What makes a good game? Complexity & Interactivity

from GalCiv3 Forums

Hi guys, 

I have been recently playing a lot of board games. And been asking myself the question: what makes a good game (for me)?

A good game is a game that you can play often and still discover new things. 

It comes from 2 things, either it is a complex game or it has a lot of interactivity between players.

If the game is complex, you'll need more than one game to understand entirely, or find all the combo/strategies/tactics.

But interactivity makes each single time you play unique. 

 

On computer my two favorites games are Civ IV and Europa Universalis IV. On both i've played hundreds of hours. 

Why don't i play civ IV anymore? Because each new game looks like an old one. No situation are new anymore.But i needed hundreds of hours to go through the whole complexity.

Europa Universalis is even better for me because its complexity is higher than CIV IV and - more important - interactivity is just amazing. Hundreds of IA with dozens of diplomatic actions. This makes each single game a unique story-telling experience.

To come back to Gal Civ III, what we need is complexity and interactivity.

Complexity, i think this is ok. But on the interactivity side, until now we haven't seen anything (because not yet released)

What could be a good idea, is to

- allow people to do many different diplomatic actions

- create complex relationship between players (not just allies/enemies/neutral).

What do you think?

10,031 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Depth, not necessarily complexity. Complexity is a price you pay for depth.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

The game does not necessarily need complexity, for replay value. As you stated you played Civ IV over and over, I have also and have moved onto Civ V with mods. The replay-ability there is near endless. 

 

Gal Civ currently has complexity. It will continue to get more complex. What I found is really keeping me here is the dialogue I get from different factions on just about anything.  I love opening a dialogue and hearing the Drengin say, "My you look delicious!" Or some of the cool things the minor races say like "Look, just don't hurt me"

 

Now I know there is a faction on the forums that HATE the Snarky comments. For me and many of my friends this is a HUGE replay-ability factor. I have played Gal Civ II for MANY years and last year I fell out of my seat (laughing) on a comment when the Yor said "Please, just stop, you are embarrassing yourself, just stop" <<<(I was building up forces to invade outside the Yor borders).

 

That kind of entertainment for me is priceless. While I love complexity, the (Depth) of dialogue and the soon to come diplomacy with other races is really something that will keep me hitting that damn turn button. 

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I am also a huge CIV IV fan. Played it for years, but have stopped now. 

 

Dominions 4 have layers upon layers to try and discover and is my current favourite. Each nation is a different game. Its not well balanced, just full of FUN to discover. I was almost overrun by the undead in my current game, but discovered that I could get astral magicians that could summon flying level two priests. Took hours upon hours to turn the tide in my favor, but now they are gone. So much fun!

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

A great story.

and great elements to support the idea.

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

You're right, depth is important, not complexity.

I just do hope that diplomacy will bring more than just comments from aliens, but real ability to manipulate the AI.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Amphi2, reply 5
I just do hope that diplomacy will bring more than just comments from aliens, but real ability to manipulate the AI.

*Cough*

Strategy Informer: How are you going to approach Diplomacy and Trade in GalCiv III – I’ve found that they can be hard things to get right, or to make ‘special’ in any meaningful way.

Brad Wardell: One of the things about Diplomacy is that, in games, it seems to have moved more and more to being about Trade, right, trade or ‘give me stuff’. But again this is kind of a missed opportunity in the GalCiv and strategy games in general, because Diplomacy is about achieving your ends through non-violent means, and it doesn’t have to be like “give me four rocks for three space diamonds”, how about “I’ll help you do this, so I can influence that, so we both benefit”. It doesn’t have to be equal exchange. I could help some guy fight some insurgency on some planet, in exchange for him allowing my cultural goods into his empire, which spreads my culture. There can be many instances where you’re trading – no, that’s not even the right words – where you’re getting your goals through other people.

*cough*

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Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

that is frigin awesome. :rofl:

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting DARCA1213, reply 7
that is frigin awesome. :rofl:

I'm a bit surprised you didn't already know this. It's from the same interview I linked you to in your tactical combat thread. :annoyed:

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Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I forgot and it's like reading it for the first time again! :rofl: