CIV4 Graphics - questions, ideas

[Risbinroch]

These are some questions and ideas, if these has been discussed allready, I'm sorry.

I got quite disappointed when seeing all screenshots and reading reviews. Some good news, but alot of bad news.

1. 3D graphic terrain - is it possible to also use the CIV3 terrain? Do it with a mod etc? I would actually rather have CIV1 terrain/view than this. Civilization is not about graphics, at least it shoulden't be, played CIVII a few months back, still a good game.

2. Those Multi-units - is it possible to mod them away or have the option to use a single unit instead? I really don't see the point with these units. OK, for some units I applaud it, like the Golden-Horde unit for CIV3 and a few others, like Firaxis own Conquistador, but generally don't like it...
- Would it be possible to use CIV3 units instead? A lot of great units has also been made by the community, hate to see them not used anymore.
- Would these new units make it harder to make new ones?

3. Buildings/Wonders - I have read that you could see all buildings on the map? Have I misunderstood? And then zoom in/out... And wonders have movies again? Would all this, if I understood correctly, make it less likely that people make buildings/wonders - would it be harder to implement?

4. Religions - an OK concept, however is it totally random which civ gets what religion? Or is it some kind of factor that it is more likely that some civs get Christian, some get Buddhist etc?

5. Simple game? - As I understand from what I have read, it seems the game gets simplified? Is this true or do you agree? If so I really hate it, it should go the other way around. The game actually needs to get more complex. From the original civilization to conquest there has been quite a few improvents, but also a lot of good ideas had been taken away during the years...

6. Modifications - At least the game shall be very easy to mod. But as in questions above, is it also possible to mod or alter those things? And how easy is it actually, do you need to be a programmer to do so?

I guess I will also buy this game, but I am very unsure and that I have never been with a Civ game before. Can't understand why Firaxis thinks it's all about the graphics - at least that is my impression - when it's not. The game concept worked, has done ever since the original game, and that is really the key to why the game is so popular and why you can play it again and again and never get boret of it.

Only two games I can play again and again, and Civilization is one of them, the other is Football Manager. Other games can be good, but I get quickly tired of them. And these games are not about graphics in my opinion.

 

[BearMan]

1. Actually, if you view the movies of gameplay, the civ1 view - top down is possible,
the civ3 view as well, u can lock the 3D view in any of these modes and keep the old view, but it sure ain't going 2 be possible 2 use the old terrain, since it isn't a texturemap.

2. I would also like 2 change the units, atleast scale them down 2 match the houses & building on the map, I can use the flag to find them. However, if the modders have their 3D models of their units left they could probably with some format conversion of the 3D model add them to CIV4, and add new moves 2 the save.

3. You are correct, except I would say it would be simpler to add stuff, now u don't need to render your 3D models when u make buildings, probably just save them in the correct format for the new engine.

4. Don't know, leaving that 2 the next person =)

5. Nope, not simpler, just changed, I would say.

6. Don't think so, just need to know how to use a 3D software, but that the old graphic-modders already know ? =)

I agree it's not about the graphics, however, 3D could do alot for realism, like a round globe, that is nice, and, futher on (civX), loosing the grid, loosing pawns and just having the number of divisions in each group, combining different type of units in groups, (so the armour doesn't need 2 attack separated from the infrantry etc), would do alot for realism.

 

[searcheagle]

4. Religions - an OK concept, however is it totally random which civ gets what religion? Or is it some kind of factor that it is more likely that some civs get Christian, some get Buddhist etc?

I was reading somewhere, I forget where, that Religion is partially the baisis of technology. I also remember seeing this quote: "So the first Civ to research Polytheism gets hindism.

5. Simple game? - As I understand from what I have read, it seems the game gets simplified? Is this true or do you agree? If so I really hate it, it should go the other way around. The game actually needs to get more complex. From the original civilization to conquest there has been quite a few improvents, but also a lot of good ideas had been taken away during the years...

They wanted to keep the user management level (simplification) level the same as Civ 3.

6. Modifications - At least the game shall be very easy to mod. But as in questions above, is it also possible to mod or alter those things? And how easy is it actually, do you need to be a programmer to do so?
[/QUOTE]
We shall see.