The superficial aspects of Civ 4 (interface, animations, etc.)

[Zany]

So what's your opinion about the superficial aspects of Civilization IV? Personally, I think it is better than ever. When I first saw a video showing running rivers, the ability to move around the map's perspective and that global view, oh and those resources, I just got so excited. I thought, and still think, the Civ III graphics are wonderful and were a major step forward from Civ II, but this is just better than ever. And as for unit animations, I think there doing very well too. I like trio of units they have now, and I don't see how some people consider the new graphics cartoony.

Now about the music, so I just heard the new theme for Civ 4, and I think its okay. IMHO I think it comes across as civ-like but I was expected a bit more. But I'm sure Christopher Tin (I pretty sure that's his name) will do good with his task. I always loved the music from Civ 3, and honest to God, sometimes after playing for a while and getting up I would still hear that background score playing in my mind and sometimes start humming it. Okay, now about the interface. I prefer the Civ 3 style, with those dark yellow or whatver buttons with those stick figure-like symbols representing what they do. The real time strategy game look is still good though Another thing I'm fond of is the interface near the city, I believe them the city is managable from the mains screen, it sure looks that way.

So, what is the opinion of the civ community about the things that don't improve the high quality gamplay of Civ 4?

 

[Texan General]

ROFL, You must be the biggest Sid fan ever (not that I don't appreciate his talents). In general I haven't seen any serious problems regarding this area of the game but I haven't looked at it specifically with a critical eye either. The only problem I see looming on the horizon is the scaling down of maps due to the demands of a 3d engine.

 

[Zany]

What's wrong with being the biggest Sid Meier fan ever? But yes, the scaling down of maps had we worried at first, but then I remembered by the time they included more than 18 civs they might increase the size of the largest maps. And also, they know what they're doing (wow, it's like I'm a narc for Firaxis or something to change the fans' minds or something). It is nice, though, to have a majority of the fans in support of this amazing new graphics engine their using (or maybe its from Pirates! or something, I can't remember).

- Zany, an independent thinker not employed by Sid Meier.

 

[Texan General]

I think I remember them saying something to the effect of "the 3d engine will require more so the maps will have to be scaled down a little". This could be a bit of creative memory.

 

[TheBB]

The engine is from Pirates!, indeed.

 

[mitsho]

It is really too early to judge this, but from the first looks, it looks ok..., but that's all. I have some concerns on the city screen (I've seen such screens/organization tables already in the previews of ctp and (I think also) civ3, but these games didn't have them, so they may not be the best...?) and the civiliopedia (images, no longer texts).

But that's scratching the surface, mitsho

 

[I am the Future]

The People at Firaxis know what they are doing it will be a great game a nd look equaly great case closed.

 

[Aphex_Twin]

I think I remember them saying something to the effect of "the 3d engine will require more so the maps will have to be scaled down a little". This could be a bit of creative memory.

Why is 3d so important? I hardly think anyone plays civ for the nice interface. Interface has always sucked with civ but I still liked the game. And now they're going to build this over-cumbersome interface just to please the eye, and cutting back on game-play and functionality

 

[warpstorm]

Why is 3d so important? I hardly think anyone plays civ for the nice interface.

The hardcore elite (like those who hang out here), no. The casual players and impulse buyers (who make up most of the paying customers for the series), definitely.

 

[Texan General]

Honestly I appreciate the 3d engine greatly, however I do find it regretable that they are forced to sacrifice scale for this relatively unimportant feature. I can't say that I blame them for going with the market though.

 

[Zany]

Yeah, I like the fact they are putting a lot of effort into graphics (I would prefer more attention to interface over animations, as that makes or breaks the game because that's how you play it!), but just like you Texan General I don't like this sacrifice of quality for superficiality. But, if I hadn't seemed like too much of a Sid Meier/Firaxis fan already, I know they are doing a good job, even if it can't be perfect it's still gonna be great. You can't blame them for trying to get the impulse buys and easily swayed fans, but you know they are staying true to their true fans.

 

[Akka]

Why is 3d so important? I hardly think anyone plays civ for the nice interface.

Well, it's not because I don't play a game for the interface, that I consider the interface unimportant.

Nice graphics helps the immersion, and for many, like me, immersion = the interest of a game.

 

[Mirc]

They did a very good job, but I don't like the icons for military actions (disband, fortify, etc).

 

[Darwin420]

I like the extra attention to detail that Firaxis is putting into cIV. For once in the series, the world looks like it will actually come alive. That was a big part of what was missing. As for the mechanics of the game, they have yet to (really) disappoint me. Each game has been a massive improvement over the others, if taken as a whole. It seems unfair to incessantly nitpick one or two areas that you feel need improvement, and forget to look at the game as a whole.