Complaint: Silliness

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hi Guys:

I've recently bought and started playing GC2. I really do enjoy it. This is a great game. Yet something irks me: the burdensome amount of silliness in the game.

Between the nerdy in-jokes and references, I feel like GC2 is trying to be more of a farce of itself than an actual true 4X. While I've got a fine sense of humor, for some reason I'm finding it hard to enjoy a game that doesn't seem to take itself at all seriously. And the worst part is the humor itself seems aimed at 14-year-olds. Case in point, the tech description for "miniaturization" -- "in this case, smaller is better" or something like that. Cute... for the eighth grade.

If I could request a MOD, it'd be a "maturity MOD", that treats the player like he/she wants to be immersed in the game's universe, rather than sit and read a series of one-liners. After playing for a half hour, I just zoom through any text/robot advisors/tech descriptions because I half expect them to be childish nonsense or sci-fi geek jokes. It just seems... immature.

And I don't think I'm being (overly) stuffy. Some of the best Sci-Fi/4X games took themselves deadly seriously, like Imperium Galactica 2 or the Descent: Freespace series. Am I totally off-base here, or does anyone else have the same complaint? I am armoring myself for the "remove-stick-from-backside" flame responses. Hell, maybe I deserve them. Thoughts?
35,062 views 109 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
After playing for a half hour, I just zoom through any text/robot advisors/tech descriptions because I half expect them to be childish nonsense or sci-fi geek jokes. It just seems... immature.


Immature? Only women can identify with the need for the use of that word!
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, I definitely agree that the humor isn't all that entertaining. But I don't mod, so sorry, can't do anything except BUMP.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, I definitely agree that the humor isn't all that entertaining.



Mebe it is just because i live in Australia, 'the land of the sense of humour' but in this country a grown man of 50 will still laugh at what a 14 year old boy laughs at!

The day that a fart is no longer funny, will be a day to be remembered as a day of infamy in the history of mandkind.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Personally, the word mature doesn't fit this context. It's just a different style, like the difference of seriousness between Star Trek and Star Wars. Trek tries to be more realistic in ways Wars never would try. Because of that, many Trekkies don't like Star Wars, and in many cases vice versa. It depends on what you like.

Yes, a more serious style would be cool, but it doesn't fit the rest of the game. Especially taunts such as 'Good work, you cheese-eating surrender monkey!' and other things, like the events where peoples hearts explode. And the ship styles aren't as realistic as they could be. You'd have to put a lot of effort into a mod to change its style.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Better a well constructed sci-fi universe that doesn't take itself seriously than a poorly constructed one that does. Fundamentally, after all, the genre's pretty silly. Not as silly as fantasy, but still.

It seems to me the main alternative to those flippant tech descriptions is a bunch of weighty technobabble. To anyone that knows something about science, that's a far worse brand of "silly." It's the kind of silly that isn't aware of how silly it really is.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It seems to me the main alternative to those flippant tech descriptions is a bunch of weighty technobabble.


Personally, I would prefer technobabble.

Besides, being a science fiction game, is it not already "silly" from a scientific perspective?

And in any case, mods are optional.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Or have a narrative for each tech like in Alpha Centauri! Although the future tech narrative starts to become intensly irritating after it is repeated over and over...."eternity lies beyond, and behind, have you drunk your fill" AAArrrggh (tears hair out).
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Besides, being a science fiction game, is it not already "silly" from a scientific perspective?

And in any case, mods are optional.


To your first question, yes and it's nice to have the game realize that. There is such a thing as hard sci-fi of course, based on current knowledge and our best guesses at real world science for the future, but I've never seen a hard sci-fi game and one could never convert GC2 to that kind of format at this late stage without an amazing amount of work. Come to think of it, though, if someone were crazy enough to make it I'd definitely play that mod. Heh, anyway...

To your second statement, I certainly have no objection to any mod, ever. I was just stating that I like the game as is, personally, and wouldn't have wanted SD to go the technobabble route. By all means, mod to taste. That's the beauty of a game like this.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
"Old McDonald had a farm...Eyey Eyey O...And on his farm he had a Khzithak...Eyey Eyey O...With a ARHHFAHHAAAAAAAAARRRGIIIAAA HELP AAAUUU HELP! IT'S GNAWING OFF MY..."

Yep, that's your silly tech description. But then you also have serious tech descriptions like:

"The Arnor are long gone, but this once vast interstellar empire has left some traces of its existence. We managed to find a vault on a distant moon that contained a vast amount of a material that looked like it was organic, but was clearly a type of armor. We have managed coax it in our lab to grow into a complete ship-scale set of armor.

