Ideas for possible next expansion

[Watiggi]

i) Give each religion different benefits. Yes, I realize this is a politically correct landmine. I just don't like each religion being exactly the same.

With religions, I think making a range of abilties that allows you to customise your state religion would be better than making every religion different. I think what should happen - and it will also increase gameplay enjoyment - is to have the religions also have extra branches attached to it so that any religion can be artifically tailored to be more aggressive, passive, peaceful, forceful, violent, etc. I think something like this was done in a mod, but I always have a problem with mods and their makers idea of balance.

Nice ideas overall, but I don't think Firaxis even has the copyright for Alpha Centauri (not sure on that though). If they don't, then they might not even be able to make anything that relates to Alpha Centauri.

Also, even though the ideas you have presented may be simple, balancing them properly will be a whole new ball game.

Watiggi

 

[Zebra 9]

I love the idea of Israel being in the game. elpollodiablos, I have always wanted to add Israel & make their UU the Mekava.

I also like the idea of being able to tailor your religion.

potto, I have always thought about that idea for the tech tree,but I always ran in to the problem of people learning what opens what.

 

[The Q-Meister]

This may seem incredibly radical, but I would love to see something like what Arbitrary Guy has been developing for his 19th century Mod. Namely having Ideology work in a similar manner to religion. For instance, if you are the first to discover Liberalism, then Liberalism is 'Founded' in one of your cities. It is then up to you if you 'Convert' to this Liberal Ideology, or remain as you are. If you convert to an ideology, then you can spread it via trade routes and 'activists/spies/diplomats', in much the same way as missionaries spread religion. The key to this idea, most of all, is that your ideology will strongly dictate which civics you can change to-which might open up the possibility for more civics to be added to the game without diluting their current impact. Ideologies would become most important in the Renaissance onwards, and might include Capitalist (Economics or the Corporation), Liberalist (Liberalism), Socialist (Industrialism), Communist (Communism), Fascist (Fascism), Fundamentalist (not sure, but perhaps Biology ), Technocratic (Scientific Method), Totalitarian/Absolutist (Divine Right), Militaristic (Military Tradition). Of course there should be a means for a civ to crush an ideology before it can spread, at which point it could be 'Founded' later, elsewhere.

Hmmm, another thing I would like is to see the economic model open up in the modern age, to truly simulate the twin impacts of Industrialisation and Globalisation on the world. The ability to encourage your private sector to spread to foreign markets, or to close your borders to outsiders. Again, though, perhaps too extreme for an expansion.

Last of all, though, I want to see a decent model of religion. Not Hardwiring specific traits to specific religions, but allowing the founders of a religion to partially dictate the 'expression' of the faith. I also want to see a greater potential for conflict between faiths, as well as between the same faith as held by different civs (sectarianism). I want to see a proper representation of religion in history-both the good AND the bad!

Aussie_Lurker.

That's a fantastic idea.

And how about revolutions and civil wars based on ideology?

When your people became unhappy enough for whatever reason to rebel against your rule, instead of just having a mindless "A rebellion has occurred here!" let's have rebellions based on ideology! Their ideology would in general be the exact opposite of whatever your ideology is: so a Free Market civ would have Communist guerillas to deal with if a rebelion were to happen, Theocratic rebels if you were a Free Religion state, Fascist Police state gangs against your happy democracy/Universal Suffrage.

I think this would really add some depth and meaning behind rebellions and civil wars, if/when we do actually have them.

And since we're dreaming up ideas how about this: other nations being able to financially or even militarily support a rebellion? Imagine a Joseph Stalin encouraging a Communist rebellion in your country or a Washington encouraging Free Market reforms!

Aussie Lurker your ideas are magnficient and I will definitely check out Arbitrary Guy's mod!

 

[allmeister]

one of the most importnat things, at least to me , would be able to control wich specialist are in a city. There should be some sort of preselect. i don`t want to have to scan thru all my cities every time they grow just to remove some unwanted priests.
I know you can autoselect for growth , production... but it`s still not very effective as the AI still asigns priests.

