NOTE WELL: Before reading this I’d like to declare that I’m not associated with the company or know anyone that works there (or for any of their subsidiaries), but I have been a long time fan of the franchise.
“Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution” (Civ Rev) is another in the very successful “Sid Meier’s Civilization” franchise, but this version is for the iPhone. Like the other games in the franchise, the concept is to build your empire, and along the way reaching different eras through scientific and cultural advances. You are put in charge of deciding what is researched, what cities build (ie military items or city/cultural buildings), where to place new cities and foreign affairs & international relations. The ultimate goal is to be the first to reach outer space, but there are other ways to achieve global domination.
However, while it sounds simple, it can easily become complicated unless you stick to the city-state model of strategy.
I played the original Sid Meier’s Civilization and was instantly hooked. Even though the graphics were basic (yep they were even basic back in “those” days), the game’s concept, game play and strategy were irresistible. It was definitely one of the first to explore that kind of video game genre with any real success. And it could be strongly argued that it helped spawn a flurry of similarly-styled games from different software companies; each with varying degrees of success.
Game play is intuitive and very familiar for anyone that has spent any time playing the other Civilization games. The icons and menu structure has been replicated to the iPhone. There are missing features to the game play and strategy elements, but seriously this is about a quick win; not several weeks.
The graphics are excellent, and the sounds have also been replicated.
The tutorial is also very helpful, although can get annoying quickly – although it is handy if it’s your first time playing any of the Civilization games.
For first timers to the series the menu items are not necessarily clear while in game mode. However, this doesn’t seem to detract from the overall game play. In terms of needing to search through the menu, you’re reminded to save your game when ever you reach a new era, which means you don’t have to find the save option. Diplomacy with other civilizations takes places automatically usually at their instigation. And the game even continues from where you left off last time you played or if you’re (thoughtlessly) interrupted.
Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution is an inexpensive application (I think it was $AU5.99) that provides for many, many, many hours of gaming joy. It definitely helps you get through those long hours waiting for and on public transport.
I strongly recommend Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution to anyone that loves a good strategy game and the franchise.
CAUTION: GAME MAY BECOME ALL CONSUMING
This post is part of a series leading up to my live blog “The By-election Double-Header” or “BeDH” for short; and to differentiate them from my other rants n raves.
The Australian S*x Party seems to be a forgotten component to the by-election double header on December 5th in the mainstream media. I would have to admit to forgetting about their candidates, and more focusing on the major players in the races. For a long time there have been various efforts to organise and unionise s*x workers. And most recently the culmination of union registrations has helped give greater backing to the political arm.
The party’s website reveals an up-front and frank manner, although one would have to wonder why they have chosen to field candidates. But will the S*x Party make any kind of impact, and who will they preference?
In my humble opinion, the party will make little impact on the Liberal Party vote and could leach a few votes away from the Greens and other minor parties and independents. As to preferences, given the apparent “pedigree” of the convenor and relationship with Don Chipp, will they preference the Liberal Party? Or as one would expect given the nature of the party, preference the Greens? It would be my guess the party will preference the Greens but will not really provide much in the way additional votes. However, a read of their policies, which are few and very limited, could suggest splitting preferences between the Greens and the Liberals.
As for impact, I would guess at about 3% given the electorates; but then again who knows, since these elections are by-elections. But what do you think?
Tell me what you think! Vote in the Poll!
Each year, Australians work more than 2 billion hours of unpaid overtime.
Around half of all employees work more hours than they are paid for. On average, a typical employee works 49 minutes of unpaid overtime per day. For full-time workers, the average daily amount of unpaid work takes more than one hour. International comparisons show that Australians work the longest hours in the developed world.
What is it?
The Australia Institute has decided that November 25 will be National Go Home On Time Day.
It’s a fun, inclusive and guilt-free way of raising awareness of the nature and extent of unpaid overtime in Australia and the important industrial, health and social consequences it often has.
There is a Go Home On Time Day website, which allows people to register their intention to participate.
In the weeks leading up to GHOTD we will be releasing the full results of our national poll and research into the economic impacts of unpaid overtime.
What can you do?
Sign-up and we’ll send you a ‘leave pass’ which entitles you to Go Home On Time on November 25.
You can also invite your friends, family and colleagues to participate. Go Home On Time Day Fact Sheet.
And most importantly – on November 25, Go Home On Time!
Originally published at the Go Home on Time Day website
-
-
-
-
-
As found on
Alex’s Choice News- Australia : Slideshow: Life of Jennie George ground-breaking unionist November 21, 2009Source: Illawarra Mercury
- Australia : Holden urges Buy Australian ( cars) policy for all levels of govt November 21, 2009Source: Adelaide Advertiser
- Australia : Higher pay will reduce fatalities : TWU campaign November 21, 2009Source: Gladstone Observer
- Australia : Slideshow: Life of Jennie George ground-breaking unionist November 21, 2009
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Creative Commons
Alex Schlotzer by Alex Schlotzer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Australia License.
Based on a work at alexschlotzer.wordpress.com.
