I am just wondering if anyone has tips on how to properly start a game. I mean in game options and different maps. I only use play now and I wanted to play with settings but not sure how.
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Game options.
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(January 26th, 2013, 06:44)Ryan Wrote: I am just wondering if anyone has tips on how to properly start a game. I mean in game options and different maps. I only use play now and I wanted to play with settings but not sure how. Obviously the easiest way to play with custom settings is to start a "Custom Game". (January 26th, 2013, 06:58)Ryan Wrote: Ya what I meant was I dont know how to properly set up those settings, number of ai for certain map sizes and so on. Do you want me to deleate the thread? When you change map size, it automatically changes the number of AI's. The default number is usually good. If you want more space for each civ, then remove a few AI's. If you want less space, then add a few.
As Jowy described, the number of AIs relative to map size is one of (maybe even the) most critical factors when setting up a custom game. The default number will scale with the map size you choose, then if you want you can add more (likely to produce a war-heavy game as cramped conditions lead to fighting for land and resources) or subtract some (likely to produce fewer, larger rivals that will not come into conflict until later in the game; also generally means a lot more barbarians spawning). Changing the sea level can have similar effects, with low sea level producing significantly more land and effects similar to few AIs or high sea level the reverse.
The type of map script chosen can make for vastly different types of games. I am not sure what the Play Now defaults to (Pangaea? Continents?) but some of the other choices are very different. Archipelago maps can be a lot of fun, with much more naval activity and a different balance between hammers and commerce than the usual maps. In the other direction there are several map scripts that are primarily (or all) land: highlands, rain forest, great plains. You can play entire games on these map types without ever building a single naval unit, although you may find lakes large enough for some navy action. The various map scripts designed for multiplayer (hub, wheel, mirror, etc.) can be played single player and offer some interesting challenges. There are also some map scripts that are just bizarre (maze, fantasy land) that can make for fun but unique kinds of games. There is a thread somewhere at CivFanatics describing all the map scripts, with images of sample worlds generated with various sub-options for each script -- it is a very good reference. Other important custom game options include the size of the map (has a huge effect on the total time required to play the game), barbarians (none, or raging if you want a more serious threat), whether to have vassals and random events, and variant play choices such as advanced start (begin the game in a later era with all the earlier techs already researched), one city challenge (win without ever having any city but your capital, very fun), always war (very tough and time consuming), etc. Civ offers a tremendous number of ways to modify the default game settings, which really helps the replayability of the game. But there is not really any "proper" way to set up a custom game. Whatever you find fun is the proper way, and that can be different for everyone. 
Like haphazard1 said, there is no "proper" way to play a custom game, but here are the settings I find most enjoyable for my own particular playstyle:
Map: Terra, Earth2 or Big and Small. I like land-based maps, but prefer there to be some scope for naval action. I also have this dream of playing a game where New World colonization is actually a viable option and there are colonial wars and such. I've had that happen once, a long time ago, but I figure if I keep playing Terra, it'll happen again eventually. Maybe I'll go play in Adventure Fifty-Seven ... Size: Huge. I like my games to be as grand in scope and scale as possible. The default number of civilizations for a Huge map is 11, but ... Number of civilizations: 18, for the same reason as above. As Jowy and haphazard1 said, this choice is rather game-defining. You will run out of space rather quickly and may lack in important resources; the benefits of taking over another civilization are substantial; and wars are more frequent. You have your bloody Middle Ages with a bunch of small states, then gradually these monstrosities begin to form. Sort of like the real world. Speed: Any. Depends on how long I want to spend on the game. These days I often set it to Quick, since I don't devote as much time to Civ as I used to (Skyrim ...). I used to set it to Marathon all the time, in keeping with my "grand in scope and scale" theme. I kind of like being stuck in an era for a while, and having to deal with its realities, fight its wars, instead of just breezing through and slaughtering people with units several centuries advanced than theirs. But Marathon really is a test of endurance, and not for the faint of heart. I recommend it if you're unemployed. Difficulty: As hard as I feel I "have a chance" on. I don't really enjoy playing games where my victory is all-but-assured because of the difficulty level. I'd rather have to fight tooth-and-nail to be successful, to feel my palms sweat when I'm invaded and my heart pound when I sense there might be a chance for the victory. In fact, I'm not really so concerned about "winning" as I am about surviving and prospering to the end, though if a victory is possible, I'll go for it, and I don't settle for being a third-rate state. This creates an interesting dynamic, where I usually have to claw my way up from the bottom through to around the Industrial era, when I begin to become a major player, though not one of the superpowers. It's very challenging, intense, and memorable. No Tech Trading: This is one of the most important choices you can make in setting up a game. I always turn it off, as I find this more "realistic." Also, as I said, I don't like to breeze through the eras in the way astute tech trading makes possible, and I prefer each civilization to advance on its own merits - under its own steam. Rarely I will leave tech trading on just for a change, or a quicker game. There's also a "middle-ground" option called "No Tech Brokering" where you can trade techs, but only those you yourself have researched (not obtained through trades). I haven't tried that one. Aggressive AI: My favourite option. I never play without it. Coupled with the 18 civilizations, this makes for a lot more wars, creating the kind of intense, violent, on-the-edge type game I prefer. No longer does the human player essentially dictate what wars happen - you can expect to be beset on all sides by enemies, and there's a lot of action between the AIs too that you may or may not want to get involved in. I think it makes the game a lot more realistic and very exciting and memorable. Vassal States: A surprisingly important option. I still don't know whether I prefer it on or off. With vassal states on, the most surprising (and sometimes frustrating) things can happen in the political situation in an instant. Often massive "coalitions" of superpowers and their vassals will coalesce, and when they war, things really heat up. This can be quite epic, or quite frustrating - you always have to worry about the enemy you're trying to conquer, for instance, suddenly vassalizing himself to another AI you really didn't want to tangle with and locking you into a war you can't deal with. I don't know - for me, the jury's still out on this one. Anyway, that's a rundown of all the most important settings I play with. As you can see, I like a rather gritty, complex, and dangerous game, which may not be for everyone. If you ever want a wild ride, though, I suggest you try these settings, and amp the difficulty level up to the maximum you think you can handle (not win on, just handle). If your experience is anything like mine, it will be a game to remember. Thanks for reading!
Play Adventure 57
 My personal comment (don't have the time to write up like THH): Game Speed is easily the most important setting. While I've only really played Quick/Normal for long games, it must be noted just how much Epic/Marathon change the pace of the game. In paticular, manipulating the AIs is much easier on Marathon, and such absurd (IMO) tactis as the quecha rush can decimate them.
Erebus in the Balance - a FFH Modmod based around balancing and polishing FFH for streamlined competitive play.
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