allow me to create (and save) a multi-generational civilization on a foreign planet, complete with geographical features, architecture, and warring armies.
Anyone know if such a program exists? Even sans the foreign planet feature?
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Civilization could do all but the architecture, I think ... What do you mean by "multi-generational"?
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
ACTUALLY, maybe you want to wait for Spore, from Maxis. Should come out end of 2006 or 2007.
Posted by DavidGill (Member # 8166) on :
By multi-generational, I wanted to achieve the effect of urban sprawl and human migration, with older buildings in the interiors of cities and newer, more technological advanced ones in the 'burbs.
Posted by DavidGill (Member # 8166) on :
Spore looks really cool.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Why game software? Unless you absolutely need graphics, how about just writing things down in an ordinary word processor?
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Why use a word processor when ya can use cuneform on clay?
Posted by DavidGill (Member # 8166) on :
quote:Originally posted by King of Men: Why game software? Unless you absolutely need graphics, how about just writing things down in an ordinary word processor?
Because it's more fun to build a sand castle than to describe it.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Most games that permit this kind of development are GAMES, and therefore have made concessions in realism for the sake of playability. I don't think anything entirely like what you want exists, but I think several games -- including Age of Empires, Civ III, and Rise of Nations -- have level editors you could use to achieve this to some degree.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Puppy's right; you could do this with Civilization II Gold. As long as you don't need stunning graphics. . .
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Does Civ3 have a game editor? It's been a long time since I played. . .
You know, you could get Civ3 for the world building stuff, and use Morrowind's construction toolset for the architecture. . . but of course Morrowind's toolset doesn't change architecture over time, doesn't blend styles. . .
I think you'd be better off using a page and pencil, David.
Posted by DavidGill (Member # 8166) on :
quote:Originally posted by Scott R: I think you'd be better off using a page and pencil, David.
Nah, I want to *see* my kingdom. Bwahahaha.
Thanks for the info, though.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
It also just occurred to me that SimCity 4 -- with the appropriate art packs -- could do this.
Posted by ill malkier (Member # 8244) on :
Civ 4 is also coming out soon, and it's added some WAY cool features above and beyond Civ 3... I'd say check it out.
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
I have hungered for game DEVELOPMENT software that would let me do that kind of thing. World-building, etc. Map making. Any programmers who want a job for a few months, let me know. It wouldn't be as complete as what you're looking for, of course - but even a program that would let me create beautiful, detailed maps, including icons and icon-editing for cities, particular features, etc. -
I guess what I'm looking for is "building block toys" rather than games. Things where the building of it is the point. That's really what I turned Civ II into as I played it for years - a really great sandbox.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
A small team of good programmers and a few good artists . . .
Posted by DavidGill (Member # 8166) on :
Wouldn't it be cool if we could take those building blocks, define a few hundred parameters and then let it evolve? Sort of Civ 2 phylogeny.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Heh, if only it were that simple.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
OSC-- I know you've got CivII; if you've got the gold version, you can build and edit your own worlds.
Of course, you DID say a couple months ago that you finally kicked the Civ2 habit. Wouldn't want to start you back on it or anything.
Posted by A Rat Named Dog (Member # 699) on :
Get 3D Studio Max or Maya if you want to spend a LOT of time on this Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
One of the best world building experiences I had was with The Elder Scrolls 3 construction set that came with Morrowind.
You could sculpt the landmass in all sorts of different ways add houses that could be easily pieced together from multiple tiles to create somewhat varied structures. From there you added people, objects, dialogue and scripts.
It wasn't the easiest thing to learn but I think it's the closest thing that will allow you to WALK around the place that you built.
And with the release of Elder Scrolls IV sometime this christmas, you can procedurally generate the landmass and forest by designating some parameters and hitting the "enter" key. It's also touted to be easier to use but we'll see about that when it comes out.
Take a look OSC. You can walk around in a fargin forest FINALLY.
I can't wait for the new Elder Scrolls game. Even though I still dont completly understand everything in Morrowind. Like how alchemy and spells and soul trapping and things like that work. Anyone wanna give it a shot and try to explain it to me?
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Architecture I can't help you with, but if you want to build worlds that are clearly the result of tribal migrations, wars, conversion efforts, and charismatic prophets, I would recommend EU2, Crusader Kings, or Victoria, depending on the time and technology level you want. The initial setup is completely moddable for each of these games, and they include cultures, vassal state relationships, religions, and trade, with reasonably realistic models for each.
Posted by DavidGill (Member # 8166) on :
Thanks, everyone. Good advice and lots of things to look at.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)