 

[Jaca]

This may seem incredibly radical, but I would love to see something like what Arbitrary Guy has been developing for his 19th century Mod. Namely having Ideology work in a similar manner to religion. For instance, if you are the first to discover Liberalism, then Liberalism is 'Founded' in one of your cities. It is then up to you if you 'Convert' to this Liberal Ideology, or remain as you are. If you convert to an ideology, then you can spread it via trade routes and 'activists/spies/diplomats', in much the same way as missionaries spread religion. The key to this idea, most of all, is that your ideology will strongly dictate which civics you can change to-which might open up the possibility for more civics to be added to the game without diluting their current impact. Ideologies would become most important in the Renaissance onwards, and might include Capitalist (Economics or the Corporation), Liberalist (Liberalism), Socialist (Industrialism), Communist (Communism), Fascist (Fascism), Fundamentalist (not sure, but perhaps Biology ), Technocratic (Scientific Method), Totalitarian/Absolutist (Divine Right), Militaristic (Military Tradition). Of course there should be a means for a civ to crush an ideology before it can spread, at which point it could be 'Founded' later, elsewhere.

Brilliant idea!!

Jaca

 

[kristopherb]

my ideas my spelling is crap

1.leaders
cromwell agg/sprit (england)
kennedy (america)
hitler agg/? (germany)
Huayna Capacs father agg/
king james1/4 ? (england/scotland)
the roman emproer which was born in york(consentine i think)

2. civics
warfare

tribal
defalt
low upkeep

poeples army
can draft units if enemy in your land
free city garrison1
to archery gunpowder
med upkeep

organised warfare
less war
fater unit productoin
free combat 1 to meelle and mounted
high upkeep

trench
free trench to all units that can defend
less war
no upkeep

modern
more war
faster unit productoin
no upkeep

3. misc
a way to mark units (ofensive and defensive)
then you could say all offensive units to this square

4 leader traits
3 triats for all civs

5 .new traits

colonisic
50%less distance penalty
cut price couthouse

adaptive
can farm tundra
can biult on ice
less anarchy

patroitic
10% mora money,productoin
cut price nathoial wonders ,barracks
less exp needed for promotoins

scienticif
less money requied for research
cut price libary,university,labortory

healthy
cut price hospital,aquaduct,hanging gardens
fast city growth

warlord
50% fast unit productoin
20 free units
less resistance

explorer
free navigatoin 1+2 recon units and warior
free sentry to all all units

6. techs
solar power
cloning
ai
carpentry

7. wonders
civilizatoin sereis
shinx (the big ass monument in eygpt)
buckingham palace
arc de truiph
stargate

8. more land types
marsh
canals

8i terra forming
8ii tunals

8iii natural wonders
gorge
everest
olimpus mons

9 resoures
gas
salt
cooffee
wood

10. four leaders per civ

11 promoatoins
city garrison 4
city garrison 5
city rader 4
city rader 5
pinch 2
cover 2
trench
formatoin 2
charge 2
combat 6
combat 7

 

[mitsho]

We got 6 new civs with warlords. I'd expect to get a few less, but more leaders on the other hand. The musts:

Babylon, it's the biggest argument for the second expansion...
A North American Civ, be it Mayans, Iroquois or Sioux, they've been an Civ All-Star, they will be in!

Possibilities of which a few will be chosen:
European civ I: We're talking of the Netherlands and Portugal on one side, and of Poland and Hungary on the other, both representing two parts of Europe ("colonial" and slavic), another idea would be incorporating Hungary with Austria to include Empress Sissy ... because Austria alone would just be too "German". In each case, these civs could be used well for either a Napoleonic or a WWI scenario.
European Civ II: Europe deserves at most two new civs, which one can be battled out between themselves.
Southeastasia: the big fat blank area to this date in civ. I would have put it into the musts if Firaxis hadn't have left it out for the first 3 civ games. Candidates are Thailand, Khmer, Vietnamese, Indonesians in order of their respective likeliness imho. The Tibetans would also be an interesting addition, but I doubt it due to China.
Mesopotamia II: Babylon has always been a representative for all of the region, but I nevertheless wouldn't mind Assyria, the Hittites, Sumer or Phoenicia (again in order of their likeliness imho).
Africa III: This is a big doubt, but perhaps they'll include Eastern Africa.
Native America IV: Again, if they include Iroquois/Mayans, they could include the other as well.

