We all know that Civ maps inherently cause unfair advantages among the Civs, reflecting geo-political reality. I mean it is nice to play on maps like this. But does it have to be this way all the time? I think we should be given the ability to choose between old school and auto-balancing maps. Especially for multi-player games, it would be advantageous for gameplay and enjoyability reasons that random maps generation include some form of balancing elements. Furthermore, there is no reason to think that giving disadvantaged starting locations a benefits boost has to be unrealistic. I mean it hasn't been uncommon for desert, island, and jungle civilizations to settle on a location which can accomodate a somewhat large population or robust marketplace due to found resources in the area.
Here are some of my suggestions. During map generation, the computer should analyze the terrain types around the starting location of a Civ to determine what kind of balancing benefit may be required. The area analyzed may be as little or as much as we want--but let's just say for example that the area analyzed encompasses a radius of ten tiles around the starting point. Terrain types should be divided up into four types: 1) fertile , 2) developable waste (like forest, jungle, marsh), 3) undevelopable waste (like desert and tundra, hills, mountains), and 4) water. Benefits should only kick in when the ratio of fertile tiles to the other three tiles is--let's say for example--1:5. No tiles except for the tiles around each Civ's starting location should be factored into the analysis; this would ensure that players would not try to seek out virgin tiles to mine their benefit.
1) starting locations(SL) which have a developable waste tiles to other tiles ratio of 3:5 should be given a combination benefits that kicks in both immediately and after development. Both benefits would be in the form of resources. The immediate benefit resource should include a food boosts so that that player could at least keep up with a Civ developing in fertile regions.
2) SLs which have an undevelopable waste/water tiles to other tiles ratio of 3:5 should be given immediate food and other resource boosts. I mean it's just not fun trying to play with a friend knowing he's starting among floodplains and you're stuck in the middle of resourceless mountains. Speaking of mountains, we may have to include an unrealistic food resource merely for the sake of game balance.
Both of the above boosts should be calibrated so as to make these unappealing SLs almost as desirable as starting in the middle of the plains.
People who start in floodplains and grasslands should consider themselves fortunate and be allowed to maintain their advantage.
Of course, we would have to figure out how to balance out all this. But a lack of knowledge right now about what that balance should be is no reason not to think about it.
Also, this way, we could enjoy every random map, no matter our starting location.
Does anyone know if we will be able to mod into the game suggestions like these?
And in case it is, why don't you share your thoughts?
Here are some of my suggestions. During map generation, the computer should analyze the terrain types around the starting location of a Civ to determine what kind of balancing benefit may be required. The area analyzed may be as little or as much as we want--but let's just say for example that the area analyzed encompasses a radius of ten tiles around the starting point. Terrain types should be divided up into four types: 1) fertile , 2) developable waste (like forest, jungle, marsh), 3) undevelopable waste (like desert and tundra, hills, mountains), and 4) water. Benefits should only kick in when the ratio of fertile tiles to the other three tiles is--let's say for example--1:5. No tiles except for the tiles around each Civ's starting location should be factored into the analysis; this would ensure that players would not try to seek out virgin tiles to mine their benefit.
1) starting locations(SL) which have a developable waste tiles to other tiles ratio of 3:5 should be given a combination benefits that kicks in both immediately and after development. Both benefits would be in the form of resources. The immediate benefit resource should include a food boosts so that that player could at least keep up with a Civ developing in fertile regions.
2) SLs which have an undevelopable waste/water tiles to other tiles ratio of 3:5 should be given immediate food and other resource boosts. I mean it's just not fun trying to play with a friend knowing he's starting among floodplains and you're stuck in the middle of resourceless mountains. Speaking of mountains, we may have to include an unrealistic food resource merely for the sake of game balance.
Both of the above boosts should be calibrated so as to make these unappealing SLs almost as desirable as starting in the middle of the plains.
People who start in floodplains and grasslands should consider themselves fortunate and be allowed to maintain their advantage.
Of course, we would have to figure out how to balance out all this. But a lack of knowledge right now about what that balance should be is no reason not to think about it.
Also, this way, we could enjoy every random map, no matter our starting location.
Does anyone know if we will be able to mod into the game suggestions like these?
And in case it is, why don't you share your thoughts?
