CIVILIZATION V - An Open Letter To Sid Meier

I just got banned on Gamespot for defending gay rights. That has given me some spare time to post other things on other sites, so I thought I'd post something here again. This is the editorial I worked all night on yesterday, just prior to getting booted. Good thing I put all that effort in to create it.

Guess that'll teach me to be an honest,exemplary citizen...

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Dear Sid Meier,

And for that matter, everyone over at Firaxis.
I can hardly describe in words the anticipation I have for your new installment(s?) of Civilization you are promising us this fall. In fact, it is so big, I'm prepared to finally get rid of my tyrannosaurus computerex and save my ass off for a new one. Crysis, BioShock and other flaunters of insane flash be damned, I'll upgrade my rig for a static strategy game with little to no razzle dazzle. There's just no way I'd want to miss out on a new Civilization. How is that for irony?

Your keynote address about Civilization and games in general only fueled this anticipating fire. It is clear that there is not only a lot of technical thought in your games, but also psychological consideration. Not afraid by modern standards, you successfully debate the fact that you can leave out certain elements in a game, to make room for others. As you said, the human imagination is a powerful tool and it's good to see that it's being put to good use. It reminds me of days where everything was a square and the only indication of what that square was, rested in the game title. I am a strong follower of this concept and believe that it will give a lot more room to create an even bigger epic than the fourth installment. Hopefully developers were paying attention and we can see a trend of details being cut away to accommodate gameplay value. Don't get me wrong; Civilization V will still hold its own graphically, as I've seen from various short videos and cutscenes. It just won't add flash where not needed and that's a good thing; a very good thing. I like more game and less movie, to put in short.

You might want to grab some coffee, it's going to be a long thing.

The past few months that I've heard of this glorious news, I also have been hearing about numerous rumors, as these things always go. In this letter to you, I'd like to discuss with you these rumors and clear up my opinion of them as an avid fan, but also avid gamer and consumer in general.

We already know you'll be revolutionizing your world with hexagon tiles. No, not revolutionizing the strategy world, these tiles have existed since Master Of Monsters. I am still very interested in seeing how this will affect the known world of Civilization though! So many things will need to be rethought and tactics redone. Change is scary, but we'll have to bear through it, for the best.

Add to this the other changes you'll be making in combat, with only 1 unit per hex and units consisting of actual troops. It will make for an entirely new game. Yes, I know how that sounds, of course it's a new game; but I mean for a new game in its entirety, not just a new Civilization game. You could call it Sim Society or Humanity Tycoon! Just kidding, that sounds awful. Nonetheless, CIV V will not be Advanced CIV IV and that's a good trend to follow, as CIV IV also felt radically different than its first 3 brethren. I'm not sure if all these changes will be to my liking, I just hope they will inspire me like everything you put into Civilization IV.

And here is where the real chatter begins, sirs. My ears have heard you'll be making changes to some aspects of CIV IV I loved so much. Well, I liked 100% of the game, so that's not hard. I'm just saying that it's perhaps not necessary to take out the hatchet to some concepts. Please, let us bury it for now.

For instance, I heard that random events will not return. I hope this especially isn't true, because I waited 4 installments for this to happen. There is nothing more refreshing than completely random events. It keeps you on your toes and keeps a game new and interesting. Just like Mother Nature herself, most things are out of our hands and that is a good thing. Don't listen to purist that demand 100% control over everything they do. If that was the case, this world wouldn't have Brussels sprouts. You can't control an eruption cancelling all flights to Europe. You can't control an earthquake destroying your tropical paradise. But that is the essence of life. And it's not like all events are bad. We discover new and amazing things every day. Things that improve life through medicine, new ways to provide food, cleaner power sources; all these things also create the life we live. If games have taught me one thing, it's that random events are the single, best implementation of games.

A perfect example of a good and a bad event. *click to enlarge*

There is nothing better than having a completely random game, as it will give you a new and unique game each and every time. It is like buying a new game every time you play it. It's because of this, that my top 3 games I sunk the most time in are Diablo II and your own Pirates and Civilization. In Diablo, it was the rush of finding new items and clearing new dungeons each time that made you come back time and time again. In Civilization, playing a different game each time, created a new world with different outcomes, different leaders and different situation. It's like starting a new life.

But the most fun was playing Pirates on Commodore 64. We go a long way back, to the days of Microprose, sirs. In those days, it gave you such an amazing sense of freedom, you kept coming back every day. Encountering random ships and slaying them was so fun, you would just roam the seas and forget about the rest. Heading into ports, not knowing what might happen and the conquest to becoming the best you could be, made this game one of my all-time favorites. It was so good that our Commodore was the center piece of our living room and it would turn night and day in rotation between me, my brother and even my mother. That's right, even my mother was completely addicted to it, perhaps even more than us.

