Cradlecrown v2.8: Every civilization gets a rule of its own

Cradlecrown has 91 civilizations. In v2.8 I worked on making the existing choices play differently, rather than increasing that number. Previously, 28 shared traits were distributed across the roster. Several civilizations could use the same caravan rule. Their appearances differed more than some of their decisions did.

Now each of the 91 civilizations has a trait of its own, alongside one strength, one weakness and its signature troop. Reforms determine which rules you carry into later ages.

Different decisions, beyond another army bonus

Sumer’s Temple granary brings five gold with each harvest from farms within eight tiles of the town center or landmark. Farm placement now affects gold income as well as food.

Parthia refunds half the price of a fallen horseman. Song adds explosions to tower arrows. The Etruscans see four civilization offers at an age transition. These rules affect different parts of the match: economy, combat or the choices available when advancing.

Genoa’s Bank of San Giorgio lends 300 gold when your treasury falls below 50, then takes back 360 two minutes later. Being able to train troops now also creates a repayment to plan for.

These are history-inspired game rules. Civilization routes are regional alternate-history choices through four ages, rather than claims of direct historical succession.

What lasts, and for how long?

The headings on a civilization card do different jobs. A trait works while that civilization rules. Its strength and weakness have the same duration and are shown as clear percentages for gathering, training, construction or similar values.

A completed reform remains after changing civilizations. You normally choose one of three options in each age, with some civilization-specific exceptions. Reforms are free but take time to proclaim. The selection edict, which takes effect when you choose a successor, is a separate effect.

Choosing a civilization no longer leaves a stack of permanent percentage bonuses. The lasting choice is the rule of the reform you took along that route.

273 reforms chosen by name

I reassigned reforms by their names instead of distributing them from one broad template. The 273 reforms use 107 different rules. Within a region’s age, a rule does not appear twice among the options. This does not mean there are 273 entirely different mechanics; it makes their distribution across regions and ages more deliberate.

Genoese Crossbow Companies trains archers in pairs. The Steel-Bowed Crossbow strengthens the first blow against a new target. The Bank of San Giorgio reform earns interest on the treasury. Although the bank name appears twice, the civilization trait’s short-term loan and the reform’s lasting interest income are different rules.

Reading a choice in one panel

Solo and multiplayer civilization selection now share one panel layout. The trait, strength, weakness, signature unit health, damage, range and ability are visible together. The civilization summary no longer asks you to open more sections or scroll to find those details.

I also fixed a case where villager selection and building shortcuts could leave WASD or arrow-key camera movement blocked.

A more reliable AI opening

Release tests exposed an opening that sometimes arrived very late. Normal AI waited for nine soldiers to launch, but began reserving resources for its landmark and next age at six. Some openings stalled at eight soldiers.

The AI now finishes a launchable army before making those development reserves. A regression test covers 12 fixed starting seeds. Opening, economy and long-match checks passed alongside the rest of the 103 test files.

The images in this post are full-window captures from the running local v2.8 build. The live version is available at cradlecrown.com. If you are new, the tutorial is on the main menu.

Play Cradlecrown · itch.io · The v2.7 interface and art changes