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PolyCast Evergreen, Season 4
Celebrating a decade of podcasting, a look-back at the show's fourth season: ten selected topics that most retain their relevance and ten moments that best represent delivery style. Hosted by show co-creator Wouter "Locutus" Snijders.
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Episode 108: Just Being Nonsense
- 02m49s | Forum Talk
Whether the Heal Instantly promotion should stay or go in Civilization V.
- 09m43s | Research Lab
Advocating a new use for Barracks in CivIV, getting rid of the Worker unit in the Civ series, bringing religion into CivV through the introduction of Holy City States, and an overhaul being called for in the Civ series' technology tree.
- 37m21s | Miscellaneous
Considering a new Civilization boardgame emerging from Fantasy Flight Games in the context of earlier such attempts and coming full circle.
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Christmas Special 2010: Here Comes Civ Clause
- 03m03s | Infinite City Sprawl (I.C.S.)
Ranking I.C.S. combating systems in the Civilization series to date.
- 09m39s | Social Policies
Delving deep into CivV's Social Policies by Era: Ancient, Classical (16m58s), Medieval (20m21s), Renaissance (25m50s), and Industrial (27m37s).
- 36m16s | Improvements
The most common CivV terrain improvements.
- 38m12s | Highlights
Highlights of the year, and looking ahead to the next, in the Civ community -- official, critical and fan-based -- as well as that of the show itself.
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Episode 107: Logic Doesn't Count
- 02m03s | Senate
One's purposes for Privateer units in Civilization IV.
- 07m03s | Forum Talk
The take on Advanced Starts for CivIV, and delving into the Civilization V multiplayer paradox.
- 30m21s | Mailbag
A voicemail on CivV: arguing Warriors over Scouts as first build, general first turns' build order including when to settle next cities, and when (and where) to build the Monument improvement.
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Episode 106: The Perseverance Award
- 03m52s | Senate
An assertion for the seeming uselessness of the First Strike promotion in Civilization IV.
- 13m04s | Forum Talk
The crux for a Culture Victory in, and the commencement of a forum-centred "Community Game" for, Civilization V, followed by a consideration of CivIV Lead Designer Soren Johnson's presentation on "Playing to Lose".
- 36m16s | Theatre
Recalling a certain CivIV multiplayer game with some of the show's panelists, past and present, in team-challenge format.
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Episode 105: Off-Kilter
- 03m39s | Senate
Delaying using the Caste System civic, and the viability of Catapult Rushes, in Civilization IV.
- 12m18s | Forum Talk
Arguing barbarians are boring, why bother annexing any captured city, and are you happy with $5US for individual Downloadable Content (DLC) offerings, all in Civilization V.
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Episode 104: Go Through and Check
- 02m41s | Senate
If and when should one ever delete a unit in Civilization IV.
- 07m33s | Forum Talk (1 of 2)
Adding Sonar as a unit promotion into Civilization V.
- 15m01s | Research Lab
An extension of the previous topic, considering the merits and possibilities of having a Unit Workshop akin to that found in Alpha Centauri brought into the Civ series.
- 27m19s | Forum Talk (2 of 2)
Why is there no Infantry Unique Unit, in CivIV or CivV, and razing the Headquarters of a Corporation in the former.
- 35m24s | Miscellaneous
Early availability of much of the CivV soundtrack, and initial impressions.
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Episode 103: For What It's Worth
- 04m42s | Multiplayer
Initial Civilization V multiplayer experiences leading to some Artificial Intelligence (AI) ponderings based on them.
- 11m03s | Concerns
CivV concerns considered shortly following release.
- 17m37s | Units (General)
General introduction to the game's units and mechanisms, including seeing how one's economy dominates manufacturing capability.
- 25m47s | Units (Ranking)
Ranking CivV Ancient and Medieval units on typical usefulness, from first through fifth; similarly considered Renaissance and Modern units, and then on Zones of Control.
- 33m59s | Cities X 2
The impact of Puppet cities and City States.
- 36m32s | Great People
The place of Great People in Civilization V.
- 39m29s | Diplomacy
First reactions to the game's Diplomacy system.
