Earth Map

[Marshall Thomas]

I was wondering if I could get any opinions on using an Earth map- with 18 civilizations. What are some effects of using an Earth map as opposed to using a Terra or continents map? How are starting locations decided on an Earth map? I just wanted to hear about how it effects gameplay. Oh and if I decide to use it- how do I do that? Thanks

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Starting Locations on an Earth Map are Historical, so European/Middle Eastern Civs are Crowded, while the others often have a decent amount of space (and the Japanese and English should get Sailing Pretty soon.)

 

[Marshall Thomas]

So do civilizations that begin the game far from Europe have much more land to settle? - like the Inca in South America or the Malineasse in Africa? How is playing on an Earth map different than playing on a Terra map with reguard to gameplay dynamics? Thanks

 

[InFlux5]

They're different because a Terra map is random. The Earth18Civs map is the same every time. What I don't get is why you can't just try it out and see for yourself.

Also, with a Terra map every civ starts on the same continent. On Earth18Civs, the Malinese and Egyptians have Africa to themselves for the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the game, the Inca have South America, etc.

Nonetheless, the Mali's starting area is very resource-poor, and the Inca are confined to the Western coast of South America for a while and have a lot of jungle to chop before their area is productive. Earth18Civs is not fair and balanced, while a Terra map is much more likely to be so.

 

[winddbourne]

The only problem I have with the earth map in CIV IV is that it's too solid. Scenario's in Civ IV are set in stone, what leader you use, starting locations, position of resources.

In Civ III there were options to at least let you randomize the starting locations on a map, if not the positioning of resources every game. I'd be a lot more satisfied if I didn't know exactly what leader I was going to be playing against for each civilization, or especially if I could modify the scenario to start everyone in random spots.

 

[Marshall Thomas]

On an 18 civilization Earth map, can nations which are surrounded(like France, Spain, and Germany) compete with nations that have so much land to colonize(like China, Eygpt, and Persia)? Are Earth maps popular with players? What are some pros and cons?

Also does anyone know if Warlords will come with an Earth map for 24 civilizations? Thanks in advance.

 

[AndreasS]

On an 18 civilization Earth map, can nations which are surrounded(like France, Spain, and Germany) compete with nations that have so much land to colonize(like China, Eygpt, and Persia)? Are Earth maps popular with players? What are some pros and cons?

Also does anyone know if Warlords will come with an Earth map for 24 civilizations? Thanks in advance.

It depends alot on you settings for the game.

Add raging barbarians, and the civs with large space to expand in, will have work to do there.

Add tech. trading, and civs starting in remote places will have troubble keeping up in the tech race..... They also have fewer civs to trade other things with as well!

Another thing is religion. Its less likely that it spreads to isolated places, if you not found a religion yourself.

And yet another thing: A warmonger in Europe, can conquer some really good cities, on good locations too, if sucsessfull......


So my answer to you: Its possible to balance it in a way!

 

[moggydave]

Yeh the Earth map in Civ3 was better because Carthage could start in South American, the Americans in Australia etc etc.

Civ 4's world map only has about 10 civs on it with no choice and the earth 18 civs is too predicable and too hard on my PC.