quote:
Originally posted by rdouglass:
Primitive races may not need a player slot if they are treated as 'population ruins' as discussed earlier. If they are truly primitive (in respect to other SE4 players - human and AI), then it stands to reason they would not have ships, bases, and support infrastructure AWA not expanding to other planets or systems. So treat them like a ruin...
I personally see them that way - as free slave labor when treated that way. You (an oxygen race possibly), land on a planet with primitive Hydrogen-breathers. You then convince them (with your God-like abilities) to 'be fruitful and multiply' throughout 'the heavens' aided by your 'devine fire-belching chariots'. Of course, this comes at a cost of being totally dedicated to you and your empire... 
VGA Planets had a very good implementation of this. planets could have natives which would function best in their native climates. they could be used for labor or be taxed, but they had a seperate happyness value from your own population, and how hard you worked them had alot to do with it. you could actually have native revolts where indiginous people would fight against your colonists and ground forces.
if i remember right anyhow, its been a long time.