This will cause much flare i'm sure - and there's no doubt there's a mod or previous mention of such, but here is my [shortened] expansion request (please respond with positive input or suggestions, I know most people are against this idea to avoid a sci-fi doom for the civ legacy, but this is for the LIKELY near future aspects):
Civ3: Future Age Expansion
I know, I know, please listen (again, no flaming please) - and keep in mind, i'm talking expansion only, not part of the game (heck, i'm ok with it as a civ4 expansion that even toggles "future age off.")
Assume tech no more then the year 2050. Assume tech that may arise if WWIII starts tomorrow. Assume tech thats the next step & is being researched today and therefore is likely. No "mech warriors/goliaths" - No "ufos" - just likely next generation tech that maybe is already known to exist.
Civs:
~ None: nothing much will change in terms of races in the next 47 years.
Government:
~ Unification (or the such). Democracy is good, but maybe some kind of socialist or unification government is next. May not happen soon, but it would be a nice addition if a new age was released. More efficient, less corruption, more production...
Production:
~ Advanced Hydrogen Power (ie - water powered engines). Freshwater, river & coastal water based locations for the resources. Possibly eliminates pollution entirely, or at least a jump from the currect best civ improvements. Oil is not efficient, we all know it's only around for monetary purposes due to its rarity...[side note: why not have oil be possible in coastal waters?]
Commerce:
~ Don't see much changing in the near future, but if so it would probably be due to a closer bond between countries...maybe add the World Trade Organization? All currency is universal (for participating civs) like what is happening in Europe, allowing a (x%) bonus to trade.
Espionage:
~ Espionage is pretty lame at the moment in civ, and obviously computers are the next wave in the real world. Hacking could be huge, so maybe a (x%) bonus to espionage via 'Computer Espionage' tech? Spy not required to be planted...
Morale:
~ Virtual Reality / Holographic entertainment...reduces corruption. Sure DVD's are better then VHS....but it's not THAT great...soon there will be something better. This stuff has been around for a while anyway, only a matter of time before it's done right.
Science:
~ Again, Virtual Reality based, but see below for a better science upgrade for this age...under 'New Wonder.'
General Advanced Tech:
~ Artificial Intelligence (an advanced form, not the AI you see in video games). This would spawn unmanned vehicles, NOT the stereotypical robots. Just like the unmanned Predator drone used in the skies in Iraq. Also a naval unit that is part of an advanced sub like the cover article of Popular Science (Apr 2003).
~ Advanced Satellites. Why there isn't more use of satellites in Civ as it is, is beyond me. How about this tech enables you to see 20% of the world topography per 5 turns. You see terrain, cities, roads, towers, airports, and units if it's a stack of 10+ only - no minor troop masses.
Units:
~ The previously mentioned Air/Naval drones. Air (normal attack, lower defense, lower production cost). Sea (part of an advanced sub, higher attack, slightly higher defense, but also higher production costs)
~ Laser infantry. This is pushing it, but projectile guns are soon to be obsolete, it is the next step. [This does NOT mean laser tanks / goliaths / mech warriors!!! Modern armor is sufficient because of the value of the projectile cannons in terms of bombardment]. If not laser weaponry, then maybe better defense for a new troop type...bullet proof vest type thing that raises marine defenses....open to suggestion (not flame).
~ Advanced Avionics - maybe the Aurora? Stealth added to defense, but how about a jet with better propulsion (flies further)? Scram Jet? Think about it. The U.S. has tech that can use laser guidance to hit an object via missles that is a couple meters in size. It won't be long before oversized-surface ships like aircraft carriers will become sitting ducks. Therefore planes with better ranges will soon be made. This also adds emphasis to the need for advanced naval units that are underwater (ie - subs) as listed above.
