Let's play: Civ IV!
- Thread starter TheMeInTeam
- Start date
TheMeInTeam
If A implies B...
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A couple basic adjustments I'm making:
1. henrebotha's suggestion will get the sound up. Thanks! (although I use XP, not crappy vista, it's in the same place)
2. I am using moviemaker to swap the files from almost gig-sized files to less than 100 megs. This means I can probably bump up recording quality a little bit, but I'll run a test to make sure it doesn't take a major hit to performance.
Note: I recorded up through parts 13 with the same settings as 8-10, so changes won't appear until 14 on.
I'm working on getting 11-13 up tonight since I recorded them yesterday. I want to continue the game too but I'll see if I can get to that today or not.
1. henrebotha's suggestion will get the sound up. Thanks! (although I use XP, not crappy vista, it's in the same place)
2. I am using moviemaker to swap the files from almost gig-sized files to less than 100 megs. This means I can probably bump up recording quality a little bit, but I'll run a test to make sure it doesn't take a major hit to performance.
Note: I recorded up through parts 13 with the same settings as 8-10, so changes won't appear until 14 on.
I'm working on getting 11-13 up tonight since I recorded them yesterday. I want to continue the game too but I'll see if I can get to that today or not.
These are great.
Monarch looks so easy
These really show you to play the map as a normal player would probably get distracted by the early stone and end up wasting resources on wonders with the two warmongers on him.
Hope you do more of these. I am only through the first 8 or so, but in a new game it would be nice to see how others setup a GP farm and SE economy if the map gives you a good food site for it.
I am just a noob, so some extra talk on the tech path and reasoning behind would be great (you did good on the code of laws, but was confused by some of the other jumping around on techs). For a long while you kept looking for the AI's to get mathmatics for you, but wasn't sure why you wanted it and why you didn't get it yourself if you needed it.
Monarch looks so easy
These really show you to play the map as a normal player would probably get distracted by the early stone and end up wasting resources on wonders with the two warmongers on him.Hope you do more of these. I am only through the first 8 or so, but in a new game it would be nice to see how others setup a GP farm and SE economy if the map gives you a good food site for it.
I am just a noob, so some extra talk on the tech path and reasoning behind would be great (you did good on the code of laws, but was confused by some of the other jumping around on techs). For a long while you kept looking for the AI's to get mathmatics for you, but wasn't sure why you wanted it and why you didn't get it yourself if you needed it.
TheMeInTeam
If A implies B...
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Montezuma was the douche. Calling my <3 izzy a douche would be pretty iffy.
Oh yeah, I'm finishing up the recording tonight, I'll see what I can do about converting/uploading.
Do I win? And how?
Like I'd say.
Oh yeah, I'm finishing up the recording tonight, I'll see what I can do about converting/uploading.
Do I win? And how?
Like I'd say
.
Thanks for this video and commentary, I've learned a great deal.
I've never really looked at or used HR before and after watching this I have a better understanding an appreciation for it.
Your explanation of diplo was very helpful. Even just watching your click sequences shows me where I can improve. I need to stop hogging techs it seems.
I noticed that in your wars you are often taking cities with the last unit in the stack and while you are certainly rolling over Monty quickly I wondered if that was typical for higher level players. I see in many of your screenies in other threads how you will often have ridiculous numbers to war with such that it seems to a new Civ-er that you tend to overproduce. I got the opposite feeling in watching your video, like you were almost over-stretching. Obviously this isn't an accurate impression and I need to learn how to push the envelope a bit with my military use. The rhythm of this game is so much different from what I'm used to.
I do have one request for future installments. I think I'm a bit weak on city build decisions and specializations and can just barely make out what you select and sometimes don't immediately understand why you use a particular order. If you do similar videos could you maybe explain some of your city build decisions and priorities as you make selections. You've done some of this already when you explained why you made all those axes after your first rush(HR garrison) and turning off a monument to let religion pop for you. Something as simple as "xxx first because...." or "I don't need yyyyy here because" is really helpful to the Noble-ish player. You did a similar thing with Civics/religions when you converted and again when you changed civics at the start of the Monty war (I was surprised you would start anarchy turns during a war). Keep it up please.
Thank you for all the work you put into this game and these forums.
I've never really looked at or used HR before and after watching this I have a better understanding an appreciation for it.
