random tech stupidity

from GalCiv4 Forums

The system of random techs is certainly frustrating and results in wasted time, restarting the game when opportunities simply disappear:  All the resources are taken because you were denied starbase tech; you lose to aggression because you were denied weapon tech; you lose economically because you were denied housing tech.  There is a longing in the game dev community to do something about tech trees.  Nobody knows why.  But they feverishly wreck games in the name of being different.  I hear Stardock has a plan to reduce the stupidity by 50% via making any tech available at double the normal research cost.  That's a continuation of the bad idea that resulted in the original problem.  What the game needs is elimination of random techs, which is an idiotic, cop-out solution used by clueless devs trying to balance research power.  After their planned update, instead of having a 60% of having a good game, we'll have an 80% chance.  I guess  they're not interested in 100%.

galactic civilizations iv
8,079 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

I think describing the choice of implementing a random tech tree as "stupid" is a bit harsh.  Stellaris and Olde World also have a similar random tech tree system.

Your incorrect to say that in the newly proposed system research cost will be doubled.  What Brad said was (and I'm paraphrasing here) is that you will get the linear non random options at the normal cost but you will also get some random options that will have a discounted cost (basically some researcher had a eureka moment and made an amazing breakthrough in one field).  I think this is actually a good compromise.

Both linear and random tech trees have pros and cons and it comes down to personnel preference.  However calling random tech trees stupid and berating the devs for making that choice is not constructive.

 

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

Quoting Tantraman93, reply 2

Ok, I won’t use the word hate. I really really really don’t like the way GalCiv4 handles tech…really.
End of Tantraman93's quote

Fair enough your well within your rights to hate the  how tech is handled, I just didn't feel the originals posters method of framing their issues with the system was constructive.

 

Reply #5 from GalCiv4 Forums Top

Hello! I'm taking notes of this right now, and I'll be sure to communicate your insights to the team! We appreciate the feedback, it's always a huge help!