Simple Question

smitty · #1 March 13th, 2003, 05:40 PM

I am thinking of buy the game, most likely will. I know there are a lot of people who know this game inside and out that are here.

First, I see there are a lot of mods and what not. Are there any that would be considered essential? Is there a mod(s), that while not essential to make the game fun, everyone uses?

Thanks

primitive · #2 March 13th, 2003, 06:00 PM

Welcome to the forum.

The TDM modpack is the only ”essential” mod. It gives more (and better) computer opponents.

Be sure to download the latest patch to the game as well as the latest Version of TDM before you start serious playing.

Have fun.

Foiden · #3 March 13th, 2003, 06:02 PM

Welcome to the group. I'm also new. I have been playing the demo before, but I just got the full Version, myself. However, the most suggested mods I've seen is Proportions and TDM. However, if you haven't really put in much time into SEIV yet, you may want to work in some games with an unmodded SEIV. Still, before you play the full Version, patch it with the latest patch off the malfador site.

Proportions is a mod I have yet to try, but have read about it. Let's just say that Proportions is practically a whole new game, not just a mod. You install that, you'll have 2 4X games and not 1. The best way to describe it would be that if you tire of playing Space Empires IV, the way it normally plays, or are hankering for a new 4X game with a similar interface, check out Proportions. Aptly named the real short super cliff notes on what it does is change the general physics of the game(taking into consideration the proportions of mass), and Proportionalize your general empire strength based on how far from your homeworld everything is(various settings in the mod is set so that typically happens). It does a lot more, but generally that seems to be the gist. However, just reading up on the Proportions webpage doesn't really give you the full idea of how major a change it is until you play the unmodded game a bit. Once you start to get the gist of how things work in SE4 normally, the readme for the Proportions mod starts to look all the more drastic in terms of game-changing stuff.

Me, I'll probably get some more natural SE4 games (and TDM as I believe that's more of an A.I. upgrade than a total change) in before I mod-launch Proportions as I haven't gotten my fill of the standard SE game yet.

Edit: Since I didn't see the other post already.
As the other poster said, people tend to refer the TDM mod. You don't have to use it right away, though, if you feel that you need to face an easier A.I. to learn the ropes. But people will suggest that as the first mod to use when you feel the A.I. isn't a challenge.

[ March 13, 2003, 16:08: Message edited by: Foiden ]

Slick · #4 March 13th, 2003, 06:04 PM

I'll take a swing at this one.

First of all, if we define "essential" as "necessary for the game to work right or be fun" the answer is no. The unmodded game works quite well. That being said, there are lots of mods that make the experience even more fun and different to extend playability and also AI performance.

Second, as for "fun", that is very subjective. Basic recipe is to try mods, evaluate them, and play them if you like them. In general, most mods are very well done and you will be hard pressed to have time to play everything you like.

Slick.

gregebowman · #5 March 13th, 2003, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slick:
First of all, if we define "essential" as "necessary for the game to work right or be fun" the answer is no. The unmodded game works quite well. That being said, there are lots of mods that make the experience even more fun and different to extend playability and also AI performance.

Second, as for "fun", that is very subjective. Basic recipe is to try mods, evaluate them, and play them if you like them. In general, most mods are very well done and you will be hard pressed to have time to play everything you like.

Slick.

Also, something I was doing before my computer got zapped was merging 2 or more mods together. I was using the TDM mod, then I added one of the mounts mods (can't remember which one, as there are at least 2 of them), and there was a mod that gave you huge and titanic planets to use in a mod (can't remember the name of that one either). Then there was a thread recently that gave you instructions on how to merge the TDM mod and the FQM mod. I also included the mount mod on that one. That's one great thing about this game. The infinite variety of ways to play this game. Once I get my new computer (and a much needed surge protecter), I'm going to have to try the Proportions mod.