The Civilization Network that could (and might) be

[bonafide11]

I don't think the OP's point is a terrible idea, but it just needs to be less specific. There are already apps that update your Twitter account everytime you play a game on Xbox, so it's not unheard of to post things like that on Twitter. But nobody would want to see a constant updates every time you build a new city or anything like that. That's way too much. Maybe if it just says "So and so has start a new Civilization game with <leader name>," and then when you win or lose it posts again saying what kind of victory you got and with who. But anything more than that would just be annoying.

 

[mattigus]

Since this thread has been ressurected, I might as well point out that they did another anouncement for Civ Network. Sounds like it's still on track for release.

Honestly, I hate Facebook games, but love Civ, and I'm sure I'm going to play this one. I want to find out how Facebook games work, but I don't want my friends to know. It sounds silly, but I just want to see how it is, and don't need 500 people I don't know bombarding me with messages about Farmville or whatever.

 

[bonafide11]

Actually, the more I think about it, I like the idea of Civ submitting something to Twitter (or Facebook, but I prefer Twitter) saying "I just won a <type of victory> on <skill level> with <leader> in <year>" and then a link to some game stats. I don't think it should update any more than that though. Just when you finish the game, so that way it's not flooding people's updates or anything, plus it might give people extra incentive to want to finish the game even after they're dominating and know it's over.

 

[Izmir Stinger]

Actually, the more I think about it, I like the idea of Civ submitting something to Twitter (or Facebook, but I prefer Twitter) saying "I just won a <type of victory> on <skill level> with <leader> in <year>" and then a link to some game stats. I don't think it should update any more than that though. Just when you finish the game, so that way it's not flooding people's updates or anything, plus it might give people extra incentive to want to finish the game even after they're dominating and know it's over.

Then configure it as such.

 

[bonafide11]

Then configure it as such.

Ummm, no. WTH kind of post is that? On these forums, people can freely post and debate ideas for Civilization they have. Not all of us are expert game designers who can program that. You add nothing to the conversation when you say "then configure it as such," so don't bother wasting anyone's time posting such stupid things.

 

[DPyro]

From the Facebook announcement:

It's been a while since we posted, and I think we have Civilization Network to blame for it! We've got a prototype version that we're playing here at Firaxis almost every day now as we refine how the game plays. I'm pleased to report that the game is lots of fun and we're all blissfully addicted to this new way to play Civ.

In order to facilitate lots of daily play-testing we play on an accelerated time frame, so we can finish a game in hours. This lets us test balance across the whole epic span of the game, so if something needs fixing I can update the game and have it ready for the next day's test. This iterative approach to game design has been the Firaxis way of making games since the start of the company and it always leads to good things. We're working towards launching an open beta as soon as it's ready and will keep you posted on our progress.

In the mean time, we'll start introducing you to the team working on Civilization Network and giving you some reports from our gameplay sessions here at Firaxis. Stay tuned for more very soon and thanks for your patience!

 

[Izmir Stinger]

Figures they'd start posting again immediately after I remark on how long it has been since they have updated us.

Starting to look like it is a history themed farmville type thing. Oh well.

 

[pi-r8]

Just as you have the option to click "Hide" and never see any message generated by annoying games like Farmville (or fishville, mafia wars, etc.) again, your facebook friends could click the Hide button to block all updates from the Civilization Network application.

Now if you don't want them to know you play Civilization at all.... I don't know how to fix that... Get new friends?

what I want is a civilization/Farmville crossover ap so that I can pillage all their farms and salt the earth.

 

[DPyro]

Figures they'd start posting again immediately after I remark on how long it has been since they have updated us.

Starting to look like it is a history themed farmville type thing. Oh well.

In order to facilitate lots of daily play-testing we play on an accelerated time frame, so we can finish a game in hours.

Going by that I'm guessing it's going to be a little more complicated than Farmville. (FarmNation?) Also, think of what it could be if its actually good: like PitBoss on 'roids (every game can be a team demogame!) and the ability to recruit your IRL friends...