Pros & Cons, SP vs MP

Lancer · September 10, 2001, 02:26

If you can think of a reason you would rather play one over the other, name it.
I've played both, play SP exclusively now, but each has advantages IMO.

SP Pro: You're opponents don't quit at the first sign of trouble. This is the main reason I play SP. I'm one of the few who will hang in when things turn against me. In games where I do well, people mysteriously vanish. This gets REAL BORING after a while. I spent months at the Zone trying to put together a bunch who would finish a game to no avail.

SP Con: The game can't BS w/ you between turns. Negociations are very limited.

MP Pro: Humans aren't usually too stupid, the AI is deeply dumb.

MP Con: You are a slave to the schedule.

Aco · September 10, 2001, 07:36

SP Pro: can play whenever you want and for as long as you want
SP Con: when you managed to beat the AI at the highest level things get repitetive

MP Pro: humans are superior (even when they make mistakes) than AI.. so much more challenge and creative thinking
MP Con: it can be hard to find ppl to play against (for longer sessions) and, like you said, losing ppl tend to 'leave' a game without a second thought.

Good post sir!

Aco

dainbramaged13 · September 10, 2001, 08:10

I think everyone will say the same pros and cons if they are in that format, but the differences in opinion in most people is that they think that some cons and/or pros may be more important than others, therefore validating the case of MP or SP. also, this is an OPINION question, and definetely not one worth all the debate which basically consists of 'no, sp is better, no mp is better!'
its a bickering war that doesn't make sense

ChrisShaffer · September 10, 2001, 08:12

SP Pro: I can play more than one turn at a time. I can learn how the game works.
SP Con: The AI in Civ, Civ2, and SMAC was very predictable.

MP Pro: I can play against intelligent opponents.
MP Con: It takes forever to finish a game at one to two turns per week.

MP & SP Pro: I play whenever I like, on my own schedule. I take as much time on each turn as I like. Gotta love that PBEM. Why anyone would try to play Civ as a direct-connect game is beyond me.

p.s. It's always been easy to find someone to take over an abandoned spot in PBEM MP, even in a bad position.

p.p.s. I really hope the 'revolutionary' new multiplayer includes a better form of PBEM or server based asynchronous play.

Lancer · September 10, 2001, 19:23

Aco, good post yourself

I have hopes for the Civ3 AI. I think to some degree they design these games around what the AI's capabilities are. Well, Civ 2 went a bit too far for the AI, (no planes on AI carriers, etc) but the guys that are designing Civ3 will have more experience now, and have a greater understanding of what the AI needs to be.

Aco, "losing people tend to leave without a second thought"...and what a lesson for life eh? It always made me wonder what they expected from the game. If they got in a good position, no doubt the losers they played with quit too. So why bother?

dainbramaged, that's why I made this thread. Folks are fighting over nothing, and stuff like that should stay in the OT.

SP and MP both have their strong points in my view. The big issue everyone is going to personally face is whether to buy the game without MP. Well, to each their own, right my friend?

CS, that PBEM sounds good the way you describe it. Maybe I'll learn how to do it one of these days. I particularly like the fact that you play when you want. Educational post, thanks!

Leonidas · September 10, 2001, 21:08

While MP is important to many. many people, I think the fact that it won't be included in the fall release of the game is just the tip of the iceberg with regard to the MANY items that have been left out of the game.

We shouldn't polarize the gamers here between SP and MP - many good things can be said about both modes of play.

The real issue, as I see it, is that the game is being rushed out the door without being the complete package it was intended to be.

ColdWizard · September 10, 2001, 23:52

MP pro: humans are more fun (they play better than ai, and you can "chat")
MP con: turns take longer (therefor games take longer)
MP pro: variety of setting and game styles (2x2x vs 1x1x, and just try playing a diplo game with the ai)
MP pro: everybody has a different style or strategy

as for people leaving, you've not found the right people to play against

Lancer · September 23, 2001, 01:09

Last post by ColdWizard 11/9 at 7:52...I guess you must have learned soon after?

ColdWizard, I think you're right about my not having found the right opponents. Another thing I find humans do that the AI never does. If they want to quit, but don't want to be seen as a quitter, they go out of their way to lose. I've been beating someone and all of a sudden all his remaining cities belong to someone else. He left them open for another player to march in! PPut himself right out of the game, and deprived me of the spoils of my victory out of spite. A true king would never do that.

Though maybe it should be an option in Civ 3? ...or 4 or 5...Giving over your Civ in exchange for retaining control of it as a district of another's Civ?

Leonidas, it's not my intention to polarize anyone. Instead, I'm trying to highlight just what you said, that each has advantages. Whether the game is being rushed out or not remains to be seen, yes? Lets keep our hopes up.