Discussion on 4X games.

[JDC]

I'm showing my age here but the original SSG "Reach for the Stars" pointed the way for contemporary PC 4X space games. In it's day, it was unsurpassed.

Its later reincarnations has shown how a system can be too ingrown. While the "RftS" by-word was simplicity, the ability of gamers has outgrown the level of simplicity maintained. SSG confused improvements with graphics so the later Versions are the same constructs with a pretty interface. We've gone beyond that and that's the point designers should keep in mind. Is SE4 as pretty as the latest "RftS"? No. Is it a deeper game? Yes. Is it more popular? Yes. We can then conclude that designers should concentrate on gameplay.

I look forward to MOO3. I know one of the people working on it and he does have a sense of balance.