Do you use F10 when starting a xOTM ?

[Ambiorix]

I don't think i've ever started a thread before, so this might be a very, very small step for mankind, and a big 'trip & stumble' for me...

I was just wondering how many players use the space-race screen to learn about their rivals at the start of the game ?

If an overwhelming majority of players uses this feature, it might make sense to just list the opponents in the pre-game discussions. For the moment we see phrases such as "if no-one has pottery, then I start research full-out..." or phrases to that effect. If almost everybody uses F10, we could as well make the opponents part of the pre-game discussions.

If, on the other hand, almost nobody uses this, it might make sense to define a sort of code of conduct to not use F10, and consider it spoiler-info.

Personally, F10 is the first thing I do when starting a game.

 

[MiniMe]

Hmmm ... in my ignorance didnt know that it was actually possible. Would have preferred to live happily and not know the civs before actually meeting them. But from now on will use F10 ...

 

[AlanH]

It's a facility in the game, I don't expect the programmers realised people could do it, I'd probably prefer that it wasn't an option as I prefer some mystery, but I don't see how we could stop people using it.

I do it because I know others do and I don't like having less information than my competitors, but now that you've made me think about it some more, I don't think it really affects my decisions. My first research project is based far more on on my own starting techs and what I think I'll need in the early game.

 

[Redbad]

I rarely use it myself. But after a while there's bound to pop up some scolar who has listed the wealtiest or strongest or stupiest civs around. And then I have a pretty good notion about who my friends are.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I never used to before I started playing GOTM, I preferred the mystery. However, since I started playing competitively, I need to know. I guess the only reason I really use is it to decide on my first tech choice, after that, I couldn't care less who they are.

By the way, Dianthus' CrpMapStat now has a tab which imports the civs from F10 and tells you their traits, starting techs, and unique unit. Quite useful.

 

[Mistfit]

Gator urned me on to using this feature. I think it is very useful and can help in deciding what to research next.

 

[WackenOpenAir]

As AllanH. I do it because i know others do it.

This goes for all legal abuses. I would prefer all of them being removed, but i use them because others do and i don't want to disadvantage myself.

 

[Mistfit]

Peer Pressure overtakes another civ'er
...Oh come on everyone is doin it....

 

[solenoozerec]

Like AlanH I would prefer this obtion unavailable, but since it is available, I use it.

 

[Xerol]

I don't see why it matters either way. It doesn't tell you who you're near and who you'll be able to trade with first. I guess you can derive probabilities from it (i.e. "1 out of the 7 are scientific, so i might want to research Bronze working") but what really matters is who you start near, especially on continents or archipelago where half or more of the civs you won't meet for a while.

 

[solenoozerec]

I don't see why it matters either way. It doesn't tell you who you're near and who you'll be able to trade with first. I guess you can derive probabilities from it (i.e. "1 out of the 7 are scientific, so i might want to research Bronze working") but what really matters is who you start near, especially on continents or archipelago where half or more of the civs you won't meet for a while.

I think it can be important in some instances because those probabilities can be very high or very low. It gives you a good clue regarding what you need to research yourslef and what you can trade, as in your example.
But sure, overall this feature is not very significant and those who do not look on F10 are not in a big disadvantage compared to the rest. Sometimes I just forget about F10 and it does not make a big difference.
Pure human joy of surprise is bigger here.

 

[civ_steve]

It's nearly always the first thing I do, and the information often influences my initial research. (As does other game information such as land mass type ...) However, I think this has worked as an advantage very infrequently.

 

[Darkness]

It's nearly always the first thing I do, and the information often influences my initial research.

For me as well....

 

[SirPleb]

I usually don't use it becuase I forget its there. I forget because it doesn't matter much to me. What really matters will be which Civs I meet and how soon, and which ones are neighbors.

 

[ControlFreak]

I usually don't use it becuase I forget its there. I forget because it doesn't matter much to me. What really matters will be which Civs I meet and how soon, and which ones are neighbors.

I that isn't a big deterent to using F10, I don't know what is.

I usually check it, especially on Panagea maps, to help pick a first tech, or decide not to research at all. If there are a lot of scientific civs, that adjusts my desire to go for Diplo/space.

But I wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it.

 

[Offa]

I do this, not so much because I find it helps, but because it makes me slow down at the start and think about the game. If nothing else it means that the fatal error point in my game is delayed by several minutes.

I think the pre game discussions are a bit involved already and I wouldn't want to add anything more to complicate them.

 

[AlanH]

If there are a lot of scientific civs, that adjusts my desire to go for Diplo/space.

That would damp my enthusiasm for diplo or space even further, as I know that all the PtW players are going to get a built-in 12 turns or more advantage from the multiple free techs it gives out. Come to think of it, maybe that's why I'm a warmonger by instinct

 

[a space oddity]

Well Alan, I'm sure that you know how to cure that..... Just buy one of 'em PeeCees! *ducks*

 

[AlanH]

You cannot be serious!

I'd far rather just stick to warmongering, thanks all the same. Besides, it means all of we Mac players have a ready-made excuse for poor performance ... or more to crow about if we ever manage to do well

 

[Ronald]

I use it every time because I am very curious. Mostly the information is completely irrelevant, but if you assume that the starting positions are culturally linked it is possible to guess who your next neighbours are. This can influence my decision what the research first. (I did a small gamble for research in Cotm8 and it worked out nicely)

Ronald