Warfare Vs Politics

war is better?

from GalCiv2 Forums
After 25 plus games I have noticed that the more combat you engage in the higher the overall score. While I prefer a more peaceful roll my wins are always lower in score when I do so without engaging in warfare to achieve a political victory. When warfare is used to gain a political victory the score is always higher. Is it just me or is the game squed to reflect a more hostile enviroment is preferable to obtain a victory?
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
is the game skewed to reflect a more hostile environment is preferable to obtain a victory?
End of quote


Unfortunately, yes. This is the game's fatal flaw. Stardock teaches
us that when your neighbor's poodle poops in your yard, it is
preferable to kick in his door and cut his throat, rather than talking
it out.

When the game was first released, it was (slightly) more difficult
to win a conquest victory than any of the other victory conditions, and
the scoring system reflects that. The game has evolved over time, yet
the scoring remains the same as it ever was. This is the reason that I have never (other than a couple of curious dabblings) and will never participate in the metaverse.

The AI has been programmed to be increasingly bloodthirsty, so that while you focus your research on the diplomatic or influence branches of the tech tree, it is researching the militant techs, and when it attacks, and it WILL attack, you will almost always be at a desperate disadvantage. Taking the research path mitigates this circumstance a bit, as you may be able to learn the offensive techs quickly enough to compete; but it still almost always comes down to one thing: kill or be killed.

One of the things that attracted me to this game in the first place was the variety of ways that it could be played and won. Three out of four of the victory conditions are non-violent, after all, and are for me, much more interesting than simply squashing bugs.

Don't get me wrong; I still think that this is the best game out there- maybe the best there ever was. It has held my attention longer than any other game that I have ever owned. I play the beta and look forward to each installment with great relish. But it seems to me that while on the surface it is getting more complex, deep down it is becoming increasingly one dimensional.

Just my 2 bc.



Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The AI has been programmed to be increasingly bloodthirsty, so that while you focus your research on the diplomatic or influence branches of the tech tree, it is researching the militant techs, and when it attacks, and it WILL attack, you will almost always be at a desperate disadvantage. Taking the research path mitigates this circumstance a bit, as you may be able to learn the offensive techs quickly enough to compete; but it still almost always comes down to one thing: kill or be killed.
End of quote


I play much like this, but I take the AI attacking as a given - in fact, I would be rather upset if it didn't. The AI is trying to win, too. Don't expect it to roll over and play dead while you influence, research, or bribe your way to victory. This game is mostly zero-sum, meaning for you to win, all other civs have to lose.

If the AI sees you making cultural, diplomatic, or technologic gains that you cannot militarily protect, it should attack you. Otherwise, you're just playing solitare with a stacked deck - of course you will win.

Feel free to walk softly, just make sure you are carrying a big enough stick   
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the responsies and I also think it is the best game out there bar none. It is the only game I have on my laptop so I can play no matter where I am. While I play mainly Meta games I have one that I have been playing for over 2 months that is non-meta and involves all the races the AI can handle and is just about the most difficult game I have ever played at a normal level. So on to victory and as the Terrans say "While second is nice you still lost".