Consistency

As I continue my quest to play this very intricate game. The experience changes ore and more every time that I play. It seems like once you get a handle on how to play the game, the other civilizations just start coming at you left and right. The chances to succeed in this game for a while, I thought were by chance, but eventually I realized that it was more than just chance; it became a matter of using your knowledge of your competitors to succeed. Initially when I started playing this game the experience was a very confusing one. I had to feel my way around. It was like taking baby steps. You know the expression you have to crawl before you can walk. That's how this game made me feel. It was a very emotional experience. There were times that I wanted to quit multiple times just because of the results I was getting from the other civilizations always capturing and destroying my cities. I learned that by fortifying each and every city the defense outcome was more positive than just have them spread around the city. The units were much stronger and this allowed me to have a more lasting chance to successfully progress to the next age or era in the game. I never really lost ground except for during certain trades. It seems that every time you create trading agreements with one civilization another one will make a agreement, and than want you to break ties with the civilization you have an agreement with. Bargaining became a very valuable aspect to one who played the game. By bargaining with certain trade-able goods and technologies I was able to create a balance with all of the civilizations I had trade agreements with. Some threatened to declare war on me, but I realized that by giving them gold after declining their offer made them cautious and they didn't come after me. Neutrality is one of the biggest factors that I have noticed for myself based on my gaming style. I feel that when I have neutrality that I last longer and don't have to worry about the other civilizations coming after me. I consistently keep the neighboring civilizations on my side and allow my self to complete the game without loosing. Until my method fails I feel that I will stick with it. This game is more than a learning experience its reality from the perspective of the past to the present.

Civilization Craze

From the time that I started playing this absolutely ridiculous strategy game, my mind has been stretched and confused. I have never played a game so in depth where it required me to actually think about the actions that I was taking to succeed. The first time around was absolute disaster. I guess you could say I was annihilated or should I say never even had a chance once I broke ground on my first city. The choices that needed to be made lye at my fingertips. For once I guess you could say it was like playing God , but not in a literal sense, more in the terms of a theoretical sense I guess. The trials and tribulations I faced from playing the first game leading in to my second game allowed me build a foundation and stand some sort of chance against my competitors. The other civilizations of course were very brutal and rude at many different times, always demanding this or wanting that. It got really annoying really fast. It was almost like listening to a little girl whining. Can you say headache? The fact that you had to use trade as a means to create relationships and maintain a steady ground was what drew me into the gaming experience a little bit more than usual. I really began to understand the methods behind the other civilizations madness, which led them to victory. I played my opponents off each other. Even though I didn't place first and become superior over the rest of the civilizations in the game. I placed fourth out of nine. I was able to aid in the defeat of my other minuscule competitors and move up the ranks swiftly and incognito. They never once declared war on me and that made me happy. I was looking for balance not world domination. Being neutral has more benefit than being on top. You gain friendship, wealth, peace and tranquility, and you aren't hated by everyone else for being so cocky and egotistic. Thus far, my experience has been a good one, and that suggests that I actually may have a opportunity that presents itself to allow me to be a better gamer during the semester, but lead a successful life as a business owner and economist. Hey if I can sucker these other civilizations into working with me than I am sure that I can build a dynasty on my own. That's not being cocky or conceited, its just realizing the facts. You have to use what is around you for personal gain and by giving to other and creating balance you will get that much more back, thus creating neutral ground for all to enjoy.