Counting, I have 2 musts + up to 6 possibilites. therefore I think we can count with 5 new civs, but with some more leaders. First, there's the priority of filling up the one-leader civs:

Greece II nuff said, Pericles or whoever to give the Greek civ a "builder face".
Persia II dito
Spain II There absolutely has to be a non-crazy Spaniard.
Japan II There must be a way for Japan to not be isolationist.
Tukey II Don't they deserve?
Arabia II erm, yes, I've had to put them onto the list

After that, one could give a second leader to (in order) the Korea, the Vikings, Inca, the Celts, Carthage, the Aztecs, Mali, Zulu. But most of those do not seem necessary, I prefer some great statesmen of the real big civs that already have two leaders (highlighted>highlighted>>not highlighted):

Rome: Trajan, Hadrian, Scipio, Marcus Aurelius
America: "Good Ol' Abe" Abraham Lincoln seems to be the only undisputed choice
Egypt: Thutmosis II. (or was it III. - the expansive one), Cleopatra
Germany: Fredrick II. von Stauffen or Barbarossa
China: I know too less of china
France: From de Gaulle to Jeanne D'Arc (old civ3 joke ) Charlemagne will probably be left out to the dispute with Germany...
India: I can't name one specifically, but there are many noteworthy
Mongols: no
England: already got 3 leaders which show most of it
Russia: Ivan the terrible as fourth leader? no thanks.

that'd result in 8-11 new leaders, more than enough (warlords had 4!). Add in the fact that Babylon could receive two leaders (and instead no Mesopotamia II), and you get the image that there will be practically no new leaders, but another expansion pack ...

mitsho

 

[El Koeno]

These are all good ideas, but for me it's not about more Civs, or more units; if they add some that would be OK, but they're perfectly fine the way the they are.

I think it's some core-game mechanics that need upgrading, many of which have been mentioned here:

Trade relations should recieve a major overhaul. While it's great you don't have to micro-manage trade routes, the fact that they are on total autopilot bothers me. Things such as visible trade routes might go a bit far in overthrowing present game-dynamics, but an option to form trade treaty/alliance with rival empires would be the least I expect.

These advanced trade relations could be intertwined with the military and diplomatic aspects of the game, with trade treaties and military/naval blockades.

I won't totally go into detail - that's the designers' job. It's just that it bugs me that an important aspect of history (which I think trade is) is almost totally dealt with on auto-pilot, and THAT's the first thing I would like to see changed.

 

[Pantastic]

I'd love to have an expanded difficulty menu like in Imperialism II as an alternative to the current levels. You could pick 'custom difficulty', and individually select things like starting units, AI economy boosts, generated resources. You could have 'noble' starting units but 'emperor' AI economy/producton bonuses.

 

[StarWorms]

I can't believe they haven't added the Huns yet, they should add Attilla with the next patch or expansion. Ones I'd like to see added include:

England - William the Conqueror
Portugal
Greece - Surely there must be another leader to add?
Huns - Attila the Hun
Spain - They really deserve another leader
Babylon

 

[Alistic]

The 1st idea should be to fix the midgame slowdown.

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

I agree El Koeno, more units, civs etc are not neccessarily a good thing-though a second leader for some of the more obvious civs (like Persia and Greece) would be good.
Gameplay mechanics are a must-things like rebalancing the civics (as I have done) and making the naval and aerial side of the game more interesting should be a priority in the next expansion. Of equal importance is boosting diplomacy, trade and espionage-especially in the Renaissance to Modern Ages.

Aussie_Lurker.