Your explanation of diplo was very helpful. Even just watching your click sequences shows me where I can improve. I need to stop hogging techs it seems.
I noticed that in your wars you are often taking cities with the last unit in the stack and while you are certainly rolling over Monty quickly I wondered if that was typical for higher level players. I see in many of your screenies in other threads how you will often have ridiculous numbers to war with such that it seems to a new Civ-er that you tend to overproduce. I got the opposite feeling in watching your video, like you were almost over-stretching. Obviously this isn't an accurate impression and I need to learn how to push the envelope a bit with my military use. The rhythm of this game is so much different from what I'm used to.
I do have one request for future installments. I think I'm a bit weak on city build decisions and specializations and can just barely make out what you select and sometimes don't immediately understand why you use a particular order. If you do similar videos could you maybe explain some of your city build decisions and priorities as you make selections. You've done some of this already when you explained why you made all those axes after your first rush(HR garrison) and turning off a monument to let religion pop for you. Something as simple as "xxx first because...." or "I don't need yyyyy here because" is really helpful to the Noble-ish player. You did a similar thing with Civics/religions when you converted and again when you changed civics at the start of the Monty war (I was surprised you would start anarchy turns during a war). Keep it up please.
Thank you for all the work you put into this game and these forums.
Very entertaining, although I was a bit surprised that you didn't scout out the region south of your capital for ages.
I guess that you are looking into cities/tech screens as much as in 10 offline games together
If I did something like this, it could be used as a safe hypnotic as my games typically last 20+ hours.
I guess that you are looking into cities/tech screens as much as in 10 offline games together
If I did something like this, it could be used as a safe hypnotic as my games typically last 20+ hours.
Along the same lines as manticore, Noble player almost able to keep track of what you are doing.
The worker micro you did was good to see, but hard to follow Maybe the first couple you assign let us know verbally what you are doing. I always end up automating my workers way too soon becuase I get tired of the micro, but your micro was very low impact to your turn time.
I wonder if you play BetterAI and if it impacts the game that much? I've been using it since I started, so don't know what normal BTS is like, but did hear you complain how dumb the AI is.
The worker micro you did was good to see, but hard to follow
Maybe the first couple you assign let us know verbally what you are doing. I always end up automating my workers way too soon becuase I get tired of the micro, but your micro was very low impact to your turn time.I wonder if you play BetterAI and if it impacts the game that much? I've been using it since I started, so don't know what normal BTS is like, but did hear you complain how dumb the AI is.
TheMeInTeam
If A implies B...
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BetterAI causes me slowdown, and that's enough of a problem while recording a high-performance program to begin with.
@all:
The last parts are in the process of uploading, so the FIRST series will be complete as of tonight!
@all:
The last parts are in the process of uploading, so the FIRST series will be complete as of tonight!
ParadigmShifter
Random Nonsense Generator
Good stuff TMIT.
All the parts are up now.
All the parts are up now.
Dagenham Dave
Chieftain
- Joined
- May 29, 2004
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- 79
Enjoyable stuff, I got a lot out of this. Reminds me of when I was a kid and used to watch my brother playing Civ 2; that's actually how I learnt that game. Although I never went up from Chieftain.
The time spent was especially impressive to me as I usually slog through a game in five or six hours, that's if I finish the game at all, which is actually pretty rare (and frustrating).
Noticed you didn't build the Maoi Statues anywhere, although there seemed to be some good spots. I usually can't decide if it's best to put it in a city with very little production and a lot of sea tiles or a city with already decent production. Either way works I suppose.
Sounds like a good idea to move up a difficulty level, this was a pretty straightforward win. Good job!
The time spent was especially impressive to me as I usually slog through a game in five or six hours, that's if I finish the game at all, which is actually pretty rare (and frustrating).
Noticed you didn't build the Maoi Statues anywhere, although there seemed to be some good spots. I usually can't decide if it's best to put it in a city with very little production and a lot of sea tiles or a city with already decent production. Either way works I suppose.
Sounds like a good idea to move up a difficulty level, this was a pretty straightforward win. Good job!
