Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

It occured to me that I have never actually completed a full game. I have been hopelessly adicted to this god forsaken game since getting my full copy back in the middle of November 2k. Now, since that time, I have never actually completed a full game that I can recall. It seems like every few days or so, I update or upgrade my game so I never get to finish one. Aside from that, it seems like I never have time to play a full game. I start them, but the only time I actually get to play is from the hours of midnight to 6 am. The only time I have time to my self. God I hate being inturpted when I am playing a game. Talk about rude. I have a sign that says "IF THIS DOOR IS CLOSED, ASK YOURSELF TWO QUESTIONS: 1)Do you value your life? 2)What part of Question 1 do you not understand?"

Below it, I have anotherone that reads. "Do Not Disturb Me For Anything Less Than:
1. A phone call from GOD
2. A phone call from the Police
3. A phone call from Work
4. A phone call from my Attorney
5. A phone call from my bank
6. An emergancy phone call about family

All others can go to hell.

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"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Patric Stewart as Captain Picard
UCP/TCO Ship Yards

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Well I suppose in contrast to your experience, I completed exactly one game. The only game I played. Not that I don't love SEIV but it was an exhausted trial. Not unlike the way I feel after a weekend long chess tourney where I played 5 - 5 hour long games of intense chess. Total concentration.

Perhaps I need to loosen up a bit and just have fun with SEIV. Well, I've rested up a bit and I'm now diving into 2 multiplayer games... I'm in trouble..

Thanks,

Ken

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Once. It was my first SEIV game... ah, memories...

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Assume you have a 1kg squirrel
E=mc^2
E=1kg(3x10^8m/s)^2=9x10^16J
which, if I'm not mistaken, is equivilent to roughly a 50 megaton nuclear bomb.
Fear the squirrel.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I have completed 3 games since November.

Mostly I get them going and like you Atrocities, I upgrade or update or add a mod and start over.

Been loads of fun anyways.

BTW average game length is 1200 turns. Last one was 1252 and took 2 weeks during my spare time.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I've completed quite a few, actually. The empire ain't completely safe until there's *definitely* no vengeful unassimilated survivors quietly researching their way through stellar manipulation...

It probably helps that I'm quite willing to accept AI surrenders; no need to conquer every Last planet or destroy every single ship, if they're willing to join me. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

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-- The thing that goes bump in the night

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Hmm, I guess I've only actually "completed" one game. I had set the victory condition to something too low, I think it was 150% of second place, and hadn't set a time limit before the VC took effect. One of the AIs "won" that game in under 10 years.

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Cap'n Q

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I completed some SE3 games, but not SEIV. Partly because I just don't have a lot of time for gaming, and partly because of the new patches. In fact, I completely ignored patch 1.27 because I was trying to finish a 1.19 game, and finally quit when 1.30 came out. Besides, I'd built a ringworld by then, and that was all I wanted to do. Of course, in my current 1.30 game I've got three ringworlds under construction in a trinary system (right next to a black hole system, interestingly). But I've started beating up on the AIs pretty badly. Well, at least the ones who decided I was MEE; fortunately, I've lost that status, so now I can make treaties with new empires while decimating the old ones... But I may just have to quit and load up a 1.35 game...

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Atrocities - same here. I have honestly only seen the victory screen b/c I opened up while I was modifying a ship set in Paint! I typically play 200-600 turns from whatever tech point I start at, but am constantly changing AI files every 15 turns based on observations, etc. Such is the life of a modder I suppose. . .

[This message has been edited by Tampa_Gamer (edited 01 May 2001).]

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I've finished several, although I have been playing since v.0.23 (there were problems with the arrival of my CD, so I didn't get to start with v.0.20 http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif.

But usually I just play until I really hit MEE, and I can get the AIs to surrender without doing a thing (10X score). Mainly because the beginning and middle parts of the game are really interesting and the endgame is really slow and tedious, since I know I'm going to win, I just have to go and do it...

