A blog dedicated to gaming, especially sci-fi gaming.

I love 4X sci-fi games, but 99% of them just seem so lifeless to me.   In a lot of these games, planets come across as lifeless points on a map that serve as little more than resource generators and conquerable spots.  Fleets provide the only real life in the galaxy as we can see them zip around, but even here the ships often seem like solid hunks of metal that just blindly obey the player's orders.  Some games have "characters", but in reality these "people" act as little more than stat boosters. 

I really hope GalCiv III breaks this lifeless trend.  I would really love to see this game adopt some of the ideas found in other strategy games, such as Crusader Kings II.  It would be nice to be able to choose from a retinue of people, each with their own traits and personalities, to be our colonial governors, fleet admirals, research scientists, etc, and then actually hear from these people about their concerns, etc.  Likewise, LOTS of random events would be fun - GalCiv II already had these, but I mean I want a LOT more, and events that deal with minor stuff (petitions for jobs, labor riots, stuff like that) as well as major events (rebellions, disasters, etc). 

However it is done, please just make GalCiv III's universe seem populated with something more than planets and ships.  Give the galaxy's "little people" a voice and role, too!

 


Comments (Page 4)
5 PagesFirst 2 3 4 5 
on Nov 01, 2013

ParagonRenegade


Quoting Lucky Jack, reply 38

Yes, of course, but from what Brad has said, the game is going to be much more flexible this time around. Also, given the fact that GC2 had an option for every... damn... thing... I wouldn't worry about it lol

Where's the option to shut off planet trading. Trading and buying techs, but giving up your soveirnty for money isn't. Shut off the planet trading option.

on Nov 01, 2013

Look, no offense, but are you aware of the edit button?

on Nov 01, 2013

Mac2411


Quoting JPowell, reply 18
I would also like to see a return to the original Gal Civ (and MOOII) galaxy map, where "hyperdrive" was between star systems, and the systems had their own separate screen showing the planets and asteroids surrounding the star.  Star systems have virtually no importance in Gal Civ II, as habitable planets are sprinkled randomly around the map.  Returning to the star system maps emphasizes the vastness of space, improving the atmosphere of the game.   

 

 

I personally would hate this system. 

 

I have to agree i would hate a system of that kind as well. One of the reasons i find Endless Space so off putting is the fact that there is no large surface of space and you can't go where ever you want but instead you are locked into systems with routs in between. 

on Nov 01, 2013

Martok


Quoting Hadberz, reply 24
If Gal Civ 3 has half the life that DW has I will be happy. If it has none, then Gal Civ 3 will be hard to play as DW has spoiled me. BTW DW is almost always on sale during xmas.

Heh, that's more or less my feelings as well.  Distant Worlds spoiled me, but I'll still be happy if GC3 has even a fraction of the atmosphere DW does.   

 

 


Quoting Stringer2, reply 25
LOL, well I'm a dictator so I don't listen for my punny little slaves . Unless of course they try something, in which case it's good to have army near by 

If your slaves are punning, I'm amazed you haven't put them to death already.   

 

 
Stringer2


Quoting Martok, reply 26
If your slaves are punning, I'm amazed you haven't put them to death already.   
 

 

I try my best, but those multiply like sheep   . 

 

Now I get it. A play on a misspelling of puny (as in small, insignificant, etc.) into punny (sp) (as in constantly making puns).

on Nov 01, 2013

Gaslov

Sigh.  Why does every game have to be a role playing game?  Isn't there anyone else who just wants a competitive turn based strategy game?  I hate feeling so alone in this world.

Your not alone, trust me, that is what Gal Civ I-III will be all about hopefully, We got some interesting surprises in store along with some multiplayer community and whatever the likes.

Guys, once again space pollution is definitely a good idea if you want space to change overtime... Have some asteroids, space junk and plasma storms around the solar systems and you got a good lively environment.

on Nov 02, 2013

I tried to get all the quotes under one edit earlier. I couldn't make it work I will try again. It would be easier if I could just delete some of my quotes. If it take me days to read a site then there is no way I can remember all the posts.

on Nov 02, 2013

michaelwhittaker
I tried to get all the quotes under one edit earlier. I couldn't make it work I will try again. It would be easier if I could just delete some of my quotes. If it take me days to read a site then there is no way I can remember all the posts.

