Civilization 5

[Nitram15]

I personally do not think that civ 5 would be a good idea. I mean with bts they prety much made the game so open and complex that i dont think there is any new significant changes that could be made to alter the game. The game already is really good and there could be some small changes but ones that aren't significant at all...

Yes, but Beyond the Sword is not perfect!
Firaxis can improve it in civ 5!
Like more religions, civics, civs, leaders, maps, mods, features, etc.
I think.

 

[toft]

Few civilizations and leaders - more game mechanics and better AI.

Everyone wanting more civs... just mod it in. We dont need firaxis for that.

 

[Nitram15]

I mean Firaxis Games!

 

[The Rusty Gamer]

I haven't read through all this post (funny that) so excuse me if these have been mentioned before:

Hexadecimal tiles

Dynamic research tree based on evolving and changing conditions including exploration and discovery. For instance, you are not capable of researching boats until you actually discover the ocean. Until you stumble upon some things during exploration, it should not occur to you to research such elements.

Combine earth civilisation development with space exporation and colonisation (once the right research has been reached of course), a bit like what Test Of Time tried to do but better implemented. When you finally reach Alpha Centauri (like current Civ) you could then effectively be playing a civ equivalent of SMAC as an extension of what you already have. Or perhaps combining MOO elements - you get the picture.

 

[Hsinchu]

Hexadecimal tiles

Do you mean Hexagonal tiles? Hexadecimal is something else. If you are talkin' Settlers of Kattan style tiles, that could be interesting. The current 8 way motion is a little hard to stomach and diagonal movement is typically quite unusual.

It will, of course, be quite game-changing.

 

[The Rusty Gamer]

Yep. That's what I meant.

 

[Aquila SPQR]

Civilization V? Let me think...

- new religion system - you can create your own religion. So if you want to have christanity - you name it "christanity" and "christian" (for monasteries, temples etc.) If you want a roman religion, you name it "roman" + full of symbols, temple and priest models to choose from. It's annoying when I have to play with christianity or islam (when I have no other choice) when I dislike them.

- much more techs!

- game speed lower than marathon!

- return of different clothing etc. for AI leaders in different eras. I hate to see Roosevelt in his suit in 2000 BC.

- much larger maps!

- optional scenario with future techs - something like Civ II Test of Time. So if you want to play "normal" civ, you can play normal. But if you want to research new technologies (like cloning, laser weaponry, androids), build future buildings (android factory, virtual reality center) or have future units (laser squads, micro black hole generators, UAVs) - you can play this scenario. But units and tech should be realistic, not idiotic like in Civ II ToT (so no more giant bacterias).

- new Civ - Poland! Instead of tenth US leader or Sitting Bull. I know that Americans like to have Sitting Bull in this game, but including a civ which in history really never advanced beyond stone age is... stupid. There are many much more interesting civs than Sioux or Zulu.

- simultaneous building of units and buildings - cities should build units and buildings in the same time.

- new worker ability - digg canals (for ships).

- Earth-like maps. I like to play on maps that looks like Earth - 7 continents with various smaller islands, but in Civ IV I cannot find such map. Map preview would be helpful - It's annoyng when I have to start all map types and enter worldbuilder to see how they look like.

- huge units - not one figure of for example rifleman, not three, but 20 smaller (as one unit), so when one units start a battle we can see 40 "smaller units" figthing (optional - so if someone want to stay with "civ IV - like" units can be satisfied). The same with ships and planes - not one ship/plane per "unit", but three (except battleships, carriers and submarines).

- spherical map, not flat - if you want to fly above or swim under north pole - you can do it.

- field laboratories. You can build them on Antarctic or jungle (even beyond your territory) to increase your techs

- similar to Civ II ToT - space colonisation (optional)! So you can build colonies and labs on moon (after Apollo Program) and after successful spaceship landing - on distant planets with aliens! Four other planets with 6 alien Civs would be fantastic. But beware - if aliens were first to launch a spaceship Earth will be under alien colonisation!

- Apollo Program and Manhattan Project should not give all civs ability to build spaceships or A-Bomb. Russians had to stole many vital blueprints to build their own A-Bomb, so players should have ability to steal A-Bomb plans or build their own Manhattan Project.