~ E-Bombs. Nukes are hardcore. We aren't likely to make anything more destructive...but we do have things more intelligently designed. E-bomb can do up to 25% damage to a city per turn...damage results in 25% production/economic loss for that city. (E-bombs are electro-magnetic pulse based bombs that the U.S. developed prior to the recent war in Iraq. It knocks out all electrical appliances in the blast range).
~ Not as useful, but ok as a filler: Bunker-busters (new unit or tech upgrade for cruise missles). This would destroy any fortress or wall with a successful hit & have a chance to damage troops there. This is used by the U.S. and is designed to penetrate the ground surface before detonation to destroy even the toughest fortifications.
New Wonder:
~ I'm kinda thinking of it as a small wonder, but how about Orbital Space Station? If it's a small wonder, then you and all other Civs who have built it gain a small science % increase PER orbital space station small wonder built by civs (friendly civs only). [Example - 5% additional science for your empire plus 1% per other friendly civ who has built an attached 'pod' - limit 1 pod per civ]. This would make it similar to the current International Space Station. Maybe your civ has to be part of the UN or WTO to qualify to build it?
Extreme, but plausible:
~ Advanced magnetism: Some kind of VERY, VERY limited anti-gravity....maybe it allows tanks to travel 1 extra distance per turn due to not having to 'roll the land.'
Other:
~ Do SOMETHING useful with the UN. Disarmament, peacekeeping, etc.
~ Also, why can't a third party nation demand another nation to make peace with their enemy? More diplomacy is needed.
Please no flaming. This is just an idea for an expansion. I recommend expansion only, so that players CHOOSE to add this feature. It would be good to test out, but even if successful, have a toggle for this Age. Keep in mind one last thing: many players win far before the modern age. Even players who win via Space Race, or Diplomatic terms don't research everything. I can't even tell you the new name for what was called SDI defense in Civ2, an I have yet to research, let alone build, an AEGIS cruiser...
Some will say "then why add another age?" - but at the same time i'll say "what would it hurt? at least it will allow the opportunity for late modern era techs to be used, and open the door to what we know is coming in the future anyway"...there's nothing sci-fi about that.
All suggestions & ideas welcome![[civ3]](/images/smilies/civ3.gif "Civ3 Icon [civ3]")
Civ3: Future Age Expansion
I know, I know, please listen (again, no flaming please) - and keep in mind, i'm talking expansion only, not part of the game (heck, i'm ok with it as a civ4 expansion that even toggles "future age off.")
Assume tech no more then the year 2050. Assume tech that may arise if WWIII starts tomorrow. Assume tech thats the next step & is being researched today and therefore is likely. No "mech warriors/goliaths" - No "ufos" - just likely next generation tech that maybe is already known to exist.
Civs:
~ None: nothing much will change in terms of races in the next 47 years.
Government:
~ Unification (or the such). Democracy is good, but maybe some kind of socialist or unification government is next. May not happen soon, but it would be a nice addition if a new age was released. More efficient, less corruption, more production...
Production:
~ Advanced Hydrogen Power (ie - water powered engines). Freshwater, river & coastal water based locations for the resources. Possibly eliminates pollution entirely, or at least a jump from the currect best civ improvements. Oil is not efficient, we all know it's only around for monetary purposes due to its rarity...[side note: why not have oil be possible in coastal waters?]
Commerce:
~ Don't see much changing in the near future, but if so it would probably be due to a closer bond between countries...maybe add the World Trade Organization? All currency is universal (for participating civs) like what is happening in Europe, allowing a (x%) bonus to trade.
Espionage:
~ Espionage is pretty lame at the moment in civ, and obviously computers are the next wave in the real world. Hacking could be huge, so maybe a (x%) bonus to espionage via 'Computer Espionage' tech? Spy not required to be planted...
Morale:
~ Virtual Reality / Holographic entertainment...reduces corruption. Sure DVD's are better then VHS....but it's not THAT great...soon there will be something better. This stuff has been around for a while anyway, only a matter of time before it's done right.
