An altogether healthier chart than we’ve had over the last few weeks, even if the usual ghosts continue to haunt it. That was a spooky halloween reference. It’s probably still Halloween in Tazmania or something. Even if it’s not, there’s definitely a hungover guy in a vomit-smeared David S. Pumpkins costume shambling down a street somewhere. … [visit site to read more]
I’ve been playing a lot of Civilization 6 recently and I love it dearly. It’s not perfect though. Nothing is, of course, but Civ 6 also suffers because it’s a strategy game so it has all kinds of problems with its AI. When I first started writing a critique of what does and doesn’t work when it comes to the AI, I rather lazily typed out something like that previous sentence: has there ever been a strategy game with AI that is praiseworthy rather than passable? There’s a part of me that has become an apologist for clumsy AI routines in strategy games.
Here are a few artificial intelligences that need the fewest apologies.
I have played Civilization [official site] games as long as there have been Civilization games. I have always enjoyed them. I have always hated winning them. … [visit site to read more]
Though Adam was the first to settle in the brave new world of Civilization 6 [official site], Alec and Pip have since spent the weekend establishing their own outposts in Sidland. The three of them now form an uneasy alliance to discuss the strengths and failings of the game.
Grievances are aired at length about its new Diplomacy system, jumbled UI and opaque nature, while its vibrant look and elaborate nature are praised. And has learning to play Civ become like learning to play Dota? Let us parley. … [visit site to read more]
Now that I’m past the first 100 turns political offers seem to be turning up with greater frequency. I hate negotiating with AI civilizations so I have decided to appoint former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson as my diplomatic advisor. I cannot afford actual Alex Ferguson so I am, instead, opening his book, A Year In The Life: The Manager’s Diary, at random and reading until relevant advice presents itself.
As I predicted, so it shall soon come to pass. The same game in no less than four slots in the Steam chart (comprising, as always, those games which sold best over the past week). Out, damn top-spot hoggers. … [visit site to read more]
Alice O’Connor, we would have words. In fairness, Civilization VI [official site] did> have a smooth launch – it’s only post-launch that things have gone ever so slightly wrong. It may not even be the game’s fault as such. The problem is that good old Windows has decided that Civ VI is a threat to something other than getting to bed at a sensible hour, and for many people this is preventing the game from loading.
There is a fix, fortunately, but I’ll only share it with you if you pay me 184 gold per turn and give me all your Tea and Uranium. … [visit site to read more]
I come to you with knowledge that may help you in your quest to conquer worlds yet to be generated, and will also make the process much more appealing. All of the hours I’ve spent with Civilization 6 [official site] so far have taught me a thing or two, and I’ve filled the gaps in my learning by searching the internet for fixes and quality of life tweaks to address some of my complaints. Below, you’ll find help on managing districts, armies, amenities and the rest, as well as tips on some of the smaller things, like map rotation (yes, it’s possible!) and other camera controls.
If you played Civilization VI [official site] over the weekend, you likely noticed that, technically, the game basically runs fine. It’s fine. A few folks have reported minor bugs – which largely have workarounds – but no, it seems most people are playing Civ VI without problem. That’s fine for you, I’m sure, but what about me? What about the video game news writers? I’ve been checking every morning for patches, devastating bug reports, and apologies from publishers 2K, apologies that they’ve muffed it up like their recent BioShock Remastered and Mafia III launches but… no. Okay then. Great. Good. Lovely. And what do you propose I write this morning, you jackasses? … [visit site to read more]
Unlike Adam, I’ve not been lucky enough to spend the last month soaking in a deep Civilization VI [official site] bath, so I leave it to him to give you the complete picture. I’ve spent a big chunk of today with Firaxis’ latest historical turn-based strategy epic though, and already it’s filled me up with things to say about it. I’m genuinely surprised by how different it feels. There are reasons why I’m massively charmed by it, and there are reasons why it’s been frustrating me.