- Spy satellites. Reveal small area for one turn. Max 5 per Civ.

- No more "Sid's Sushi" or "AlumCo" - players should have ability to name their own corporation. Imperium Romanum and "Sid's Sushi"? :|

- no more global climate change. It's not sure if it's caused by humans (I personally doubt it).

- Civil wars.

- global terrorism -ecomonic, political or religious.

- return of Civ III post game screen when player choose to retire - with this "pop-ups". New one from Civ IV is pathetic.

- ability to build bases on other country's territory. So players can build a base for example in Egypt and have there planes or troops without this mutual "open borders". Or simply - open borders not mutual.

- in civics that are similar to democracy/republic - political parties. Players can create their own political party. Every action made by the player would affect his voters. Player should have something like "public poll" which would tell him what his citizens demand him to do. If he choose to listen to them - he gets economic boost. If citizens are displeased with his actions - he looses elections and have negative effect on diplomacy.
Under monarchy/tyranny - some sort of a nobles council - if he listens to them he gain economic and military boost, if not - negative effects on army, economy and diplomacy.

- ability to pass laws like about abortion, cloning, in vitro, land grants, new taxes, obligatory conscription, make king a god on earth etc. with specific results - both negative and positive (for example - passing in vitro would make some people angry and result in small reduction of positive votes but also increases birth rate; land grants would give a ruler boost to military and relations with nobles, but decrease taxes).

- return of King units. But capturing King unit should not destroy enemy civilization. It could elect new one and gain terrible negative effects or accept to pay ransom for him (or sign humiliating peace). Besides - having your own Caesar is fun. In Civ III I always had Caesar unit named "Caesar Imperator Aquila SPQR" and treated him as an emperor - sometimes he was going on trip with his faithful Praetorians to inspect his cities

- ability to make your country a heaven or hell for its citizens. Orwell's "1984" (one of the best books ever!) in action

- unique culture for each civ - like in Europa Universalis. Neighbouring civilizations will have to face cultural influence. But this cultural influence should look different. For example Romans have a city near American border. Roman city is at first 100% Roman, but after few turns it should be for example 98% Roman and 2% American. After many turns it could be 40% Roman 60% American and then city could be in danger of revolting. Of course this culture does not mean changing borders! In my opinion actual system with culture affecting state borders is ridiculous. Country can have cities with majority of citizens of different culture but borders should stay as they were. The only thin that changes should be increased unhappines. Of course conquering city with different culture will have negative effects.

- no more "hit movies" etc. Everyone should have ability to make their own movies, literature and music. The more playes spend money on it, the better they have influence on other people. For example - if player spend a lot for making good movies, he gain boost of his citizens culture and worldwide increase of his own culture. For example - Rome and USA both have Holywood national wonder (or "Great Film Studio" - small wonders should be not connected with any historical building - it's stupid to have 12 Shakespeare Theatres in the world). Rome spends more money on making films than US. Rome's global influence is greater and all cities in the world with TV or cinema techs (so they are able to use this Roman films) should slowly gain Roman culture. So after 30 turns all global cities should have 3% American culture and 6% Roman culture. Of course this cultural invasion could be stopped either by increasing spending on coutry's own culture or passing laws like "no TV" (just like in Afghanistan). Of course passing such law should have dramatic consequences - fall of popularity and unhappiness. Moreover - when Roman culture became worldwide and strong, any action against Rome should have negative impact on citizens - the greater influence Rome has in foreign cities the greater unhappiness, the lesser - minor unhappiness (no one wants a war with Rome when they are so cool! ).

- no more war weariness in current form. If citizens of Imperium Romanum hate Persians, they support war with them. If they like Persians - they do not (with all consequences - lesser support and failed elections and negative impact on economy or even riots. If 50% of Roman citizens like Persians and 50% don't - you gain only 50% of negative effects.

- religions can break into two different religions.

- please, stop repeating this "we were working very carefuly on religion systems, treated all religions with equal respect and made all religions totally equal - we don't want to offend anyone" all over again. Religions are religions - they are all stupid. As Seneca said - “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.” And it should be so in Civ V. If someone can't survive critics of his religion and reacts with anger it's his problem, not ours.