Sailing the simple seas.

If all these arguments have not convinced you to keep random events alive, I have no idea what will. Though I'm sure I can debate even more on the fact. But as I'm not a paid employee at Firaxis, this is all I can do without access to board meetings and developer feedback. I'm not saying they are perfect and do not need fine-tuning, because they most certainly do. They ruined multiplayer games at the drop of a hat, placing players out of sync and the community might frown on some events obliterating their success rate. But even when it ruined my multiplayer games with my brother, we persevered time and time again, for the love of these same events. So, put them under the microscope, sure, but don't leave them out altogether. Quests especially, as they were the best element added to the game. You could downsize others, but don't take away the small RPG element you threw in there for us. I bet I'm not the only one that felt like a kid receiving a Nintendo 64 at Christmas when such a quest first popped on my screen.

I'm glad we got that out of the way. Perhaps it is time for a small break? No, let us press on to one more rumor. It might not be as important, but I feel it needs saying.

Religion and culture were a new addition to Civilization IV and I've read official reports that religion will not return. Why is that? You must've extensively put time into placing it into the game, so it must've been good. It doesn't seem like you'd be the type of people to add something last minute to a game. Is there something that went wrong in lobbies or politically? Perhaps it hit some weird taboos, as religion has always been a very delicate topic. But if any religion has also taught us 1 thing and 1 thing alone, it's that it inspires people to be good. So don't listen to fanatics, I liked them better as generic characters in Civilization II's fundamentalist times anyway. They should bear an open mind to people advertising faith and humbly accept any differences they might have. Isn't that what their respective prophets say? It's the reason I hold an agnostic belief, instead of an atheist one. Because I believe that teaching others to be decent human beings is something that should be welcomed.

Compassion, moderation, and humility.

I, for one, enjoyed this addition. It might not have been my favorite, but it did add a new way to play. And this is my main concern upon taking it away now. You've finally taken in account this aspect of a society, so we can play this way and now you'd take it back? Please do not throw it away as of yet. Let us bury it with the previous concept and build on the additions, instead of discarding them. It would seem such a waste of labor and effort to do so. You can research what people disliked about it and finetune it from there, but I saw no flaws in it. It's not like it was a groundbreaking way to play, like winning through culture. Although it aided in that resolution, I never felt it overpowered anything or anyone. My brother and I both went out of our way to create our respective societies under our religious banner, not because of the meager benefits, but because of the added realism to it. You'd start out as a given religion and throughout time, if your civilization would allow it, you'd take in other beliefs to strengthen your community and culture. It sounds like real life, doesn't it? Good thing it's not; I wouldn't enjoy Mongolians tearing down my city walls, in their conquest for glory in the 21st century.

Let's hope you don't take away any of the game experiences you've added previous time, because I fear it will shrink gameplay value. This way Civilization IV will be better than V, simply because it has more aspects to offer. Sure, there's room for different additions, but even that will just feel like a replacement, more than an additions. So, I advise to build upon the given choices from the previous installment, instead of altering some. Because the new aspects you've already given out now on top of the old facets would already suffice to make Civilization V a better game. But I'm sure you're much better than that and have even more in store for us. Lucky us, gamers, that we get spoiled with such masterful game designing, surpassing any other.

In this same line, I can only imagine the broadened appreciation you'll get once Civilization comes to Facebook. No doubt, this will topple Farmville of its unrightful pedestal in no time. Facebook has a good reputation of offering addicting and time consuming games. So I'm sure that offering an actual good game will blow the masses minds and set forth an entire new era of Facebook games. Perhaps it will even alter browser and social network games altogether. I can only think of the vast opportunities that can be exploited in this massive game. It will be like a real social network. Wait, we already have that. It will be like an actual Civilization come to life! The interaction and social possibilities are endless in my mind and I'm sure it will turn out for the best. If ever I could be a beta gamer, it would be for that very game. My social studies, accompanied with my favorite game; it would be like heaven.

Mafia Wars better plan a hostile takeover

On this note of flattery, I shall leave you to your business, for I know you have busy days ahead. I hope I will have persuaded you all, over at Firaxis, to reopen some cases and perhaps salvage old ideas that were put on the table. It's all a huge drawing board and you have to clear it sometimes, but it's always better to hoard something than to discard it and regret it later. Now I'll let you get back to it, that masterful drawing board. Creating an entire Civilization is hard work.