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I've never completed a game either and I don't even use mods. I find that one MM patch per month is enough to make games unplayable before I can finish them. My current AI game was started under v1.30, and I now get error Messages during the AIs' turns. I'm determined to finish it though.

As for my PBEM... we're playing one turn per day... that's >3 months to play 100 turns... how many turns in an average game?

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"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so, Brain, but we'll never get a monkey to use dental floss!"

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I've only played 2 game to the end. In most games the winner is obvious well before the game ends. I have played hotseat games that took a long time to reach that point, 600+ turns, but most of my solo games are decided before turn 200. If the AI can continue to be improved I hope one day to play an interesting solo game that Lasts 1000+ turns.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I have won several, I now have 1.35 installed and the AI is way out in front it is down to 3 (counting me) and I think I'm goin' to lose this one http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon9.gif I do not install updates till I finish a game.


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mottlee@gte.net
"Kill em all let God sort em out"

[This message has been edited by mottlee (edited 02 May 2001).]

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Never.

In fact, I have only played in four games - no longer than 215 turns.

It's sad isn't it? I've had the game since late January.

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Visit the Spoogy Federation at:
http://spoogyfederation.tripod.com

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I finish all of my games. It' because I'm an anal character and get punished by myself if I don't.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

The Last SE4 game I completed was just before the game hit the market. Roughly 500 turns in... Was really interesting fighting one all-powerful ai that controled 90% of the galaxy.

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HADRIAN AVENTINE
snpacifica@yahoo.com
http://www.hyperionbase.com

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I have started many games, but really not have ever completed one game. I have started many and after 200 to 300 turns i start a new one, and each time i do that i get so much better at the game. Now i am currently in a game that has Lasted for 460+turns and devising some new tactics so i might actually finish this game.

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The Vortex Pages

[This message has been edited by Vortex_Xtreme (edited 03 May 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Vortex_Xtreme (edited 03 May 2001).]

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Actually I have completed a game... once. My homeworld got bottled (makes a change from "glassed"=-) by an AI 3 turns in. Game Over. Now I _always_ build a weapons platform or defence ship in my first turn http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

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"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so Brain, but how are we gonna teach a goat to dance with flippers on? "

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I've won quite a few games... 2 with the "unmodded" game, 2 with the "TDM-Mod", and 3 with the mod I'm working on (although the AI in my current mod is pathetic I must admit... but that will change!), I've lost 3 games as well... all within the first 150 turns.... my longest game went 278.4 YEARS!

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Trachmyr:
my longest game went 278.4 YEARS!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hold on.

That is 2784 TURNS. That is just freaking unbelievable!!! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/shock.gif http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/shock.gif http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/shock.gif
Man, when did you eat, sleep, see the sunlight and such things. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Well, I have beaten a lot of games, but I dont remember how many. Its always when I conquer the entire universe

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Damn, I havn't even got to turn 120 yet http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif
Seriously though, I would love to finish a game but either a new patch or a new modpack or a good race come out and I restart.
Right now I have restarted about 12 times in the past week cause I am re-tweaking my Borg and Y'Gathian Free States shipsets and seeing how they do. (so far the Free States can mostly keep up with tdm-Xi'Chung, the Borg currently lag behind.....but they are getting better http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif)

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"The Empress took your name away," said Chance.
Owen smiled coldly. "It wasn't hers to take. I'm a Deathstalker until I die. And we never forget a slight or an enemy." -Owen Deathstalker.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Yes, I've completed a full game, and I've had the full Version for only 2 weeks. I haven't lost sleep at all.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by capt_spoogy:
Never.

In fact, I have only played in four games - no longer than 215 turns.

It's sad isn't it? I've had the game since late January.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Noooooo!