- all civ groups (like mediterranean, asiatic and american) should have different looks of infantry units (like in Civ IV), but player should have abiliy to choose tank, modern ships and planes models from many models. For example when I research tech which grants me a bomber I should choose then how it should look like. Player should see a screen with models like B-17, B-29, He - 111, Wellington or PZL Łoś and pick the one they like. The same with tanks - we should have different models to choose from of old tanks (sherman, tiger, T-34, Pershing, Elephant or IS) and modern (Abrams, Leopard, Chalennger, Merkava). No more shermans, M1A1s, Nimitz, B2 and F-16s only! Come on, Americans, the world does not end with you


I think that's it for now


Oh, I have a question - does someone from Firaxis read this topic? Maybe Sid himself?

 

[The Rusty Gamer]

- Alternative to using workers - placing work improvements CTP2 style. Perhaps select option before game starts or is an attribute - different civs use different styles or maybe effected by other things like government.

- Restricted space for buildings - work spaces around city now partially allocated or zoned for buildings. Each building has a certain size and each tile has a certain amount of space. You need to decide which spaces should be worked for resources and which sacrificed for buildings.

- simultaneous building of units and buildings - cities should build units and buildings in the same time. - Aquila SPQR.

Or dynamic number of simultaneous build queues based on research, certain buildings etc. If CTP2 style of worker improvements and zoning ideas are adopted, then you could place buildings on tiles to be built as you would farms etc.

 

[chrissifniotis]

Do you mean Hexagonal tiles? Hexadecimal is something else. If you are talkin' Settlers of Kattan style tiles, that could be interesting. The current 8 way motion is a little hard to stomach and diagonal movement is typically quite unusual.

It will, of course, be quite game-changing.

Hexagons aren't so different to Civ 2 and 3's isometric rhombuses, the only difference is that hexagons have six directions each tile can go, and the rhombuses have eight, four of which are on corners. That is to say, you can go places on rhombuses that hexagons can't, generally due west and due east, but the old grids made for unrealistic animation, being that the travel distance may be one square, but the preception is it's less travel going north-south and more travel going east-west.
Hexagons would fix that easily at the cost of less freedom to move the unit, and the minimap wouldn't have to change at all from Civ 3 in terms of the grid.

All in all, I'd welcome hexagonal grids. Makes it easier for AoW mods and the sort.

 

[techathon]

- no more "hit movies" etc. Everyone should have ability to make their own movies, literature and music. The more playes spend money on it, the better they have influence on other people. For example - if player spend a lot for making good movies, he gain boost of his citizens culture and worldwide increase of his own culture. For example - Rome and USA both have Holywood national wonder (or "Great Film Studio" - small wonders should be not connected with any historical building - it's stupid to have 12 Shakespeare Theatres in the world). Rome spends more money on making films than US. Rome's global influence is greater and all cities in the world with TV or cinema techs (so they are able to use this Roman films) should slowly gain Roman culture. So after 30 turns all global cities should have 3% American culture and 6% Roman culture. Of course this cultural invasion could be stopped either by increasing spending on coutry's own culture or passing laws like "no TV" (just like in Afghanistan). Of course passing such law should have dramatic consequences - fall of popularity and unhappiness. Moreover - when Roman culture became worldwide and strong, any action against Rome should have negative impact on citizens - the greater influence Rome has in foreign cities the greater unhappiness, the lesser - minor unhappiness (no one wants a war with Rome when they are so cool! ).

ANd an event could be thet a movie angered a minority and caused them to be terrorests

- please, stop repeating this "we were working very carefuly on religion systems, treated all religions with equal respect and made all religions totally equal - we don't want to offend anyone" all over again. Religions are religions - they are all stupid. As Seneca said - “Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.” And it should be so in Civ V. If someone can't survive critics of his religion and reacts with anger it's his problem, not ours.

I shouldn't even honor the 1st part w/ a responce, but Fraxis needs not to offend anyone to keep sales up, It might not be YOUR problem, but it is technically THEIR problem.

