Beyond the Sword Interview on Strategy Informer

[V. Soma]

Memory Allocation Failure, I guess...

 

[V. Soma]

in the interview it says: "Thanks to our fans, we knew the shortcomings of the game "

Does it refer to CFC?

 

[risc06]

[*]Apostolic Palace, a new Wonder, allows you to leverage your diplomatic standing to manipulate the world like never before. Build it and civilizations sharing your religion can vote on resolutions you put forth, like stopping and starting wars, enforcing trade embargos, or even assigning cities to their "rightful" owner.
[*]Queen Boudica (Traits: charismatic and aggressive) of the Celts is one of the new leaders.
[*]Privateers and Paratroopers have returned, and the AI knows how to use them.

These look great - the Apostolic palace is just the sort of thing I've been looking for in a Civ game for so long - I often thought a wonder called the 'Balance of Power' might have been handy, to enable you to intervene to prevent the conquest of a Civ you've wanted to preserve as a buffer state or a future ally (without having to fight, that is).
Boudica sounds good - although to a certain extent its put paid to the notion that the 'Celts' were the European culture of the bronze age, and not the Insular 'Celts' of Britain and Ireland. Privateers, paratroopers - awesome (particularly the former).

 

[baboon]

Better AI, I love better AI. I'm looking forward to playing on Prince again. I really dislike the sight of the AI running around with archers from the start.

 

[taketounwanted]

yes, MAF= Memory Allocation Failure.
somewhere in the game, even vanilla, it happens, depending on many different things..mostly memory..but I start to think, that 1 XML is causing it. when you have NO MOD loaded, you get it around 1400MB memory usage, when you have Warlords, you get it around 100MB memory sooner, when you have various mods loaded, you get it even more sooner, down to 960MB memory usage...

my guess is, 1 of the XML's is overloading the memory allocation somewhere, i wish someone could fine out which XML exactly is beeing checked first for memory allocation of it's info..maybe that's the solution for it..but without exe sources, impossible to debug

I wouldn't even wonder if it's one of the "new" methods in the CvXMLLoadUtilityInit.cpp causing this..but who knows..

 

[milan]

"The AI has been improved and no longer needs hefty bonuses to compete with a smart human."

This is the BEST thing so far. I never liked the higher difficulties because of the intensive AI cheating.

 

[taketounwanted]

"The AI has been improved and no longer needs hefty bonuses to compete with a smart human."

This is the BEST thing so far. I never liked the higher difficulties because of the intensive AI cheating.

I doubt a AI can be programmed that advance to compete with human brains on a TURN BASED game without giving the AI extras while keeping "next turn timers" down to an accapteble timeframe..

 

[baboon]

I doubt a AI can be programmed that advance to compete with human brains on a TURN BASED game without giving the AI extras while keeping "next turn timers" down to an accapteble timeframe..

AI turns are usually less then a second on my pc. I'm willing to wait 5 seconds

 

[taketounwanted]

AI turns are usually less then a second on my pc. I'm willing to wait 5 seconds

That means you play small maps no way you get play huge maps with 18 civs 1000turns and just 5seconds/turn

some people like to play epic games, and on late game the game gets very slow, up to 1 minute or longer, and you can't expect everyone to buy a dual core with 4GB Ram like i have. but even on a fast CPU as mine, Epic games take time, no way you can program a decend AI for the tons of units/cities etc that fast and keep up with human intelligence..it even took one of the fastest PC's of the world for simple chess board rules to compete with human brains..now we extend these rules of the chessboard by 2^20times more rules/units/cities/players as in civ...really think a default homepc can do that in just a few seconds?

 

[Chuggi]

The demo for the scenarios should be out soon Might be worth getting.

 

[SJSerio]

The privateers will be more usefull, even if they are implemented the same way as in CIV3. Now you'll have to protect your coastal resources carefully, if not your opponents can pillage them without declaring war.

Very good point! You know, when I posted that, I was tired and wasn't thinking about the sea resources and improvements.

As if I wasn't excited enough, I think my excitment for this expansion just doubled.

