note: This is The Column, a part of Apolyton where primarily Markos and Dan write whatever we want :). Well, not just the two of us. The Column is open to everyone. If you feel like writing submit your article to civ2@gamestats.com

PREVIOUS ARTICLES

#27 READING BETWEEN THE LINES DanQ takes aim at those who don't think before they speak -- but he's not bitter. #28 FSC GUIDE To all those webmasters who do, this guide's for you. COLUMN ARCHIVE

Colours can make or break a mood, can't they? In recent years, scientists and average Joe's alike have worked on creating a guideline by which we can match different shades of the rainbow to our attitudes and vice verse. Take for example the tones ring, where from red to yellow have been classified as having a 'warm tone', through the cool greens and purples to the dull and fresh black and white respectively.

In Civilization and related products, colour coding was used to differentiate the "ownership" of units, cities etc. When you see a military unit in close proximity to yours, of course you want to know who it belongs to. If it's an ally, no prob. If it's an enemy, you'll want time to take up arms and put up a fight. Simultaneously we'll be weighing what a battle's outcome will be, i.e. my Phalanx vs. the {insert enemy civilization's name here}'s battleship. $@^#
With these expectations in mind, let's examine the psyche of your leadership abilities, or lack thereof. Each of these descriptions can be in one way or another applied to Civ and life in general. Please remember that given the descriptions I have provided, you may not be able to make a direct comparison between two or more types for I decided to concentrate more on the specifics that make each 'unique'. The more I have written for a particular category, the more interesting a character that person tends to be. If you don't like what I have to say sorry, but I can't please everyone!

Red. Your high-level of anxiety is a direct result of your over cautiousness with every aspect of your rule. You are careful to consult your advisors and your cat Fluffy (j/k) chronically and still fail to make up your mind. You tend to over analyze each situation and take forever when it's your turn. Because of your insecurities, you jump from one form of gov't to another like stepping stones, so anarchy reigns like an iron fist.
You can't have your cake and eat it too, but if history is any indication you're luckier than a four-leaf clover with your gambles. It is apt to sooner or later catch up to you though, and finding yourself constantly overrun and beaten upon by rival nations is a fact of life. You are too afraid of your own shadow to let alone make a decision to save your society for certain absorption. Ah well, who else can you be besides yourself?

Orange. You are a strong believer in the democratic system; you go to extreme levels to ensure the continuation of healthy social programs and world peace for one and all as a testament to your self-proclaimed liberalized ways. You are a most masterful perfectionist, admired for this by friends and foes alike (and won't hesitate to remind everyone given the chance). You strive to build a strong internal and external trading system, with city improvements in place to the nines.
Quick to offer financial aid to others without question or audit, your coffers are not as big as your heart and are neck deep in debt most of the time. You shrug it off and maintain you only live once, so you may as well live it by the seat of your pants. Hey, that could be your motto!

Yellow. Shiny happy people alert. Nothing gets to you, and that drives the rest of us nuts, which in turn makes you even happier. Perky, in fact. Taking everything with a grain of salt, you couldn't care either way what the end result of your decisions are. Place two cities side by side? "What the hell". War with a mightier neighbour? "Whoopie". Starving citizens? "They will be embarking on a magical journey to a better place". Ah, now we're getting somewhere. You have put your total trust in fate, and that nothing can stray you from the destiny which was sealed for you well before your time. You are there neither to win, or to lose, but simply to observe. You are so superficial it would make Seinfeld blush. Now, quickly moving on...

Green. Anything you say and everything you do is always with the environment in mind. You are quick to build improvements and research technologies that will reduce/eliminate pollution, and quite frankly fear technological progression altogether for fear of what it will do to Mother Earth. A compulsive clean freak, you will go as far to clean up others' mess! You are, naturally, concerned about the quality and length of life of your citizens, and are always looking for ways to grow internally without interfering in the natural progressions of other societies.
Combine all this with your persistent pot-calling-the-kettle-black strategy, you are never taken seriously as no one will give you the time of day. Your legacy will be either the one who dared and succeeded revolutionize, or the crackpot that shriveled into nothingness and your existence overlooked by future generations. Too extreme for me, but hey, different strokes for different folks.

Blue. This colour I will brake down into light and dark shades.
For the former, you are Corporate America on steroids. It all starts with all that matters having a dollar sign attached to it. With an incredibly high rich-poor gap, the infinitely shrinking middle class is screwed umpteen times over you are forced to establish and maintain at least partial martial law over your lands to save your a$$. Your armies and elected officials are bought, so to call yourself anything along the lines of a President is a despicable farce. You do not feel the pain that your people are going through, or ever try to, as you selfishly look after your interests only.
It is only a matter of time before you will be forced to stripe the rights of the average man in order to maintain your way of life without thinking twice of it. Tyrant, dictator, despot, barbarian: it is all the same, and it is at this point you have transformed into the darker version of this philosophy. Do you shine your horns regularly?

Purple. Old habits die hard, and those under this banner are taught that only those who are descendents of the last family to unite their culture have the right to rule. To question this would be the equivalent of murder, perhaps even more severe depending upon the nature of situation. Treated like "God on earth", as leader your minions follow your words to the letter and take care of your every whim. This can become so extreme, in fact, that you are only leader in title only. Besides, baggy eyes of overwork do not look good when you're waving to the crowd.
The law is irrelevant when you personally step into affairs, and your subjects quietly accept this. Nobody can question your decisions or challenge your position successfully, and those foolish enough to try will likely be executed a traitor. Rich in taxes and tribute, you live a life of luxury in which you provide services primarily to the elite who can help protect you in times of turbulence. As with being blue, you cannot trust anyone for even those closest to you would as soon stab you in the back as shake your hand. Once your people have learned of other ways of life, they will undoubtedly begin to question how their government is operated. Run! Run! Run!

The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of Apolyton CS or GameStats. They are just the personal opinions of the writer.