Future Update - Speculation Thread

[Gwydden]

Thinking of late game crises in Paradox games, or even the winter mechanic from Endless Legend, the best way to add dynamic challenges to a CIV game that shake up the status quo would be to simulate historical disasters. I think the game operates at too grand a scale to simulate civilization infighting and the like, so you have to go global here. The earliest I can think of (and a tad distasteful under the current circumstances) is the Black Death, but most such events would fall in the late game: Great Depressions, World Wars, MAD and such.

Climate change and other natural disasters could be considered a step in that direction. Something unlikely that I'd like to see is a simulation of natural climate change like the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age, which could shake up an otherwise stale game in interesting ways. Imagine global resource yields subtly changing in ways that enable civilizations with crappy starts to get a headstart on the ones who were ahead, or make previously undesirable pieces of land more appealing and vice versa.

 

[Zaarin]

The earliest I can think of (and a tad distasteful under the current circumstances) is the Black Death

Bronze Age Collapse.

 

[Galvatron]

The earliest I can think of (and a tad distasteful under the current circumstances) is the Black Death...

African American death.

But seriously add to that list global warming, and first contact maybe.

 

[theRoyzen]

Hey guys, something what sprang into my eye today.
As I was about to choose Pachacuti for my next round, I did read the abilities first, and at his Qhapaq Nan, there is something odd.
It says "unique to Inca when Pachacuti is the leader" so, do we get an alt leader for Incas or is this just a typo?

 

[Uberfrog]

Hey guys, something what sprang into my eye today.
As I was about to choose Pachacuti for my next round, I did read the abilities first, and at his Qhapaq Nan, there is something odd.
It says "unique to Inca when Pachacuti is the leader" so, do we get an alt leader for Incas or is this just a typo?

The ability is tied to Pachacuti but this doesn’t mean they are planning an alt leader. I would be extremely surprised if they were.

It would also mean you wouldn’t have get the Qhapaq Nan if you had a modded alternate leader.

It’s like how Alexander has his companion cavalry as a second UU, but they are never gonna add a new leader for Macedon.

 

[pokiehl]

Hey guys, something what sprang into my eye today.
As I was about to choose Pachacuti for my next round, I did read the abilities first, and at his Qhapaq Nan, there is something odd.
It says "unique to Inca when Pachacuti is the leader" so, do we get an alt leader for Incas or is this just a typo?

No. That text is merely to indicate that the unique is associated with Pachacuti. There are in fact multiple "leader specific" uniques in the game with similar text such as Teddy's Rough Rider.

Don't read anything into it. While the distinction has no real impact most of the time, it does impact mods that make alternate leaders. So for instance, if you're using a modded Inca leader then they won't have the qhapaq nan. And remember, the alternate leader system was primarily implemented for modders in the first place.

 

[theRoyzen]

The ability is tied to Pachacuti but this doesn’t mean they are planning an alt leader. I would be extremely surprised if they were.

It would also mean you wouldn’t have get the Qhapaq Nan if you had a modded alternate leader.

It’s like how Alexander has his companion cavalry as a second UU, but they are never gonna add a new leader for Macedon.

No. That text is merely to indicate that the unique is associated with Pachacuti. There are in fact multiple "leader specific" uniques in the game with similar text such as Teddy's Rough Rider.

Don't read anything into it. While the distinction has no real impact most of the time, it does impact mods that make alternate leaders. So for instance, if you're using a modded Inca leader then they won't have the qhapaq nan. And remember, the alternate leader system was primarily implemented for modders in the first place.

Okay, thanks guys. It just surpriesed me and thougth maybe it was something they have overseen.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

It looks like someone at Firaxis forgot what day it is and updated a qa build early this morning.

 

[Pistol90]

It looks like someone at Firaxis forgot what day it is and updated a qa build early this morning.

Or they are in such hurry they are working this weekend to be able to announce something next week (please be true, ) ....

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

Or they are in such hurry they are working this weekend to be able to announce something next week (please be true, ) ....

I don't think the state of the qa at any given time will greatly affect when they make an official announcement of whatever this is.

 

[bbbt]

I'm a remote tech worker. I've been working on weekends. Partly, yes, because my job is busier than usual and I'm pushing towards a deadline. But partly honestly cause I'm stuck home now anyways on the weekend. So they might be in the same boat.

 

[LMT]

I'm a remote tech worker. I've been working on weekends. Partly, yes, because my job is busier than usual and I'm pushing towards a deadline. But partly honestly cause I'm stuck home now anyways on the weekend. So they might be in the same boat.

I'm working remotely now as well (have been since mid-March). I'm not a tech worker, but my workload has greatly increased because of it. I've been working every day of the week just to keep up.

I check out this board regularly just to keep my sanity.

 

[Jeppetto]

Well I for one really try to avoid watching code after 5 days of it, so I cannot join the "working on weekends" gang.
But is it possible to assume scale of the change? It's fairly possible someone did small oopsie, it turn to be a big oopsie on build and so the person decided to do quick fix so everything's in order in early-hours Monday If other people's work depended on it working and they would know they'd get online hours later than them in Monday.

 

[acluewithout]

...so, yeah, X-Com: Chimera. Otherwise known as “X-Com 2.5” or “X-Com: Not 3” or or “X-Com: hey, what if it’s X-Com, but as a buddy movie?”, or “X-Com: let’s throw some stuff at the walls and see what sticks”.

Seems like it’s a bite sized spin off, using the existing engine to tell a different story and try out new experimental mechanics.

That’s an a interesting approach I could get behind. Huzzah!

Hmm. I wonder. Is there any chance FXS could try a similar thing with Civ...?

Maybe a Civilization Beyond Earth? (Otherwise known as Civilization: Theatre Squares in Spaaaace!

Maybe Civilization Colonialism? (Otherwise known as Civilization: Jesus, this Loyalty stuff has got totally out of hand!!)

Or how about a Steam Punk Civilization along the lines of Scythe or Iron Harvest?

Civilization: Iron Empire?

I mean, how good would this look as a Civ Spin-off?

You know, I bet Victoria could build some pretty cool Industrial Era Mechs...

Slightly more seriously though. We have four depots, and so the assumption is we get four things. One might be a Third Expansion or mini-expansion. What if one or three of the others are more experimental takes on Civ? I mean, Red Death was pretty out there, so we know FXS are willing to try stuff out. And they’ve already given away all the free maps and stuff, so they are leaving themselves space to do more interesting stuff with DLC.

Anyway. Hope we get some news soon. All very interesting.

 

[Zaarin]

Or how about a Steam Punk Civilization along the lines of Scythe or Iron Harvest?

*dieselpunk.

But as much as I'd love to see a 4X game set in the 1920+ universe, Firaxis has a history of doing poorly when they try to be original.

 

[XX36789]

I'd love a civ style game based off of Ancient Aliens.

 

[acluewithout]

@Zaarin Haven’t heard Diesel Punk before. I like that. I’ll use that in the future...

Agreed, FXS don’t do well with original and or Sci-Fi. They seem to lean into Science Fantasy rather than Science Fiction, and then throw in everything plus the kitchen sink (something which plagues a lot of Sci-Fi 4X). But maybe they could learn to be a bit more lean with ideas and do better... cross fingers.

 

[AvianBritish]

...so, yeah, X-Com: Chimera. Otherwise known as “X-Com 2.5” or “X-Com: Not 3” or or “X-Com: hey, what if it’s X-Com, but as a buddy movie?”, or “X-Com: let’s throw some stuff at the walls and see what sticks”.

Seems like it’s a bite sized spin off, using the existing engine to tell a different story and try out new experimental mechanics.

That’s an a interesting approach I could get behind. Huzzah!

I know this is a little off topic but I feel like I need to point out that "X-Com" are the very orignal games (like UFO Defence) and that the current games are "XCOM". Of which XCOM: Chimera Squad is definitely a "XCOM: 2.5" but it's based on the orignal "X-Com 3" (X-Com: Apocalypse).

 

[AsH2]

..
Maybe a Civilization Beyond Earth? (Otherwise known as Civilization: Theatre Squares in Spaaaace!..

I can see that.. On scene: Pantomime version of the Great Work 'Hip To Be Square'..

 

[acluewithout]

I know this is a little off topic but I feel like I need to point out that "X-Com" are the very orignal games (like UFO Defence) and that the current games are "XCOM". Of which XCOM: Chimera Squad is definitely a "XCOM: 2.5" but it's based on the orignal "X-Com 3" (X-Com: Apocalypse).

Good to know.

(And knowing is half the battle!)