Description of App
The BC4000 APP is a turn-based strategy game. The game has an online mode, a hot seat mode and a single player mode. You take on the role of the ruler of a civilization, attempt to build an empire in competition with other civilizations. The game begins in 4000 BC, before the Bronze Age, and can last through to AD 2100 with Space Age.
Along with the larger tasks of exploration, warfare and diplomacy, you have to make decisions about where to build new cities, which improvements or units to build in each city, when to expand your empire by new settlers, and how to transform the land surrounding the cities for maximum benefit. From time to time your cities may be harassed by units from other nations or barbarians. You should protect borders and maintain zones of control.
You can gain a large advantage if your civilization is the first to learn a particular technology and put it to use in a military or other context. Since only one technology may be researched at any given time, the order in which technologies are chosen makes a considerable difference in the outcome of the game and generally reflects your preferred style of gameplay. Please carefully consider about forms of government, tax rates and research priorities.
You can also build Wonders of the World after obtaining the prerequisite knowledge. These wonders are important achievements of society, science, culture and defense, ranging from the Pyramids and the Great Wall in the Ancient age, to Copernicus' Observatory and Magellan's Expedition in the middle period, up to the Apollo program in the modern era. Each wonder can only be built once in the world, and requires a lot of resources to build, far more than most other city buildings or units. Wonders provide unique benefits to the controlling civilization. For example, Magellan's Expedition increases the movement rate of naval units.
The game can be won by conquering all other civilizations or by winning the space race by reaching the star system of Alpha Centauri.
The strategy logic and user interactive concept are inspired by the original Sid Meier's Civilization. Most graphics, music, map and text materials come from public domain licensed by Creative Commons License or General Public License.
Comments
Speaking of WWII, I have a question.
What happened to selecting nation leaders? I mean, you would have to add a Hitler after all.
Galaxy Mode Movement
For The_PineApple,
Iām not sure why the system ate my previous comment, but in order to move in Galaxy Mode you need to select the fleet youāre moving, set the number of ships, and set a destination. Finally, thereās an āaccept,ā button near the bottom of the screen, which only appears if youāve selected a star you have the range tech to reach. NOte that by default your scouts have reserve fuel tanks, which gives them three parsecs of additional range. To be honest I find moving fleets the most tedious part o the game, though perhaps I just need practice. The way the local map view is handled currently is a bit annoying, Iām not sure why I struggle with it.
I did have a gameplay question of my own. I notice that the tactical combat from Master of Orion doesnāt seem to be implemented? At least, when my ships have been attacked by enemies they always seem to win or lose immediately, from what I can see. I note that the original game had a separate tactical combat screen you were sent to whenever a battle occurred. I donāt know how importantthis is for the actual gameplay experience, but I was surprised to not encounter it.
Iām still very much excited by this game and pleased to have two classic strategy titles available for free. I very much appreciate all the developer has done.
Tried that
For Zack
Then I don't know what I missing, because I tried selecting the star system that was within range and selecting the fleet and I saw that for some reason it said ETA zero turns, then I hit the except button and then next turn and nothing happened.
0 Turns
For THe_PineApple,
ETA zero turns shouldn't happen if you actually selected a star. The only way it would happen is if you accidentally left your selection on the star the fleet is leaving from. I just tested this and it is possible to do that. I suspect the accept button should not let you tap it in that case, and the fact it does seems to be a bug.
Regardless, it always takes you at least one turn to move ships around. At the start of the game you go one turn per parsec, but later engine technology lets you speed that up, and star gates eliminate the delay entirely if you're sending fleets between them.
So basically, try it again. The ETA will always be at least one turn, more likely several in the early game.
Thanks
For Zack
Yeah that's what I did all right. But now I did it the right way and it worked. Thanks.
podcast?
someone on page one of this topic was talking about a podcast demonstrating the game. I'd be really interested in hearing that, since whenever I try to read the manual the complexity gets a bit much, but I'm fairly sure I'll love this if I can get into it now that the access is sorted out.
