I'll chime in with what I think. I think a lot of these technologies desperately need renaming. The concepts are not bad, as far as I can tell. The problem is that the names are focusing far too much on specifics and not enough on fundamental underpinnings.
Example 1: Metamorphosis GPS. I think this is a really bad name. I would prefer (and am going to use myself, thanks to a modmod) Nanosatellite Network. The important thing is that you have created nanosatellites and put enough of them into orbit to create a far more capable satellite network than ever before. That you can then run a GPS system off of this is (to me) incidental, and almost obvious at this point in the game. Next Generation GPS has the same issue. I'd like something less application-focused.
Example 2: Insecta Robotics. From the Civilopedia text, this sounds like a brand name, which is a really bad idea for a tech name. I would suggest something simpler, like Microbots.
Example 3: "Relative" adjectives. One of my philosophies for tech naming is "Show, Don't Tell". With only 2-3 words, that means you really have to find the ideal adjective for a tech name. You need to show WHY this tech is different, and not just have us accept it. I do not like any of the tech names that start with Ancient, Modern, or Advanced, and I am trying to find better names for them (same modmod project). I think these techs need a better adjective:
I also have a very hard time buying some of the tech tree connections. I've already mentioned that I didn't see how Animalia Exoskeletons could be necessary for Skyroads, which is about directing aerial traffic. I think Blue Electromagnetic Pulse is trying to be more places than it needs to be (like Asymmetrical Architecture? Why?)
The techs I can see removing without losing any complexity are:
Example 1: Metamorphosis GPS. I think this is a really bad name. I would prefer (and am going to use myself, thanks to a modmod) Nanosatellite Network. The important thing is that you have created nanosatellites and put enough of them into orbit to create a far more capable satellite network than ever before. That you can then run a GPS system off of this is (to me) incidental, and almost obvious at this point in the game. Next Generation GPS has the same issue. I'd like something less application-focused.
Example 2: Insecta Robotics. From the Civilopedia text, this sounds like a brand name, which is a really bad idea for a tech name. I would suggest something simpler, like Microbots.
Example 3: "Relative" adjectives. One of my philosophies for tech naming is "Show, Don't Tell". With only 2-3 words, that means you really have to find the ideal adjective for a tech name. You need to show WHY this tech is different, and not just have us accept it. I do not like any of the tech names that start with Ancient, Modern, or Advanced, and I am trying to find better names for them (same modmod project). I think these techs need a better adjective:
- Artisan Firefighting (this makes absolutely no sense as a name)
- Contemporary Vehicles (Contemporary means "of its time" -- it sounds to me like an advertising word. It suggests big 1950's cars with fins.)
- First Responder Robotics (I get where you're going, but the adjectives need work)
- Sophisticated Lasers (WHY are they sophisticated? If you need to create a word, I would do so.)
- Specialized Police (again, why are they specialized? What are they specialized in?)
- Theoretical Physics (there has to be a better adjective for this)
I also have a very hard time buying some of the tech tree connections. I've already mentioned that I didn't see how Animalia Exoskeletons could be necessary for Skyroads, which is about directing aerial traffic. I think Blue Electromagnetic Pulse is trying to be more places than it needs to be (like Asymmetrical Architecture? Why?)
The techs I can see removing without losing any complexity are:
- Digitalized Fabrics (how is this different from Wearable Computers?)
- Intelligent Pavement (could probably be folded into Automated Urbanization)
- Launchpod Jetpack
