Do Comm Channels work?
 

In my current game, I sent a request to a player's empire whom I have a partnership with. He was having troubles with an AI empire that I hadn't yet made contact with. My request was for the comm channel to this empire so that I would have a line of communication and/or ability to initiate sabotage attempts.

He complied and sent me the comm channel (it appeared in 'view gift') yet I gained no access at all to the AI empire. I couldn't see them, couldn't speak to them, and couldn't sabotage them. Did we do something wrong, or is sending comm channels to other empires useless?

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

Umm...
I doubt this is the problem, but there has to be a direct connection between your empire and the AI for a comchannel to exist (ie there has to be an unbroken chain of warppoints between one of your colonies and one of it's colonies). But if you have a com channel with your partner, and he has a com channel with the ai, then there should be an unbroken chain there.

Unless, of coarse, I'm wrong about how this all works.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Edit: Then again, maybe not. If there is a break in the chain of systems, but your partner has colonies on both sides of the division, He can talk to both you and the AI, but you can only talk to your partner. The AI would be unreachable by you.

[ 11 February 2002: Message edited by: dumbluck ]</p>

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

If I can't communicate because I don't have a direcet link to the empire, then what is the point of being able to give/trade comm channels at all?
If I'm understanding you correctly, the only way I can use a comm channel someone else gives me is if I get it myself. Why would I need someone to give me what I already have?

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

Not exactly. You can have an unbroken chain but no contact; for example at the start of a game.

Watch. Here's a linear map of some systems. E is a system the AI owns, A a aystem your ally owns, and F a system you own.

F-F-A-A-A-A-A-E-E-E

Unbroken chain, but unless you have seen one of the AI's ships, you won't have contact. Here comm channel transfer would work.

Whereas

F-F-A-A A-A-A-E-E-E

is a broken chain. Transfer wouldn't work.

That's theoretical. I haven't checked to see if it works that way- but I do know that if you have contact with an AI, then loose it, it's because something broke the warp chain between your systems.

Phoenix-D

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

okay. Think I got it now. So getting a comm channel isn't useless. Getting a comm channel from someone you have a partnership treaty with is useless.

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

No, your treaty level wouldn't effect it at all.

Basiclly, if you could send a ship to the AI without using stellar maniulation (opening a new warp point), comm channels should work. If you can't, it won't.

Phoenix-D

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

This would make sense, given a notion that communications travels via warp points from system to system.

Gotta have that telephone line to reach out and touch someone.

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

The game I'm playing in has all warp points connected. The AI empire in question had its entire forces squirreled up in one system that I hadn't yet visited, and my partner had only visited prior to our treaty. He'd encountered their race. I hadn't yet. I thought by getting a comm channel from him, I'd be able to communicate with that empire.
But I didn't get communication with them, until I actually sent one of my ships into their system.

So I'm still fuzzy on this. Explain to me exactly why the comm channel didn't work before, and of what use it is to me, if I have to physically enter the system first.

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

Space Umpire,

What you are describing should have worked. Something didn't happen the way it was designed. I have not seen that in any games I have been in. Possibly it was a fluke. If we can recreate it we can send it to Malfador and have them check it out.

Geoschmo

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Achernar:
Gotta have that telephone line to reach out and touch someone.<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, but whatabout cell phones?

Dial 1-800-INTRGLCT-C for all your intrasystem collect calls, and you'll save a bundle!

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Space_Umpire:
... He complied and sent me the comm channel (it appeared in 'view gift') yet I gained no access at all to the AI empire... <hr></blockquote>

Space_Umpire,
no offense, because I am just shooting at the dark here. Did you only view the gift, or did you actually accept it? Perhaps you forget to accept and that's why you didn't get the comm channel.

Rollo

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

Sorry Off topic but close enough to mention here.

What's with communication mimic always SOANDSO Declares War on SOANDSO.

Just alittle out of wack with the 20000 it costs.


Since it will cancel a partnership on a blink of an eye.

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

I think your situation is that while you have the comm channel for the AI, the AI doesn't know you are there. (don't know if its suppose to be a feature or a bug) Your ally also needs to give the AI your comm channel before you can communicate with the AI

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

If that is true, it's a serious flaw. Why would you accpet a comm channel from your enemy in the middle of a war? You are just opening yourself up to more intel attacks.

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Rollo:


Space_Umpire,
no offense, because I am just shooting at the dark here. Did you only view the gift, or did you actually accept it? Perhaps you forget to accept and that's why you didn't get the comm channel.

Rollo<hr></blockquote>

Thanks Rollo. I think you hit on it. I didn't know I had to actually accept a gift like I did with trades. (Who would refuse something for free?)
That's certainly my problem. Mystery solved. Thanks guys http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

"(Who would refuse something for free?)"

You'v obviously never run into someone who would do things like gift you loads of high-tech expensive ships.. that were in a black hole system, with only two movement (not enough to get out). Or lamed ships, etc, just to make you pay the maintance on them.

Phoenix-D

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

Ah yes, that's very good. I hadn't considered that, but I can see how someone might try it. My friend and I, our engagements tend to be a little more straight-forward.

You guys should get together and write the Space Empires netbook of dirty tricks.

Re: Do Comm Channels work?
 

Phoenix D,
I'm only done that once. I forced the Terans to surrender. Unfortunately they had 7 ships stuck in a damaging warp point. I gifted them to one of the AI's . If it had been a human it may have been a mistake as it would have given them a safe perch to watch thay system.As it was the AI continued to send ships through it and those that made it were easy pickings for my Cap Ship Missle Frigates.