GOTM Difficulty Levels

[Piscator]

Back to the original topic. I'd like to have a spectrum from Prince to Immortal level, or at least for the majority of the games. At noble level (or below), you have to play the game completely different to make use of the 'ownage' you have over the AI (if you feel so inclined). Strategies really don't pay off much. Going for either domination or conquest on that level is just too easy as opposed to a higher difficulty level. I really do not find that challenging.

However, I'd like to see more challenging starts now and then. Challenging in the sense that you are required to use different strategies to do well in a game. Most games feel a bit like the previous game, exacting the same formula to a win once you accustomed yourself to one. What I can think off:
1) Less resources at the starting location. It might give you the inclination to move your capital for once, which makes a huge difference for your empire.
2) More clustered resources. You have to trade more for resources and hence requires you to be more friendly to the AI.
3) More sea!!! (high water level). All combat seems to be focused on land in gotms. And admittedly, I like a little bit less land to make the game speed up more for once.
4) Variant rule. Player is not allowed to build an oracle. Removes the humongeous benefit of different slingshots, forcing players to reevaluate the starting strategy. I know I'm compulsory obsessive towards CS...
5) No tech trading. Well, now you really have to think! No more focussing on getting Alphabet early just to outtrade everybody.
6) Permanent Alliances and Permanent War. Gives an inclination to be more cooperitive towards an AI. Planning research and warfare together sounds like fun!

@DynamicSpirit. My bad, I thought the HOF mod was already used for gotm9. I was just curious how many people used it, since I saw a claim 'success'.

 

[Shillen]

That's a good idea Piscator. I wouldn't mind changing up the starting conditions a bit. I was particularly intrigued when I saw the starting location for SGOTM2. I thought that was a great idea and reading one of the threads the strategy discussion was fantastic. It really made people think differently about how that start would affect their game.

I wouldn't mind an OCC one month either.

 

[wwassme]

To follow-up on Piscator's comments, another way of making the game more challenging is to limit the victory conditions. An occasional game that has to be won by a cultural or diplomatic victory or a game that can only be won with a domination or conquest victory would get people out of their boxes more and require the use of different strategies. Of course, each game favoring warmongers over peacebuilders should be balanced by a game favoring peacebuilders over warmongers. Limiting victory conditions may be particularly appropriate on the lower difficulty levels. On higher difficulty levels, allowing all victory conditions gives each player more options on how best to approach those already more challenging games.

 

[Déja]

To follow-up on Piscator's comments, another way of making the game more challenging is to limit the victory conditions. An occasional game that has to be won by a cultural or diplomatic victory or a game that can only be won with a domination or conquest victory would get people out of their boxes more and require the use of different strategies. Of course, each game favoring warmongers over peacebuilders should be balanced by a game favoring peacebuilders over warmongers. Limiting victory conditions may be particularly appropriate on the lower difficulty levels. On higher difficulty levels, allowing all victory conditions gives each player more options on how best to approach those already more challenging games.

I think that that is a great idea.