Civ Switching - Will it prevent you from buying Civ 7?

[aieeegrunt]

Changing cultures, because I got enough stars, which is what in CIV VII terms would be betting 3 horse tiles, might be anticlimactic. However, scripted motions that force me into situation to change might be even less thematic. Everyone changing at the same time and getting rubber banded also feels artificial.

Right now it feels like we have gone from the traditional Civ sandbox to a forced narrative

 

[bv98132454]

Right now it feels like we have gone from the traditional Civ sandbox to a forced narrative

Unfortunately what I saw from the Firaxis team yesterday did nothing to allay my fears about this mechanic. It confirmed what I believed about this team, that they have a fundamentally different understanding of their game than I do and I will never agree with them on it. So, as I have stated before, my hope is that almost none of them are around for Civilization 8. Fortunately, Ed Beach is getting up there and hopefully will be retired between now and then.

 

[Mr Jon of Cheam]

Right now it feels like we have gone from the traditional Civ sandbox to a forced narrative

I'm interested in this idea. I suppose I have two questions, and I'm keen to get your thoughts on them, because I'm not sure I am fully understanding your concern. 1) How much of a sandbox is Civ VI, really? 2) How much of a forced narrative will VII be, really? i.e., do you really think it will feel very different to play?

Thinking about it myself, I'd say most of the things that I would consider sandbox in VI are likely to be in VII too. I can't ignore everything else in order to beeline sailing techs and become the first civ to circumnavigate the world as early as possible. But how often do I do that in VI? I might have done it once, I suppose... I can't completely ignore military techs and have warriors in the late game. But does anyone actually do that in VI? Maybe, but only because the VI AI is a bit pants so doesn't punish you, I'd hardly say it's a rich sandbox experience.

Other things that I would consider sandbox: I deliberately settle cities in sub-optimal locations just because I think they look better, this can still be done in VII. I pursue specific wonders because they're cool, this can be done in VII. I go yield / adjacency hunting because why not, looks like this can be done in VII. I randomly pick an AI opponent to be my best buddy and one to be my mortal enemy, looks like this will be better in VII.

I understand that, in theory, with an entirely free game, you can have situations where you discover a new continent and find that all the civs are way behind you in tech, but has this ever actually happened to anyone with Civ VI? The game mostly follows a linear path, unless you're messing about, so I'm not sure I see what is so different with the Ages and Crisis mechanics?

Genuinely interested in your thoughts, not looking to change your mind or anything like that.

 

[Thormodr]

Right now it feels like we have gone from the traditional Civ sandbox to a forced narrative

The hand slapping gameplay is a little worrying, yeah.

 

[Thormodr]

Unfortunately what I saw from the Firaxis team yesterday did nothing to allay my fears about this mechanic. It confirmed what I believed about this team, that they have a fundamentally different understanding of their game than I do and I will never agree with them on it. So, as I have stated before, my hope is that almost none of them are around for Civilization 8. Fortunately, Ed Beach is getting up there and hopefully will be retired between now and then.

That video was a convoluted mess, yeah.

My hope is now for it to be extremely moddable. There are some very cool possibilities if modders are given free reign.

Doesn't help me on my iPad, though. Would like to play on the jo... errr my couch! and sadly mods really can't be used for that.

 

[Civ5Play]

That video was a convoluted mess, yeah.

My hope is now for it to be extremely moddable. There are some very cool possibilities if modders are given free reign.

Doesn't help me on my iPad, though. Would like to play on the jo... errr my couch! and sadly mods really can't be used for that.

How moddale was VI? I know they allowed multiple mods to be activated at once, but it still seemed a bit restricted?

 

[Thormodr]

How moddale was VI? I know they allowed multiple mods to be activated at once, but it still seemed a bit restricted?

IV and 5 were quite moddable. VI, not so much.

 

[timmychompchomp]

I am indifferent. Civ switching has zero influence over my decision to buy the game.

I am of the opinion that 90% of the player concern is influenced heavily by Humankind. The other 10% of concerned players just want to manufacture an environment in which they can flex their historical knowledge over the player base.

 

[ColtSeavers]

I am indifferent. Civ switching has zero influence over my decision to buy the game.

