Time scale & difficulty levels

[V. Soma]

I think it should be possible to set
DIFFERENT time scale for
EACH difficulty level.

I mean, on a higher level the game is quicker,
so if it is to be realistic in history,
time scale (ie. turn = x years)
should be set differently for each diff. level.

See, for example, that Rhye had to set his mod for emperor level,
it is not the same historic feeling on other levels...
But if it could be set for each level...

 

[mitsho]

I second this one hundred percent!

It's not a great thing to do and has enormous effect on realism. (I just don't like it to watch television in 1000 AD ... ))

mfG mitsho

 

[V. Soma]

I just hope Firaxis reads us

 

[mitsho]

They sure do sometimes...
But the question is if we get enough opinions in favor of this absolutely needed feature that they consider it...

 

[V. Soma]

Why, it would be enough if ONE person from Firaxis read it
(and knows the game enough to realise the meaning of this)

I do not think it is that difficult to get this idea...

 

[V. Soma]

Of course, I do not mind some support ;-)

 

[rhialto]

This was actually in civ 2.

In order to change the time scale though, you also need to change the maximum turn length for the game. Not a real problem, but an issue to bear in mind.

 

[mitsho]

Do you need to, Rhialto? Don't you just need to change the "years per turn-over the course of time" in the different difficulty levels?

Meaning in Chieftain: the first 20 turns are 40 years, the next 20 turns are 20 years, and so on...
while in the next higher level: the first 20 turns are 80 years, the next 20 turns are 40 years, and so on...

mfG mitsho

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Well yes but thee game isn't coded to end at 2050 AD, it is coded to end at 500 something turns (so if you made the turns shorter, the game might end in 1325 AD if the turns were longer it could end in 3251 AD) unless you also adjusted the max turns

(of course that might be an option to add: setting the game length based on date instead of turns)

 

[Hyronymus]

On the higher levels this might mean you are hardly ever able to research the last advance. Doesn't scientific advance count too in your score?

 

[rhialto]

Do you need to, Rhialto? Don't you just need to change the "years per turn-over the course of time" in the different difficulty levels?

Meaning in Chieftain: the first 20 turns are 40 years, the next 20 turns are 20 years, and so on...
while in the next higher level: the first 20 turns are 80 years, the next 20 turns are 40 years, and so on...

mfG mitsho

Let's take a basic linear example, and use your numbers. For a game lasting 100 turns, starting in 0 AD.

chieftain:
20 x 40 = 800
20 x 20 = 400
20 x 10 = 200
20 x 5 = 100
20 x 2 = 40
total = 1540 years

warlord
20 = 80 = 1600
20 x 40 = 800
20 x 20 = 400
20 x 10 = 200
20 x 5 = 100
total = 2300 years

So you see, either you change the game's ending date to be farther in the future for higher levels, or you reduce the total number of turns for the higher levels. Your call. In civ1/2 and CTP, I believe they reduced the total number of turns.

 

[mitsho]

an where's the problem with that? In the higher levels in civ3, you hardly reach 1700 AD anyways. Thus, we can as well leave it away.

mfG mitsho

 

[Hyronymus]

an where's the problem with that? In the higher levels in civ3, you hardly reach 1700 AD anyways. Thus, we can as well leave it away.

mfG mitsho

That sounds like a personal opinion very much and that's OK for sure but bare in mind that Firaxis isn't tailor-making the game for people who think like you. They have to find a balance and just the fact that some people never reach 1700 AD on the highest level shouldn't result in less turns on that level IMO.

 

[eldar]

I'd like to see the difficulty levels a bit more fluid, and changeable from the 'Start Game' screen, rather than having to go through the editor.

You'd choose your Difficulty level - which would set a bunch of defaults - but could then (like with the Civ3 'Game Limits' option) change things like AI production rate, free units, etc. before starting the game.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Yeah a Customizable Difficulty level

My Bonuses/Penalties...-/+ to difficulty level
AI Bonuses/Penalties....+/- to difficulty level


...Actually, a Game Time Shouldn't be part of a difficulty level because it Shouldn't give any player an advantage...

 

[rhialto]

I'd rather have teh difficulty levels be reflected by increasingly intelligent AI rather than increasing amounts of free stuff given to the AI. I want a level field against an intelligent opponent, not an intrinsically uneven fight. I want to know that when teh AI beats me, it bis because it outsmarted me, not because it had a monstrous production bonus.