rather than the constant addition to the game I want it to be (as an option, of course).

This is not an attempt to fish for “likes”! But any change request needs a noticeable amount of support to be recognized by the devs. Without it, even this easy to implement jet impactful “fix” will not be considered. And this would be such a shame and a huge missed opportunity, imo.

 

[Kupe Navigator]

Twice already in this thread, I’ve requested the ability to adjust the disaster intensity in the ‘Apocalypse Mode’.
Twice I haven’t got more than one person to agree with me. I wonder why this is so. I assume that many players should feel the same way as I do:
In my opinion, without such a change the mode will merely be an exotic and rare “scenario” used for a special experience, rather than the constant addition to the game I want it to be (as an option, of course).

This is not an attempt to fish for “likes”! But any change request needs a noticeable amount of support to be recognized by the devs. Without it, even this easy to implement jet impactful “fix” will not be considered. And this would be such a shame and a huge missed opportunity, imo.

You already have a fix... don't play the mode

 

[Deggial]

You already have a fix... don't play the mode

Please add smileys to your post, as it's hard to tell on the internet, whether or not somebody is joking. You comment is meant toung-in-cheek, isn't it?

Look, some(?) people want to use the mode for its other additions to the game, but dread its impact on the pre-endgame. Furthermore, fixing this issue would be as easy as allowing to change the disaster level (as it can be done in the non-mode game).

How do you find such a "Don't like it? Don't use it!" comment neccesary or helpful?

 

[Kupe Navigator]

Please add smileys to your post, as it's hard to tell on the internet, whether or not somebody is joking. You comment is meant toung-in-cheek, isn't it?

Look, some(?) people want to use the mode for its other additions to the game, but dread its impact on the pre-endgame. Furthermore, fixing this issue would be as easy as allowing to change the disaster level (as it can be done in the non-mode game).

How do you find such a "Don't like it? Don't use it!" comment neccesary or helpful?

How odd... Apocalypse mode was created BECAUSE people were complaning that natural disasters in GS wasn't strong enough and did not leave enough impact.

 

[Deggial]

Yes. But why not let all people decide, how strong they want these disasters?
I mean - nothing is preventing those in favour of strong disasters to deal the level up to 4! (Or 11, what that matters. I wouldn't mind, if they want it! )

I love the late game additions of asteroid strikes.
I want to see solar flares (haven't, so far).
I want to play with the soothsayer and find a use of it.
But I don't want to dedicate my whole game to deal with disasters.

And really - why leying words in other people's mouthes?
Was 'Apocalypse Mode' actually created due to what you claim?
For me personally, at least, modes in general (so, not especially 'Apocalypse mode') should be created to enhance the general gameplay and not replace scenarios.
Currently, in this way and form, it doesn't achieve this.

 

[Kupe Navigator]

Yes. But why not let all people decide, how strong they want these disasters?
I mean - nothing is preventing those in favour of strong disasters to deal the level up to 4! (Or 11, what that matters. I wouldn't mind, if they want it! )

I love the late game additions of asteroid strikes.
I want to see solar flares (haven't, so far).
I want to play with the soothsayer and find a use of it.
But I don't want to dedicate my whole game to deal with disasters.

And really - why leying words in other people's mouthes?
Was 'Apocalypse Mode' actually created due to what you claim?
For me personally, at least, modes in general (so, not especially 'Apocalypse mode') should be created to enhance the general gameplay and not replace scenarios.
Currently, in this way and form, it doesn't achieve this.

You know Apocalypse mode is basically a hardcore extreme natural disaster mode. That is why it is called Apocalypse mode.

 

[blackcatatonic]

What I would like to know is how it's possible to play an entire game of Apocalypse Mode and win in the Information Era, with the climate change thingy still on level 1, and basically not feel as if I have played on Apocalypse Mode except for the occasional Appease the Gods contest. I had a few more disasters than usual (set to 3) and one solar flare on turn 2... but other than that, I might as well have been playing an ordinary game.

I think Apocalypse Mode should kick in earlier and not be tied to climate change/pollution if it is not also going to significantly ramp up how long those things take to have an impact. I was questioning whether I should have gone nuts and built coal plants everywhere, but that's not my usual playstyle. And I was hoping for something that would put a bit more pressure on me to win the game earlier, before the comets started falling, instead of feeling like I had to actually give climate change/the Apocalypse a helping hand

 

[Deggial]

You know Apocalypse mode is basically a hardcore extreme natural disaster mode. That is why it is called Apocalypse mode.

