Atwork
Immortal
This is a very rough outline….obviously the numbers are quite arbitrary and the details are raw….I appreciate your feedback!
In this proposed system, there will be two different forms of espionage available to the player.
1. “Espionage Operations”: a system based on options provided to the player, accessed by simply clicking on a city and then choosing the “Conduct Espionage” option. A new screen opens (like the City-State diplomacy screen) and the player then has a list of options with correlating costs. Espionage Operations become available with the discovery of Writing.
2. “Information Gathering”: a passive system based on investment of money. Operates similar to bribing of City-States. The extent of information available to the player is based on the size of the investment, which deteriorates over time. There are 3 levels of investment available to the player. Information gathering does not become available until a new tech, “Real Politiks” is discovered.
3. Espionage Operations & Information Gathering features will increase in future eras. However, the cost is always dependent on the era and infrastructure of the target civilization, offset by infrastructure built by player.
Example, although Espionage Operations and Information Gathering costs more in modern era, if the target civilization is the ancient era, then it will be extremely cheap to conduct operations or gather info from that civ. Conversely, if a classical civ is attempting to conduct operations or gather info from a modern civ, then it will be extremely expensive (if not impossible).
4. The cost of Espionage Operations & Information Gathering investments depends on several factors including: the era, the particular operation, the level of investment, and the “counter-espionage” infrastructure that the target civilization has constructed. This counter-espionage infrastructure also helps determine the rate of success of Espionage Operations & whether or not the player’s nationality is revealed following a successful or unsuccessful operation.
5. In this system, there would be NO need for an actual "spy" unit.
More details below….
WRITING:
Allows “Espionage.”
1. Player would click on a foreign city.
2. After clicking on city, options would pop up -- talk to owner or “Conduct Espionage Operations”.
3. If player selected Conduct Espionage Operations, player would enter a screen that looks like the City-State screen. Diplomatic info would be available in the screen. Also, a list of options would be available along with the corresponding gold cost.
4. With discovery of Writing, options for espionage missions would include:
a. Spy tiles adjacent to selected city;
b. Spy inside selected city – see selected city’s city screen, including production, but not number of turns remaining.
5. Note: there is a base 10% chance that espionage missions will fail and/or that the nationality will be revealed (two separate rolls of the dice).
6. Note: Palace provides following benefits to counter-espionage: additional 15% chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or the nationality of offender will be revealed (local effect).
MASONRY:
1. Player can build “Walls” – 10% chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or nationality will be revealed. (Benefit to counter-espionage obsolete with Economics.)
2. New Espionage Operation --> reduce city defenses. Player can reduce city defenses by 10%. (15% points with Real Politiks, 20 % with Radio, & 25% with Black Ops in modern era)
CHIVALRY:
Player can build “Castle” – additional 10% chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or nationality will be revealed. (Benefit to counter-espionage obsolete with Economics.)
REAL POLITIKS (new tech):
requires Banking & Printing Press.
1. Player may build a “Police Department.”
a. Has a local effect, making all foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city cost an additional 15%.
b. Also, there is a 15% increased chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or the nationality will be revealed.
2. Player gains the option of “Information Gathering.”
a. Player can select a civilization to gather info from through the ‘Espionage screen.’
b. Info Gathering operates similar to bribing City-States in the following ways:
i. Information Gathering is a tiered system, such that the information available from the selected civilization depends on the initial investment.
ii. If player invests in highest level of info-gathering, then he would also obtain the info provided at lower levels of investment. For example, if a player invests enough to reach the 3rd-level of info gathering, then the player would also obtain the benefits of the 1st and 2nd levels.
iii. The investment deteriorates over time so that the less info will be available over time.
c. Note: more information at each level of investment becomes available with discovery of new technologies and upon entering new eras. However, the cost also increases and deteriorates more quickly.
3. Through Information Gathering, the following levels of information would be available upon discovery of Real Politiks:
Level 1: Demographic information – can access the demographic info of selected civ.
Level 2:
i. Technological information – 1 turn after the fact, player informed that the target civilization has researched a technology and what that technology was. Example: “Last turn, X discovered Economics.”
ii. Also, player will be informed when target civilization has built the first of a new military unit. Example: “X has built its first musketman.”
Level 3:
i. Major Building information – player informed when target civ is within 5 turns of completing nat’l or world wonder & informed of the location.
ii. Also, player will be informed when target civilization is beginning to build the first of a new unit. Example: “X is beginning to build its first rifleman.”
