SE:Ground Assult hmmm, a fully 'modable' RTS by MM. I'd buy that.
As to having that kind of detail in se5? I don't know what Aaron is planning on that front.
What are the 4X's again? eXpand, eXplore, eXploit, eXterminate?
If I read you correctly, you want something like 'Tactical' battles but with troops to determine the outcome of planet 'occupation'? hmmmm, interesting idea. (but might be 'overkill' in the micromanagement department.)
In an 'Ideal' SE:Universe, there would be a 'Strategic-engine' for the empire management, a Flight-sim for resolving combat (mmorpg style) and a RTS for the ground combat. Not impossible, but quite a ways off.
This is what the dev cycle would be like..
1) SE4 - Strategy 4x game (Done)
2) StarFury - 3D Space sim (Done)
3) SE5 - Strategy w/3D engine (In Dev)
4) SE:Ground Assult - Tactical RTS (Not Planned 'yet')
5) SE6 - Strategy 4x, 3D Engine and RTS all rolled into one. Release date?? (Summer 2010 A good year for a 'Space Empires Odyssey') LOL
All that is needed,.. Lots of Money so Aaron can hire a good sized dev team to make it all happen.
I don't know about the rest, but SE5 is the current project over at MM and everything will be done to get it out 'FIRST' then Aaron will have the time to start thinking about all these 'other' things.
But, It's fun to think of all the potential that Aaron and MM have for the future of SE.
Nuf said, Cheers!
[ July 12, 2004, 16:57: Message edited by: David E. Gervais ]