I am of the opinion that 90% of the player concern is influenced heavily by Humankind. The other 10% of concerned players just want to manufacture an environment in which they can flex their historical knowledge over the player base.

Sure, it is all just Humankind's fault...

 

[DWilson]

I am indifferent. Civ switching has zero influence over my decision to buy the game.

I am of the opinion that 90% of the player concern is influenced heavily by Humankind. The other 10% of concerned players just want to manufacture an environment in which they can flex their historical knowledge over the player base.

What about those like me that, in the game called Civilization, want to be able to pick any civilization available and play a full game with it from start to finish? Who plays the game specifically as the civilization chosen, intentionally, in ever prior iteration I played? What percentage do we fall into?

 

[Krikkit1]

What about those like me that, in the game called Civilization, want to be able to pick any civilization available and play a full game with it from start to finish? Who plays the game specifically as the civilization chosen, intentionally, in ever prior iteration I played? What percentage do we fall into?

Which is why they need a way to keep the non-gameplay aspects of your civ
(civ name and city list)

 

[aieeegrunt]

The hand slapping gameplay is a little worrying, yeah.

Hand slapping?

How moddale was VI? I know they allowed multiple mods to be activated at once, but it still seemed a bit restricted?

I have like a bazillion mods installed for 6, so it can’t be that restrictive

 

[Thormodr]

Hand slapping?



I have like a bazillion mods installed for 6, so it can’t be that restrictive

Just picture a hand slapping your mouse wielding hand every time you try to do certain things. In other words, restrictive gameplay.

I felt like that playing 5.

 

[Voidwalkin]

I'm pretty concerned. This is a more fundamental change. It might take a while to get it right.

Thing about that... I'm not super confident, after 6, that Firaxis is gonna release a very modable game. It's sorta, I dunno, questionable for a game company to effectively crowdsource maximizing their game's potential, but it does work. It's turned many decent games into all timers played for decades.

If it isn't modable, Firaxis is gonna have to do it themselves. With 6, imo, they mostly added new civs, didn't have the AI correctly use new features, and unbalanced the game thru unchecked poorly thought power creep. I get that people buy flash, but it really reduced long term appeal. Civ6 isn't going to be played much a decade from now. 4 will still have people playing Fall From Heaven, I guarantee it.

I'm still gonna buy 7. But do I expect it'll captivate me to the same extent Paradox games do? Eh not really. Firaxis may have already lost prestige, with 6, and 7 could restore it, but it could also absolutely tank it.

 

[timmychompchomp]

What about those like me that, in the game called Civilization, want to be able to pick any civilization available and play a full game with it from start to finish? Who plays the game specifically as the civilization chosen, intentionally, in ever prior iteration I played? What percentage do we fall into?

Probably both at some level.

 

[timmychompchomp]

Sure, it is all just Humankind's fault...

It’s not their fault, Firaxis chose to implement a similar system.

 

[Zaarin]

It’s not their fault, Firaxis chose to implement a similar system.

Conversely, it's not Firaxis' fault Humankind did a similar feature badly.

 

[DWilson]

Probably both at some level.

That's insulting and incorrect. But suppose what you please

 

[timmychompchomp]

Conversely, it's not Firaxis' fault Humankind did a similar feature badly.

I agree. I didn’t mind Humankind’s approach, but I much prefer the way Firaxis has gone.

 

[timmychompchomp]

That's insulting and incorrect. But suppose what you please

I think insulting is a bit dramatic.

Do you not find the potential India pathway to be a better version of what you want? Your civ will have the same leader and 3 ages of new unique units, buildings and abilities. I assume China will have a similar potential pathway. This is why I think that Humankind and the forum speculation/debate mini game is the primary source of angst. Humankind = Change. Change that failed to impress. Whether or not you played Humankind or not, you know about it and judged it in some way. This definitely, consciously or subconsciously, impacts the vast majority of people who are uninspired by Civ 7 Civ switching. Sort if like being an atheist who grew up in a Christian society. You practice their beliefs and traditions without faith. Even if you’ve never read the Bible or attended church. Humankind exists and the dedicated civ fans played or followed it. It’s influence in this issue is undeniable. It’s only a question of how much. I believe it is more than most people want to admit or even recognize in themselves. It’s purely my opinion based on my observations. There’s always outliers I guess.