[Lastseer]

>>>I guess if you gave the AI bonuses it would increase the challenge. However, I think that on most settings, the AI gets the same advantages (or disadvantages) as you. So IMO, setting "colonize same planet type / atmos" does nothing but slow the game down. If this is NOT the case, then it would be worth playing IMO (again just my opinion).

If you want this setting. (They AI can colonize anywhere but you can't) Then DON'T choose this setting so the AI won't be limited, and then just don't (throught the amazing thing called self control) colonize any planets that aren't you home type and atmosphere.

BTW, turning on this option ISN'T the equivalent of just slowing the game down. It actually has effects on game play too. Normally I might blow away annoying enemy colonies and then colonize them myself later. Now if that enemy breathes a different atmosphere, I'm going out of my way to drop troops or get that planet through diplomacy cause if I destroy it, The planet is dead to me forever. It makes diplomacy or troops (with an unreasonable opponent) more important to your strategy. Especially when dealing with outlying worlds of a large empire, troops will be more important because it'll be harder to threaten the world out of the AI.

[This message has been edited by Lastseer (edited 02 March 2001).]