And this is fine.
Why are you arguing as if I want to take something away from these people (and you, I guess)? It's not as if I would promote a general reduction to disaster level 1, or do I?
And I neither request an incredible hard to add feature. Actually, this feature is already in the game and just has to be activated for the mode!

Yea, but this discussion is running in circles; it's getting a bit tiresome.
I guess, you won.
I simply will stop using the apocalypse mode then, as apparently it's not meant for me. It's just 1/6th of the new game modes, after all. Why do I even bother?

 

[Kupe Navigator]

And this is fine.
Why are you arguing as if I want to take something away from these people (and you, I guess)? It's not as if I would promote a general reduction to disaster level 1, or do I?
And I neither request an incredible hard to add feature. Actually, this feature is already in the game and just has to be activated for the mode!

Yea, but this discussion is running in circles; it's getting a bit tiresome.
I guess, you won.
I simply will stop using the apocalypse mode then, as apparently it's not meant for me. It's just 1/6th of the new game modes, after all. Why do I even bother?

You are asking apocalypse mode to be... less apocalyptic because it is too spaicy for you. I have seen people who WANT more challenges. Want more spice in natural disaster. Apocalypse mode is for them. Apparently it isn't for you. And that's fine. But don't try to make it easier for people who want more challanges.

 

[Deggial]

Okay. Actually, I didn't want to respond any more. I know out of personal experience, how boring and even annoying these discussions between two forum members can be for other members.

But this ...

... But don't try to make it easier for people who want more challanges.

... this is bugging me!

Where?
Where did I do this???

Please re-read everything I wrote and requested.
You'll hardly find any indication to forcefully lower the dificulty level for those who want it.

In a previous post, I questioned you leying words in other peoples mouthes. You may or may not have read these desires. I don't know.
But here, you are definitely leying words in my mouth; word's I've never said!
Please, stop this!

And now, for the sake of all other forum members, I will stop this rigth here.

 

[Kwami]

What I would like to know is how it's possible to play an entire game of Apocalypse Mode and win in the Information Era, with the climate change thingy still on level 1, and basically not feel as if I have played on Apocalypse Mode except for the occasional Appease the Gods contest. I had a few more disasters than usual (set to 3) and one solar flare on turn 2... but other than that, I might as well have been playing an ordinary game.

I think Apocalypse Mode should kick in earlier and not be tied to climate change/pollution if it is not also going to significantly ramp up how long those things take to have an impact. I was questioning whether I should have gone nuts and built coal plants everywhere, but that's not my usual playstyle. And I was hoping for something that would put a bit more pressure on me to win the game earlier, before the comets started falling, instead of feeling like I had to actually give climate change/the Apocalypse a helping hand

If disasters were set to 3, then you weren't playing apocalypse mode. You can't adjust the disaster intensity with apocalypse mode enabled.

That said, my experiences so far have been similar to yours. I've never made it to the end of apocalypse mode because I win long before then. Even when going for a science victory, I've never made it past level 3-4. I guess games have to go much longer to reach level 7 or else you have to intentionally try to destroy everything.

 

[Kupe Navigator]

see everyone wants disaster setting locked in apocalypse mode.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Yes. But why not let all people decide, how strong they want these disasters?
I mean - nothing is preventing those in favour of strong disasters to deal the level up to 4! (Or 11, what that matters. I wouldn't mind, if they want it! )

I understand where you are coming from. I personally haven't played it yet, but probably will someday.
At the same time it wouldn't really feel very Apocalyptic if the disaster setting could be set to 1.
This is a game mode that I wouldn't necessarily turn on every game but when I am looking to kick it up a notch. That's what the Apocalypse mode will be for with it's intense disasters as it was intended.

 

[Kupe Navigator]

Deggial's complaint would make sense IF Civ team took away normal play mode and forced players to play ONLY in Apocalypic mode. However it isn't case.

 

[blackcatatonic]

If disasters were set to 3, then you weren't playing apocalypse mode. You can't adjust the disaster intensity with apocalypse mode enabled.

That said, my experiences so far have been similar to yours. I've never made it to the end of apocalypse mode because I win long before then. Even when going for a science victory, I've never made it past level 3-4. I guess games have to go much longer to reach level 7 or else you have to intentionally try to destroy everything.