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Episode 102: Probably Doing It Wrong
- 04m27s | Forum Talk
On Civilization IV's best Axeman replacement, usefulness of the Archery technology, use as an educational tool and diplomatic nightmares.
- 32m47s | Senate
Following the Woodsman or Guerrilla promotion line in CivIV.
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Episode 101: Not Just a Lame Clip Show III
- 00m39s | Forum Talk
Being aware of production decay in Civilization IV, and having Workshop improvements behave like their Cottage counterparts (from Episode 90).
- 08m32s | Research Lab
Implementing the concept of a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into the Civ series (from Episode 95).
- 13m13s | Forum Talk
Place for the Research Lab city improvement for building spaceship components in CivIV, should units be autonumbered, should army production reduce civilian population and Civilization V Strategic View screenshots preview (from Episode 98).
- 41m21s | Miscellaneous
Watching a nearly annihilated civilization vassaling itself to another in CivIV... and instantly ejecting your units a significant distance across the map in the process (from Episode 99).
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Episode 100: Keeping On Civ'in
- 01m25s | Introductions
Saying hello to the regular panelists with Michael "emeseles" Lucas-Smith, past regulars Wouter "Locutus" Snijders and Kelly "KMadCandy", 2K Games representatives Elizabeth "2K Elizabeth" Tobey and Greg "2K Greg" Laabs, and Firaxis Games representatives Barry Caudill and Dennis Shirk.
- 10m32s | Q&A: 2K Games
"2K Elizabeth" and "2K Greg" take on co-host and audience member questions about the up-and-coming Civilization V.
- 34m45s | Q&A: Firaxis Games
It's Caudill and Shirk's turn to take on co-host and audience member questions about CivV.
- 76m36s | Miscellaneous
A roll-call of past guest co-hosts, call-ins and typed questions from listeners about the show, CivV and the Civilization series in general.
- 92m00s | High Council (1 of 3)
Relive the much beloved High Council from Civilization II as you've certainly never heard them before in the first episode of 'I Disagree, Sire' compiled and produced by lead co-host Dan "DanQ" Quick, set in the game's Ancient Era.
- 100m27s | Overtime
Due to the enthusiastic interest and request of most audience members, the gathering continues past its allocated timeline.
- 118m41s | High Council (2 of 3)
Onto CivII's Medieval Era with its High Council courtesy "DanQ" in the second episode of 'I Disagree, Sire'.
- 125m16s | High Council (3 of 3)
Concluding the three-part 'I Disagree, Sire' mini-series by "DanQ" in its final installment, set in the Modern Era.
- 128m16s | Conclusion
Goodbyes and well wishes to and from the show's four core panelists.
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Focus: "Civilization V"
- 02m23s | Introduction
Informing who is Jon Shafer and Pete Murray of Firaxis Games: what does a typical workday for each of them entail.
- 05m09s | Definitions
Definition of a game designer, favourite part of the task and working relationship between departments developing Civilization V.
- 09m56s | History
Looking back at previous Civ titles to inform design decisions, and then all about the hex-based grid system: decision to use, progression through and getting oriented.
- 16m21s | Policies
CivV's Social Policies mechanic: particulars within variety, choice benefits and consequences, and overall balance.
- 25m49s | Religion
The reimagination of representing religion in the Civilization franchise, and good -- as well as bad -- relations with other civs in-game.
- 31m12s | Modding
First, future and inception of the CivV in-game Modding browser, quality review within and installation of Mods. Then, influence of CivIV's BUG Mod, and transition from that game's Python to Lua programming language in CivV. Finally, evolution of Civ's modding capabilities and its furthering, CivV's World Builder, ability to add data to specific objects and personal preferences for content.
- 43m52s | Legacy
Challenges and comforts in designing a successor title in an established gaming franchise as compared to one that is new and untested.
- 45m17s | Comparison
Comparing CivV to CivIV on terrain and maps, and barbarians.
- 53m06s | Advisors
Setting CivV's advisors apart from those found in Civilization: II and Civilization: Revolution.
- 55m39s | Realization
Three words: Giant Death Robots.
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Episode 99: Not a Bad Plan
- 02m26s | Senate
Five Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword strategy tips from "obsolete" based on community forums' observations, panelists' self-identified weaknesses in gameplay and going after smaller or larger empires in consideration of vassalization mechanics.
