nzcamel
Nahtanoj the Magnificent
You're correct, I wouldn't blame Carl for not attaining something that is not possible but I just felt it was incongruent for him to emphasise that the balance changes took into consideration the multiplayer and singleplayer experience. In my mind were remarks from Potato McWhiskey who in his review of the April update video emphasised that Carl had reached out to him (and presumably other Civ content creators) in recent months. McWhiskey did so as a way of commending Carl on doing due diligence and noting Carl as a Civ gamer in addition to designer. I'd have figured a Civ gamer would be aware of how CPL approached the imbalances (an approach I don't like but whose existence is evidence of the lack of balance inherent to the games design of Civs)
I like Potato McWhiskey, but I don't agree with some of the suggestions he has made that Firaxis seemed encouraged to act upon. Certainly yield creep seemed something he cheered on, and I don't think it improved the game myself. I'm open to being told I'm wrong on that if someone has played the devil's advocate both ways on this topic. I think the streamers are excellent resources for the Civ community, but Firaxis needs to keep in mind that they have a different goal to the devs.
Yeah maybe I want something from Civ that it cannot offer. I've been getting into Twilight Imperium. Its a really different take on 4X which I don't know could translate to a video game of a historical development genre of Civ. But the way in which its factions are very distinct while also remaining viable in competitive play is something I wish that Civ strived for a bit
Well balance issues raised their heads in TI4 also, even if voices didn't get as heated and it's much harder to patch a board game. Some of the additions in the new expansion were designed to shore up some of the races people were concerned were a bit weak from what I remember reading. I guess that makes the Winnu into the Georgia of TI4...
There will be always balance problems in a game with asymmetrical fractions. It is only a matter of time to find it But asymmetrical fractions are fun and balance is not always the aim - Root. This is also a Civ dilemma. Do you want fun or balance? I prefer fun in Civilization.
Given 90% of Civ players only play SP; and only 1 in 500 boardgames will be released with SP as the main focus, it's a bit unfair to compare the two platforms. You do have to get any asymmetrical balance in board games down really well, as not only can you not patch anywhere near as easily as you can a computer game (LOL); but the smaller player count that most BG's have compared to what Civ can do means that asymmetrical advantages are more impactful. And of course even a game as heavy as TI doesn't have the depth of Civilization. Board games don't have the luxury of going as all out as computer games do, as not only do the players have to play the game, but manage all the moving parts too.
All and all I think one is always best enjoying boardgames for the usually very different experience they offer compared to computer games even in similar genres, and vise versa.
I do want both fun and balance, but I accept that will never be perfected.
Spain got a big overhaul as we know, but the geothermal fissure start bias is interesting bc 1. I literally do not ever think of geothermal fissures in relation to Spain like yes there's volcanos in the Canaries other than that... and 2. Spain is oddly pushed more towards a science victory? Before they had an inclination towards science since you get the beefiest missions by putting them next to campuses and holy sites, but now you'll have a start bias towards geothermal vents (as well mountains by extension) PLUS you build more campuses on different continents faster on top of your mission bonuses. I guess it makes sense gameplay wise - you need good science to hit caravels and astronomy and whatever - but thematically it feels off bc Spain isn't ever considered "scientific." Cultural, economic, military, religious, yes - but science? Not really.
Also I had completely forgot about Poland until they mentioned them and then when they described the change to Poland I went from forgetful to entirely puzzled at their logic
Pretty sure that's because while mountains are all over the map, geothermal vents are more likely to appear on a faultline (read continental divide ).
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