We all know Rome wasn't built in one day.

Chapter Four - The Apology

Ok, I admit it, it hasn't been the overwhelming storm of posts I had first hoped for and anticipated, but that has an array of reasons. First off, writing requires some time. Not that I lack it, I just lack concrete writing time. And when you try to create posts longer than five sentences with more to say than just "Avatar w00t", that will eat some time off you. I estimate every post I make took me at least an hour or five to make and that's putting it lightly. In reality, that will be more than double. Finding the appropriate words to clearly express what you think and mean will also take some time. And all those together will have to happen at the right time, specially for someone like me who doesn't take notes during the day when the ideas roll in. Bastards, coming over unexpectedly, not giving me the proper time to prepare. The problem is that not all the free time I have can be spent writing and not all that time is in one piece. Actually, most writing is done is small parts, which annoys me, because I usually get most my ideas at night when I'm in bed. I think that's a common problem, but it does slow my progress quite a bit. Which leads us to the next problem.

Social obligations. Believe it or not,I do have a life outside of this, be it an ever so small and insignificant one. I have few friends, a girlfriend, hobbies, projects, family and all those people expect you to spend some time on them. Unbelievable, I know. And not only is this a vast portion of all my time, it also happens at the most random times and usually intertwines with each other. This to make things extra fun and difficult for me. For instance, I work out; again unbelievable.

Anyway, to complete my program there, I need to do about 2 hours of cardio and more than 2 hours on toning exercises. Take into account daily preparations, crunches and whatnot and that easily amount to 7 hours gone. Gone, I say! As that all happens at random times and days all time before and after that can also be scratched. I need to get ready and I need to shower and rest afterwards, or at least try.
Somewhere around there I need to feed myself and make sure that there will be nutrients in the fridge the next time I visit my close friend. And when I say my fridge is a close friend, it's because he's a few feet away from me at all times. So, in order to keep a healthy relation with said pal, I will have to take a few trips to the store.
There's a load of things one needs to do to maintain a lifestyle including things and people around him. Going to shop with the misses, catching up with friends, checking mails and responding said mails, making sure your arrangements are in order; the list goes on and on horridly. If you subtract all this, you'll keep about 2-3 hours of writing time snippets throughout the day. Good luck pooling all your thoughts together in those 10 minute snippets and not using some to go to the can. And no, I don't write this while on the john; I'm all business there.

But the first, foremost and most obvious reason I've been avoiding for a while now is the most simple one you can muster: PROCRASTINATION! Boy, I love that word almost as much as I hate the meaning of it. 
I could've gone on about how everything in life vehemently tries to fight me away from my keyboard and cry about the unfairness of it all. But the plain fact is: Once I'm at my keyboard, I'll usually find something else to do than write about things 4 people read. Herewith, I'd like to get on my knees and thank these people for taking the time to read my droning discourse, about things I doubt anyone connects with.
Also, I have the attention span of a dead rat and I'll get distracted by anything shiny at the drop of a hat. I'll also get distracted by the drop of a hat, as the expression would otherwise seem weird. 

Another main reason for this procrastination should be clear to previous entry readers: I have a game addiction. Please don't judge me, I like gaming more than real life, it's true. The problem is, the real world often sucks (10 points for reference). In game land, even though you encounter countless frustrations, everything you do leads to imminent hero status. Win the cup, slay the dragon, save the maiden or beat the last, mind-boggling level; it doesn't matter what you do. In the end you'll ultimately feel accomplished, or at least you should. As I'm a fan of old games, I had to bite the bullet a few times on that one; "Thanks for playing", kiss my hairy bum.
The point is, spending time in game land is the best, healthiest escapism I can think of, until Virtual Reality kicks in and we'll all be doing the Arnold like in Total Recall. And if it isn't the best time of your life, you can always shut it off with the flick of a button and go venture in some other awesome world. Don't you wish your life was like that? One second, you're a Grey Warden slaying Darkspawn to save Ferelden and once you're tired of that, boom! You're suddenly in a giant Mech, blasting away and shredding metal. The possibilities are limitless and only an inch away.

