Re: how great would this game be if...
 

For graphics, I would just like to see something like the explosion, or the graphics in Civ 3 used; a simple frame animation of sequenced images that anyone can make. With a file indicating how many frames, so the existing races could be used with a single frame, and people could make animated sequences if they wanted to.

[ March 14, 2003, 13:11: Message edited by: Atraikius ]

Re: how great would this game be if...
 

The ship Graphics in SE:V are going to be .X files with bitmap textures like those in SE: Star Fury. I think this is a good step and allows zooming etc, of ships, instead of just overheads and portraits. I'm already expanding my ship making skills to include this format... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

However, I don't think this development necessarily means that the combat engine will be real-time, but at least the images will be rendered real-time.

I think an option between turn-based or computer controlled real-time combat would be preferential.

Re: how great would this game be if...
 

Yeah, the level of graphics in Civ 3 is fine. Just minimal animation to show some facial expressions in the diplomatic screens and some slight variation in close-up images of planets and stars (clouds and 'sun spots' rotating across the surfaces) is all we need outside of combat.

Real time combat could be included in a properly designed 'impulse' combat system. Just hit 'automatic' and the high-speed playing out of initiative controlled combat will look just like real time.