A helpful hint: if you use the quote button, it will always put the selected text in a quote starting where your cursor is in the reply box. If you want to quote multiple posts in the same reply, you can quote and reply to one, then add a blank line or two below that text. When you quote the next one, it will appear as a separate paragraph below what you just typed. That allows you to easily highlight it and copy/paste if you want to rearrange the order the replies are in.

If the replies you want to quote are on separate pages, open a second window on your browser. Use the reply box on one, then use the second window to reply to the other posts. Copy and paste from one window into the other to get all your replies into one post. This method works even if the posts you are quoting are all on the same page, of course, but since it isn't quite as streamlined it's often easier to use the first method when you can.

on Nov 02, 2013

I completely agree with the OP and those that mentioned Distant Worlds as an example where this was done well. 

One of the problems in Distant Worlds is that the AI is not capable enough to take advantage of those events (nor does the AI explore well enough) e.g. the AI finds super lasers but hardly uses them as ship construction size research is not given sufficient priority and also the AI builds far too many small ships etc.

However, if the GalCiv 3 AI is what we hope it will be ... there is a lot of potential here to add to the gameplay experience.

 

 

on Nov 02, 2013

I will try replying instead of quoting thank you.

on Nov 02, 2013

It wouldn't take much effort to make any environment to come to life, just insert idea, add animations or a background that changes with every turn. it will look more lively then if it was just the same damn thing all the time.

If the developers wanted to take this idea further, what about asteroid fields that move 1 tile every turn in a straight line or possibly random spawning plasma storms that block out all sensors for a short period of time.

Since this thread is so hot I will beam down a link that may or may not work

https://forums.galciv3.com/449787/page/1/

I know you may not agree with all ideas in here, I think it would be wise to help me out on this idea for Galactic civilization to have an adequate environment for all of us.

on Nov 11, 2013

Gaslov

Sigh.  Why does every game have to be a role playing game?  Isn't there anyone else who just wants a competitive turn based strategy game?  I hate feeling so alone in this world.

 

they don't, but that does not mean there can not be options for those that do.  Many RP things are flavor, which you can either ignore, or use.  Campaigns for example.  there are tons of ways you could add More RP flavor, on top of the base line game for those that want..  if not turn the stuff off in options and play a sandbox game..

 

Take crusader kings, that game is a major strat game, but has tons of RP flavor as well..  seeing GC II was single player, i would think GC III is as well..

on Nov 11, 2013

jecy99
Take crusader kings, that game is a major strat game, but has tons of RP flavor as well.. seeing GC II was single player, i would think GC III is as well..

GC3 has already been announced as having multiplayer. Scroll to the top of this thread and click "Game" then "GalCiv III Features". Under the heading "Multiplayer" you will find:

"

Multiplayer

For the first time, players can compete against each other in person and over the Internet in Galactic Civilizations III."

 

on Nov 13, 2013

I can see pros and cons to this.  Having an interesting element to the Empires could be interesting but the main concern is how it is done.

 

If there were more every turn and it was the same as "choose a perk good vs neutral vs evil" every turn then no.  Especially as the "choices" are repeatable then it could just be a layer of boring on top of the existing game.  

While on the same side having the options of some automation or possible things that do need to be managed to keep the empire under control or there are consequences would be nice to have.  Such as the option that your actions can lead to the "Fundamentalist" revolt.

But I did find it bad when you have a 100% approval at your capital but it would just randomly flip to a revolt without any pre-ordained or bad actions that caused it when the Fundamentalist revolt happens.  I would like to have the slightly random element as it can add to the interest of the game.  Overall though this would require a careful balancing act to give it justice while also preventing the game from feeling like an endless grind..

 

on Dec 04, 2013

I thought that distant worlds was to automated. One thing I would like to not see in galactic civilizations that is in distant worlds is tech research that you can't decide on. I wouldn't mind sharing tech research with the private sector, but not the private sector doing all the research.

on Dec 05, 2013

Michael, you can choose to automate Distant Worlds research.  The AI isn't strong so there are huge benefits to manual control. 

Both games could learn from each other.

If Galactic Civilizations 3 applied a living galaxy similar to what Distant Worlds has, while Distant Worlds applied an AI similar to what Galactic Civilizations has, both games would be improved immensely.

 

5 PagesFirst 2 3 4 5