A Moo3 Reject
 

Sorry for posting a new topic, but I come from the Moo3 forum (atrocities sent me) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Question that determines me getting SE4 Gold:

If I play SE4 with the TDM mod for the first time, will the computer AI kick my ***?

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

If you set "high difficulty" and "high bonus" - yes. For first game with TDM do not try higher than "low bonus"

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

A lot depends also on how good a 4xer you are. My guess is your first time playing SEIV will be a harsh lesson in the best ways http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

That's what I want. A computer AI that can actually win. I've been complaining since the release of Moo3 that you can win the game mostly by clicking 'end turn' (no joke).

I want to see the screen of defeat. It will be so much more worthwhile when I see the victory screen http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Yes, for a new one to SEIV the AI is tough to beat. But once you get expierience enough at it the AI won't be much of a challenge unless you have TDM with high bonus and high difficulty. Once you get that setting down to where you don't lose. You move onto multiplayer via PBW. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Fist welcome. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Very well explained. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

The best part about SEIV is once you decide to try it, you often more than not, become addicted. Then you discover Play By Web. And that opens up a whole new realm of possiblities for you to explore.

Playing agianst the machine is one thing, but playing against the living, well that is something entirely differant. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Try that with SEIV and see what happens. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif If the Intel projects don't get you, the AI fleet will.

[ March 04, 2003, 02:48: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Your looking forward to kicking newbie ***, aren't you atrocities? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

This is where you will get your A55 kicked

http://seiv.pbw.cc

Mind you it takes about 3 to 4 months to finish a game...

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Win a game only clicking "end turn"!!! Mon Dieu! (not Mondu!).
Seems to be that I'll wait to purchase Moo3 for no more than 10 dollars...

About the AI difficulty in SE4... well, think depend of the AIs (modded or not), depend of the game settings (for example in big galaxies the AIs are a lot less efficient), and depend of your skills (off course!).

- About the modded AIs: although for the SE4 standard data files does exist a few strong AIs out of the TDM modpack (the Khrel for example), most of them are included into the TDM modpack.
It not mean IMHO, that all the AIs there are so strong (as proved the first AI Death Match and the current one that I'm running), but ALL of them are a lot better than the standard SE4 AI.
The best TDM AIs in the first Death Match were: Narn Regime, Pyrochette, United Flora, EEE, Earth Alliance, Aquilaeian, Toron, Space Vikings and Klingon.
I should include 2 recent TDM AIs: the Fazrah and the Gron. Also, I think the Rage is a good option (specially for a newbie), the CueCappa and my new AI script: the Tessellate http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

- About the game settings: you always should give them at least low bonus if you want to have problems... Also, although could be less funny, I'm 100% sure that the AI play a lot better in Small Galaxies. When the AI has many fronts to defend or attack, the AI became less and less efective.

- About your skills: well, most the newbies had problems with the TDM AIs and low bonus.
And although I'm experienced in SE4 and know that I'm not one of the worst players, believeme but playing against 4 TDM AIs inside an small galaxy and giving them High Bonus, usually I lost my games...

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Master Belisarius:

What's the hardest possible setting on large galaxy with TDM mod? (I like epic battles with lots of shootin')

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">As new player, you could play a challenging epic game, I'm sure.
Just pick 10-12 TDM races, give them high bonus, high computer player difficulty, select 3 starting planets, and play in a large galaxy (you could play a game with 255 systems if you wish, just changing the settings.txt line Maximum Number Of Systems := 100 to 255).
Do not play with neutrals (too easy to capture them an use their people in doomed colonies).

If you want more challenge, you can:
a) select to play a game with 5000 points to create the empire, and then, pick 2000 points yourself (then all the AI players will have 5000 pionts).
b) Select AI vs humans. This is not funny in terms of diplomacy (and anyway this is one of the weak poins of SE4), but you will get the ultimate challenge.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Thx, I'll try those settings soon as I get SE4. Just ordered it, so I'll just stare at my Moo3 box until SE4 arrives http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Does the box give more entertainment value than the game itself? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Sadly, yes...every game looks good in the box...

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Welcome to SE4, you will surely enjoy the game, the game has numerous good features, tremendous modders, and a friendly forum where flaming is not very well looked upon. all the mods are excellent and well done and the modders are always upgrading them and adding new ones,

stop in at the cantina and have a brewski or two on GT's tab http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

just some ideas Mac

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Since I play mostly Proportions mod, this is the one I recommend. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Proportions my friend, Proportions. If you want something that feels as real as an strategy game can be, Proportions is the one for you.
Once you get on board, there is no coming back. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, you can take things to another level without saying bye-bye to single player and/or firing up the mods. If you've been playing your combat scenarios using hands-on tactical mode, try strategic mode.