KMadCandy
giggling permanoob
I AM going slow. The non-full screen has a different feel (mouse at edge of screen doesn't move as you get near the edge, you have to click)
actually you can enable scrolling in windowed mode, but not in-game, you have to do it in the config file. add this:
; Allow Mouse Scrolling in Windowed mode
MouseScrolling = 1
(or change it if it's already there and set to 0) and it'll work the way you're used to from full-screen
ParadigmShifter
Random Nonsense Generator
Good to see "The Oracle" back answering questions again 
As an aside, I finally got around to fixing my sound drivers to listen to TMITs game, but then I tried a few Polycasts, the Christmas 2007 one was great. Are you going to do a guest co-host spot again sometime KMad?
As an aside, I finally got around to fixing my sound drivers to listen to TMITs game, but then I tried a few Polycasts, the Christmas 2007 one was great. Are you going to do a guest co-host spot again sometime KMad?
actually you can enable scrolling in windowed mode, but not in-game, you have to do it in the config file. add this:
; Allow Mouse Scrolling in Windowed mode
MouseScrolling = 1
(or change it if it's already there and set to 0) and it'll work the way you're used to from full-screen
KMad's back!
ParadigmShifter
Random Nonsense Generator
Another star of Polycast, one with his own fan club Even if it is only Lemon so far or has she recruited any others?
Even if it is only Lemon so far or has she recruited any others?TMIT,
I've just finished 7 2/2 and I'm loving it! Thanks very much for this - I think its a valuable contribution to the community and I'd encourage you to do more.
As for critiquing - I have none! Sound was good enough, video was good enough, good balance of speed and stopping to explain - kudos all round.
As a player adjusting to Monarch I learned heaps, for example:
-Following the coast in early exploring to minimise chance of barbs
-When to abort a rush and regroup
-Assigning specialists temporarily for the first GS then removing them
-Not going into slavery due to lack of high food cities
-Deciding whether to rush with 2 or 3 cities and deciding whether an extra worker would speed the rush up or slow it down
-Using your missionary offensively to get Izzy mad with Monty.
As soon as I finished 7 2/2 I raced off to start a practice game and so far its the best Monarch game I've played so far - mostly due to the tips I picked up in the videos.
Thanks!
I've just finished 7 2/2 and I'm loving it! Thanks very much for this - I think its a valuable contribution to the community and I'd encourage you to do more.
As for critiquing - I have none! Sound was good enough, video was good enough, good balance of speed and stopping to explain - kudos all round.
As a player adjusting to Monarch I learned heaps, for example:
-Following the coast in early exploring to minimise chance of barbs
-When to abort a rush and regroup
-Assigning specialists temporarily for the first GS then removing them
-Not going into slavery due to lack of high food cities
-Deciding whether to rush with 2 or 3 cities and deciding whether an extra worker would speed the rush up or slow it down
-Using your missionary offensively to get Izzy mad with Monty.
As soon as I finished 7 2/2 I raced off to start a practice game and so far its the best Monarch game I've played so far - mostly due to the tips I picked up in the videos.
Thanks!
henrebotha
proud Fender owner
These are probably going to help me improve as well.
TheMeInTeam
If A implies B...
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- Jan 26, 2008
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- 27,995
actually you can enable scrolling in windowed mode, but not in-game, you have to do it in the config file. add this:
; Allow Mouse Scrolling in Windowed mode
MouseScrolling = 1
(or change it if it's already there and set to 0) and it'll work the way you're used to from full-screen
Oooh, that will help a bunch, thanks!
I'm glad a lot of people are able to take something away from this. I must admit, when the idea first came around and my name came up I had my doubts, but it's even been fun to do it. I actually watch a lot of other let's plays myself, and I've picked up on them. When I watch my own videos, I of course see a lot of things I can improve on myself, and there are good suggestions here as well.
In the last video I realized the sound was louder than my voice! I'm going to do something about that STILL, now that I have a better idea of how the mic is working for me.
Also, as I said I'm mulling over what to do for the next one. The definites:
- Emperor/normal
- Attempted improved sound
- Unfortunately similar video
Still not sure:
- Leader
- Map
- Whether to pull a game from "noble's club" or "lonely hearts club"
As I mentioned in part 18, I am currently leaning toward an LHC for a number of reasons. Primarily, it will be a STARK contrast to the way the first one opened, for sure. My discussion will necessarily head more toward empire management without any early AI personalities to discuss or rush potential.
Another star of Polycast, one with his own fan club
Jealous much?
