markusbeutel
NiGHTS
Civ 5 runs slow at later speeds. This isn't new to the series, although perhaps the length at which late-game turns take now is worse than ever.
While I like that Civ 5 adopted innovations like 1UPT and a Hex-based map - I think what could really use an update is the turn-based system itself. The system is dated - like turn-based JRPG's. That's not to say people don't enjoy it - many do, and I'm not going to suggest a real-time system as this is something that would just not work in a game like Civ where micro-management plays such a large role.
I'd like to see a system that uses staggered real-time turns. A good reference point would be how battles played out on Pirates Gold for Sega Genesis.
1. When you weren't moving, neither was the enemy, and when you did move, they moved along with you. Actions such as moving workers/armies would occur simultaneously.
2. All other actions - building things, choosing techs/policies etc, could be calculated in between moving units. There would be no end turn button as these builds/choices would also occur simultaneously. I'm thinking of a system in which every action has a specific time-frame to complete, sort of like cool-down effects in MMORPG's - action points if you will, but with regards to time. Buildings like forges could allow you to build buildings in a shorter amount of time rather than over a period of turns.
3. But this isn't a RTS game. Which is why as soon as you stopped giving commands/choosing techs/building things - the game would stop with you. Being able to sit back and think about the choices I've made is one of the main draws of the TBS. It shouldn't be decided by a quick trigger finger.
3. The game would still feel-turn based as nothing would happen until you performed an action. If your research level is at a high enough level, choosing new policies could take 10-20 minutes but this action itself would be countered by the AI building a unit or wonder or building or multiples of these things in that same time span based on their proficiency in these areas.
4. Loading could be accelerated as soon as your fingers leave the keyboard and there could be an option under advanced settings that lets the game play out in double or triple speed while you aren't physically commanding your empire.
The new patch will surely help the game in regards to overall stability and immersion - but it's overall game-changing mechanics that I'd rather see implemented. Here's hoping for some great expansions just like in Civ 4.
While I like that Civ 5 adopted innovations like 1UPT and a Hex-based map - I think what could really use an update is the turn-based system itself. The system is dated - like turn-based JRPG's. That's not to say people don't enjoy it - many do, and I'm not going to suggest a real-time system as this is something that would just not work in a game like Civ where micro-management plays such a large role.
I'd like to see a system that uses staggered real-time turns. A good reference point would be how battles played out on Pirates Gold for Sega Genesis.
1. When you weren't moving, neither was the enemy, and when you did move, they moved along with you. Actions such as moving workers/armies would occur simultaneously.
2. All other actions - building things, choosing techs/policies etc, could be calculated in between moving units. There would be no end turn button as these builds/choices would also occur simultaneously. I'm thinking of a system in which every action has a specific time-frame to complete, sort of like cool-down effects in MMORPG's - action points if you will, but with regards to time. Buildings like forges could allow you to build buildings in a shorter amount of time rather than over a period of turns.
3. But this isn't a RTS game. Which is why as soon as you stopped giving commands/choosing techs/building things - the game would stop with you. Being able to sit back and think about the choices I've made is one of the main draws of the TBS. It shouldn't be decided by a quick trigger finger.
3. The game would still feel-turn based as nothing would happen until you performed an action. If your research level is at a high enough level, choosing new policies could take 10-20 minutes but this action itself would be countered by the AI building a unit or wonder or building or multiples of these things in that same time span based on their proficiency in these areas.
4. Loading could be accelerated as soon as your fingers leave the keyboard and there could be an option under advanced settings that lets the game play out in double or triple speed while you aren't physically commanding your empire.
The new patch will surely help the game in regards to overall stability and immersion - but it's overall game-changing mechanics that I'd rather see implemented. Here's hoping for some great expansions just like in Civ 4.