- 21m20s | Forum Talk
What no technology trading, as set in the up-and-coming Civilization V, means to gameplay with comparison to its applicability within CivIV.
- 28m51s | News
All about cities, happiness, gold and strategic resources in CivV according to the game's official website.
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Episode 98: Meant to Interpret That
- 03m53s | News
Civilization developer Firaxis Games has 20 of its employees laid off.
- 11m41s | Research Lab
Looking for a new way to expand one's empire, and incorporating United Nations peacekeepers in the Civ series.
- 29m11s | Forum Talk
Should farming be possible on hill tiles.
- 33m04s | Miscellaneous
Dissecting the announced 'Special Edition' of Civilization V.
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Episode 97: Little Better Than Useless
- 01m43s | Senate
In Civilization IV, ideal early starters by leader trait, a tip to starving your populace, what to do when starting in the tundra and is there any conceivable reason to ever run a Citizen specialist in your cities.
- 31m03s | Miscellaneous
An extended tangent to the early starters topic on the Spiritual trait in CivIV, and a Top 10 of the "1000 Clues You're Anticipating [Civilization V] Too Much" running thread.
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Episode 96: Nose to the Ground
- 03m31s | Senate
Is having a Gold resource unbalanced if you have it workable by your capital, leaving a trading partner on your continent and the "No Buildings Club" in Civilization IV.
- 16m46s | Miscellaneous
Odds and ends on the Artificial Intelligence (AIs) that are Ragnar, Mehmed II, Shaka, Montezuma and Sitting Bull in CivIV.
- 20m36s | Vault
Three words: Four Green Fields (from Episode 83).
- 25m04s | Research Lab
An argument for no more eternal Wonders in the Civ series.
- 29m09s | Forum Talk
When does one stop building Mounted units, and the best replacement for the Courthouse improvement in CivIV.
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Episode 95: This, That and the Other Thing
- 01m57s | Senate
What the worst Unique Building is, and if -- and when -- to settle in place, in Civilization IV.
- 22m10s | Forum Talk
Is the 'Zero Day' Downloadable Content (DLC) announced for Civilization V disrespecting the customer.
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Episode 94: Let's Take a Step Back Here
- 01m03s | Forum Talk
On Terra maps in Civilization IV: are they racist?
- 09m34s | Time Machine
Previous Civilization title naysayers.
- 16m30s | Research Lab
Doing away with the Settler unit, and beginnings and endings.
- 28m33s | News
Civilization V background info reveals some details.
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Episode 93: Assertions and Ignorance
- 02m44s | News
What's knew to be known about Civilization V.
- 07m02s | Forum Talk
An argument that better animals are needed in Civilization IV, and how long will you be around with the game after CivV's release.
- 14m45s | Senate
Revisited: do you build monasteries in CivIV -- post-Beyond the Sword expansion at least -- last discussed during Episode 12 in April 2007.
- 29m50s | Research Lab
A proposed deep sea fishing fleet.
- 36m12s | Miscellaneous
Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu" is the generally well received CivIV theme, with calls now for another of his songs to do the same for CivV... but not all can agree on which one.
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Episode 92: Fake the Funk
- 02m05s | Forum Talk
What's with the Moai Statues National Wonder in Civilization IV, and would you buy Civilization V if it was only offered on Steam.
- 11m26s | Vault (Part 1 of 2)
On changing gaming standards, or at least perceptions of such (from Episode 71) and on attacking in CivIV multiplayer (from Episode 80).
- 17m45s | Miscellaneous
Golden Ages: use and lengths.
- 19m17s | Senate
The argument that the Phalanx Unique Unit is awesome pre-Beyond the Sword expansion for CivIV, and of the Scientific Method technology and the Great Library World Wonder.
- 29m57s | Vault (Part 2 of 2)
Axemen v. Chariot rushes (from (from Episode 80) and capitulation mechanics in CivIV introduced in BtS (from Episode 83).
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Focus: "Courts of Candle'Bre"
- 02m13s | Introduction
How Candle'Bre first got started, and how initial reaction greatly fueled what was to come.
- 04m47s | Appeal
The people the game is targeted to appeal to.