 

[marioflag]

About civs: Portugal,Dutch and Babylonians are a must (i really don't care about number of civs considered that 24 is already a good number).
1.New XP should be only about renaissance to modern era no more ancient era stuff
2.New units available to make modern warfare more funny in particular Nuclear Submarine and Paratroopers.Another unit that should be added is Privateer, other naval units are really needed.
3.Improve naval warfare, which is probably the worst thing in civ4, new units,promotions and possibility to bombard coasts for some of the navies
4.Improve diplomacy with new treaties like military rghts of passage and civilian rights of passage
5. I would really like if firaxis would add military improvements to simulate the importance of choke points or strategic points, in civ4 you can;t have a pearl harbor base or a diego garcia base because they are worthless.
Port,airport,radar,sam batteries, everyone of these structures needs manteinance.
6.Trade routes destroyable
7.New wonders from reinassance to modern era
8.UN more polished
9.Espionage improved
10.Introduction of some concepts which reduce religion whoring (having 7 religion in a city shouldn;t be better than having only 1, or at least should have good and bad consequences not only good consequences)

 

[Mad2rix]

Perhaps if it's possible for every civilizations to have some sort of positive / negative bonuses just like the ones from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri?

For example: Mongols tend to produce mounted units +25% faster, -20% cost of settlers, however they might research science -25% slower and -10% hammers from each city.

Any new civilization with Philosophical and Industrious trait would experience harsh reality in organizing empire and +50% civic upkeep

Any civilization with financial and a new leader trait would start with 100 gold at start, +25% extra gold generated in each city, but suffer higher military support and -1 exp from barracks.

 

[MKJ]

as posted in the other thread;

weapons trading: being able to supply units to another nation to aid them in a war (witout having to declare war yourself). this will hurt your relationship with the other warring civ though.

and the dutch, Oranje en Ruyter are both great leaders. UU would be a Privateer of some sort, and the UB could be the stereotypical Windmill (instead of a granary, adds culture as wel).

and the Delta Works as world wonder ;D

 

[cf_nz]

Personally I'm with El Koeno and Aussie_Lurker, I want to see improvements to the core game and new concepts.

I do like the ideology idea mentioned earlier.

* Take a look at some of the great mods and make major improvements to the advisor screens. (edit)
* Air power seems neglected, give it a more important role. (I would like to see an option for fighters to attack other fighters ie. clear the skys for the bombers);
* Diplomacy needs expanding/improving;
* Espionage needs improving;
* Allow siege units to bombard ships in coastal squares (or bring back coastal fortress);
* Bring back airbases;
* Bring back saltpetre as prereq for gunpower tech and units;
* Add modern naval units (an upgrades for battleship);
* Bring back colonies;
* Bring back allowing workers to plant forests.

New civilisations and leaders are pretty superficial additions for me.

Also check out www.new7wonders.com for some real world wonders that could be added.

 

[Zebra 9]

I love the idea of having Ideologies, I have always wanted trade routes that you control (I'll dicuss my idea below), & I love the idea of triple traits.
--------------------------------------------------------

Spoiler My Trade Route Idea. :

It would be like you would make a trade deal with someone and the trade just doesn't happen. You would have to build Merchant Vessals/Caravans (or use already built Merchant Vessals/Caravans), to transport your traded items. Know for the people that don't want to micro, there would be a govoner type of setting where the computer moves these Merchant Vessals/Caravans around, & if you wanted to you could turn off the govoner & you could move your Merchant Vessals/Caravans to there destination.

One More Thing!
Each Merchant Vessal/Caravan would have a "Possible Destination" tag so you could remember where it's going.

What do you think?

 

[hookmonkey]

Unique building for the Dutch could be: Bank or Trade Outpost replacing harbors. Because the Dutch we're a trading nation and making profits was the important (They even selled weapons to their enemy during the 80 year war with Spain) and they had trade outpost on the coasts of every continent (New Amsterdam/York, Cape Good Hope(?) (South Africa)).

But what would it do? Maybe +25% commerce and +2xp or +1 movement for ships.

Unique Unit could be a ship or an defensive unit because the Dutch mostly defended from attacks.

 

[Jaca]

With cf_nz, El_Koeno and Aussie_Lurker here. There's plenty of civs now, with new traits in Warlords, so many trait combinations. On top of that, a decent amount of civs got a UB that creates even more versatiltiy -- you can apply different strategies for the same leader. The game is rich of civs, features and versatility already. I too would prefer the work on adding and polishing game mechanics.

Jaca

 

[IrishDragon]

you forgot about the Irish