 

[Gamemaster77]

ANd an event could be thet a movie angered a minority and caused them to be terrorests
I shouldn't even honor the 1st part w/ a responce, but Fraxis needs not to offend anyone to keep sales up, It might not be YOUR problem, but it is technically THEIR problem.

It isn't just technically their pproblem, it IS THEIR PROBLEM. Let's say they make the Muslim religion most powerfull, then about 2/5 of America's Civ players are going to be upset sence Christianity is the domenent religion here.

 

[Vandal Warlord]

- new Civ - Poland! Instead of tenth US leader or Sitting Bull. I know that Americans like to have Sitting Bull in this game, but including a civ which in history really never advanced beyond stone age is... stupid. There are many much more interesting civs than Sioux or Zulu.

If I had a nickel for everytime someone said they wanted a new civ only for civ 5, I would be a very wealthy man.

For Gods' sakes man! Have you ever heard of CIV GOLD!!!

 

[The Rusty Gamer]

Yes, there are a lot of suggestions here that can be done in Civ 4 with a MOD. This thread should be about changes that can't be made in a mod.

About the Hexagonal thing - how about the number of sides in a tile being itself dynamic? More research means you can go in more directions - perhaps map making or navigation can give more and more tile sides. This means some civs will have more flexibility in movement than others. Each time you enhance your research in this area, the map grid is recalculated and redrawn.

 

[EmperorFool]

About the Hexagonal thing - how about the number of sides in a tile being itself dynamic?

Only triangles, rhombuses (squares), and hexagons can be used to create a regular grid. A hexagon is made up of six equal triangles.

When you use hexagons, the grid is shifted to one side on every other line so that movement up/down is done zig-zag (or left/right if you shift the columns). Squares won't have this, so mixing squares and hexagons is right out.

Starting with triangles that eventually form hexagons could work in theory, but you'd be merging six tiles into one. What do you do with the different improvements and terrain? No, that won't work in practice either.

The main case for hexagons over squares is that movement on a hex grid is always equidistant. When you move diagonally on a square grid, you are moving further than when you move in a cardinal direction. From an aesthetics point of view, it looks strange graphically to have two tiles "touch" on a point. I would expect the terrain graphics to look much more fluid using a hex grid.

However, someone posted in this thread that Sid himself has decreed that the Civ franchise will never, ever use hexagons, but no reason was given.

 

[darkedone02]

If they ever plan on adding more religions, It will be nice if they are diversified so that every single one got different benefits, add in more religions, like scientology and wicca and other religions, and also give out some benefits for not providing a state religion as well for those who are atheist or agnostic.

I wish there was also a future tech that give me food bonuses on farms and whatnot and it's repeatable.

 

[Hsinchu]

However, someone posted in this thread that Sid himself has decreed that the Civ franchise will never, ever use hexagons, but no reason was given.

Well.... if you want a reason:

Hexagon coordinates are nigh impossible to develop. I once tried to design a simple fish case study with hexagonal coordinates. The algorithm for its development makes grown programmers fume. Now, implement that with the already great complexity of civ, and you got yourself a challenge. I really think it IS the biggest change that would be necessary to revamp the game, but it would also be the biggest hurdle to develop AND not to alienate veterans of the franchise.

 

[The Rusty Gamer]

Surely all you need to do is add in extra co-ordinates.

They do it in war games - it isn't impossible, or is that 8-sided they use?

 

[Hsinchu]

Surely all you need to do is add in extra co-ordinates.

They do it in war games - it isn't impossible, or is that 8-sided they use?

The problem is, you can't do typical x,y coordinates, or if you do, movement becomes the issue. The way I resolved it was to create pointer links and enumerated them so you could tell what direction is which. Location coordinates were basically taken from a corner and then you followed this many in one direction, this many in another direction. The problem's came when movement made these pointing trees buggy. You literally have to ensure that every command is PROPERLY indexed to go in the RIGHT direction every time. Relative coordinates need to be able to go backward... and a whole host of hangups. Like I said, every time you layer new commands into a nontypical coordinate system, you need to double-check for consistency. It's not impossible, but every little feature needs to be worked from scratch... which was the methodology for civ 4 incidentally.

