I play with out 5 - 6 players every once and awhile and we have a pretty good time, anyone here care to join in?
We use ventrilo for voice communications, and hamachi for simulated LAN.
Civilization IV doesn’t allow for prolonged anarchy. I’m against it. [:P]
I think the game works wonderfully as a model of the statist theory of “My victory is your loss”. The whole thing becomes invalid when every player could simply say, “Hey, if we all research, trade, etc. together we will be much better off!” — But no, it is horribly nationalist, and a lot fun! Its not like any REAL people are dying!
Not to mention the game degenerates into this sort of battle for the highest score, and/or, population, technology, “wonders (public works)”, votes, or domination.
Don’t play anymore. Decent game. I would always be aggressive with trade of tech and alliances.
You forgot the best part, nuking the world’s population off the face of the earth so you can vote yourself the leader of the UN!
Who couldn’t love a game where State Property increases production?
Civilization IV has good graphics and at least accounts for religious differences, but I like the more extended tech tree of Call to Power and the interesting plot and science fiction setting of Alpha Centauri.
I cannot stand those games anymore, now that I know about Austrian economics. =(
It’s just a game. If it followed Austrian theory, it wouldn’t have any content.
Think of it as “Government” instead of “Civilization”, because that’s truly what it is. Have fun and enjoy the ludicrousy of it all while learning the mind set of your everyday bureaucrat.
I have loads of fun playing the Total War games and annihilating mass amounts of people while stealing their territory. It doesn’t mean it’s completely realistic or that I agree with such practice.
I’d used to play Sim City back in the day…
I would always lose and run out of cash. I’m not a good social engineer / town planner / overlord… [:(]
I was thinking about this earlier today, and it would make for a pretty good concept for the game. It would play something like civilization, but the thing is: the more controlling you are of your society/nation, the worse off it is. 
I have it for my PC to play at home. I might get a Mac version, so that I can play it on my laptop when I’m at college.
I love the game! Its amazing! Not completely realistic, but still very enjoyable.
Capitalism II FTW!!!1oneeleven Have you played Civ IV: Colonization?
I remeber playing Capitalism… but there’s a Capitalism II ??
I’ll take these over a mod I used to play for Hearts of Iron, which listed Alan Greenspan as a laissez faire capitalist.
In Hearts of Iron, the minister trait: “laissez-faire capitalist” has a very distinct meaning, and Alan Greenspan does fit into what constitutes that attribute above all others.
I play, but i pirated it, so I can’t figure out the multiplayer.
The description given for the trait (it gives a 20% reduction in domestic demand for consumer goods) is:
In Greenspan’s defense, he did (to the best of my knowledge) claim that his hands were tied by the Board of Governors, but I think being the head of an agency who’s primary purpose is to intervene in monetary and financial markets almost certainly disqualifies you from being a laissez faire capitalist. He can be said to be more liberal than some of his predecessors, but by the same count, one could claim Vladimir Putin is a laissez faire capitalist compared to, say, Vladimir Lenin. Fair point on “best fit”, though, as the only other that could really fit him within the constraints of the game engine is Administrative Genius, and frankly, where does that leave someone wanting to implement his successor (and labeling Bernanke an administrative genius makes one shudder even given willing suspension of disbelief.)
It appears central banks themselves are making forays into video game design, though by no means as sophisticated as most of the stuff here. Presumably, an Austrian version of these games would function rather like the titular game in WarGames, though in financial terms.
Max Civs, Max size, Longest game, Highest difficulty. I had 450 armor units 130 loaded carriers, 500 cruise missiles, around 150 stealth bombers, 100 transports loaded with marines, the rest with armor and mech infantry. I started world war 1 in 1991. I was the trader until then, everyone loved me, had almost won the U.N. election. I started a war, holy shit, No nukes but about half the world population perished, and if I wouldn’t have won the domination victory the empire would have collapsed, Rebellions everywhere, but I won. Ha.
You can learn much about the state from playing that game. Good to know your enemies.
A game like this could be a great educational tool. Any game that realistically models the economy, money creation and other interventions into it could be an amazing teaching tool. If done right, games are the very best format for making an argumentative case.
you should play it. direct2drive for about 30 bucks I think