Help getting back into Civ4

[Xpl]

Hey,

I recently reinstalled Civ4 after a 3 month hiatus and a one month holiday in a country with no computer access. In a recent attempt to get back into it again, I've stumbled upon a problem.

My problem is I often than not give up in the first 100 turns, because I admit that I am a perfectionist. If everything isn't perfect in the buildup, I can't stand playing and rage.

Is there something I can do apart from seek medical advice to get me back into a game I once loved?

For the record I play on Monarch which prior to my hiatus I was comfortable with.

 

[Sisiutil]

Have you tried playing advanced start?

Also, remember that nothing in this world, even inside a computer simulation, is perfect.

 

[Lunsen]

Hey I know how you feel. I used to be a real perfectionist when playing Civ IV.
I could give you one advice and that is to learn from the pros and how they play

I watched alot how TMIT plays and he is an awesome player
For example this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwy3WMBqi84&feature=related

With the start he had.. Well I would have given up already but he pulls it of!

 

[Xpl]

Have you tried playing advanced start?

I tried it once, but I generally don't like the setup since I get a greater sense of satisfaction and enjoyment from building empires out of practically nothing.

Also, remember that nothing in this world, even inside a computer simulation, is perfect.

Well trying to get as close to it as possible wouldn't hurt would it?

 

[vincentz]

Jump into deep water.

The perfectionist path is simple if playing in a "safe" environment.
A perfect start implies that you have a certain way of playing, needing a certain startlocation etc etc.

My best advice is : try some mods. they often have a different setup making it necessary to take a different path. The perfect path will seem non existing for at least a couple of games untill the mod is studied carefully.

I'm not sure it makes any sense what I just wrote, but I hope u understand.

(its too late here. off to bed )

 

[GGracchus]

It doesn't have to be absolutely perfect until Deity. Just adapt and move on.

 

[Xpl]

It doesn't have to be absolutely perfect until Deity. Just adapt and move on.

I understand you can make a million mistakes and get ultimate hax, yet still win.
I get my fair share, but unlike the more skilled, I can't recover.

My skill level isn't high to delete my settlers and still win.

You could say go down a few levels and just have fun, but the pride and self acomplishment decreases with it. :/

On another note, I actively play RFC, a friend's mod to name a few. Mostly they lag is what happens.

 

[GGracchus]

I understand you can make a million mistakes and get ultimate hax, yet still win.
I get my fair share, but unlike the more skilled, I can't recover.

My skill level isn't high to delete my settlers and still win.

You could say go down a few levels and just have fun, but the pride and self acomplishment decreases with it. :/

On another note, I actively play RFC, a friend's mod to name a few. Mostly they lag is what happens.

Try posting a game on Strategy and Tips and people can help you improve your gameplay so you can adapt to mistakes.

 

[krikav]

I have this feeling often too.
I have found out that I don't really need to have things perfect, what I really want is controll!
You might be same or simmilar. =)

I solve it by playing on hemispheres or continents, everything I can do to be somewhat Isolated.
In my current game, I started on a island with just one other player, I did not get a perfect start, and the prospects for expanding on this cursed island is slim. Alot of ice/tundra with one single food resource (deer/whale/fish) to keep them frosty cities above the water.

I enjoy playing in this harsh imperfect enviroment however. Since there is only one other player, and he is in the same boat as I am, I am able to dictate the path of the game to a much greater extent.

 

[1889]

Xpl, I understand where you are coming from. I used to beat Emperor about half the time but it was a struggle and the resulting empire hardly gratified my megalomania. I have less time for Civ now and so hardly ever play Emperor which requires more concentration and focus than I like to deploy after a long day at work. I have instead gone back to playing lower levels where I know I will win and sometimes even going into world builder, and squish the AI like a bug is still more enjoyable than watching TV. When I retire or get some vacation time I may go back to Emperor and challenge myself but I don’t think I’ll ever get back to the addictive obsession Civ used to be for me four or five years ago. Nothing could ever bring that back, but I will always have the missed homework assignments and lower grades to remind me of them.