SMAC Style Quotations

[Teabeard]

This is a feature that is extremely easy to implement. When you build a wonder, or win a battle, or enter a new age, or do something significant, wouldn't it be cool if there was some sort of recital of a quote that is relevant to the event? Like, you are playing as the Celts and conquer Rome then there could be an mp3 playing of someone saying "Vae Victis! Woe to the conquered!". Or let's say you build the Manhattan project and then some relevant quote, such as Albert Einstein saying "The release of atomic power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker". Or you build the Apollo Program and you hear Neil Armstrong's quote: "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". And so on...

This is very easy to implement and I don't think short mp3 files would take up alot of space, right? If necessary there could just be text quotes, but mp3 quotes would be awesome. This is one thing from SMAC that was really great, IMHO.

 

[rhialto]

Yes, great idea!

 

[frekk]

Yep ... nice idea.

 

[sir_schwick]

The only problem is that some of those quotes probably have ridiculous copyrights attached. Also, what about nations that never had a space program or built pyramids of any kind? I say they should also have a sound bit the first time you build an improvement, it was fun to here the cadence when Command Centers were built the first time.

 

[Teabeard]

The only problem is that some of those quotes probably have ridiculous copyrights attached. Also, what about nations that never had a space program or built pyramids of any kind? I say they should also have a sound bit the first time you build an improvement, it was fun to here the cadence when Command Centers were built the first time.

I think some sound bites should apply to all nations, for example the neil armstrong quote could apply to any nation which builds the apollo program and not just the Americans. Making the quotes generic will save considerable space compared to having unique quotes for all civs, it is also much easier to do.

Hmm, I didn't think of copyrights... correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't quotes legal to use as long as you credit the author? In any case, it's only an issue in the modern era. For the vast majority of quotes the authors are long dead. Firaxis could make some of their own quotes too, like they did for SMAC. Some of those quotes were great:

"We are all aware that the senses can be deceived, the eyes fooled. But how can we be sure our senses are not being deceived at any particular time, or even all the time? Might I just be a brain in a tank somewhere, tricked all my life into believing in the events of this world by some insane computer? And does my life gain or lose meaning based on my reaction to such solipsism?

Project PYRRHO, Specimen 46, Vat 7
Activity Recorded M.Y. 2302.22467
TERMINATION OF SPECIMEN ADVISED"

And yeah, it would be cool if the first time you build a barracks you hear some cadets chanting.

 

[sir_schwick]

Actually for the Russians, French, Chinese(soon at least) and a couple others you would want a different quote because they have sent people into space. For the others nations you could have genertic or those quotes based on culture group.

You would be suprised what is copyrighted. There was a thread about how 3D-graphics were copyrighted, and the song "Happy Birthday" as well.

 

[searcheagle]

Seperate quotes still are not needed even if other nations complete the same task. The quotes could be taken from the most famous event, reguardless of who else has done the same thing.

That being said, this is a minor, unimportant issue. I don't think whether they are unique or not will change anyone's enjoyment of the game.

 

[rhialto]

Separate quotes are NOT needed for different civs. Notice how the quotes in SMAC did not change, even if the faction teh quote was supposedly coming from either never existed in a particular game or had been wiped out early.

 

[Spatula]

I liked the wonder movies of Civ2, so yeh, quotes would be a nice little extra.

 

[warpstorm]

I like it and there are many, many famous quotes that are thoroughly in the public domain.

 

[frekk]

I also would like to see a short animation sequence when your UU starts a golden age, like for instance some Berserkers pillaging a village or a Panzer breaking through a brick wall or an Indian elephant trampling down some enemies.

 

[Cuivienen]

That would be wonderful.

"We sit together
The mountain and I
Until only the mountain remains."

- Li Po, from the Yang Collection (Environmental Economics)

"A brave little theory, and actually quite coherent for a system of five or seven dimensions. If only we lived in one."

- Academician Prokhor Zakharov, "Now We Are Alone" (Superstring Theory)

 

[Dida]

When I win a crushing victory over my enemies, I want to hear my men shouting 'hail to the LORD' in front of my palace.

 

[sir_schwick]

This would be cheaper and in many ways better than movies for wonders. The Great Lighthouse could have Alexander saying, "I looked at my realm and wept, for I had no more worlds to conquer." (I know thats not correct.)

 

[Spatula]

I'm sure Alexander died before he ever got the chance to go back to his city.