2950

Vox Populi provides a pretty solid AI.

2951

Okay. Now that we’ve gotten past that little starting position bug…

Spain declares unprovoked war on me in 250 AD with a full tech level disadvantage and inferior force. It proceeds to run not one but two unescorted settlers at me along with a few silly warriors (nowhere near the settlers) and no other units of any kind, not even archers, much less the catapults it probably hasn’t figured out how to build yet. Russia declares war too, but it’s one of those “you and him fight” deals and they keep their even punier forces at home. To cap it off I’m playing Gandhi, so if the game is even bothering to apply war weariness to the AIs, they’re getting double the effect.

Come on now. What’s even the point of all this? Except perhaps to waste the player’s time. If anything the AI is even worse than at release, now…

2952

I know that many people here do not like the game, but I’m looking forward to the Rise and Fall expansion.

Devs play Mongolia and Netherlands
(Includes an explanation of the new algorithm for placing civs on the map.)

It’ll never make a great war game to scratch that color the map itch, so they have really done a lot to make the builder game more interesting. Golden and dark ages that become a sort of mini-game in itself. The governors who add bonuses to cities and can be leveled up. The more detailed alliances which become more powerful with time. And at the center of it all a loyalty system that looks to become central to the game.

Count me in. :)

Oh, and the graphical representation of your civ’s history and all the additional civs should be fun, too.

2953

You know, for as flawed as the AI is - I still enjoy playing this game if I spend more time focusing on what I’m doing instead of what the AI is doing. I’m tempted to get the expansion.

2954

If nothing else, the Mongols are in the expansion. I do love me some rampaging hordes.

2955

Yeah, the larger changes aside, the new playable civs offer some interesting play options. I was just watching the Cree preview, which empowers your trader to expand your land.

2956

I’m definitely on board for the expansion (if I can shave off some time for more Civ play). Unlike most, I’m not bothered that much by the AI, since I prefer to build and leave wars to defense-only, and tend to play on easier difficulties that let me do so. More civilizations is a good thing (I really wish I could get an official Canada some day so North America isn’t so US-centric).

2957

I’d love to see Canada, but in the meantime we are getting the Cree – and it looks like a very interesting civ to play, with an ability to claim land using a trader.

2958

What do you suppose they would do with Canada?

I’d guess on Lester B. Pearson for the leader.
Leader ability: Nobel Peacenik gives 1 additional Diplomacy policy slot
Civ ability: Voyageurs!: Starts the game with one trader and one trade route . Trade route range is 50% greater than normal
Civ unique unit: Northwest Mounted Police: replaces Cavalry. +1 movement and +5 combat
Civ unique building: Hockey Rink replaces the Stadium and provide +3 amenities.

2959

Civ ability: Take off, Eh!: Air units can rebase once per turn without using their move.

2960

O Canada! Canadian units get x2 defense; however they are twice as vulnerable to foreign tourists.

(referencing the sad American attempt to invade in 1812, and the effect of American culture).

2961

What’s their national power? Cultural invisibility?

2962

Are you sure?

2963

Oh, I always viewed that as the equivalent of importing flesh workers.

2964
2965

I think if you play that Civ you are morally obligated to call all your cities Peachtree in order to confuse invaders.

2966

Hey, looking at that preview, you can see they have added a new casus belli – a protectorate war against a civ that attacked an allied city-state. I like.

2967

Anyone tried the IPad version yet? How’s the game speed?

2968

I am curious if there is any market reaction to the price tag on that? Or since the real game is an in app purchase, people are cool with it?

2970

Last time I was in Atlanta was… uh… before GPS. It was confusing.