Re: IGN 6.6 Review
I like the game that Aaron has made, but I have to agree with the reviewer. Most of us find SEV easy to get into because we're familiar with SEIV or we're gluttons for micromanagement hell. Most people who might actually enjoy Space Empires aren't like that and quickly get frustrated by all the complexity presented up front.
Part of the problem is that Aaron does way too much by himself. He needs a development team for Space Empires 6. Hopefully that will be possible now, since Strategy First bought Malfador and they'll be able to throw an actual budget in his direction.
He needs a professional UI designer, plus a bunch of experienced programmers and interactive artists under his wing to really make Space Empires accessible to the masses.
The key is not to "dumb down" Space Empires. (I hate it when games are "dumbed down." It sucks all the fun out of them.) The key is to simplify it so that all the complexity that makes the game great becomes intuitive and easy (fun) to control. Then the complexity is there for advanced players, but it doesn't get in the way of casual or beginning players.
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