Resource Limitations Bound by Religion.

[Lord David]

How do you guys think of the concept of the religions being more than basic and having specific types of foods forbidden by them?

For example, if your state religion was Islam, then you wouldn't be able to use pigs or make wine.
Those of of Judaism wouldn't have pigs, crabs, clams and whales
Hindu wouldn't consume meat (especially cows)
Buddhism wouldn't consume meat (Only eat fruit, vegetables and grains)
And so forth...

Citizens of a specific religion (which a certain type of food is forbidden), would not accept that food coming into the city, but those of another religion might (unless of course you enforce a state religion which forbids the consumption of such food altogether (making those of a minority religion slightly unhappy to very unhappy depending on situation and other factors)).

Workers could be born within a religion which is present in the city, and could refuse to work on say improving a pig tile (if their religion forbids it).
Alternatively, certain civics (like slavery), could force them to improve such tiles.
Universal Suffrage could in turn use money to pay them to improve such tiles.
Free Market could be used, to permit those with a state religion, to use certain food resources they are not permitted to consume (as a whole), to gather such resources for the sole purpose of export.
Free Religion, would permit the improvement of all types of food (based of course on other civics), to be distributed without restriction, to any religion which can consume such food (even if such religions are not dominant).

And as a possible lark (with potentially great repercussions), you could give for example pigs, as a gift to a leader whose state religion forbids it, which could in turn be an insult for that nation, if they do not employ Free Market.

Ok that's all I have to say, what are your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[moorie678]

Well, how about Christianity? what is forbidden to them? Sounds like a neat idea but I would think that these religions should have perks of their own to make this a feasible idea, like you said buddism cant consume meat but lets say gets extra food and commerce from grain, etc etc. I think this is a cool idea but think about it a little more, I would like to hear how you would balance this unless you make up something for christianity.

 

[onbs1]

hmm very interesting

Instead of having a forbidden food, I think Christianity could have a food preference - for wheat and wine. (I dont mean any religiouis offense guys).

 

[PotatoSamurai]

Part of the problem in having religions prohibit use of some resources is that we don't have enough resources to make it work without screwing with the game balance.

Mods that add a lot of resources could certainly make it work. Of course, making it balanced between the religions could be difficult; Christianity, for example, doesn't have any dietary prohibitions, although I guess if you added drugs like Opium or Hemp as resources they could be prohibited.

 

[Lord David]

Well, how about Christianity? what is forbidden to them? Sounds like a neat idea but I would think that these religions should have perks of their own to make this a feasible idea, like you said buddism cant consume meat but lets say gets extra food and commerce from grain, etc etc. I think this is a cool idea but think about it a little more, I would like to hear how you would balance this unless you make up something for christianity.

Apples

 

[bestbrian]

I've been of the opinion that the names of historical religions should be removed from the game. Thus, if you're the first to discover Polytheism (for the sake of argument) a screen comes up and says "You have discovered a religion" and gives you the option of naming it what you want. I like the religious aspect of the game, but from a designer's (and more importantly, marketing, standpoint) it's loaded with all kinds of freight. Giving specific characteristics and personalities to each religion is bound to offend SOMEBODY. So make it generic. First to discover Theology, "You have discovered religion...INSERT YOUR NAME". Frankly, I like the idea of a Brianistic Utopia ruled by precepts of Brianism as advocated by the GREAT BRIAN as embodied in the Great Shrine of St Brian in Brianopolis. If you want to call your religion Christianity, Islam, Punk Rock, Budweiser, Pete, whatever, knock yourself out. It keeps the gaming benefits of religion within the scope of the game and the real-life social aspects out.

 

[PotatoSamurai]

I've been of the opinion that the names of historical religions should be removed from the game. Thus, if you're the first to discover Polytheism (for the sake of argument) a screen comes up and says "You have discovered a religion" and gives you the option of naming it what you want. I like the religious aspect of the game, but from a designer's (and more importantly, marketing, standpoint) it's loaded with all kinds of freight. Giving specific characteristics and personalities to each religion is bound to offend SOMEBODY. So make it generic. First to discover Theology, "You have discovered religion...INSERT YOUR NAME". Frankly, I like the idea of a Brianistic Utopia ruled by precepts of Brianism as advocated by the GREAT BRIAN as embodied in the Great Shrine of St Brian in Brianopolis. If you want to call your religion Christianity, Islam, Punk Rock, Budweiser, Pete, whatever, knock yourself out. It keeps the gaming benefits of religion within the scope of the game and the real-life social aspects out.

Honestly, I've thought this would be the best solution for a while now. I think the reason Firaxis didn't implement custom religions on founding is either: A) they didn't think of it, which strikes me as unlikely, or B) they wanted Civ4 to 'look better' when they first released it, and people would be more skeptical of the lack of historical religions.