What after the New Frontier Pass - the end or more

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

I think at some point you're just adding new stuff for the sake of adding new stuff. I prefer the idea of small changes that make better use of the systems already in place, like we're about to see with appeal. Off the top of my head, specialists. I'm sure there are more that are underutilized.

That's what I see the game modes are doing. Corporations are changing the way luxuries work and adding a new type of great work.
Plagues could just be a new natural disaster and pandemic being a new emergency, like what they put in Apocalypse Mode, with an add on plague doctor unit and hospital building.
Ideology could be added on agendas based on the government choices.
At least I don't see them as major changes.

 

[Killer Rabbit]

I'd love to see a Final Frontier Pack with Civs like Italy.

On a related note, this is maybe worthy of its own thread, but I think FXS is in a very challenging position when it comes to the eventual Civ 7. Civ 6 now has 50+ Civs, tons of features, and the graphics still look excellent. We're going to have the Civ 4 to Civ 5 and Civ 5 to Civ 6 problem, but way worse, as the cost of game development has skyrocketed. At least from Civ 4 to Civ 5 they added 1UPT, and from Civ 5 to Civ 6 they added districts. In both cases, the graphics were also way better. But I think we're reaching a point now where the return on investment for graphics is lowering (but the cost is still increasing).

In my opinion, they need to make radical gameplay changes for Civ 7 to justify a return to a small group of Civs. Something even more game-changing than districts, in my opinion. I'd like to see something different. Not sure what it is, but hey, that's why I'm a fan and not a developer!

I think, in other words, what I'm getting at is this: what does a Civ 7 look like in the age of live-service games? When these games have long lifespans (which is great), it becomes harder and harder to reset the clock, so to speak, with an entirely new installment.

 

[ferretbacon]

I'd love to see a Final Frontier Pack with Civs like Italy.

On a related note, this is maybe worthy of its own thread, but I think FXS is i
n a very challenging position when it comes to the eventual Civ 7. Civ 6 now has 50+ Civs, tons of features, and the graphics still look excellent. We're going to have the Civ 4 to Civ 5 and Civ 5 to Civ 6 problem, but way worse, as the cost of game development has skyrocketed. At least from Civ 4 to Civ 5 they added 1UPT, and from Civ 5 to Civ 6 they added districts. In both cases, the graphics were also way better. But I think we're reaching a point now where the return on investment for graphics is lowering (but the cost is still increasing).

In my opinion, they need to make radical gameplay changes for Civ 7 to justify a return to a small group of Civs. Something even more game-changing than districts, in my opinion. I'd like to see something different. Not sure what it is, but hey, that's why I'm a fan and not a developer!

I think, in other words, what I'm getting at is this: what does a Civ 7 look like in the age of live-service games? When these games have long lifespans (which is great), it becomes harder and harder to reset the clock, so to speak, with an entirely new installment.

See, your points reinforce the idea that maybe Firaxis is going to keep supporting VI longer with more DLC content. I'm not sure what starting from scratch on VII would really add. People are still willing to dish out money for VI content and Firaxis can look at Paradox as a model for just how much you can milk a game with DLC content.

This pass, after all, is called "New Frontier." They're perfectly set up to, at the very least, round out VI with some "Final Frontier" content.

 

[Wielki Hegemon]

However there are people who think Civ 6 can go further and NFP hasn't done enough. I think they can do more- like pandemics and health, crimes, and ideology for example.

More important developers are rather clear on this topic: Civ VI is completed and NFP is a cherry on top. So the only thing we can expect is new game modes that are not core game mechanics.

 

[Kupe Navigator]

More important developers are rather clear on this topic: Civ VI is completed and NFP is a cherry on top. So the only thing we can expect is new game modes that are not core game mechanics.

Where us the link that they said this?

 

[Andrew Johnson [FXS]]

Designer Brian Feldges according to the video I snipped this from. So not a Dev @Andrew Johnson [FXS] ?

Brian's one of the devs! I forgot about his beard.

 

[anonxanemone]

Brian's one of the devs! I forgot about his beard.

How can you say that beard is forgettable?!

 

[IvoryPavane]

My feeling is that there will be another season pass, or even a final expansion.

I’m basing this on nothing factual but I just don’t think it makes good business sense to allow Humankind to launch with no competition.

If Humankind is amazing then it might whet appetites for more Civ-building and more pass sales, or it might not live up to expectations and people come rushing to the exp/season.

but who knows! There’s so much behind the scenes stuff that it’s nearly impossible to soothsay

 

[Wielki Hegemon]

See, your points reinforce the idea that maybe Firaxis is going to keep supporting VI longer with more DLC content. I'm not sure what starting from scratch on VII would really add. People are still willing to dish out money for VI content and Firaxis can look at Paradox as a model for just how much you can milk a game with DLC content.

This pass, after all, is called "New Frontier." They're perfectly set up to, at the very least, round out VI with some "Final Frontier" content.

As long they can monetize DLC's and have enough free dev resources to create it this option is on a table. The question is: if it would be healthy for the game.
New Civs or game mods are not a problem here. But new districts, buildings, units, CS are. We as fans can throw our ideas into one trashbin, but devs must keep the game systematized. More content you add more harder is to handle this task. And the game from this:

is starting to look like this:

 

[Kupe Navigator]

As long they can monetize DLC's and have enough free dev resources to create it this option is on a table. The question is: if it would be healthy for the game.
New Civs or game mods are not a problem here. But new districts, buildings, units, CS are. We as fans can throw our ideas into one trashbin, but devs must keep the game systematized. More content you add more harder is to handle this task. And the game from this:

is starting to look like this:

I don’t know... my civ always looks like the first pic.