4. Player may build National Wonder, “Scotland Yard.”
a. Global effect
b. Must have Police Department built in the city.
i. Increases foreign civilizations’ cost to Espionage Operations & Information Gathering by 15%.
ii. 15% increased chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in all cities will fail and/or the nationality will be revealed
INDUSTRIAL ERA :
Upon entering new era, new spy missions and information gathering capacities are added to reflect increased importance of “Industrial Espionage.”
1. New options from “Conduct Espionage” list:
a. After paying to enter city-screen of target city, player will now see how many turns until production completed.
b. Player may hinder production of item for 1 turn. Cost is dependent on whether unit, building, or wonder – and it would be expensive.
c. May repeat consecutive turns. However, cost of conducting action in same city increases by 25% each time throughout the game.
2. Additional benefits from Information Gathering:
Level 1:
i. In addition to demographic info, player will now discover what technology the target civilization has researched 1 turn after completion.
ii. Also, player will now also be informed when target civilization has built the first of a new military unit.
Level 2:
i. Player will now discover what new technology the target civilization is beginning to research.
ii. Also, player will now also be informed when target civilization is beginning to build the first of a new unit. Example: “X is beginning to build its first rifleman.”
Level 3:
i. Player will now be informed when target civ is within 10 turns of completing nat’l or world wonder & will be informed of the location.
ii. Player will now have access to target civ’s military demographics. Example: a complete breakdown of the # of each unit – 6 rifleman, 5 frigates, 4 cannons, etc…
RAILROAD :
May build National Wonder, “Security Bureau”
1. Global effect.
2. Must have police station built in city.
3. All foreigners’ Espionage Operations & Info Gathering costs additional 15%.
4. Also, within all players’ cities, there is a 20% increased chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations will fail and/or the nationality will be revealed.
MODERN ERA:
Upon entering new era, new spy missions and information gathering capacities are added to reflect the changing role of espionage.
1. Note: Base percentage that nationality will be revealed following successful or unsuccessful Foreign Operation decreased by 15%
2. New options from “Conduct Espionage” list:
Player will gain the ability to conduct “Black Operations” in selected foreign civilization.
i. CIV4 style options: stir dissent, assassination, destroy buildings, etc…..or best, a whole new set of options.
ii. Player must be Level 3 invested in info gathering within the target civilization in order to engage in black-ops.
3. Additional benefits from Information Gathering options:
Level 1:
i. Demographic info.
ii. Player will discover what technology the target civilization has researched, now on the turn it is completed. Also, now, the player will now learn what tech the civilization is researching next.
iii. Player will not only be informed when target civilization has built the first of a new military unit, but also when target civilization is beginning to build the first of a new unit.
Level 2:
i. Player will now be able to access the strategic resource info of the selected foreign civilization.
ii. Player will now have access to target a complete breakdown of foreign civ’s military demographics.
Level 3:
i. Player will now be informed when target civ has begun construction of a nat’l or world wonder & will be informed of the location.
ii. Player may conduct Black Operations from the “Conduct Espionage” set of options.
ELECTRONICS :
May build National Wonder, “Intelligence Agency”
1. Global effect.
2. Must have built Security Bureau in any city.
3. Players’ own Espionage Operations costs are reduced by 15%.
4. Also, players’ chance of success in conducting Espionage Operations increased 15%.
5. Cost of Information Gathering reduced by 15%.
COMPUTERS :
1. Adds option, “Steal Technology” to Espionage operations.
2. Must have Level 2 espionage investment.
SATELLITES :
1. Can see all target civilization’s land including units thereon.
2. Must have Level 3 espionage investment.
GLOBALIZATION:
May construct World Wonder, “International Security.”
1. Player must have built Security Bureau & Intelligence Agency.
2. Players’ own Espionage operations costs are reduced by 15%.
3. Also, players’ chance of success in conducting Espionage operations increased 15%.
4. Cost of information gathering reduced 15%.
DIPLOMACY CONSEQUENCES:
If a foreign spy is caught conducting Foreign Operations and the nationality is revealed, the player should have the option of: 1) diplomatic immunity; 2) making a public declaration; 3) closing borders and ending trade relations; 4) threatening war upon next violation; 5) declaring war.
Modernly, if a foreign spy is caught conducting Black Operations and nationality is revealed, player should have the option of declaring the offending nation, “a rogue state.”
