Why "random" means Americans?

[pesco]

Ok, here's the matter, I try to play an all random map, with random civilizations, and it seems to work out all right the scenario is always different, different resources, different civilization under my control... A few turns and I meet the first AI, it's the Maya. Then I meet the second, it's the Americans. The third is the Incas. Then the Aztecs. Then the Iroquois. Then if I'm lucky I can see some Japanese or the French. Why no matter how many games I play, wichever civ I control, I always have civs from the Americas around me?!? Even if it has to be only one opponent on the map, it's going to be either the Maya or the Inca.

I played civIII for years and I never had this issue before. It's sad, I want to change neighbours.

 

[Nor'easter]

I remember reading in these forums a long time ago that this is actually a well-known bug.

If you select "Culturally Linked Start Locations" (I think that's what it's called) in the game options, what happens is that if one civ from the Americas is in the game, all of the rest will also be in the game.

So the simplest solution is to make sure that you have not selected that game option.

 

[Padma]

Nor'easter got it.

"Culturally Linked Start" is broken. It only gives you "American" Civs. Turn it off.

 

[Omni314]

hmm i must have had that with the netherlands a while ago then, since they just seemed to follow me from game to game and always annoy me

 

[pesco]

Uh, I see!!! It's much better now, it had become so annoying to see those same faces all the times. Especially Pachacuti's.
Thanks!

 

[timerover51]

I have noticed that if i am playing a game with a limited number of start locations, that I always have pretty much the same civilizations starting up every game, even if I change the civilizations prior to starting the game. I am not sure if the game is picking something up from Preferences or preserving the same starting list because I keep changing the civilizations.

 

[darski]

I always play with random civs but if i don't click on the "All Random" button I will get the same civs in the next game. I always hit that button now for every set up as i don`t want immediate repeats.

 

[Optional]

My big why oh why question is: with 'Culturally Linked Start Loc' broken as it was, is and always will be, why did the game makers keep it as the default setting? This is just an outright annoyance!

 

[eldar]

It wasn't broken until C3C. It goes along with the Sub Bug and Scientific Golden Ages as bugs that will be forever unfixed, until Firaxis release the source code to Civ3 and we can fix 'em ourselves.

 

[1940LaSalle]

OK, exactly where do I find this to fix it? I may have missed it under "Preferences". Thanks.

 

[Aabraxan]

It's not in the preferences screen. When you start up a new game, look at the bottom of the screen where you turn victory conditions on and off. Somewhere in that box, you'll see a checkbox for Culturally Linked Start Locations.

 

[KiNGd0M]

Actually, when you click Culturally Linked Starting Positions, Civs that are by each other in the real world will be by you (Or at least it does in mine).

 

[Turner]

Actually, when you click Culturally Linked Starting Positions, Civs that are by each other in the real world will be by you (Or at least it does in mine).

Yes, but what version are you playing? See below....

It wasn't broken until C3C. It goes along with the Sub Bug and Scientific Golden Ages as bugs that will be forever unfixed, until Firaxis release the source code to Civ3 and we can fix 'em ourselves.

And I don't want to drag this topic up again, and in a different thread to boot, but it's highly unlikely the source will ever be released.

One can dream, however.

 

[TheOverseer714]

Something I've done in the past is choose opponents based on cultural ties for my games. i.e., Germany, France, England, Spain, the Dutch, Portugal and Russia when I'm playing as tthe Celts. Or some other combo with those tribes, maybe exchanging in Rome and Scandinavia for further variety. Or do all middle east, all far east, etc.

 

[Sashie VII]

Something I've done in the past is choose opponents based on cultural ties for my games. i.e., Germany, France, England, Spain, the Dutch, Portugal and Russia when I'm playing as tthe Celts. Or some other combo with those tribes, maybe exchanging in Rome and Scandinavia for further variety. Or do all middle east, all far east, etc.

Or if you're feeling masochistic (like I sometimes do), pick the ones with formidable Ancient Age UU when you plan on lots of Ancient Age warring...

But really, I think the OP may want to try randomising the AI civs manually, ie clicking random civs on the screen as opponents.