 

[Mannu]

The interview has been taken down now. It says it won't be back until June 15th... anyone have a copy of it!

 

[ori]

The interview has been taken down now. It says it won't be back until June 15th... anyone have a copy of it!

Someone seems to have pushed the "publish" button too quickly

anyway:

Google Cache is your friend

Spoiler text copy :

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword Interview

Strategy Informer: Firstly could you introduce yourself to our readers and let us know your role within the Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword production?

Alex Mantzaris: Alex Mantzaris, lead programmer and lead designer for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Strategy Informer: Could you tell us what Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword is about?

Alex Mantzaris: The title “Beyond the Sword” has sort of a double meaning. On one hand it suggests that we are giving more depth to the second half of the game, when swords are obsolete as a weapon for combat. On the other hand, it implies that players will have more options then ever when it comes to building up their empire through peaceful means.

Strategy Informer: We've been interested in the random events feature that will be included in Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword, could you tell us a bit more about this?

Alex Mantzaris: Random events are all about giving Civilization 4 even more historical flavor and immersion, and providing new ways to interact with the world. There are large numbers of events that don’t all occur in every game, so each game feels unique. Some events simply ask the player how to deal with a situation that has arisen, but other events are quite intricate, sending the player on quests in order to receive some reward, for example.

Strategy Informer: Is Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword going to have any changes to the graphical features?

Alex Mantzaris: We are continuously striving to improve the game, and in this expansion the graphics will be more polished than ever. In addition, some of the new features have given us the opportunity to have fun with the graphics. For example, the look of the game has been completely transformed for some of the scenarios. Also, the space race has received some major attention, allowing you to customize your 3D spaceship before you send it off to Alpha Centauri.

Strategy Informer: This expansion will of course feature new units, wonders and leaders. Could you tell us about some of these new additions and what their roles will be?

Alex Mantzaris: My favorite new Wonder is the Apostolic Palace. This Wonder allows you to leverage your diplomatic standing to manipulate the world like never before. Build it and civilizations sharing your religion can vote on resolutions you put forth, like stopping and starting wars, enforcing trade embargos, or even assigning cities to their “rightful” owner! One of my favorite leaders is Queen Boudica of the Celts. Not only was she impressive in real life (she almost kicked the mighty Romans out of Britain), but in terms of gameplay her charismatic and aggressive traits have an awesome synergy. In terms of units, the coolness factor of Privateers and Paratroopers has finally returned to Civilization, only this time the AI knows how to use them. Beware!


Strategy Informer: Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword is going to feature ten new civilizations, will they all have single player campaigns or just a few of them?

Alex Mantzaris: Actually, none of our scenarios are single-player campaigns for a featured civilization. On the contrary, some of the scenarios are about as far as you can get from a typical game of Civilization! We decided to let the creativity of our scenario designers run loose, and that has definitely paid off. You can buy full games that don’t have the replay value and depth offered by just one of these scenarios.

Strategy Informer: On the subject of campaigns, could you tell us a bit about these campaigns and what they’ll feature?

Alex Mantzaris: More than just “Campaigns,” the mods we are including with the game are more like games in their own right because they have a very high replay value. They range from fantasy to hardcore WWII simulations and range in time from the Renaissance to centuries into the future. Some are played on random maps, while others are played on heavily researched historical maps.

Strategy Informer: What about the multiplayer side to the game? Will this have any new modes or options to give new challenges to the players?

Alex Mantzaris: One option that I think will prove popular in multiplayer is the ability to select any leader-civilization combination. Not only is there something fascinating about using Gandhi to lead your Mongol Keshiks into battle (!), but with this new option Civilizations and leaders that were previously unpopular in multiplayer will receive new attention. Another feature that may revitalize the traditional sequential turn play mode (as opposed to simultaneous turns, which seems to be more popular in multiplayer) is the fact that now all players on the same team take their turns simultaneously. That way you can combine fast online play with traditional game mechanics.

Strategy Informer: Can you give us an assessment of the long-term viability for Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword?