As far as podcasts go
As far as podcasts go, I did do an interview with the developer of this game it will be released in the next episode, it was done in December, but being that the holidays were just around the corner, plus I had other things going on, the release date got pushed back a little bit. I will be releasing the interview this weekend. As far as demonstrations go, I havenāt done an episode on that yet.
My World War II map
So I am working on my World War II map. I have all the nations on there or tried to pick all the ones that would represent that time.. Also, at what technology level should I set the game at to make it so planes are available? Right now, I have it set to 80, but I think it may be too advanced for that time period in history. Any thoughts?
Perhaps 65/70
65/70 should do it.
A few things of note with the new update.
As some of you may already know, there is a new update which focuses on new map editing options. You can now add road, rail road and irrigation to tiles. There is also one change and one issue you should know about. The change is that rivers, resources, road, rail road and irrigation no longer works with brush sizes. They are added tile by tile. This is intentional and therefore, it's not a bug. The issue however, is that VoiceOver doesn't read roads, railroads or irrigation. I have reported that issue, so it will be worth on. In the meanwhile, you will just have to rely on your memory to know where you have added roads, rail roads or irrigation. Enjoy the new update.
Augmented rule set
In the new update if you choose random map then you can choose your rule set too. Currently there are 3 choices. Classic, CIV2/3 and augmented. This last one is awesome!!! Basically the augmented mode can be considered a different game there are so many differences. Tons of new units, buildings and technologies and there are also differences on how to grow cities. You can also mount turrets on ships and fortresses and loads of other things that I am learning now.
When in an augmented rule set game check the encyclopedia there is information for everything.
I used to forget
I used to always forget to change the brush size when adding resources so I am really happy that I don't have to worry about that anymore. It may seem a little bit more tedious, but I really prefer only adding in resources one tile at a time.
Also, in case anyone didn't know this yet, there is a planet earth option in the map editor now which already comes populated with terrain. At least, I'm pretty sure that's new as I don't remember seeing it before this new update.
Augmented rule set
If anyone has not already done so I highly recommend checking out the augmented rule set. The classic game is great as it is, but the augmented rule set is much more in-depth. You start at an earlier technology level; maybe just after the Stone Age. And it even includes some sci-fi type units. So I would say it has a much different feel than the other modes. I think, Panais, that your assessment was right on the money.
Things in the works.
The next version will fix the problem with VoiceOver reading roads, railroads and irrigation when editing maps. In the next version, we will also be able to select our starting units, as well as city improvements on the map editing screen. Again, this will obviously serve as a cheat mode or a reverse cheat mode depending on who you choose to favour.
Things in the works no2
Concerning the augmented rule set, policies are not yet implemented so the current version isnāt working in its full capacity. Thus, maintaining order in newly conquered cities is somewhat challenging for example. However, policies will be implemented in a later version.
Still, I am obsessed with this new mode. There are so many new things to do.
Um
The new augmented ruleset seems pretty cool, although I can't seem to get my science up.
Science output
I have been wondering about that. I haven't actually figured out how to do any researching at all for the first several turns and most of my knowledge has come from scrolls in the beginning. I know that science output is 25% it's normal value under tribal government, and that's the only government that you can start out with in the augmented role set. So I am at a loss as to what to do.
Research
In the beginning all science output is produced by scientists. So when your city has grown beyond size 3 or 4, remove some citizens from the tiles and convert them to scientists. After some time things get rolling, however itās best to always have a scientist or two, to speed up things, although science can be produced without them.
Grab the new update, if you haven't already
This update should fix the problem with VoiceOver reading irrigation, road and railroads when editing your own map. You can also add starting units and improvements to cities. There is one thing you should know however. Wonders can only be added once per map, so be careful who you're giving them to and where you add them. Removing a wonder will disappear it for good and you will only be able to add new wonders when building a new map. Enjoy.
More big stuff is coming.
In the next version, you will be able to play with a lot more maps that are packed with terrain, including the 500x250 world map when choosing the map editer. We will also now be able to choose from over 500 nations, instead of just 50. Furthermore, we will be able to choose government types as well as diplomacy statuses between nations in the map editor. This is getting wild.