The armor is very expensive to create since the original stock of it was so small. We also won't be able to improve upon it since we have very little concept on how organic armor works and aren't likely to figure it out any time soon."

So it's a big contrast. Personally, I'm fine. Whoever said you have to read 'em?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I certainly have no objection to any mod, ever.


Very good sir. Carry on.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Mebe it is just because i live in Australia, 'the land of the sense of humour' but in this country a grown man of 50 will still laugh at what a 14 year old boy laughs at!

The day that a fart is no longer funny, will be a day to be remembered as a day of infamy in the history of mandkind.



I'm from Aus to, 16 year old male, and I still manage to smile and giggle at the descriptions and event one liners, there good! I'm pretty sure that I speak for most people here in saying that the way that Stardock has made this to be less serious than most game's is a big factor in us liking it. It's the way that they do it and make it sound like there not above us, and are truly making the game for us, not just to put anouther title on the market. I especially like this one:

"Shield defense is good. It keeps us from getting hit with stuff. And junk. Look, marketing has the day off and someone had to finish the description"

That's my personal favorite, I'd love to know if thats what actually happened or the dev's just couldn't think of anything to say! And yes, it will be a very grave day for humanity when a fart is no longer funny!
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am nearly twice older than 16 and I still find the humor of GCII refreshing. Not only GC2 is an excellent game, but it has its own style of humor. What should authors write about technologies, that will never exist? It is better to write something funny than simply add some technobabble.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Man I feel bad for anyone who doesn't chuckle at some of this stuff ... I mean I have on many occasions had roommates come in to read some of this stuff because it's just awesome. My favorite so far is

"This is it. We're done. If you can find a better beam weapon protection system, you buy it, because this really is it. If you get shot, it's not our fault. It's because you didn't install the system correctly. I mean, this is really quite impressive. The angels sing when you enable this system on our ships."

And yeah, "cheese eating surrender monkey" takes insults to a whole new level.

The game is fun, and I respect the fact that it DOESN'T take itself seriously. The humor is awesome imho. Mod it if you like, but I sincerely hope stardock follows the theme for GalcivIII.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
"different strokes, different folks."

i like the humor, myself. but then, Futurama is one of my favorite shows, so humourous sci fi definately fries my taco.

if you were interested in modding it youself, i believe the bulk of the corny dialogue occur in techtree.xml and english.str. the latter file is pretty long; good luck with the mod.
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I like the tech descriptions, very entertaining. And no, I'm not 14, I'm 25. Actually old enough to already say "Get off my lawn ye damn kids!".

Why do some people think "mature = dead serious"? It's like they don't even want to be happy. Life is so much more fun with some fun.
If these these tech description don't make you smile, you've lost (or never had) a considerable amount of humor already you won't get back. Never ever.
Or, in case of the "in this case, smaller is better" joke offending you, you really have a problem down there and are trying to compensate. Can you please elaborate?

And GC2 still is a pretty serious game. I bet you never played the gold edition of Jets'n'Guns. Now that's beyond silly, the jokes are sometimes so plain, it's funny again.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
IMHO I think the game is great as is, and it would be a pity to remove the humor. There are certain times though were deadly serious is all well and fine (Such as Freespace 1&2) but for GC2 lets just leave it be - Phil's 2¢
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm 37 and I love the silliness. It just seems to suit the overall style of the game perfectly. There are other games that are the opposite, where any kind of levity would feel inappropriate. I remember an old flight sim called Eurofighter 2000, in which the player is based in Norway and the Soviets come pouring down from the north. When players reminisce about this game they one thing everyone mentions is the feeling of grim desperation as you barely hold on to a tiny corner of your territory. Likewise, when everything else about GC2 is forgotten people will still be smiling when they remember the Xeno Farming description or their first encounter with the Snathi.
Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
IMO, the ability to laugh at yourself a little (like GC2 does) demonstrates more maturity than taking oneself dead seriously.

Part of it, I suppose, is your individual feel for the game. I don't consider GalCiv2 to be highly "immersive" like some games can be, so an occasional funny bit of dialog doesn't really break the atmosphere for me.

If you ever get the event where one of the evil races chooses "good" alignment, watch out for the dialog. Having Kona pop up in your trade screen saying "I think I have a case of the Mondays" might put you over the edge.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hmmmm? I never really read them before, just scanned them. I will surely read them now though. Not personally known for my serious side so thanks for pointing out the great amount of humour. By the way, anybody know somebody who likes peanuts. I only lick off the chocolate coating.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Alright, everyone, quote your favorite tech descriptions! Mine are:

Xeno Farm Construction:

"Old McDonald had a farm...Eyey Eyey O...And on his farm he had a Khzithak...Eyey Eyey O...With a ARHHFAHHAAAAAAAAARRRGIIIAAA HELP AAAUUU HELP! IT'S GNAWING OFF MY..."