I definitely was playing Apocalypse Mode as otherwise wouldn't have got the soothsayers/Appease the Gods stuff. I guess I must have misremembered about also setting the disaster setting (3 is what I normally play at).

 

[Abaxial]

I have seen a solar flare quite early on - medieval or thereabouts - of course it had no effect on anything apart from looking pretty.

 

[AviTudios]

@Deggial What you want shouldn't be too hard for you to set up.

In GranColombia_Maya_RandomEvents_MODE.xml, change the following:

On line 28, set the argument to the name of the realism setting you would like to use (defined in Expansion2_RandomEvents.xml).

Lines 208-223, replace "REALISM_SETTING_MEGADISASTERS" with your chosen realism setting.

Done. Start a new game with the mode on, and enjoy.

 

[oSiyeza]

How odd... Apocalypse mode was created BECAUSE people were complaning that natural disasters in GS wasn't strong enough and did not leave enough impact.

What is the point of this comment?

Disasters still don't have much impact, but are also porly balanced and tedious to manage due to the absolutely cumbersome repair mechanic.

Players complaining on the apocalypse mode being poorly executed is not the players being stupid. Is firaxis delivering content that is poorly executed.

We have the right to complain on badly executed conted, don't we? Or if I complain about how tedious I think the religious combat is, I will be saying I dont want religion. I don't think so.

Deggial's complaint would make sense IF Civ team took away normal play mode and forced players to play ONLY in Apocalypic mode. However it isn't case.

You are wrong, there is no reason to opose to additional options in any game mode, is there?

I don't understand why would you deny the utility on having additional options in the game. Or why you opose a request that would be easy to implement and negatively impact no one.

You may think there is a much better way to solve the issue this player has, If that is the case please share it and diacuss it. But you are not providing any useful or constructive criticism here.


Also these are what I think the problems are. And the solutions I propose:

• Repair mechanics are tedious. Allow to cue all repairs for a district, auto repair improvements option for workers.
• All disasters work in the same way, damaging tiles, as a result they get repetitive and boring. Add alien invasions and zombie plagues as new disasters.
• There is no disaster progression during the game. Make disasters less frequent and intense at the beggining and more at the end.
• Comet strikes are tied to climate change for no reason. Make the game start with a countdown of x turns (configurable) to the coment stage. And work independently of the global warming.
• Sootsayers are useles as offensive unit most of the time. Rebalance the use of disasters by the soothsayers and the upgade system. Give them a small cast range, replace the charge system so they work more like spies (or maybe to cast a disaster requires certain sacrifice, maybe just cost fath..), fix the expliot of using them against yourself.
• The Appease the gods competition has little sense, maybe is just too similar to all competitions. Change the competition so the loser gets attacked by a special disaster or the winer decides what civ will be attacked next (Giant monster attack).
• Disasters feel samey and impactless. Create new severe intensities and reduce frequency so disasters are less about quantity and more about quality.
• The constant Aid request break the game. Fix aid requests so they are less frequent.
• All disasters disapear magically in the final stage. Fix this.
• The limit of one disaster per turn breaks the balance of the disasters for maps of different sizes. Fix this.
• Lack of options to create your own experience. Give options to personalize disasters, including number of active volcanoes, frequency slider, intensity slider, allow to enable/disable specific disaster types.

A lot can be done to improve this game mode. Fxs did just not do enough and as a result the mode is far from what it could have been

 

[WillowBrook]

I love the late game additions of asteroid strikes.
I want to see solar flares (haven't, so far).
I want to play with the soothsayer and find a use of it.
But I don't want to dedicate my whole game to deal with disasters.

Totally agree you should have the option to play with the features of apocalypse mode without the high level of disasters.

Deggial's complaint would make sense IF Civ team took away normal play mode and forced players to play ONLY in Apocalypic mode. However it isn't case.

Um, no, your opposition to having additional options for players makes no sense. His request would not reduce options for anyone else. Now, you could argue that this sort of thing should be lowest priority for the devs to implement if you want other things more, but adding options would in no way affect players who like the current setup.

@blackcatatonic I'm fearing that may happen in my current game. I'd love to have the option to set the era at which things get really bad rather than rely on the climate change level. You could even have a random option which could make some games randomly unwinnable if it came too early...

 

[Kupe Navigator]

Add alien invasions and zombie plagues as new disasters.

WTH is this a red death? NO ZOMBIES OR ALIENS IN MAIN GAMES UNLESS YOU CAN FIND THEY EXISTED IN HISTORY.