All these options should have diplomatic consequences…..
What’cha think?
In this proposed system, there will be two different forms of espionage available to the player.
1. “Espionage Operations”: a system based on options provided to the player, accessed by simply clicking on a city and then choosing the “Conduct Espionage” option. A new screen opens (like the City-State diplomacy screen) and the player then has a list of options with correlating costs. Espionage Operations become available with the discovery of Writing.
2. “Information Gathering”: a passive system based on investment of money. Operates similar to bribing of City-States. The extent of information available to the player is based on the size of the investment, which deteriorates over time. There are 3 levels of investment available to the player. Information gathering does not become available until a new tech, “Real Politiks” is discovered.
3. Espionage Operations & Information Gathering features will increase in future eras. However, the cost is always dependent on the era and infrastructure of the target civilization, offset by infrastructure built by player.
Example, although Espionage Operations and Information Gathering costs more in modern era, if the target civilization is the ancient era, then it will be extremely cheap to conduct operations or gather info from that civ. Conversely, if a classical civ is attempting to conduct operations or gather info from a modern civ, then it will be extremely expensive (if not impossible).
4. The cost of Espionage Operations & Information Gathering investments depends on several factors including: the era, the particular operation, the level of investment, and the “counter-espionage” infrastructure that the target civilization has constructed. This counter-espionage infrastructure also helps determine the rate of success of Espionage Operations & whether or not the player’s nationality is revealed following a successful or unsuccessful operation.
5. In this system, there would be NO need for an actual "spy" unit.
More details below….
WRITING:
Allows “Espionage.”
1. Player would click on a foreign city.
2. After clicking on city, options would pop up -- talk to owner or “Conduct Espionage Operations”.
3. If player selected Conduct Espionage Operations, player would enter a screen that looks like the City-State screen. Diplomatic info would be available in the screen. Also, a list of options would be available along with the corresponding gold cost.
4. With discovery of Writing, options for espionage missions would include:
a. Spy tiles adjacent to selected city;
b. Spy inside selected city – see selected city’s city screen, including production, but not number of turns remaining.
5. Note: there is a base 10% chance that espionage missions will fail and/or that the nationality will be revealed (two separate rolls of the dice).
6. Note: Palace provides following benefits to counter-espionage: additional 15% chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or the nationality of offender will be revealed (local effect).
MASONRY:
1. Player can build “Walls” – 10% chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or nationality will be revealed. (Benefit to counter-espionage obsolete with Economics.)
2. New Espionage Operation --> reduce city defenses. Player can reduce city defenses by 10%. (15% points with Real Politiks, 20 % with Radio, & 25% with Black Ops in modern era)
CHIVALRY:
Player can build “Castle” – additional 10% chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or nationality will be revealed. (Benefit to counter-espionage obsolete with Economics.)
REAL POLITIKS (new tech):
requires Banking & Printing Press.
1. Player may build a “Police Department.”
a. Has a local effect, making all foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city cost an additional 15%.
b. Also, there is a 15% increased chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in the city will fail and/or the nationality will be revealed.
2. Player gains the option of “Information Gathering.”
a. Player can select a civilization to gather info from through the ‘Espionage screen.’
b. Info Gathering operates similar to bribing City-States in the following ways:
i. Information Gathering is a tiered system, such that the information available from the selected civilization depends on the initial investment.
ii. If player invests in highest level of info-gathering, then he would also obtain the info provided at lower levels of investment. For example, if a player invests enough to reach the 3rd-level of info gathering, then the player would also obtain the benefits of the 1st and 2nd levels.
iii. The investment deteriorates over time so that the less info will be available over time.
c. Note: more information at each level of investment becomes available with discovery of new technologies and upon entering new eras. However, the cost also increases and deteriorates more quickly.
3. Through Information Gathering, the following levels of information would be available upon discovery of Real Politiks:
Level 1: Demographic information – can access the demographic info of selected civ.
Level 2:
i. Technological information – 1 turn after the fact, player informed that the target civilization has researched a technology and what that technology was. Example: “Last turn, X discovered Economics.”
ii. Also, player will be informed when target civilization has built the first of a new military unit. Example: “X has built its first musketman.”
Level 3:
i. Major Building information – player informed when target civ is within 5 turns of completing nat’l or world wonder & informed of the location.
ii. Also, player will be informed when target civilization is beginning to build the first of a new unit. Example: “X is beginning to build its first rifleman.”