I'm also quite a music fan and that also takes up a large portion of my time, some in escapism, some not. But where music is the mood, a game is a complete setting, with tunes and all. Songs do a nice job to whisk you away and that works specially well in the great outdoors. You can put on the ol' Choking victim cd and stare into oblivion, but I've had to deal with a few problems several time while doing so. 
You see, the great outdoors stays where it is, whether you choose to be a part of it or not. So you can stare into nothingness with the headphones blaring, zombie walking your way to your destination, but you can't escape from it fully. At some point you'll have to notice your surroundings or risk getting run over by numerous life choosers, as I've frequently had. Not a pleasant experience to get torn away from your dreamworld by some cyclist, when you've been shoving "Get This" by Slipknot down your cranium for 20 minutes.
At some points I switch off the more violent songs out of fear of insanity outbursts. If your fantasy world depicts nothing but beaten and bludgeoned corpses, suddenly getting ripped from that view might warp your reality sense. And I already had none of that sense to begin with. It's fine to think about tearing apart the irritating youngsters in front of you in the bus, it's more inappropriate to suddenly do it. You don't want poor Marilyn to get harassed again, do you? Neither do I; he's such a good lad. Now, look me in my brand new eye!

And before you go all hardcore on me by saying you face your life head-on, stop for a second as I reveal to you this universal truth: Everyone on this planet is inclined to escapism! As 7 Seconds once simply, but perfectly put it: We all try cutting corners, we all prefer the ease. Whether it is speeding in traffic, watching films or tv, having a beer, conversations with friends or anything to take you away from your dull life. You don't like life anymore than I do and want to get over the crappy bits as fast and straightforward as you can.
My crappy bits are just so much more numerous and absolute. Anything I do in real life leads to imminent failure, as I, myself, am a failure. At least, in strange irony, that serves it's purpose marvelously. But it's also why I choose to put off those things as long as I can.You could contend the fact I finish some games and must ultimately do some things correct, but no. There's usually such a large, wide amount of failure proceeding this completion, the finish was a mere matter of probability. You could commend my dedication, but again, there's nothing deserving of it. I keep failing until Lady Chance spins the wheel on the odd factor that somehow finishes the game. But since I'm used to ominous failure, I still prefer the digital kind I can trial and error my way out. There's no way I can hit the reset button after decapitating the jerk who scolded me at my job interview. Not that I'd want to reset such righteous actions.But isn't it awesome to do whatever you want to and then drop it when it gets dull? Games will do that for you, sir. Games have it all!

I find it odd that this suddenly turned out to be another game post, but there must've been remnants of the previous one stuck in my brain goo. Oh yes, now I remember why! Apologies all around for the Alzheimer-esque, senile contemplation.When I finished Dragon Age and intended to swiftly breeze through my previous post, my brother sent me a message. Apparently, his brain hadn't processed I wouldn't be desecrating his house anymore and he asked to come over. Being the wonderful human being I am, I promptly did and told him I finished the game. I then asked him to suggest another game I could use as a means to rape his generous hospitality. We both drew a blank on that one however and I suggested something that should tie together all previous bits about procrastination and game addictions. I suggested, for several reasons, we'd have another go at playing Civilization together.For one, it's both our favorite game and we played it once before, but without the add-ons. Also, that would give me a chance to raid my own home and be semi-available there for other people and purposes. I'd still be locked firmly in my chair, but I'd be there in the flesh. You might even have the odd chance of asking me a question in between turns.

There's a major problem, however, with playing Civilization: It's the mother of all unaccessible games! You can't play it for an hour, you have to play it for at least 6 hours a day or you might as well try to start your own civilization in real life.But since I love to procrastinate professionally, that doesn't faze me at all. And so started my serious delay on any other thought I might have had. Truth be told, there isn't much room for other thoughts when you're in a 15 hour lasting game session. That's right, 15 hours straight. Well, straight is relative. There are odd minutes in which you try and prepare and consume food while you play, but I'll be damned if I use the restroom while my turn is active! But putting in these kinds of hours means every game session postponed my writing with at least one full day. Together with everything else, I might add. It's hard to feed yourself fast and efficiently when your dishes have been stacked to the ceiling and your fridge has been raided a few days in a row. Thank pixie sticks, laziness also breeds creativity. You find the most appetizing, leftover, microwavable bits you can find and shove them onto a tray you're not even sure will be safe to prepare. No time for major concerns or health warnings though, my legions need me on the virtual fronts of Sparta! This is what life feels like in a continuous LAN-party where you're the only guest.

In conclusion, don't blame me for my lack of material. Blame Sid Meier and his marvelous, juicy brain from where he emitted this gift of gods from. Were it not for him and his Pirates game back on the Commodore 64, who knows? I might have become an accountant or a corporate slave in a classy suit with a bluetooth headset.
Damn you, sir Meier, for all the wonders you have created! Please send me retributions for ruining my life immediately! 
I'll accept all games and related goodies and merchandise you have to spare, together with a signed photograph of you, be it in bikini or not.

PS: In an ironic twist, this blog was created in less than 3 hours.