tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968585480029088528.post7770721671811362705..comments2024-03-22T05:48:06.362-05:00Comments on GJJ Games: Quick Review - Civicus Dice Game - Kickstarter PreviewGeorge Jaroshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15131784120804596408noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968585480029088528.post-75137387445305002722015-06-19T04:24:26.063-05:002015-06-19T04:24:26.063-05:00You make some great points George! Consider this t...You make some great points George! Consider this thought:<br /><br />This is the first game in the Civicus series. The dice game is intended to be a lighter, "pick up" version of the heavier Civicus games coming in 2016+... In "Civicus: Origin Myth" for example, the board is modular, and there are no dice in the game at all. Consider Civicus Dice as a lighter introduction to the series :)<br /><br />Best wishes George and many thanks,<br />-WillWill Hilburn (Elree Ellis)http://playcogames.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968585480029088528.post-82693002627620117432015-06-15T23:37:44.464-05:002015-06-15T23:37:44.464-05:00Will,
Thanks for your comment! I really did enjo...Will,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment! I really did enjoy Civicus and it's definitely among the best Kickstarter previews I've done. <br /><br />I guess your reasoning behind making the Subsistence track makes sense from an anthropological point of view. If you make your Subsistence track your primary points generator and then focus on one of the other three tracks as a secondary strategy it brings a bit more balance to the game. The other three tracks are more balanced with each other. Although this does support my desire for a slightly longer game so that you can build a Subsistence foundation and then supplement that with another track. But I'll trust that your playtesting determined that 6 rounds worked better than 8.<br /><br />As I said in the review, the gameplay and mechanics are sound and additional maps will really help with replayability. I still think tiles that can be easily randomized would provide even more replayability, but I know there's a big price and production difference in having custom tiles made vs maps printed on stand-alone cards, but maybe for a stretch goal or expansion sometime in the future =) <br /><br />Civicus is definitely a solid investment for backers, especially with more stretch goals hit. Good job on a fun game!<br /><br />- George -George Jaroshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15131784120804596408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4968585480029088528.post-11046867489234253092015-06-15T23:02:05.769-05:002015-06-15T23:02:05.769-05:00Hello All,
This is Will (aka Elree Ellis); the de...Hello All,<br /><br />This is Will (aka Elree Ellis); the designer of the Civicus series. I would like to send a big shout out to George for taking the time to write up this review! Thank you again George.<br /><br />I would agree with many of the comments made in this review, however, I would like to speak to somethings that may have been taken out of context, and may be a bit subjective. <br />For example, I would like to say first, that the Civicus line has been heavily tested over the course of the last three years (while my wife, and I were finishing up our anthropology degrees). <br />Nothing about these games is haphazard; our development team has gone to great lengths to refine and streamline these mechanics. And, most importantly, we have created the game with a desire to most artistically represent the experiences of the civilization processes. We, and countless other testers agree that we have, in fact, accomplished our artistic ambitions.<br /><br />The scoring tracks, for example, were never meant to be perfectly balanced, nor do we feel they should be. A civilization must take care of its people, first and foremost. A starving people will never make for a powerful civilization. Therefore, the subsistence track is, by far, the most important part of the game for both players.<br />In the game, each player will need to work to expand their settlements, and secure farms, so that their people are well fed. Having said that, the commerce, and theology tracks are, in fact, game winning strategies; so long as your people have a place to live (e.g. villages and cities), and so long as the people are fed (e.g. farms). <br /><br />Lastly, to be clear, this is a demo. And a demo is never meant to be the final product (hence the name, demo:). It is meant to introduce the players to the basic mechanics, and overall theme of the game. Therefor, I am thrilled to have received a 6.5 for the demo. The final game has an abundance of map cards, which adds a great deal of replayability...as well as, a few more bits than the demo...again, this was a free demo. We kept it fairly stripped down, so that it would be cost effective, and a basic introduction to the game.<br /><br />All in all, we are happy to see that George sees the potential in the Civicus Dice Game demo! This is just one of many triumphs to come :)<br /><br />Thank you all for your support, and thanks again for the review!Will Hilburn (Elree Ellis)http://playcogames.comnoreply@blogger.com