Ask The Civ IV Dev Team

On Monday, we asked you for questions for industry legend Sid Meier. Today, we're asking for question to put to the folks behind the technology of Civilization IV. Besides the actual coding and development that went into the game itself, the team has made Civilization IV infinitely moddable through technologies such as XML, Python, and a fully developed SDK. Led by lead designer Soren Johnson, the team will answer your questions about the creation of the fourth chapter in one of the most influential game series out there. So, fire away with your questions. One per comment, please, and keep them topical. We'll pass the ten best questions to Johnson and the team, and the answers will be posted as soon as we have them in our hands.

Addiction

[MBraynard]

As you are probably aware, your games are highly addictive. They have inevitably lead to some screwed up lives - failing classes, getting expelled, losing jobs, losing significant others, losing families, losing a lot.

By making such a good game, do you think you are culpable of the effects of the game _at all_ and are you thinking about putting in counter measures to allow people to better set limits for themselves within the game?

I'll just ask in advance...

[utexaspunk]

...since I'll probably be too busy playing it once it comes out... Can I have my life back?

Civ Disease

[Comatose51]

My question is, do the developers suffer from the same Civilization Disease as the players? What I mean is telling yourself, "Just one more turn..." and the next thing you know, the sun is out again, the dog's starved to death, and your cloth is back in fashion again. I really hope not because I can't wait that long for Civ IV.

Most important question

[GodHead]

What have you heard about the next Starcraft?

Re:Addiction

[egarff]

Check out this trailer [gamespot.com].

Pertains to your post quite a bit I believe.

Re:Mac Version

[TheBeowulf]

Will there be a Mac version

Yes...

and will it be released at the same time as the Windows version?

Heck no... you Mac folks just have to wait 4 years like the 6 other games ported to Mac.
I'm truly sorry, but you bought yourself a gaming platform dud.

Civ IV?

[kwiqsilver]

Come on it's a fun game, but if you need to get it intravenously, maybe you should seek help.

Will corporate rebellion be highly valued?

[WillAffleckUW]

Will anti-globalisation and corporate rebellion movements be realistically depicted for those civilizations that are in the corporate/globalist role and will we be able to have Heroes of Open Source or other such Influence characters like Linus et al who can become focal points in letting peaceful open pro-enviro civilizations crush the corporate war-mongering technocrats and instill the Religion of Open Souce worldwide in a low-impact lifestyle?

Or will this not be implemented instead?

As the guy behind the Ecotopian Guerrillas in Illuminati (yeah, my name had two hyphens then), I was kind of curious ...