09-11-2013, 03:54 PM
This is a tricky issue.
On the one hand, the moderators have trimmed EC/CW somewhat since the old days. No more gold or markets, simplified espionage rules, etc.
On the other hand, they've added power generators, beamers, new missile rules, labs, etc.
The game continues to be pretty complex, but now benefits from a power-assisted database client tool to make order-writing easier and less error-prone.
My own opinion is that complexity is not the problem with CW -- indeed it is as you suggest, one of the things that drew us in to the game in the first place. The problem is the interface is not refined enough. I should have buttons and sliders on a web page to set up my orders. I should have warnings displayed when my food production is all being siezed by hungry peasants. I should have an automated advisor telling me that 3 planets in my home system still haven't been surveyed. I should have a live display telling me how many of my professionals will be employed with a given order-set, and how many still idle.
Look at the interface for Civilization 4 (computer game) -- it handles deep complexity with elegant controls and expert advice to make an otherwise tedious game accessible to the masses.
On the one hand, the moderators have trimmed EC/CW somewhat since the old days. No more gold or markets, simplified espionage rules, etc.
On the other hand, they've added power generators, beamers, new missile rules, labs, etc.
The game continues to be pretty complex, but now benefits from a power-assisted database client tool to make order-writing easier and less error-prone.
My own opinion is that complexity is not the problem with CW -- indeed it is as you suggest, one of the things that drew us in to the game in the first place. The problem is the interface is not refined enough. I should have buttons and sliders on a web page to set up my orders. I should have warnings displayed when my food production is all being siezed by hungry peasants. I should have an automated advisor telling me that 3 planets in my home system still haven't been surveyed. I should have a live display telling me how many of my professionals will be employed with a given order-set, and how many still idle.
Look at the interface for Civilization 4 (computer game) -- it handles deep complexity with elegant controls and expert advice to make an otherwise tedious game accessible to the masses.