"Gamey" tactics like "Rock, none" races

[geoschmo]

Yes, it's very difficult for Malfador to do balancing tweaks when we can't agree on how much they should be changed, or even if they need changed to begin with. A lot of those issues he ticks off as many people with the fix as he makes happy, so why bother?

Geoschmo

[Krsqk]

Not to mention that changing racial characteristic/trait costs makes all previous AIs and EMP files obsolete. That would really tick off some people.

[spoon]

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I'd rather he perfect his game. Modders are a small minority of people, whereas there are likely 100,000 people who don't know what a mod is.

Do you think Blizzard waits until there is some sort of concensus before they balance their games? Nope. Do people get pissed off? Yes. Are their games better because of it? Yes.

-Spoon

[geoschmo]

How do you define the game as better Spoon? If an equal number of people are upset by the change as made happy by it, sounds like no net improvement to me.

edit: And I am not talking about stuff like the maint reduction here. Those sorts of things could be changed and I doubt anyone would complain too much. And he does change those sorts of things. It may just be a matter of enough people complaining to him about it. I don't know about Blizzard specifically, but I doubt they put out more patches for their games and are more responsive to the players than Malfador. I don't think anyone is.

But stuff like the PPB, where a legitimate case can be made for both sides. It's tough there to make changes without ticking people off. Those that don't think there is anything wrong with it anyway.

Geoschmo

[ December 23, 2002, 14:40: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[Wardad]

Moon Training helped a lot in one game. I also had 2 space stations with repair bays at the same location. It was next door to a contested system.
I brought in an old, large fleet of LCs and retrofitted them in two turns. They gained 18% experience in two turns. 18% is good enough!!! I then transfered fleet experience from a training escort, adding another 20% for a total gain of 38% in attack and defense in two turns.

Of course not every system will have a planet with two moons. It is chance that it is located somewhere usefull.

BTW: I agree with Fyron on most all of his points.

My own PBW experience has really drove home the importance of Attack and Defense bonuses, however you can get them. My ships have survived attacks by larger fleets and swarms of SATs with little damage and delivered killing blows with just moderate firepower.

I like NONE atmosphere races. I capture or trade for them the first chance I get.

[ December 23, 2002, 16:48: Message edited by: Wardad ]

[spoon]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
How do you define the game as better Spoon? If an equal number of people are upset by the change as made happy by it, sounds like no net improvement to me.

I define it by balance, depth, and enjoyment. Balance is just numbers, depth is availability of significant choices, and enjoyment is subjective. In your example, I would say that there would be an improvement- to balance and depth, at no net cost to enjoyment.

edit: And I am not talking about stuff like the maint reduction here. Those sorts of things could be changed and I doubt anyone would complain too much. And he does change those sorts of things. It may just be a matter of enough people complaining to him about it.

Those are exactly the things I am talking about. If MM does address these issues, it is pretty rare, and usually a more drastic code-based change as opposed to simple data tuning (eg, Engine Destroyers no longer skipping shields, Bases no longer "fleetable"). PPBs certainly aren't on the top of the "needs tuning" list, and I know you love your PPB, but ask yourself this: would you still use them if they did 10 pts less damage? What about 5 points less? If you answered "yes", it could probably use some tuning.

I don't know about Blizzard specifically, but I doubt they put out more patches for their games and are more responsive to the players than Malfador. I don't think anyone is.

Blizzard is probably the best of the Big developement houses as far as game quality and support goes. Still, MM outshines them by far, which is all the more amazing given that MM is just one (possibly cloned) guy. (Or maybe that is the reason. I don't know.)

But stuff like the PPB, where a legitimate case can be made for both sides. It's tough there to make changes without ticking people off. Those that don't think there is anything wrong with it anyway.

I'm still waiting to hear that legitimate case. And what kind of person gets ticked off if PPBs start doing slightly less damage? Does he really have to cater to that type of person? He's the developer. He allowed to step on a few toes.

[capnq]

I'd rather he perfect his game.
[...]
Does he really have to cater to that type of person? He's the developer. He allowed to step on a few toes.

Including your toes.

You're making the totally unwarranted assumption that Aaron's idea of perfection exactly matches your own.