[Freeciv] Re: A proposal concerning the game rules

[Per I Mathisen <per@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2002, LoD wrote:
> 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.

I don't think that stops people from exclusively horizontal expansion
(smallpox). It is still as good, it just takes longer. Players that play
with big cities will also be more heavily penalised, since two pop from a
big city is a lot higher cost than two pop from a small city. In short I
don't think the civ3 approach to smallpox worked.

> 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.

Pop cost free workers will benefit vertical development a lot. But I think
the solution to smallpox is to tie science development tighter to big
cities instead.

> 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.

That would be really great.

Yours,
Per

"It is difficult to catch a black cat in a dark room.
Especially if there is no cat there." - Confucius