 

[Faladhrym]

- new religion system - you can create your own religion. So if you want to have christanity - you name it "christanity" and "christian" (for monasteries, temples etc.) If you want a roman religion, you name it "roman" + full of symbols, temple and priest models to choose from. It's annoying when I have to play with christianity or islam (when I have no other choice) when I dislike them.

it's an idea...

- much more techs!
- much larger maps!

Hell yeah!!! ^_^ lol

- game speed lower than marathon!

sry, but isn't that Epic?

- optional scenario with future techs - something like Civ II Test of Time. So if you want to play "normal" civ, you can play normal. But if you want to research new technologies (like cloning, laser weaponry, androids), build future buildings (android factory, virtual reality center) or have future units (laser squads, micro black hole generators, UAVs) - you can play this scenario. But units and tech should be realistic, not idiotic like in Civ II ToT (so no more giant bacterias).

- Earth-like maps. I like to play on maps that looks like Earth - 7 continents with various smaller islands, but in Civ IV I cannot find such map. Map preview would be helpful - It's annoyng when I have to start all map types and enter worldbuilder to see how they look like.

yeah, I think they should give more scenarios..., it would give us more challenge... I love Earth Maps, but only those with dozens of civilizations, it's very entertaining,
Map Preview is a cool option, but I have an ideia, when we're choosing the map, the window of the Map Preview, is black, we must click on a button to reveal it to us, so people may choose wether they want to see it in advance or not.

- simultaneous building of units and buildings - cities should build units and buildings in the same time.

That would probably wouldn't be Civ, civilization is a series of interesting decisions (or something like that ) Civ I think is about choosing what do u want to do now if it allowed more to make several choices alltogether it might "damage" the "ideia" of Civ... dunno ...

- new Civ - Poland! Instead of tenth US leader or Sitting Bull. I know that Americans like to have Sitting Bull in this game, but including a civ which in history really never advanced beyond stone age is... stupid. There are many much more interesting civs than Sioux or Zulu.

sry, but then I suggest that Portugal is placed in the "main Civ" always, it pisses me off seeing the spanish there and not Portugal... we were as "big" as they -_- and sorry but for me, we started the age of discovery... we should be among the rest of the bunch in the "main Civ".

- new worker ability - digg canals (for ships).
- huge units - not one figure of for example rifleman, not three, but 20 smaller (as one unit), so when one units start a battle we can see 40 "smaller units" figthing (optional
- so if someone want to stay with "civ IV - like" units can be satisfied). The same with ships and planes - not one ship/plane per "unit", but three (except battleships, carriers and submarines).

good idea it would be interesting... but I think the idea must be more well tought.. otherwise france would dig a canal to china so they can attack Japan more easilly...lool
and the other idea would be nice too, but the 40 smaller units would probably use lot's of requirements of the pc... but the option to turn it off would provide the balance needed to the game running smoothly...

- spherical map, not flat - if you want to fly above or swim under north pole - you can do it.

- return of different clothing etc. for AI leaders in different eras. I hate to see Roosevelt in his suit in 2000 BC.

- return of Civ III post game screen when player choose to retire - with this "pop-ups". New one from Civ IV is pathetic.

they're good ideas, I think the first should be included, definitilly but not in the replacement of the flat map, (flat maps are also entertaining, why not? )

- similar to Civ II ToT - space colonisation (optional)! So you can build colonies and labs on moon (after Apollo Program) and after successful spaceship landing - on distant planets with aliens! Four other planets with 6 alien Civs would be fantastic. But beware - if aliens were first to launch a spaceship Earth will be under alien colonisation!

cool scenario idea... I wonder if it can be made

- Apollo Program and Manhattan Project should not give all civs ability to build spaceships or A-Bomb. Russians had to stole many vital blueprints to build their own A-Bomb, so players should have ability to steal A-Bomb plans or build their own Manhattan Project.

yeah I always tought it sucked... why when I build the Manhattan Project the rest benefit from it as well

- ability to build bases on other country's territory. So players can build a base for example in Egypt and have there planes or troops without this mutual "open borders". Or simply - open borders not mutual.

