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An update to our long-turn FreeCiv experience

An update to our long-turn FreeCiv experience

by verelo·May 28, 2026·5 points·0 comments

AI Analysis

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Persistent FreeCiv server generates an in-universe newspaper summarizing your diplomatic drama.

Strengths
  • Automated newspaper transforms game logs into narrative stories with interactive editor feedback.
  • Long-turn model accommodates global players without requiring real-time attendance or scheduling.
  • Intelligence Dashboard visualizes turn history, solving the 'what did I miss?' problem.
Weaknesses
  • Requires native client installation, creating friction compared to browser-based strategy games.
  • Niche audience limited to strategy fans comfortable waiting hours per turn.
Category
Target Audience

Turn-based strategy fans, FreeCiv players, PBEM enthusiasts

Similar To

PlayByMail.net · FreeCiv-web · Civilization VI Multiplayer

Post Description

So we have had quiet the journey here.

So 70 days ago (aka 73 turns ago) I posted on HN sharing our FreeCiv deployment (https://github.com/ndroo/freeciv.andrewmcgrath.info). FreeCiv is a great game, the clients is very buggy however. I'm using the GTK4 version, but a few others have opted for the QT variant. At some point, we might turn our focus to contributing to improving the client based on our experiences playing the game.

We've since added a lot of little fun features:

- The editor: you can write to the newspaper Editor and they /might/ publish what you write, quote you, or decide you're full of it and write an opinion piece slamming your reputation. The editor will also reach out to a few players, each turn, and ask for their input on current game matters.

- The Intelligence Dashboard. People were forgetting what they were up to, so we added a dashboard showing the timeline of what happens per turn for your player.

- beta the online map viewer: I wanted a way to view the map without loading the client, so we started working on a beta map viewer that is HTML based.

- The Chronicle (The newspaper) has also grown a bit. Maybe too much? We'll see. The crossword is fun.

Some other 'fun' things that happened: my brother in law stopped speaking to me because of in game banter that was taken way too seriously. My friends invaded my wifes territory, and well, she didn't like that either.

I'm currently in the lead, but theres still a long way to go from 475BC.

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