Supreme Miniaturization:

"Remember how we said that the previous, incredible miniaturization technology was the best? Well, we lied. We do that you know. We lie. There's always something better as long as you're willing to keep paying us the big bucks. But really now, this is it. We tried this technology on a Kanzarian Wild Rider and he's gone. I mean, he's really gone. We're talking, lawsuit. We've looked all over the floor and Varnders here thinks that he may have felt something squish under his foot. So, even though there may be better techs out there, we're going to be tied up for years in the legal system dealing with this unpleasantness. But in the meantime, here you go."

Soil Enhancement:

" The other civilization leaders said I was daft to build a castle on a swamp, but I built it all the same, just to show 'em. It sank into the swamp. So, I built a second one. That sank into the swamp. So, I built a third one. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp, but the fourth one...stayed up! So now you can do the same! Good luck to ye!"

Manufacturing Centers:

"A more powerful factory. Now we can produce and export more dog squeaky toys, or whatever it is we do around here."

Ultimate Invulnerability:

"This is it. We're done. If you can find a better beam weapon protection system, you buy it, because this really is it. If you get shot, it's not our fault. It's because you didn't install the system correctly. I mean, this is really quite impressive. The angels sing when you enable this system on our ships."

Supreme Miniaturization costs 15000 RP. Otherwise, the description is my favorite.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well if any of you peoples have ever played GalcivI, you'd know that its tech descriptions are a little more scientific....ALOT much more scientific. (ew is that bad grammar? Oh well)
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
For the Futurama fan dystopic...

My favorite quote ever, as Bender and Fry are denied their 5 percent military discount on a pack of gum because they are, in fact, not in the military:

Bender: "Thats the worst kind of discrimination! Discrimination against Bender!"

Followed closely by anything uttered by Zap Branigan:

"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is spongy, and weak."

"Thats not a course for a starship, lets fly through this asteroid field. That's a flightplan with some hair on its chest."
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If it wren't for the humor what would be the purpose of even reading the descriptions? I haven't read most of them but eventually i will take the time to. I'm usually too anxious to continue playing.

I love the one when Lord Verda is telling you abvout the party his daughter was at and sarcastically mentions that its yours.

"cheese eating surrender monkeys" havent seen that in the game but it was first coined by grounds keeper willy on the simpsons i believe. Its a great line.

Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I like the descriptions - they're sometimes amusing. There would be little point to descriptions like:

Laser I - A laser that does 1 damage, has a size of 10, and a cost of 20
Laser II - A laser that does 1 damage, has a size of 9, and a cost of 20
Laser III - A laser that does 1 damage, has a size of 8, and a cost of 20
Laser IV - A laser that does 1 damage, has a size of 7, and a cost of 20
Laser V - A laser that does 1 damage, has a size of 6, and a cost of 20

Whatever I - A laser that does 2 damage, has a size of 9, and a cost of 50
Whatever II - A laser that does 2 damage, has a size of 8, and a cost of 50
etc.

It would be beyond boring. As would pure techno babble (which some of the descriptions already sort of have).

Ultimately it's a game and IMO, the tech descriptions really have about zero impact on gameplay and aren't worth getting worked up over.

If it's not obvious that it's a serious game, dunno what to tell you. It's hardly a farce.

To me, this is the same type of "complaint" I see over at CivFanatics for Civ IV - people going on about "leader X" or "civ X" should be in or not be in the game. Personal preferences that have nothing to do with gameplay. If you don't like it - mod it.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
For the Futurama fan dystopic...


yes! Bender's my favorite character, but Prof. Farnsworth has some great quotes.

"The thought of that woman's leathery hide makes the tapioca rise in my gullet!"

from the one where he clones himself to make Qubert,

Qubert (speaking through the invetion that will let anyone sound like the professor):

Qubert: "Good news everybody, I'm a horse's butt!"
Prof. F: "What, I am? That's not good news at all!"

and from "Time Keeps Slipping",

"Doooomsday device? The balls in Farnsey's court, now... [presses button and a secret platform comes out of the floor] I supposed I could part with one."

oh, and one of my favorite Zap Brannigan quotes:

"Ahh, she's built like a steak house but handles like a bistro!"

Ultimately it's a game and IMO, the tech descriptions really have about zero impact on gameplay and aren't worth getting worked up over.


well, i'm not so sure of that. Did you play Alpha Centauri? the spoken tech descriptions tended to focus on the cultural, political and social impact of the techs through quotes and similar things. it was very well done IMO, and really brought me into the game. much more interesting than technical jargon.

but of course, i like the irreverence in GC2 a lot.