4. Player may build National Wonder, “Scotland Yard.”
a. Global effect
b. Must have Police Department built in the city.
i. Increases foreign civilizations’ cost to Espionage Operations & Information Gathering by 15%.
ii. 15% increased chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations in all cities will fail and/or the nationality will be revealed
INDUSTRIAL ERA :
Upon entering new era, new spy missions and information gathering capacities are added to reflect increased importance of “Industrial Espionage.”
1. New options from “Conduct Espionage” list:
a. After paying to enter city-screen of target city, player will now see how many turns until production completed.
b. Player may hinder production of item for 1 turn. Cost is dependent on whether unit, building, or wonder – and it would be expensive.
c. May repeat consecutive turns. However, cost of conducting action in same city increases by 25% each time throughout the game.
2. Additional benefits from Information Gathering:
Level 1:
i. In addition to demographic info, player will now discover what technology the target civilization has researched 1 turn after completion.
ii. Also, player will now also be informed when target civilization has built the first of a new military unit.
Level 2:
i. Player will now discover what new technology the target civilization is beginning to research.
ii. Also, player will now also be informed when target civilization is beginning to build the first of a new unit. Example: “X is beginning to build its first rifleman.”
Level 3:
i. Player will now be informed when target civ is within 10 turns of completing nat’l or world wonder & will be informed of the location.
ii. Player will now have access to target civ’s military demographics. Example: a complete breakdown of the # of each unit – 6 rifleman, 5 frigates, 4 cannons, etc…
RAILROAD :
May build National Wonder, “Security Bureau”
1. Global effect.
2. Must have police station built in city.
3. All foreigners’ Espionage Operations & Info Gathering costs additional 15%.
4. Also, within all players’ cities, there is a 20% increased chance that foreigners’ Espionage Operations will fail and/or the nationality will be revealed.
MODERN ERA:
Upon entering new era, new spy missions and information gathering capacities are added to reflect the changing role of espionage.
1. Note: Base percentage that nationality will be revealed following successful or unsuccessful Foreign Operation decreased by 15%
2. New options from “Conduct Espionage” list:
Player will gain the ability to conduct “Black Operations” in selected foreign civilization.
i. CIV4 style options: stir dissent, assassination, destroy buildings, etc…..or best, a whole new set of options.
ii. Player must be Level 3 invested in info gathering within the target civilization in order to engage in black-ops.
3. Additional benefits from Information Gathering options:
Level 1:
i. Demographic info.
ii. Player will discover what technology the target civilization has researched, now on the turn it is completed. Also, now, the player will now learn what tech the civilization is researching next.
iii. Player will not only be informed when target civilization has built the first of a new military unit, but also when target civilization is beginning to build the first of a new unit.
Level 2:
i. Player will now be able to access the strategic resource info of the selected foreign civilization.
ii. Player will now have access to target a complete breakdown of foreign civ’s military demographics.
Level 3:
i. Player will now be informed when target civ has begun construction of a nat’l or world wonder & will be informed of the location.
ii. Player may conduct Black Operations from the “Conduct Espionage” set of options.
ELECTRONICS :
May build National Wonder, “Intelligence Agency”
1. Global effect.
2. Must have built Security Bureau in any city.
3. Players’ own Espionage Operations costs are reduced by 15%.
4. Also, players’ chance of success in conducting Espionage Operations increased 15%.
5. Cost of Information Gathering reduced by 15%.
COMPUTERS :
1. Adds option, “Steal Technology” to Espionage operations.
2. Must have Level 2 espionage investment.
SATELLITES :
1. Can see all target civilization’s land including units thereon.
2. Must have Level 3 espionage investment.
GLOBALIZATION:
May construct World Wonder, “International Security.”
1. Player must have built Security Bureau & Intelligence Agency.
2. Players’ own Espionage operations costs are reduced by 15%.
3. Also, players’ chance of success in conducting Espionage operations increased 15%.
4. Cost of information gathering reduced 15%.
DIPLOMACY CONSEQUENCES:
If a foreign spy is caught conducting Foreign Operations and the nationality is revealed, the player should have the option of: 1) diplomatic immunity; 2) making a public declaration; 3) closing borders and ending trade relations; 4) threatening war upon next violation; 5) declaring war.
Modernly, if a foreign spy is caught conducting Black Operations and nationality is revealed, player should have the option of declaring the offending nation, “a rogue state.”
All these options should have diplomatic consequences…..
What’cha think?