E3: More on Civ IV

by Vladimir Cole { May 19th 2005 at 9:18PM }

Civilization IV

Here's another screenshot of Civilization IV, and some more dope about the game that Firaxis games promises will be even more addicting than the original.

faster pace: remember how the early years of a Civilization map tend to blow by, but the years approaching 2050 can take what seems like hours? Firaxis promises "streamlined" gameplay for a "faster" experience.
easier interface: Firaxis promises an interface that will be familiar and easy for veterans and newbies alike. The screenshots we've seen look a little chaotic, but they're not showing the city interface yet.
more flexible tech tree: Flexibility and "open-ended gameplay" are the buzzwords of the moment, so there's no surprise that every game is touting this.
new multiplayer options: There will be a persistent, turn-based server option, and it could be huge. It'd be great to be able to line up a game with someone over the net and have some trusted server somewhere store the information. Saving game information client-side (with the players' machines) exposes it to shenanigans.
team-play: "team play offers a new way of setting locked alliances that result in shared wonder effects, visibility, unit trading and shared territory that delivers a plethora of new strategic and tactical options"

The game's marketing team has also produced a funny little guide to help players of the game overcome their debilitating addictions to it. The brochure they're handing out on the show floor shows gamers in AA-like settings saying things like, "By the time I got to the Industrial Age, I was a full-blown junkie," and "The addiction just takes over. One more turn, one more turn, one more turn…"

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DMZ @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

This has to be the worst and most boring game ever made, whoever plays civilization has no life and must be really depressed.

Jeff @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I know how you feel DMZ. There aren't any explosions or flashing colors to hold your attention with Civ games. I like purple.

Riggs @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

DMZ, just how long is your attention span anyway? Have you already stopped reading this post?. Oooh look! A dog!

JAT @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

No, I dont want a faster endgame. I wanted a slower startgame :p And larger maps :p Its all about world conquest ;)

Bottisatva @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

You know what would be great - if they mimicked the globe, so that New York would be New York. Think about that and how everyone would try to get the oil fields of the mid-east or control of the Panama Canal and oh yah, nudity, that would be good too.