Science:
~ Again, Virtual Reality based, but see below for a better science upgrade for this age...under 'New Wonder.'
General Advanced Tech:
~ Artificial Intelligence (an advanced form, not the AI you see in video games). This would spawn unmanned vehicles, NOT the stereotypical robots. Just like the unmanned Predator drone used in the skies in Iraq. Also a naval unit that is part of an advanced sub like the cover article of Popular Science (Apr 2003).
~ Advanced Satellites. Why there isn't more use of satellites in Civ as it is, is beyond me. How about this tech enables you to see 20% of the world topography per 5 turns. You see terrain, cities, roads, towers, airports, and units if it's a stack of 10+ only - no minor troop masses.
Units:
~ The previously mentioned Air/Naval drones. Air (normal attack, lower defense, lower production cost). Sea (part of an advanced sub, higher attack, slightly higher defense, but also higher production costs)
~ Laser infantry. This is pushing it, but projectile guns are soon to be obsolete, it is the next step. [This does NOT mean laser tanks / goliaths / mech warriors!!! Modern armor is sufficient because of the value of the projectile cannons in terms of bombardment]. If not laser weaponry, then maybe better defense for a new troop type...bullet proof vest type thing that raises marine defenses....open to suggestion (not flame).
~ Advanced Avionics - maybe the Aurora? Stealth added to defense, but how about a jet with better propulsion (flies further)? Scram Jet? Think about it. The U.S. has tech that can use laser guidance to hit an object via missles that is a couple meters in size. It won't be long before oversized-surface ships like aircraft carriers will become sitting ducks. Therefore planes with better ranges will soon be made. This also adds emphasis to the need for advanced naval units that are underwater (ie - subs) as listed above.
~ E-Bombs. Nukes are hardcore. We aren't likely to make anything more destructive...but we do have things more intelligently designed. E-bomb can do up to 25% damage to a city per turn...damage results in 25% production/economic loss for that city. (E-bombs are electro-magnetic pulse based bombs that the U.S. developed prior to the recent war in Iraq. It knocks out all electrical appliances in the blast range).
~ Not as useful, but ok as a filler: Bunker-busters (new unit or tech upgrade for cruise missles). This would destroy any fortress or wall with a successful hit & have a chance to damage troops there. This is used by the U.S. and is designed to penetrate the ground surface before detonation to destroy even the toughest fortifications.
New Wonder:
~ I'm kinda thinking of it as a small wonder, but how about Orbital Space Station? If it's a small wonder, then you and all other Civs who have built it gain a small science % increase PER orbital space station small wonder built by civs (friendly civs only). [Example - 5% additional science for your empire plus 1% per other friendly civ who has built an attached 'pod' - limit 1 pod per civ]. This would make it similar to the current International Space Station. Maybe your civ has to be part of the UN or WTO to qualify to build it?
Extreme, but plausible:
~ Advanced magnetism: Some kind of VERY, VERY limited anti-gravity....maybe it allows tanks to travel 1 extra distance per turn due to not having to 'roll the land.'
Other:
~ Do SOMETHING useful with the UN. Disarmament, peacekeeping, etc.
~ Also, why can't a third party nation demand another nation to make peace with their enemy? More diplomacy is needed.
Please no flaming. This is just an idea for an expansion. I recommend expansion only, so that players CHOOSE to add this feature. It would be good to test out, but even if successful, have a toggle for this Age. Keep in mind one last thing: many players win far before the modern age. Even players who win via Space Race, or Diplomatic terms don't research everything. I can't even tell you the new name for what was called SDI defense in Civ2, an I have yet to research, let alone build, an AEGIS cruiser...
Some will say "then why add another age?" - but at the same time i'll say "what would it hurt? at least it will allow the opportunity for late modern era techs to be used, and open the door to what we know is coming in the future anyway"...there's nothing sci-fi about that.
All suggestions & ideas welcome
).