- 07m33s | Story
Knowing the canon behind the game before playing it, and interacting within that story in-game.
- 10m38s | General
What is Candle'Bre anyway?
- 12m41s | Victory
The game's goals and victory conditions.
- 15m25s | Infamy
The 'Infamy' factor in Candle'Bre: defined and influencing.
- 18m51s | Team
Ongoing time commitment to the game's development, number of people involved in the project, why most of them are men, and how you too can participate.
- 22m51s | Vision
Comparing the original vision for Candle'Bre with its current status, changes in independent game development since then.
- 29m35s | Revenue
What of the revenue model for the game.
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Episode 91: Straight to the Chase
- 02m48s | Senate
On specialization being for insects in Civilization IV, using Settler units as a diplomatic tool, merits of executing a Macemen Rush, and the ugly side of expansion.
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Episode 90: Full of It
- 02m32s | Miscellaneous (Part 1 of 2)
Getting Civilization IV civilizations, controlled by the Artificial Intelligence, to play with themselves.
- 05m09s | Forum Talk
What does it mean to be a "hardcore" gamer and the rise of Facebook gaming.
- 17m53s | News
Assorted CivV info from the 2010 Game Developer's Conference (GDC)... and otherwise.
- 36m14s | Miscellaneous (Part 2 of 2)
Quotes from Firaxis Games Director of Creative Development Sid Meier's keynote at GDC 2010.
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Episode 89: Variety is the Spice of Civ
- 01m48s | Senate
Sparing something for a friend, on the Internet World Project, value of Defensive Pacts and a strategy article on starting in the Industrial Era.
- 25m24s | Forum Talk
What of city ruins and you.
- 30m23s | Mailbag
Two listeners, two letters: the first on the show itself, and the second on anti-synergy between Unique Units and Unique Buildings.
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TRIVIA: Eighty-eighth episode recorded, moved back in release given Civilization V announcement
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Episode 88: Absolutely Have to Listen
- 03m06s | General
Civilization V has been publicly announced, scheduled for release this fall.
- 08m39s | Hexes
For the first time in the Civ series, one of its titles will be hex-based instead of square-based.
- 15m15s | Combat
What CivV's combat system is set to bring.
- 20m11s | Graphics
How much shiner can the graphics get?
- 24m45s | Engine
What's to be under CivV's hood.
- 30m38s | Civilizations
Confirmation and speculation on the civilizations and their leaders.
- 32m45s | Diplomacy
Stepping up the diplomacy system.
- 37m07s | Resources
Getting ready for resource limits.
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TRIVIA: Eighty-ninth episode recorded, moved up in release given Civilization V announcement
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Episode 87: Beside the Point (Part 2)
- 01m55s | Research Lab
Multiple technological advances at once, governments by drift and elevation and terrain features for the Civilization series.
- 20m49s | Vault (1 of 2)
An argument for earned traits.
- 27m54s | Miscellaneous
Looking for hidden hotkeys and tips in CivIV.
- 30m46s | Vault (2 of 2)
"You Feel So Good" in CivIV when, how to spot hogs in CivIV multiplayer, and deselecting waypoints.
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Episode 86: The More You Know (Part 1)
- 02m47s | Research Lab
Turning attention to Civilization IV leader oddities, sea tiles being larger than land tiles, and armies to generally reduce reliance on war.
- 31m59s | Vault (1 of 2)
One's favourite era within the Beyond the Sword expansion (from Episode 83).
- 38m40s | Vault (2 of 2)
On Sid Meier's reasoning behind CivIV unit values, with reference back to a question asked of him in Episode 50 (from Episode 71).
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Episode 85: That's What He Said
- 02m10s | News
Goodbye to Imran "Imran Siddiqui" Siddiqui as a regular co-host on the show, and hello to Lisa "qnl" Bang.
- 14m50s | Forum Talk
Does the Civilization IV Artificial Intelligence (AI) care if it wins, on trade routes and its income, going for a defensive or offensive military, and reference charts including the Beyond the Sword expansion.
- 32m06s | Research Lab
A proposed solution for the (in)famous 'Stack of Doom'.
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INFO: First appearance of Lisa "qnl" Bang as permanent fourth regular co-host
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