Multiplayer
What about this new export file function? Might be that if one creates a game with 2 human players, and then after his turn every player exports and sends the file to the other, we can have a crude multiplayer mode. However I havenāt figured out how to export the file yet.
I honestly don't think it has anything to do with multiplayer
It seems to me, that it is a way to share Maps with your friends by going into the Files app. This way, you can share your created map so I can play for example. Sadly however, I don't think I have friends to test the feature on. On your iPhone home screen, go to the Files app and open it. Select the browse tab, then select on my iPhone. Open the BC4000 folder and check your maps. Select the map you wish to share, unless you have no one to share it with. You can try me if you want. My email is denzilmelgior@icloud.com
Just as I thought.
I was able to test the feature on myself. I deleted the map from my game, however I sent it to my own email address before deleting it. As soon as I opened the attachment, there was an option saying save to files. When selecting this option, you will be able to choose the folder that you wish to save it in. Anyway, I decided to save it to my maps and what do you know? The Mac was back in my game, as if someone else sent it to me. So in short, you create your own map, then use the Files app to send it to one of your contacts so they can enjoy the map you created. I believe the developer must have gotten tired of adding maps to the community section. Honestly, I would too if I was him. At least this way, you can share your map with whoever wants it. Trying to make the community section is a bit of a longshot, as there are thousands of players sending maps around.
Weāre good
We tried it with DMNagel and it seems to work. However he was right about what he said concerning the map files. What you need to share is a saved file from the saved folder. This way is very very crude because you need to save the game and send the file after every turn and nothing is stopping your opponent from reviewing your units and cities, since the file has to be saved after you have ended your turn and your opponent has started his. So cheating is an issue indeed.
However, the game can officially be played online all be it via the crudest of Waze.
Instructions for multiplayer
1 create a game with at least 2 human players.
2. Start the game and take your turn.
3. End your turn and press the āhand the device to ā¦ and press hereā button and then press continue.
4. Save the game.
5. Quit the game.
6. On the load game screen rename the file so you can distinguish it from the others.
7. Open the Files application on your iPhone.
8. Press āthis iPhoneā, open BC 4000 folder and then open the saves folder.
9. Locate the saved file and share it with your opponent whatsapp works best for me.
Player 2 steps: 10. Have your opponent click on the file send to him and then press share and then press save to files.
11. Save the file choosing this iPhone, BC 4000, saves.
12. Open the game go to load game and load the file.
13. Player 2 starts all over again from step 2.
Itās tedious but it works.
To be honest
The new file export feature can be used for many things in fact. It can be used to send Maps to friends, it can be used to play a long and tedious kind of multiplayer game, or it can even be used to make sudden changes in the middle of a game if you know how to be smart about it. For example, just the other day, I found a city on the brink of famine, so I saved my game right there on the spot and went to my files option, moved the map to my maps folder in order for me to make adjustments via the map editor. Then, I simply irrigated all the needed spots around the city and made some improvements before moving it back to my saves folder. Abracadabra, city improvements in one turn.
Um
I tried doing that with a game that I was working on this morning, but when I opened it up in the map editor I didn't see the editing tool in the bottom left. Or did I do something wrong?
I assume you were using The augmented ruleset?
If you were using the augmented ruleset, then the left panel will obviously not be available, as there are currently no editing options for the augmented ruleset. Also, the map looks very different from the original game. However, you can locate your city and make building and unit improvements though. Not sure how those things can be available, as they are also different than the original game, but it is what it is I guess.
Update
Resources can automatically be placed on the map editor and there is also support to add units on the map. There are many more changes as well but they are too many to list.
New things coming
In the next version, you will be able to play as all 561 nations, without using the map editor. You will also be able to select between three victory conditions like space victory, cultural victory and allied victory, so you can now have a team victory if you have an alliance. Two Japan maps will also be added.
console mode
my idea may seem strange, but I would like to try this game in console form, so that it looks like a mud game.
