mjs0
The 4th X
Another interview with Alex Mantzaris, dated June 3rd, is a available here: New Interview
I haven't finished reading all of it yet but it looks like it answers many questions.
Some highlights:
Warlords Content: "stuff that impacts game functionality" is in..."assets and codes for the scenarios" is not.
Corporations: Not much new. Clarifies that they turn resources into food, production, commerce or other resources.
Resources: No new resources.
Advisor Screens: Foreign advisor overhauled
Espionage: (Again, some new, some known) Provides visibility into cities, access to demographics, access to power graphs (maybe this means you don't get graphs for free anymore), knowledge of research target.
New wonders, units, buildings etc.:
AI Changes: "Plays like an experienced human player", fewer bonuses needed to compete, better at: military operations including naval invasions, managing economy, and is aware of all new features.
Space Race: Espionage essential to watch progress of opponents spaceship and for sabotaging its construction.
Alpha Centauri II: Firaxis simply does not own the rights
Events: Some simple, some intricate, seem to be mostly for flavour
Scenarios: Not much new, but much kudos to fan participation.
Startup options: Use of any leader-civ combination, Trade away tech only when you research it yourself, choose which religion you get when discovering a technology (I wonder if the AIs have been updated to choose historically accurate religions. Are you listening Isabella?).
Graphics: More polished, no use of DX10 (thank goodness).
Edit: Finished reading and added list of highlights.
I haven't finished reading all of it yet but it looks like it answers many questions.
Some highlights:
Warlords Content: "stuff that impacts game functionality" is in..."assets and codes for the scenarios" is not.
Corporations: Not much new. Clarifies that they turn resources into food, production, commerce or other resources.
Resources: No new resources.
Advisor Screens: Foreign advisor overhauled
Espionage: (Again, some new, some known) Provides visibility into cities, access to demographics, access to power graphs (maybe this means you don't get graphs for free anymore), knowledge of research target.
New wonders, units, buildings etc.:
The final date is still 2050 AD, although we did add considerable content to the modern era. For example, there are new buildings to support your espionage strategy, like the Security Bureau that makes it harder for foreign spies to perform missions in your cities, or the Intelligence Agency that enhances your espionage spending. Other buildings include Public Transportation, Industrial Parks, and Levees. There are new modern technologies like Laser, Superconductor, and Stealth. New modern units include the Mobile SAM, Mobile Artillery, Tactical Nuke, Attack Submarine, Missile Cruiser, and Stealth Destroyer. Finally, the Cristo Redentor Wonder allows you to switch civics without Anarchy.
AI Changes: "Plays like an experienced human player", fewer bonuses needed to compete, better at: military operations including naval invasions, managing economy, and is aware of all new features.
Space Race: Espionage essential to watch progress of opponents spaceship and for sabotaging its construction.
Alpha Centauri II: Firaxis simply does not own the rights
Events: Some simple, some intricate, seem to be mostly for flavour
The effects on gameplay are not dramatic, but the effects on replayability, historical flavor, and therefore, immersion are significant.
Scenarios: Not much new, but much kudos to fan participation.
Startup options: Use of any leader-civ combination, Trade away tech only when you research it yourself, choose which religion you get when discovering a technology (I wonder if the AIs have been updated to choose historically accurate religions. Are you listening Isabella?).
Graphics: More polished, no use of DX10 (thank goodness).
Edit: Finished reading and added list of highlights.