Events

[Sirian]

I designed, wrote, and helped to implement the random events system in BTS. This was an ambition of mine from early on in the development of the core game, along with map scripts, and now both have been realized.

If I had more time, I could have made it even stronger. Bigger. More well polished. But I am happy with what was achieved in the available time.


What my future may be here, I haven't decided, nor have I talked it over with Gris or Sulla. I'm still quite distracted by a number of things and have no short term intent to mess with anything they're doing except to say that it was my intent to stop the patterning of Civ4 Epics after Civ3 Epics at The Gauntlet. ... Well you got a Baker's Dozen instead, but I still think it's time to throw off that yoke and open the Epics wide, as they should be.

Maybe I'll throw one together, but don't hold me to that. It's not a promise.


- Sirian

[Kronoz]

A cool feature indeed It adds so much flavor to the game, which makes the game even more enjoyable than it already was.

The efforts put into BtS has revitalized CIV it seems, and it would not suprise me if the turnout for the upcoming events will be higher than it has been for some while.

I sure hope you find the time to participate in Epic 13 - its been some time since we've had the chance to read one of those excellent Sirian-reports

[sooooo]

I have to say that I quite like the event system and would be against turning them off for RB events.

Regarding the new maps Sirian: would you like to talk about them? Many people have read and used your first article now posted on CFC and apolyton concerning the vanilla maps. It would be great to hear from the designer about how you made the new ones, what were your intentions etc.

[sunrise089]

I haven't seen enough total random events to really pass judgment on them, but I do appreciate the great new Map Scripts.

Why not sign up for a Potluck save? Come on...it'll be fun

[JayBe]

What is wrong with events is they don't have variable effects, randomly selected. One instance the result selection is one way, in another game they're different!!
We NEED expanded event modules (either more events or more results from them). Eventually we will have seen them all, and we must delay that occurance as long as possible.

[Atlas]

Welcome to RB JayBe

What is wrong with events is they don't have variable effects, randomly selected. One instance the result selection is one way, in another game they're different!!
We NEED expanded event modules (either more events or more results from them). Eventually we will have seen them all, and we must delay that occurance as long as possible.

Repeating events is less interesting than always having new/different events, but the creation of more events must be balanced against a number of limiting factors- the most serious is time, but also balance (as far as the game is concerned and then to balance choices within the event too!).

I have to say that I quite like the event system and would be against turning them off for RB events.

Events are flavorful and fun. I can certainly see a place for them in some RB events.

[Griselda]

Well, you have to balance the desire for new and different events with the fact that this is a strategy game, and you don't want the effects of the events, and possibly the games, to hinge more upon the results of die rolls than the strategy of the player.

[Kodii]

I have mixed feelings about random events.

I believe they add great flavor to games and should most definitely be allowed in RB events which are more on the "fun" side (eg Potluck).

On the other hand, random events are just that: random. If an event's intention is to compare the playing styles of the community in a tough scenario, then random events might prove unwanted.

I am also intrigued to know your opinion, Sirian, on the random events regarding those free promotions. I'm sure someone like you would have noticed that this could potentially be unbalanced.

-Kodii

PS: It would be great if you have the time to pick up the new Potluck and entertain us once more.

[Sirian]

PS: It would be great if you have the time to pick up the new Potluck and entertain us once more.

It's a fun thought, but I won't be able to play this one. I'm sorry.

The Epics have always had a strong dose of variety. Nothing is so sacred that it must be present in (or absent from) every game. Events should be no different.

Honestly, I don't yet know how the events will impact a tournament game. I would move on the cautious side and try them out in some unscored Adventures first, and then see what happens, how it plays out across games, how much swing can be assigned to events, etc.

One thing that plays in the favor of including events, though, is that the events are a bit like a deck of cards, and some of the cards are removed from the deck (at random) at the start of each game. So the deck as a whole that you are playing with in any given game will shift from game to game. But for a tourney event, everyone is playing off the same save, the same start -- and the same deck of event cards for that game. THAT will remove quite a bit of the randomness. ... Past that, it's something to explore and find out about. Probably be some surprises in there both ways. People can see what they think of the results and game sponsors can go from there.


- Sirian

[darrelljs]

One thing that plays in the favor of including events, though, is that the events are a bit like a deck of cards, and some of the cards are removed from the deck (at random) at the start of each game.

How hard is it to stack the deck? There are a few events that are a bit too strong, but most of them are no more powerful then popping a metal.

Darrell