I only like it if people have the possibility to do it like in I think Civ III when we could do that and cause war lol

- return of King units. But capturing King unit should not destroy enemy civilization. It could elect new one and gain terrible negative effects or accept to pay ransom for him (or sign humiliating peace). Besides - having your own Caesar is fun. In Civ III I always had Caesar unit named "Caesar Imperator Aquila SPQR" and treated him as an emperor - sometimes he was going on trip with his faithful Praetorians to inspect his cities

Yeah I love King units, pretty nice, they like give a more "real" perspective of the game

- no more global climate change. It's not sure if it's caused by humans (I personally doubt it).

well this global climate change isn't cause by dogs that's for sure... humans are to blame, humans are pretty stupid when it comes to money, and they don't see the big picture... perhaps I will not die due to ruining the habitability of the planet, but my grandsons will suffer for the poor judgement of my fathers and myself...

- field laboratories. You can build them on Antarctic or jungle (even beyond your territory) to increase your techs

- Spy satellites. Reveal small area for one turn. Max 5 per Civ.

- No more "Sid's Sushi" or "AlumCo" - players should have ability to name their own corporation. Imperium Romanum and "Sid's Sushi"? :|

I don't have many opinions for this.. the corporation is fine, it they change the names I don't care, if they don't change the names I won't care either lol
but I don't agree withe the field laboratories, and for the spy satellites, I also don't have an opinion

- in civics that are similar to democracy/republic - political parties. Players can create their own political party. Every action made by the player would affect his voters. Player should have something like "public poll" which would tell him what his citizens demand him to do. If he choose to listen to them - he gets economic boost. If citizens are displeased with his actions - he looses elections and have negative effect on diplomacy.
Under monarchy/tyranny - some sort of a nobles council - if he listens to them he gain economic and military boost, if not - negative effects on army, economy and diplomacy.
- ability to pass laws like about abortion, cloning, in vitro, land grants, new taxes, obligatory conscription, make king a god on earth etc. with specific results - both negative and positive (for example - passing in vitro would make some people angry and result in small reduction of positive votes but also increases birth rate; land grants would give a ruler boost to military and relations with nobles, but decrease taxes).

this could be a nice ideas.. it would be a very different approach of the game, and it probably would give great probabilities to redefine the way politics are "played in the game"

- no more war weariness in current form. If citizens of Imperium Romanum hate Persians, they support war with them. If they like Persians - they do not (with all consequences - lesser support and failed elections and negative impact on economy or even riots. If 50% of Roman citizens like Persians and 50% don't - you gain only 50% of negative effects.

cool idea.. I support that... sometimes I'm at war with some1 that attacked me first, conquered 2 or 3 cities, and when I "repaying" the favor the people start rioting pissed at the war when I was the victim.

I think there should be 2 "simpathy" types, the people simpathy towards another nation/leader and the leader simpathy towards the other nation/leader

- all civ groups (like mediterranean, asiatic and american) should have different looks of infantry units (like in Civ IV), but player should have abiliy to choose tank, modern ships and planes models from many models. For example when I research tech which grants me a bomber I should choose then how it should look like. Player should see a screen with models like B-17, B-29, He - 111, Wellington or PZL Łoś and pick the one they like. The same with tanks - we should have different models to choose from of old tanks (sherman, tiger, T-34, Pershing, Elephant or IS) and modern (Abrams, Leopard, Chalennger, Merkava). No more shermans, M1A1s, Nimitz, B2 and F-16s only! Come on, Americans, the world does not end with you

it's also a cool idea I think it would give a more "personal" perspective I think...

- Civil wars.

- religions can break into two different religions.

- global terrorism -ecomonic, political or religious.

civil wars would be sweet... lol it would give experience for helping "appear" great generals, it would give a funny way of possibily fighting against our own UU, this would be cool lol...
the religions coul be like the civil wars it would entertaining, besides the religions could iniciate a civil war..
about the global terrorism, we already have spies, that do those things, but I presume u're talking about "adding" random spying/terrorism acts, dunno ... Firaxis wouldn't put it in the game cause it's probably just like religions...

good ideas btw lol
cya

 

[kochman]

The Spanish get a lot of credit for the Age of Discovery based on backing the Italian who "discovered" the "New World".