I haven't gone there (yet) myself. But based off of the postings I see regarding strategic combat -- what with all of the subtleties of setting your strategies, formations, ship mix, etc. -- it sounds like it opens up a whole new dimension of challenge. It's probably a little more in line with what MOO3 had in mind: you give your fleet vague orders, and hope like hell that they do their job right.

--Raynfala

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have been told that FQM (esp. the Deluxe Version) is a good mod to play. You can even merge it with other mods, as per the info in the help folder. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

fyron! thats a shameless plug if i ever heard one! lol http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have been told that FQM (esp. the Deluxe Version) is a good mod to play. You can even merge it with other mods, as per the info in the help folder. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm interested in this FQM mod.
Have you played it a lot Fyron?
Is it good?
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Moo3 is a Macromanagement game once you accept that and play thereafter the game becomes infinitive better. Still it can't compare against Space Empire IV that easily is the best in the genre. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif Perhaps Galciv will change that but I hardly think so.

Anyway I have owned my copy of Se4 for about 6 month now and have not discover the beutiful realm of Se4 mods until now. The Question is what mod to play? I want to play the most advanced mod with the best ai. Which one would you mod veterans say I should try?

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

So many mods...?
No flaming...?
Helpful people...?

Are you guys...sane?
Don't you know I come from the Moo3 forum?

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sanity is overrated!

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sanity is overrated!</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's my line! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Stealing from the topic of the #se4 IRC chat room on the gamesnet network.... shame on you! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Well... sanity is indeed overrated afterall, so I guess no real harm has been done. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif (Notice how I have made an implicit shameless plug there? Nice, isn't it? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

Mondu:
As this is a niche game in a niche market, we don't get too many irrate 12 year olds that have too much time on their hands here (well... people with the psychological development of 12 year olds, at any rate). This is why there tend not to be any flames around here, and why the people are helpful and friendly. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Hmm... that sounds kinda elitist. Well... maybe not. Oh well, too late to remove it now either way! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey, new people need to know about the mods too. He asked what are good mods to play, so I suggested one. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nope, never played it. I have heard it is a good mod though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ March 07, 2003, 02:39: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Fyron, you shameless Hussy, You http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

just some ideas mac

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Why do you all assume that shame is a good thing?

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Indeed. But along with that, I don't suffer from Insanity... I enjoy every minute of it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would also say Proportions, but you should bear in mind that me, Aloofi and Oleg make up the unnofficial Proportions Promotion Council.

Simply put, it transforms the gameplay completely. Instead of racing to colonise as many bland and identical worlds as possible, build up a massive economy and mechanically steamroll the opposition, you colonise sparsely and strategically, developping unique and interesting colonies. The non-military aspect of empire-building is enhanced, and so there is all the more motivation to defend your empire when war breaks out.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

You should still colonize all the worlds you can in Proportions. It is not like you can't afford some colony ships. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

No mod is the most "advanced". Each mod offers something different and unique, and you can't really place them on some sort of scale.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Just got it! Now onto becoming the most vile tyrannical despot ever..

Going to play in order: TDM-Mod, porportions, FQM (the deluxe, of course!)

Just double checking in case I have trouble getting the mod to work:

1) Install the mod
2) change the path settings
3) run game

Is it that simple?

Thx for all ur help guys. I will keep it in mind as I purge each enemy system of sentient life...

[ March 07, 2003, 16:38: Message edited by: Mondu999 ]

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

It's that simple. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Make sure to use the latest Version of the MODs and of course the latest patch. The MODs on the CD are mostly outdated and new Versions have been posted.
If you use the Mod Launcher, you don't even have to alter your path in the path.txt.

Have fun!

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">HE HE! Welcome http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Ack! Thanks for reminding me about the patch!!! lol

[ March 07, 2003, 17:12: Message edited by: Mondu999 ]

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Well, that was quick...

Been playing for about 3 hours now and lost a bunch of times...I think it might be time to turn down the difficulty settings just a bit...

Thx to all the modders who made this game so much fun http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Don't worry, you will need some time to learn what can or should do.
Some cheap advices:
- play without AI bonus
- go early for mines (you will get some time meanwhile).
- play in mid or big galaxy.

Think you already should know this usefull link: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...;f=23;t=005518 but just to be sure...