I'm gonna have to boycott your site now until you win a game. :-)

Maybe someone can create a silly set of graphics for people to put on their websites that resembles the marks you put on airplanes when you shoot down an enemy plane? :-)

A lifetime ago back in January, I played a game or two a week and finished them all. Yeah, I'm sleeping a whole lot more these days. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Trachmyr:
My longest game went 278.4 YEARS!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Unbe-freaking-lievable. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr Strangelove:

Yes, I've completed a full game, and I've had the full Version for only 2 weeks. I haven't lost sleep at all.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just *one* game in two weeks? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Wow, I didn't realize that 278.4 years was going to be THAT much of a surprise... Most of the game I've played in my mod have gone over 150 yeras... I guess it's a mixture of playing style and my mod, I move cautiously... always securing a sysytem 99.98% before moving on... I always play with 254 systems and High Tech cost (and low starting tech). Additionally, my mod has a lot of "features" that make the game more strategic... thus slower (For instance, Ion engines I use 30 supplies, and a heavy destroyer needs 12 to get speed 4!, a battle-cruiser would need 24 (x30 x movement = A lot of supplies)... and that's not the most fuel-hungry engine (which would be Fission Rockets, you can get to speed 6 but they use 60 supplies per move).... between that, and the fact that it takes a lot longer to get a Very stong industrial base (All domed colonies can only have 2 facilities, and produce resources/ships at only 1/4 the rate of a medium planet... plus bigger ships cost A LOT more (i.e., about 75 100-ton cutters cost the same as 1 1500-ton super-dreadnought... that's 5x as expensive for the same total tonnage... but that one superdreadnought would waste all 75 cutters!)

I've done so much work on this mod, but I can't "finish" it and post it until MM gets CUSTOM GROUPS working! I was really hoping that the Last patch would include it, I guess I'll have to wait a while longer... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Ya, I agree with you. I'm not sure why that is a shock for people aswell. Although I know most people like short, fast type games for SE, I personally like to take time for strategy and develope forces in long wars. I set all my tech costs high so it takes a while to develope certain types of tech. I just hope that Malfador put a high limit to the number of turns you can actualy play in this game.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I just hope that Malfador put a high limit to the number of turns you can actualy play in this game.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I'd imagine that the only turn limit* in SE4 would be if the counter that tracks the date hit an integer overflow.

* Not counting the optional victory condition, of course.

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Cap'n Q

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I've finished one game since late January... I considered it won when I outclassed the computer so horribly that I simply supernova'd/blackholed all of the comps systems rather than bother with diplomacy... It was the first game I played now I refuse to use any tec that destroys planets unlees their my own http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif makes it more interesting that's for sure.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

I'd like to see the ability to spawn offshoot games.

The scenario is this: you're well into a game and have reached the stage where it's fairly obvious that you'll win.

You then activate the "Lost in Space" option.
One of your colony ships is then "trapped by a freak wormhole in space" and reemerges in a new galaxy populated by all the races in your installation that weren't used in the original game. These races will all have medium tech and 10 (or more if possible) starting planets. You get to keep your existing tech.

It's then up to your 4 million high tech colonists to carve out a new empire in this new galaxy.

This might be an expansion pack option (along with "space monsters") that people would pay for - without splitting the SEIV community into haves and have nots.

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Resistence is futile.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Jeltz:

Great idea! That would be a fun scenario. I've read a few hints on this board that a scenario editor may be in the works. Here's hoping that such a thing would have a good way to specifically set starting techs to make a "4m high-tech colonists vs. the universe" challenge possible.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

Not, since the early Versions/patches. Haven't been able to trace the problem in mods (devnull etc) which causes access errors.
-MKC

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

only once, just to see what happens. i love 4X games (and have played them since the dawn of the pc age) but they all tend to suffer from the problem of what to do when there is simply no way for the player to loose but the player must continue to play for hours to finish it anyway. one of them moo2? had it set up that the computer players would come to you asking to yield when they were overwhelmed.

Re: Has any one ever actually completed a full game?
 

With "Peace for 1 year" on, you just have to crush the truly nasty aliens. You can keep your partnerships with the friendlies, and have help finishing the game.
With an AI to hunt down the Last remnants of an enemy for you, the endgame cleanup operation becomes much quicker and easier.