C-evo
Encyclopedia
C-evo is a free turn-based strategy
computer game written in Delphi, with the majority of design and programming done by Steffen Gerlach. The source code is in the public domain
, but the graphics are freeware
. C-evo is based on Sid Meier's Civilization II, but with the aim of correcting design mistakes by implementing six design principles which correct the game itself and strengthen its weak artificial intelligence
.
Players must constantly make decisions such as whether and where to build cities, roads, irrigation, fortresses, and whether to form an alliance with a neighboring country or risk attacking it, and whether to devote scarce resources to education/research/production, warfare, or the well-being of the populace. A successful player manages to find a balance among these choices.
The game starts with the development of the wheel, and ends when the first player has successfully constructed the first off-planet spaceship headed to the Solar System. As the game progresses, the player finds that the building of factories, for example, leads to increased pollution, which must be cleared up and could be eliminated through development of cleaner technologies.
The game can be played in Single or Multiplayer (hotseat
) or Supervisor mode against 1 to 15 computer-controlled players, human players, or both. It does have a limited client–server architecture, and can be played easily over either a LAN
or the WWW using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol
when the game is run from a game server
.
The game has an open AI interface, which means the player can replace the standard AI contained in the package with other AI algorithms, either for all nations or for individual nations. The documentation of the AI's DLL-interface is available from the project homepage. There is also an AI development kit.
opponents.
At the 2005 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Rubén Sánchez-Pelegrín and Belén Díaz-Agudo presented a paper entitled "An Intelligent Decision Module based on CBR for C-evo" which discusses using C-evo as a platform to perform artificial intelligence research.
Turn-based strategy
A turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players take turns when playing...
computer game written in Delphi, with the majority of design and programming done by Steffen Gerlach. The source code is in the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
, but the graphics are freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
. C-evo is based on Sid Meier's Civilization II, but with the aim of correcting design mistakes by implementing six design principles which correct the game itself and strengthen its weak artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
.
Gameplay
C-evo (a.k.a. Civilization-Evolution) is an empire building game, dealing with the history of humans from antiquity into the future. This includes aspects of exploration and expansion, war and diplomacy, cultivation and pollution, industry and agriculture, research and administration.Players must constantly make decisions such as whether and where to build cities, roads, irrigation, fortresses, and whether to form an alliance with a neighboring country or risk attacking it, and whether to devote scarce resources to education/research/production, warfare, or the well-being of the populace. A successful player manages to find a balance among these choices.
The game starts with the development of the wheel, and ends when the first player has successfully constructed the first off-planet spaceship headed to the Solar System. As the game progresses, the player finds that the building of factories, for example, leads to increased pollution, which must be cleared up and could be eliminated through development of cleaner technologies.
The game can be played in Single or Multiplayer (hotseat
Hotseat (multiplayer mode)
Hotseat or hot seat is a multiplayer mode provided by some turn-based video games, which allows two or more players to play on the same device by taking turns playing the game...
) or Supervisor mode against 1 to 15 computer-controlled players, human players, or both. It does have a limited client–server architecture, and can be played easily over either a LAN
Län
Län and lääni refer to the administrative divisions used in Sweden and previously in Finland. The provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010....
or the WWW using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
when the game is run from a game server
Game server
A game server is a remotely or locally run server used by game clients to play multiplayer video games. Most video games played over the Internet operate via a connection to a game server...
.
Resources
On the webpage, the game, its source code, AI modules, player contributions such as many additional nations, maps, mods, and utilities are available.The game has an open AI interface, which means the player can replace the standard AI contained in the package with other AI algorithms, either for all nations or for individual nations. The documentation of the AI's DLL-interface is available from the project homepage. There is also an AI development kit.
Reception
C-evo has been praised as one of the best freeware strategy games, particularly for its strong artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
opponents.
See also
At the 2005 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Rubén Sánchez-Pelegrín and Belén Díaz-Agudo presented a paper entitled "An Intelligent Decision Module based on CBR for C-evo" which discusses using C-evo as a platform to perform artificial intelligence research.
External links
- C-evo homepage
- C-evo at Civilization Wikia
- [irc://irc.forestnet.org:6669/cevo IRC channel at irc.forestnet.org (channel #cevo)]