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You can use FQM with those other mods, you know. There is info on how to combine FQM with other mods in the Help folder of FQM. But, I recommend not combining FQM with Proportions, because you can get an insane level of resources from remote mining all of the asteroids in FQM maps, which is not good for Proportions mod. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Wow. I think MOO3 is officially a dud. Most of the reviews are coming back really bad. Buyers are going out of their way to warn people not to purchase the game. On Amazon, the price has been lowered to $39.99 and you can buy used for $10 less than that. This is a real shame.

Side question. Have computer games(PC) been getting steadily worse in quality, originality, and playability or am I getting old? There have always been bad games released, but it seems recently (Last 5 years or so) they have gotten much worse.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

The computer gaming industry has been steadily declining in quality over the past few years. This is why small companies like MM/Shrapnel are so great nowadays, as they tend not to follow the pack and they actually make well-designed games and support them well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">There were copies on eBay three days after release. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I wonder if those auction pages contained scathing reviews or if they were clear headed enough to give some other excuse for reselling the game and hopefully get a better price...

Anyway, the money flow of the gaming industry is actually getting nearly as large as Hollywood. As you know, when Big Money enters the picture, so does Big Bureacracy, and the fat-headed suits who manage it. Any further questions? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've seen claims that annual revenues for the computer gaming industry surpassed Hollywood back in 2001.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I've seen claims that annual revenues for the computer gaming industry surpassed Hollywood back in 2001.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I am not sure, but I strongly suspect those figures include the hardware sales of PS2 and other consoles. Now, if you count in all the popcorn sold in cinemas, Hollywood will come first http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

I to just came over from the Madness of Orion board. Of all the games I have ever bought, starting in about 1983 for my C64 this one ranks in my top 5 for the worst purchased.

Unless someone is dying to know what I dislike about the game I wont bore you with the details.

Anyway I downloaded the demo for SEIV Last night and at once felt immersed and knowing that I wanted to purchase it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Now if I can just get someone I know to order the darn thing for me I will be ecstatic cause I cant unfortunately due to a P poor credit rating and no credit card:(

Looking forward to being active on the Boards and Oh... Hi everyone:)

Malagon

PS
Anyone here ever play Imperium Galactum on the Commodore 64? I still have it actually but the load times on that comp are so atrocious it takes 10min just to get thru one turn.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

You can pay Shrapnel Games with a moneyorder. Go to a bank, buy money order (purchase price + a fee dependent on the bank), send money order to Shrapnel Games, they send you SE IV.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Hiya Malagon. Ran from the Moo3 Boards, too huh?

You'll have to get used to it here. They hardly ever raise their voices...its like...a library (one which they tell the quickest way to eradicate a species).

Got SE4 about 3 days ago. How unlike Moo3 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Psst! try an anti-planet drone with a plague bomb http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

See what I mean?

They talk about genocide as casually as if they were discussing their favorite coffee. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

I like a nice French Vanilla myself. Though that whole plague bomb thing is all wrong. It is way to easy to counter plagues. At best it is a nuisance! Stealth MineSweepers with Star Destroyers, now that is the way to take out a species. If you don't care about the real estate just go with the black hole option.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

Yeah, but just try carrying a decent set of Inverted Quantum Beam generators in a trenchcoat.

Re: A Moo3 Reject
 

LOL you all are to funny:) Yeah Mondoo I ran from the MoO3 Boards. My reasons for not liking the game were all discussed by different people, IE no one person disliked it for the same reasons I did, and I didnt see much need in adding in my own 2 cents.

I made the mistake of purchasing it based upon the name as in I have 1 and 2 and was just playing 2 a couple of weeks ago. The nonsense about reading up on the game before purchasing it is just that, nonsense. Heck even one of the developers posted that to those who didnt care for it. If they seriously expected everyone to do that then why even give it the MoO title?
No, they darn well knew people would do exactly what I did. Sorry, just venting a tad.

Still learning some of the in's and outs with the SE4 demo. Keep getting my arse kicked but I think part of thats due to the small map and the fact that I sorta overextend myself trying to get the most and best colonies.

This game reminds me a lot of Stars. It had/has a fantastic taskforce orders system. Havent got far enough yet with this one to really be building to many ships.

At the moment trying to figure out how to build a remote mining ship. I am sure there is stuff posted here just havent taken the time yet to do the searches.

Anyway being seeing you all around.

Malagon

PS Thanks for the money order tip. I checked on Shrapnels website earlier specifically looking for that and didnt see it. Guess I musta missed it will check more carefully morrow. Again thanks much.

[ March 10, 2003, 05:55: Message edited by: Malagon ]