Making the stat nerds case

OmniDude · May 30, 2002, 10:15

Just posted this on Firaxis' comments page:

Quote:

First of all, great game. I'm 33 years old male, played all 3 generations, doesn't play much else (DO have a life to tend to).

Just a few blunt suggestions to upcoming patches/updates:

1. Realize that the average Civ fan is of the anal type, who loves stats and remember batting averages years back. What happened to the very detailed Civ-score sheet from the original Civ and Col games? I bet I'm not the only one who would LOVE to be able to see the complete equation for my Civ-score.

2. And what's with the new Histogram page? Why do I only have access to 3 kinds of comparisons, why does the values in the right hand column not change accordingly and why have you chosen only one kind of graph that while good in some respects, makes it quite hard to follow the progress of most conflicts (those involving nations that aren't neighbors in the graph).
It's not a big thing to ask for. From the Demographics page I know that the values are there to extract. Doesn't need to be fancy, just a incremental .csv-file export switch on the .exe-file would do the trick. We - the stat nerds - will make the rest ourselves.

3. It would be soooo great, if the Hall of Fame was reconstructed so that one could open the individual entries and reach that history reel being played at the end of each game as well as the aforementioned detailed Civ-score algorithm. Imagine how it would further raise the replayability value, being able to study the differences in progress among different entries, without having to reload the last savegame, retire and mess up your Hall of Fame with duplicate entries.

Kindly

Markus

Any comments?

Nym · May 30, 2002, 10:25

I agree, particularly on the the histogram and the not "changing accordingly values".

Solver · May 30, 2002, 10:36

Very much agreeing to this.

Apocalypse · May 30, 2002, 11:51

I agree, except compared to many others, we aren't really that anal.

Arrian · May 30, 2002, 12:36

Great suggestions. A return of the old battle casualties report from CivII would be nice too.

-Arrian

planetfall · May 30, 2002, 12:52

You missed one:

button: append stat data as csv type to file.

I shouldn't have to play this game with pieces of paper recording stats I need to play better.

Agree with previous, don't know if this makes us anal, but paying attention to stats does help us become better players as we can document what works and what does not work.

Coracle · May 30, 2002, 20:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Arrian
Great suggestions. A return of the old battle casualties report from CivII would be nice too.

-Arrian

Thanks for reminding me.

I think I'll add that to the list of Things I Hate About Civ 3.

Lack of a "battle casualties report" will be number ninety-two!

MarkG · May 30, 2002, 20:02

it's freaky when you start writing down your hate....

Tuberski · May 30, 2002, 20:06

Quote:

Originally posted by MarkG
it's freaky when you start writing down your hate....

Geez, a Mod spamming a poster. I spammed him for a while but it doesn't do any good.

MarkG · May 30, 2002, 20:08

that wasnt spam

Destroyer · May 30, 2002, 21:38

YEAH!

My head is stuck so far up my own arse, I can see daylight

Stats Rule OK!
Big Up to the Anal Retentive Crew!

Thrawn05 · May 30, 2002, 21:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Destroyer
YEAH!

My head is stuck so far up my own arse, I can see daylight

Stats Rule OK!
Big Up to the Anal Retentive Crew!

Amen.

Demographics and stats rule. And I hate numbers.

Sean · May 31, 2002, 05:10

Yes, stats and records of 'heroic' deeds are good. It would also be good if CIV 111 would adopt a better scoring system, not based so heavily on land and population. One that considers cultural and scientific achievments.

Immortal Wombat · May 31, 2002, 09:40

Woah! Hold up there, they haven't finished Civ 110 yet!

dunk · May 31, 2002, 10:18

I ignore my score.

I just like to play and win with my spaceship.

Jamski · May 31, 2002, 13:25

I want stats, I want them now, I want lots and lots of lovely statistics about every single thing. I was seriously considering making copious notes during the game to record combat scores.

I'd also love to have a bit more on the demographics screen. If I'm number 2 in population, then surely my advisors know who is number one, or perhaps I can't handle the truth

And a big world map with lots of options and information instead of this useless thing in the corner....

-Jam

Destroyer · May 31, 2002, 15:53

Kills for each unit in the field, and an ability to name super units or armies

CapTVK · June 1, 2002, 16:27

Quote:

Originally posted by War of Art
I want stats, I want them now, I want lots and lots of lovely statistics about every single thing. I was seriously considering making copious notes during the game to record combat scores.

I'd also love to have a bit more on the demographics screen. If I'm number 2 in population, then surely my advisors know who is number one, or perhaps I can't handle the truth

And a big world map with lots of options and information instead of this useless thing in the corner....

-Jam

What a coincidence! Freeciv has had that option for years! (storing various gamestats/demographics for all the civs etc..in a txt file)

P.S
Those logs can get HUGE if you're playing with 24+ civs or more. Everything is recorded!

kring · June 8, 2002, 21:05

Quote:

Originally posted by War of Art
I want stats, I want them now, I want lots and lots of lovely statistics about every single thing. I was seriously considering making copious notes during the game to record combat scores.

I'd also love to have a bit more on the demographics screen. If I'm number 2 in population, then surely my advisors know who is number one, or perhaps I can't handle the truth

And a big world map with lots of options and information instead of this useless thing in the corner....

-Jam

I would hope that my advisors would know the pecking order, since they know where I am in it. Guess they feel I can't handle it, either. Wish I had the option to string up some of my useless advisors.

I would like for us to know more about the other civs; like you said, if we are no. 2, then tell me who is no. 1, and give me details. You won't, hmmm: hey you Asst. Advisor, you are now Advisor, your first job, hang the old Advisor. Maybe I watched that one episode in Star Wars too much?

alva · June 8, 2002, 22:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Apocalypse
I agree, except compared to many others, we aren't really that anal.

ohh yes you are

Sava · June 9, 2002, 09:33

I agree, but Firaxis obviously doesn't seem to have that attention to detail that made the other games so great.

Jon Shafer · June 9, 2002, 10:16

I disagree, only so I don't have to be called anal.

Apocalypse · June 9, 2002, 11:36

Quote:

Originally posted by alva848
ohh yes you are

I have to say; all things being considered, taking everything into consideration, considering the whole picture, being considerate of the complete facts: we could be far more anal than we are currently.

Purple · June 9, 2002, 16:36

Civ3 really took a step backward in this area

(and I'm a considerable fan overall).

We want more stats about all civs during the game and in the Highest Scores window. And we want it displayed more effectively. Line graphs make it easier to compare Civs at various points of the game.

More anal than average