[Krsqk]

Originally posted by PvK:
What I would much rather see would be far more realistic proportions of time and size. The enormous ships, miniscule planets, the warped time scale, and their effects on gameplay, time passage, collisions, combat, the resulting starfighter arcade feel, etc., are my biggest turn-offs.

My assumption is that all these design decisions were done to make navigation easier. I agree, I would like to see more realistic sizes/distances/travel times (and correspondingly, more increments for speed--up to 16x or 32x). Are they game-breakers for me? No--I can suspend disbelief enough to handle a starbase larger than many planets.

Is any of this moddable? Because, while I think Aaron would do well to change these (and other) things, the modding community will respond much more quickly. In some ways, this seems almost like a game engine, with a basic outline of what's possible included in the campaigns. I've no doubt that mods will quickly fill the void; and quite possibly, Aaron will work out a more extensive campaign in a future patch. In spite of the shortcomings, though, this is a game I definitely will buy when the $$$ becomes available. Why? Because I believe the gaming experience I will have with this product will far exceed that from any other product out there. The #1 reason--MM's commitment to patching/supporting its products. The #2 reason--the community, especially the great modding gods (and goddesses?) which deign to visit us mortals here at the Shrapnel Boards, bringing their boons to the undeserving.

So, to get back on topic, 2D is fine. 3D would be more than icing; I'd rather see the "realism"/believability changes outlined above and mentioned elsewhere before a true 3D navigable environment.