 

[mitsho]

On a related note, this is maybe worthy of its own thread, but I think FXS is in a very challenging position when it comes to the eventual Civ 7. Civ 6 now has 50+ Civs, tons of features, and the graphics still look excellent. We're going to have the Civ 4 to Civ 5 and Civ 5 to Civ 6 problem, but way worse, as the cost of game development has skyrocketed. At least from Civ 4 to Civ 5 they added 1UPT, and from Civ 5 to Civ 6 they added districts. In both cases, the graphics were also way better. But I think we're reaching a point now where the return on investment for graphics is lowering (but the cost is still increasing).

In my opinion, they need to make radical gameplay changes for Civ 7 to justify a return to a small group of Civs. Something even more game-changing than districts, in my opinion. I'd like to see something different. Not sure what it is, but hey, that's why I'm a fan and not a developer!

I think, in other words, what I'm getting at is this: what does a Civ 7 look like in the age of live-service games? When these games have long lifespans (which is great), it becomes harder and harder to reset the clock, so to speak, with an entirely new installment.

I'd also point to an effect I'd like to call "Rome vs. Last Civ". Rome will always be in the first roster and will always take quite simple effects. After all, they have to design it at the same time as ~18 other civs and every straightforward effect is still available. It will always be a kind of generalist. On the other hand, take the "Last Civ", in this case Vietnam. It has quite interesting abilities with synergies between its bonuses and offers quite specialized gameplay. It is more complex than Rome. And since you have to pay extra for it, the "last civ" is also probably stronger. But shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't the bigger names have the better abilities?

Anyways, the answer to your question is imho breadth versus depth. Currently, every civ they add is complete. But what if they add a broad roster of civs at the start, and deepen them later on? That way, the popularity of Rome could entice the casual players to buy the DLC as well. Also, they kinda become non-optional that way. No sure if that's a good thing. But only from a gameplay point of view, I'd like them to take civ7 in a direction where they can make Rome interesting again in the later stages of a game development.

You are certainly asking the right question here.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

More important developers are rather clear on this topic: Civ VI is completed and NFP is a cherry on top. So the only thing we can expect is new game modes that are not core game mechanics.

That's not completely accurate. These are extra toppings you can add to the game. They never confirmed one would be the cherry on top yet.

If you are talking about adding new mechanics yes you are right on that, but nobody here is saying that a Final Frontier will completely introduce new mechanics.

 

[ferretbacon]

That's not completely accurate. These are extra toppings you can add to the game. They never confirmed one would be the cherry on top yet.

If you are talking about adding new mechanics yes you are right on that, but nobody here is saying that a Final Frontier will completely introduce new mechanics.

This. I think there's money for them to make on just adding one more round of new civs and alt leaders with some minor balance patching in between. Doesn't have to be as robust as New Frontier.

 

[Ticio]

I don't know at all what they will do.
I am more align with the posts that are saying it would be estrange to just wait until Civ 7 and let Humankind take the empty space between games.


For me, it would be ideal to have a last Expansion pack. One that changes and completes existing features (more like GS/RF than NFP).
If not, I would not be surprised if they make an "independent expansion" to fulfil the gap. Something like "Chimaera Squad" for XCOM 2. To gather a little money.
I think all depends of how good are NFP's sales.

I said it in an old post, but 2021 is the 5 century of the conquest of the Aztecs, the 200 years of the Mexican independence. Next year would be 500 years celebration of Elcano's circumnavigation.
They are already some tv shows and movies programmed on this topic. I think it will be a trending topic in Youtube's historic channels. I really think they could make an expansion/ new DLC on these themes. This way they could take advantage of the possible trend!

Portugal + colonization + giving new features for economics & multiple continents = Very interesting DLC! (At least for me).

 

[The Kingmaker]

Yep, no reason to leave the franchise dead for the next few years while they develop Civ7. Not when releasing new content can provide a steady income stream, even if it is more of a trickle than a torrent.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

But if they're fixing all the civs in April (okay, 2/3), that might be their way of putting a bow on it.

 

[Leucarum]

Yeah the sweeping balance patch does make me think they are trying to close things out...

That said, who knows. Covid may have delayed civ7 in which case it might make sense to keep civ6 going longer.... Though that may have been what the NFP was for...

 

[Xandinho]

If they are rebalancing 2/3 of the civs, then I think the chances for a second round of passes drop dramatically. If the chances were low before, I think they are even lower now. Well, this ends the game with 50 civilizations, exactly what many of us suspected at the beginning.
I can only hope for the final civ in March be Portugal.

 

[Ticio]

If they are rebalancing 2/3 of the civs, then I think the chances for a second round of passes drop dramatically. If the chances were low before, I think they are even lower now. Well, this ends the game with 50 civilizations, exactly what many of us suspected at the beginning.
I can only hope for the final civ in March be Portugal.

yeah, I didn't know they had announce such Pacht. It sounds like the last one...

 

[Jkchart]

It sounds like the end to me, but I'll keep a small pocket of hope for some individual civ packs.