I do not understand anything
but I really can't figure it out. it seems that I moved my squad somewhere and clicked to build a city, but it's still not clear what and how to do and where to click. I'm afraid that even despite the coolness of this game, I will not play it. I hope that this developer will find some game from the rpg genre that is more understandable to me.
Not understanding?
For people who donāt understand this game, what exactly do you not understand? We are happy to try and help, but a post like the comment above is very vague, and doesnāt explain where the confusion lies. This is not, actually, an RPG game, itās a strategy game, and the expectations are quite different. The game is designed to explain itself, for the most part, but you have to at least be a little familiar with the very basics of the genre.
Here's what's coming next and it's a biggy.
We will now be able to build maps for each ruleset. We will also be able to adjust technology costs in the map editor. Furthermore, we will be able to select technology levels and starting years when starting new games in general.
Ruleset
I canāt seem to find how to choose the augmented ruleset on the map editor. How do you do it?
Rulesets
At the map editor, double tap on the add button, then double tap on the empty button. You will be taken to a screen with new options, such as selecting the ruleset, as well as sizes for your new empty map. When you are done selecting these things, just double tap on done and you will be taken to the editing screen.
Also keep in mind
You have to be a tester in order to access these features at the moment.
Ruleset
So I canāt make a planet earth 500/250 map using the augmented ruleset?
I'm afraid not.
Unfortunately, it's only for empty maps. Also, the augmented ruleset has many different terrain types than the original 500x250 map.ā, Thus, it wouldn't support that map anyway, unless the developer adds such a world map supporting this particular ruleset.
What's coming in the next version
A new middle eastern map will be added. Also, you will be able to plant oil wells and maglev in the map editor, something I suggested some time ago and are extremely grateful for. Some menus will also be rearranged, but it's not a great issue. Getting used to those will be chop-chop.
Dr. Jianfeng Wu is a small God on earth!
Thatās all. Thereās nothing more to say. The games he makes are the best ever!!! He has also succeeded in making mainstream strategy games accessible to the blind, a feet which not only seemed nearly impossible to me before he did it, but as far as I am aware no one else has done it before or Since.
In fact there was some more to say :)
Indeed
Couldn't agree more with that statement. I particularly enjoy the fact that you can quite literally create your very own history, or alternate history scenarios, both fictional and real. In some cases, I'm having even more fun with the map editor than the actual game itself. If one doesn't believe in alternate universes, this game will certainly give you enough reason to do so. Every time you play this game, it feels like you are in another dimension.
This game is about to turn into a three in one.
As some of you already know, this game is currently a two in one, given that we have a master of Orion mode. However, a new mode is also making its way into the game called battlefields. Obviously, this mode is still in early development and it seems to me, that we are currently unable to move around on the map using VoiceOver. On the other hand, it may just be me not knowing how things work. We will definitely be discussing this and hopefully, everything will be sorted out real soon. Looking forward to yet another accessible addition added to this game.
Game crashes after a few turns
It does when the prompt to research a tech comes up, or even when I press the coresponding button.
Crashes
Some crashes will be fixed in the next version, so hopefully that will work for you.
Crashes
For me there are no more crashes on the current Beta version. Everything was fixed
So it seems
So I just updated the app this morning, it seems that the Battlefield mode is now implemented. However I am having the same problem, where I cannot move the units around using voiceover in Battlefield mode. Any thoughts? Help?
Battlefield
It llooks like Battlefield mode is not fully accessible yet, which is why people are having trouble with it. This mode seems to be a version of an old game called Battle Isle, and is similar to one of his earlier programs which was never VO accessible. I trust that now it has been folded into BC4000 there will be VoiceOver support soon.
Battlefield mode is starting to become accessible.
In the latest beta version, the battlefield mode is starting to become more accessible. We can now move units around. The map is also now readable, along with terrain types.
Update
Note that now that fog of war was implemented, all units currently appearing on the visible part of the map will also appear on the units of interest list, regardless of their proximity to a city. Or so I think anyway. This might need some more testing to figure out.
Defeated nations now are also removed from the world reports lists and from the go to city nation list.