[Freeciv] Re: A proposal concerning the game rules

[LoD <lod@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > Actually, I was thinking about one specific new possibility - the betas
> > introduce the ability to split the "terraform" and "build cities"
> > options into different units. I think this is great, a step forward.
> 
> I agree, and in my own private ruleset I use this feature. There are some
> small problems in the AI with handling this, however. I've fixed one of
> these issues in a patch that isn't yet committed, but to teach the AI to
> limit the building of workers remains to be done yet. Sometimes it just
> produces way too many of them. Still, it works, it is just not very
> optimal.
> 

Hmmm, didn't try it as far as to see how the AI handles it, and didn't
think about that actually.

> > I would like to propose to include this feature into the standard
> > ruleset of 1.13.0.
> 
> I would rather we added a new "experimental" ruleset where such ideas
> can be tested before we change the default.
> 

Point taken - see above.


> In my opinion pop cost 2 settlers are no fun to play with. I also prefer
> to have workers that don't cost pop because that enables me to build more
> of them and earlier.
> 

Sure, that way growth gets hindered seriously, but at least it stops
people from doing exclusively horizontal expansion. The only other
countermeasure that comes to mind would be a v. high shield cost
(~60,70) for settlers - so early development is impeded anyway. So, how
about having Workers cost nil in terms of pop (as you suggest), and
Settlers - 2? The latter may slow down the game, but the former will
compensate it. And combined, they will encourage a more 'vertical'
aproach to empire expansion.

> Gold support for units is not yet implemented. I really should add a note
> about that to the ruleset file. A patch to fix this will be much
> appreciated.
> 

And I really should have tested it before I started to discuss it :).

> > Unfortunately, a new unit will require a new graphic, but I don't think
> > this will be a problem.
> 
> Unfortunately, it is a problem. Someone will have to draw it. I reuse the
> Engineer graphic for my workers and that kinda sucks.
> 
> Yours,
> Per
> 

Fortunately, I may be able to 'inspire' a friend of mine (who plays civ
games, and owes me one :)) to make the relevant graphics for trident and
isotrident. Possibly by the end of this work-week.

Cheers,

Nick