[Freeciv] Re: Big cities vs small cities (was: smallpox syndrome)

[Michael Hasselmann <michael.hasselmann@xxxxxx>]

Reinier Post wrote:
> 
> I agree that size is important, but technology level, skill in coordination of
> units, and motor skills (how fast you can pop up and click down the dialogs to
> control units) are more important.

hum...and you like that?
I think about a game that always re-invents itself, as you not only have
to adjust your strategy from match to match. It should reveal to you as
a new game (or at least reveal new aspects of gameplay) everytime you
play it. And sometimes you should be forced to completely change your
strategy. My first matches on the Freeciv server were exactly like this.
I never understood ICS before, even not in (local) multiplayer games.
But my first matches on that server  _were_ a totally new exprience -
and it was just great fun. Now it's getting boring because of these
things you mentioned. 

I don't think that there can be any fun in starting a
"Who-has-the-faster-input-device-AND-the-better-connection-to-the-internet"-competition.
This stupid competition is the cause for the high frustration level in
games like Unreal or Quake, and Freeciv shouldn't even try to be a
action game (at least not in this meaning) or to go into that direction.
Then, it would be brain-dead 'cause any machine can react ways better
than us. Action is fine, just re-action isn't. That's why I'm pretty
undecided about "timeout". I don't really hate it, as it fastens things
up. But at the same time it is just frustrating in delicate situations.

Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention: A mouse is the shittiest input
device ever.

> I think this can be done by introducing more different scores (entries in he
> Demography report) and playing until the first player reaches a preset top
> score.

Just playing for high-score? I don't know. Unless the wish to have the
best statistics is absolutely addicting to you, it is just boring.
 
> Cities have an auto-attack option.  Have you tried it?

Yep. It works fine - for the _next_ round :-/
Auto-attack isn't triggered instantly (or were I just missing the
switch?)...

...do really _cities_ have an auto-attack option? I thought it was just
for units...

...it just comes to my mind that auto-retreat could be helpful as well.


ciao Michael Hasselmann


PS: Is it possible to filter or delete any attachments that go through
this (quite open) list? For most things we have an upload area (or at
least the dev-list). Even if I didn't suffer from that virus (in fact,
was it a virus?): I wouldn't like it if such things happen again.

PPS: Were could I join a slow-motion Freeciv game (one turn a day/week)?