There should be an option to switch between BC/AD and BCE/CE

[HNation]

I noticed in the trailer that they were using BCE/CE instead of the more traditional (both to the Anglophone world and to the Civ franchise) BC/AD. Personally, I prefer BC/AD (and I fully understand that some others prefer the other way), and while I don't know much about computer programming, I'd assume that letting the player choose which system they want to use would be easy, since the years are the same, it's just the letters that are different.

Do you think it's likely Firaxis will make this an option, and if not, is it the kind of thing that could be modded relatively easily?

 

[Quintillus]

Technically it would be easy, perhaps until non-English languages are considered, where I don't know if such a choice exists. But I agree, it would be good to have the option for it. It has caused debates in Civ VI and would be sure to generate debates in Civ VII as well, if it is not flexible.

How easy would it be to mod? Depends on how modding is implemented. But it could be quite easy to mod depending on the implementation. I've seen Civ III mods that change AD to AUC, and it's a one-line change there, beyond creating the initial mod file. Whether it's that easy in IV through VI, I'm not sure, and in VII, I don't think anyone knows yet.

 

[HNation]

Technically it would be easy, perhaps until non-English languages are considered, where I don't know if such a choice exists. But I agree, it would be good to have the option for it. It has caused debates in Civ VI and would be sure to generate debates in Civ VII as well, if it is not flexible.

How easy would it be to mod? Depends on how modding is implemented. But it could be quite easy to mod depending on the implementation. I've seen Civ III mods that change AD to AUC, and it's a one-line change there, beyond creating the initial mod file. Whether it's that easy in IV through VI, I'm not sure, and in VII, I don't think anyone knows yet.

If they just go with one, instead of having the option to switch, BC/AD makes more sense, because it's consistent with other civ games, it's more common (except in some parts of academia or among some virulently secular people), and it's more traditional. I've always found BCE/CE to be jarring, in that it is a very intentional choice to use non-standard terminology, and is usually motivated by ideological beliefs, the same as you will sometimes see people writing Mexico with the diacritic in English or writing things like Bechuanaland and Lourenço Marques because of their ideological beliefs. Another example is Derry vs Londonderry, where you can tell, with almost 100% certainty, which community the person is from by what name they use.

Essentially my preference would be (from most to least preferred)
Player chooses > BC/AD > BCE/CE

 

[Smellincoffee]

If they just go with one, instead of having the option to switch, BC/AD makes more sense, because it's consistent with other civ games, it's more common (except in some parts of academia or among some virulently secular people), and it's more traditional. I've always found BCE/CE to be jarring, in that it is a very intentional choice to use non-standard terminology, and is usually motivated by ideological beliefs, the same as you will sometimes see people writing Mexico with the diacritic in English or writing things like Bechuanaland and Lourenço Marques because of their ideological beliefs. Another example is Derry vs Londonderry, where you can tell, with almost 100% certainty, which community the person is from by what name they use.

Essentially my preference would be (from most to least preferred)
Player chooses > BC/AD > BCE/CE

Similar to Kiev and Kyev. I never saw Kyev used until the war. The BC/AD thing was the first thing I noticed when watching Pravus' video.

 

[Somebody613]

virulently secular people

You probably wanted to say "non-Christians", which includes a lot of totally not "secular" people... of other religions.
On-topic, having such a switch would be trivial code-wise and also actually appeal to the concept of Civ NOT being a "strictly Christian" game (which it never was to begin with).
And I'd like to stop here, yeah.

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

Do you think it's likely Firaxis will make this an option, and if not, is it the kind of thing that could be modded relatively easily?

Should be child's play to mod. Any text that changes across localisations is easily editable

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

BC/AD makes more sense, because it's consistent with other civ games, it's more common (except in some parts of academia or among some virulently secular people)

You know there are other religions besides Christianity?

 

[TheSpaceCowboy]

If they just go with one, instead of having the option to switch, BC/AD makes more sense, because it's consistent with other civ games, it's more common (except in some parts of academia or among some virulently secular people), and it's more traditional. I've always found BCE/CE to be jarring, in that it is a very intentional choice to use non-standard terminology, and is usually motivated by ideological beliefs... where you can tell, with almost 100% certainty, which community the person is from by what name they use.

I 100% agree.

My own preference would be for Firaxis to spell it out and instead of abbreviations have "Before Christ" and "Anno Domini" , but unfortunately that's not likely to happen.

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

My own preference would be for Firaxis to spell it out and instead of abbreviations have "Before Christ" and "Anno Domini" , but unfortunately that's not likely to happen.

Also whenever you found a non-Christian religion and convert cities you should get a popup that says "Please don't try this in real life! The Way of Christ is the one true path to salvation!" but sadly that won't every happen. Because of WOKE

 

[HNation]

You probably wanted to say "non-Christians", which includes a lot of totally not "secular" people... of other religions.
On-topic, having such a switch would be trivial code-wise and also actually appeal to the concept of Civ NOT being a "strictly Christian" game (which it never was to begin with).
And I'd like to stop here, yeah.

I've noticed the most virulent support of BCE/CE from supporters of the New Atheist movement (i.e. followers of Dawkins, Hitchens, etc...) I have no problem if someone who isn't Christian would rather use it, and I'm not even religious myself, but I do prefer the more traditional BC/AD system, just like I prefer seeing names rendered the traditional way (i.e. Julius Caesar, Alexander, Cyrus instead of IVLIVS CAESAR, Alexandros, and Kūruš), especially in a historical context, I like to stick to conventional forms of names, dates, etc...Just gives it a nice, historical, traditional feel.

You know there are other religions besides Christianity?

Yes. Are you aware that there are other religions besides Norse/Germanic paganism when you talk about Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday? Are you aware that there are other religions besides Roman paganism when you talk about Venus, Mars, and Jupiter?

I 100% agree.

My own preference would be for Firaxis to spell it out and instead of abbreviations have "Before Christ" and "Anno Domini" , but unfortunately that's not likely to happen.

I wouldn't like that either, because just like BCE/CE, that's not the norm and would come across as agenda pushing.

Also whenever you found a non-Christian religion and convert cities you should get a popup that says "Please don't try this in real life! The Way of Christ is the one true path to salvation!" but sadly that won't every happen. Because of WOKE

I'm not even religious lol.

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

Yes. Are you aware that there are other religions besides Norse/Germanic paganism when you talk about Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday? Are you aware that there are other religions besides Roman paganism when you talk about Venus, Mars, and Jupiter?

I am. But what's that got to do with my reply?

 

[user330977]

I am. But what's that got to do with my reply?

I think his point is that some initially religious terms and concepts ultimately end up in common parlance with little to no religious connotation left. Most people will plan a meeting on Wednesday without even a passing though to Wodin, and most people can plan a holiday in 2025 without thinking of Christ on his cross.

 

[HNation]

I am. But what's that got to do with my reply?

BC/AD is as much of a reference to Jesus and Christianity as Wednesday and Thursday are a reference to Odin and Thor. Yes, that's the origin of the term, but it has transcended its origins. Lots and lots of common terminology in English comes from various religions, why single BC/AD out?

I think his point is that some initially religious terms and concepts ultimately end up in common parlance with little to no religious connotation left. Most people will plan a meeting on Wednesday without even a passing though to Wodin, and most people can plan a holiday in 2025 without thinking of Christ on his cross.

You are correct.