As I type this, a computer is simulating the biggest and most destructive conflict Civilization V has ever seen. Over 60 factions are currently waging war, and the world they’re leaving in their wake is a...weird one.
Battle Royale Mk II, as it’s called (the first Battle Royale died an agonising death), recently ticked past 2000 BC (150+ turns at its speed), and already the world is teeming with galleys, archers and swordsmen.
So who’s kicking ass? At the moment it’s...Canada and Australia (the game is full of mods, adding a ton of unofficial factions), though the Boers, Texas and Afghanistan have also been putting up a good fight. To see how the world is shaping up, here’s a map recording the size of each Civ at the end of the last update
Note that this is a domination game and a domination game only: there’s no science victory, or diplomatic victory, or any other way cowards and pacifists can normally slink into first place. In Battle Royale Mk II, there is only eternal and unending war.
And what a war it is. While seeing 61 human players go at it would be hilarious, there’s something fascinating about watching the computer take control, and seeing what happens when the game’s factions and rules are dropped on a map and left to their own devices.
The AI sure knows the value of a strong and early religion; not only are some spreading at a rapid pace, but all the religion slots have already been filled.
You can read through the game’s latest report, complete with maps and a play-by-play, here.