Alex Mantzaris: With new elements like Corporations, Espionage, and an expanded late-game, Beyond the Sword gives players more ways to play and more things to do, hence increasing its replayability. There are still many people out there enjoying Civilization II, and from all indications, Civilization IV and its expansion packs will have at least a comparable longevity.

Strategy Informer: The Civilization series has always been heavily modded by fans, will you be releasing anything new to aid them in creating additional content for this expansion pack?

Alex Mantzaris: We have gone to great lengths to further improve the moddability of the game. We have exposed more game mechanics to XML and Python, making it possible to do things that you couldn’t previously do with just Civ4. For example, you can now completely alter the look of the interface, and in fact we have done just that in a couple of our own scenarios. However, I think that a modder favorite is going to be a simple change we made that gives the ability to have civilization-specific graphics for the same unit.

Strategy Informer: As a gamer, what's your favorite part of Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword, what makes you proud to have helped create it and why is it a game people will want?

Alex Mantzaris: As a long-time fan, Beyond the Sword in my mind represents the ultimate Civilization game. Not only have we added all these cool new features, but we have improved on the existing features as well. Thanks to our fans, we knew the shortcomings of the game and we have worked hard to address them. My personal favorite has to be the fact that the AI has now been transformed into a formidable opponent who no longer needs hefty bonuses to compete with a smart human.

Strategy Informer: It's early days for Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword right now but has the team decided anything on a demo? Do you think it’s likely or not that this will happen?

Alex Mantzaris: Yes, we will be releasing a couple of demos, showcasing two of our scenarios!

Strategy Informer: What's the current release date for Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword?

Alex Mantzaris: Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword will be in stores in July 2007.

Strategy Informer: How long has the team been working on Civilization IV: Beyond The Sword and what’s been the hardest challenge so far, development wise?

Alex Mantzaris: We have been working on it since the release of Warlords last summer. Even though this expansion has the most content ever for a Civilization game, in my opinion the hardest part was to decide what great ideas to leave out.

Strategy Informer: We've come to our last question, is there anything you'd like to say to the fans of Civilization IV which are eagerly awaiting the release of this expansion pack?

Alex Mantzaris: One word: Patience! I have been in your shoes and I know what it’s like to eagerly anticipate a new expansion pack for Civilization. Trust me, it’s definitely going to be worth the wait!

 

[vulchor]

Alex Mantzaris: One word: Patience! I have been in your shoes and I know what it’s like to eagerly anticipate a new expansion pack for Civilization. Trust me, it’s definitely going to be worth the wait!

These are very encouraging words. But patience has never been one of my strong points. I'm gonna pee my pants when I finally get this!!!

 

[GarretSidzaka]

Hardcore WWII Simulations!!! WOOT

 

[dutchking]

Do you think it will come out for mac?

 

[Matrix]

EDIT (5/8): StrategyInformer has taken down the interview and said it will be back on June 16th. Apparently they published it too early...

Haha! But we got the info already.

 

[civzombie]

"The privateers will be more usefull, even if they are implemented the same way as in CIV3. Now you'll have to protect your coastal resources carefully, if not your opponents can pillage them without declaring war."

Wow, that is a GREAT point. Now I am looking forward to using some privateers!!!

 

[kniteowl]

That means you play small maps no way you get play huge maps with 18 civs 1000turns and just 5seconds/turn

some people like to play epic games, and on late game the game gets very slow, up to 1 minute or longer, and you can't expect everyone to buy a dual core with 4GB Ram like i have. but even on a fast CPU as mine, Epic games take time, no way you can program a decend AI for the tons of units/cities etc that fast and keep up with human intelligence..it even took one of the fastest PC's of the world for simple chess board rules to compete with human brains..now we extend these rules of the chessboard by 2^20times more rules/units/cities/players as in civ...really think a default homepc can do that in just a few seconds?

If you want to test out thinking speed of better AI, you try out the Better AI Mod for yourself, chances are Better AI will be even improved further with BTW Xpack

http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=245

 

[Watiggi]

Haha! But we got the info already.

Poor StrategyInformer... I kinda feel sorry for them.

Hmmmm. One wonders if there will be a whole lot of different interviews released from other review sites on the 16th of June aswell.