Changing Civs

[eternal_empire]

Haven't seen this option mentioned yet but i could be mistaken.

I believe that it should at least be a selectable option to be able to switch sides in-game.

One of the main problems I find it that when your civilization is sufficiently powerful, it is virtually impossible to be defeated apart from through diplomacy or perhaps space victory. If you had the ability to change the side you were on, it could allow a whole new challenge without needing to re-start with a new game.

Although some may see it as just opening up a way to cheat, I think it would be more of a useful option to use later on in a game once most of your competitors are no longer a threat, rather than using it for less scrupulous means.

 

[dh_epic]

I think this is a neat idea. Obviously it would be some kind of different game type, so it wouldn't be for exploits for easy victory... but as a game mode, I see it as valuable for a lot of reasons.

For experts, it could provide a new sense of challenge.
For role players, it allows them to shape the entire world.
For beginners, it allows them to learn and explore.

 

[mitsho]

Yes, definitely, if we can make sure it won't be exploited for better score, but still lets you have a score

mfG mitsho

 

[VWClaymore]

I think it would be a great alternative to the standard game. Make each player (in MP or single) randomly switch whic civ they control - maybe a number of turns between 10 and 50, each player accumulates points depending on how much they expanded their empires boundries during their respective reign. And to ensure that it isn't skewed towards the final ruler who is power when a civ wins, divide the final victory points to all responsible rules. Example: if its a spaceship victory distribute extra points to the ruler who oversaw the most spaceship parts built or who saw the most scientific advances during thier riegn over the victorious civ.
On a side note, I think it would also emulate actual history a bit better, because you'd have different types of rulers -commercial, scientific, militaristic -throughtout a civ's history. And it would also produce an interim confusion period of changing regimes/administrations. And of course some civilizations may be overextended because of a ruler trying to gain the most personal glory possible. Of course it would be difficult to this to on purpose to players afterward, because the change would be randomized. It wouldn't always exactly be fair, but civ starting locations/resources aren't always fair, and it would certainly add some spice to the game.

 

[Colonel]

NO!!!!, If you have this be an option the AI that today seems bad, it will show up worse. A game I have played has these an option and the AI screw ups show up horribly.

 

[PriestOfDiscord]

Paradox games let you do this, and I use it all the time. It shouldn't be a replacement for a good AI though like Colonel said.