This game is an expensive coaster

God Emperor · #1 May 24th, 2001, 03:16 PM

Kagetora,
Doesnt sound like you are playing the same game as me.
My current game (large galaxy, high difficulty, low AI bonus, all 16 mod pack races) is very challenging (see my thread "Tale of a Game from a Play Test Perspective" - I may be in 2nd place by turn 77, but, I've had to work like hell to get there).

Although the AI cant skirmish very well, when a mod pack race comes gunning for you, you are in for a challenging time.

If on the other hand you have played the mod pack races at low bonus or better and consistently beat them, then I'm not sure there are too many humans who will be a challenge for you.

I wish you the best of luck in finding a better space strategy game, as I think you will be waiting a long while.

GE

PS: There have been lots of strategy games since the Last great (MOO2), but, only SE4 has managed to take its title. With every patch, SE4 makes it harder for the next game to beat it, and Aaron seems comitted (from his replies to my suggestions, and those of others) to be taking on board gamers feedback in further improving the game - I cant see how this could be conceived as poor support.

PPS: By the way, my friends and I am hanging out for TCP/IP too, but, are still enjoying the game (particularly given all of the mods that fans are doing, and are able to do).

rdouglass · #2 May 24th, 2001, 03:31 PM

I agree with GE. If you're playing Mod pack races with at least a low bonus, high difficulty and are THAT dissapointed, please don't ask ME for a Human vs. Human game - you'll be dissapointed with me also.

Yes, I too can (easily!) beat the 'standard' AI without using ANY UNITS (fighters, mines, troops, sats, etc.) and giving them more Racial Points to boot! However, there are some very good AI's written for some of the races in the Mod pacs.

Try playing a game or two against the Rage and give them High Dificulty and Med bonus. If you still feel that way after that, you are probably a MUCH better player than the vast majority of people in this forum. I know personally, I was humbled....

LeTharg · #3 May 24th, 2001, 04:05 PM

Why not play PBEM? Is the pace too slow? I find the pace provides opportunities for lots of diplomacy and conniving. Your opponents will be intelligent and unpredicatable. I've been very impressed with the ability, maturity and competence of the opponents I've met.

PBEM also allows you to role-play. I'm trying a berserker race in a new PBEM. It may not be optimal (or survivable) but I bet I have a lot of fun.

Nitram Draw · #4 May 24th, 2001, 04:18 PM

Hotseat is also an option if you are lucky enough to live near some players.
This game is definately one of the best human vs human games ever. There are so many ways to win!

klausD · #5 May 24th, 2001, 04:25 PM

Kagetora
Instead of complaining you should mention a strategy game where the AI is better than SE4 Vs.1.35. The fact is, that there is none.
Maybe you played the 1.0 Version and won "one handed", but against the TDM races its another story.

TCP/IP: who cares about this? Do you want to tell us that you are playing a game over the internet which Lasts several hundred of hours?
As long as the scenario editor (for shorter games) is not available it has no sense to play TCP/IP.

klaus

dogscoff · #6 May 24th, 2001, 05:09 PM

QUOTE:
"play against other humans in the manner in which most human being would consider the proper way."
/QUOTE

When you say "most human beings" I assume you mean "most MSG junkie 17 year olds with an attention span of 4 minutes". Play by email (and play by snailmail) games hav been good enough for most people for a very very long time - long before TCP/IP was invented. Never played postal chess?

I prefer PBEM because I don't have time in my life to sit down and stare at a screen for 10 hours at a time. (except at work=-)Plenty of others in this forum are in the same position. Personally I think the introduction of TCP/IP could ruin my enjoymnt of SEIV.

I need my strategy in small packages because I do other things too. I like having a day to think about my next turn in quiet moments. Just because you have no patience, don't assume we don't either.

------------------
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so, Brain, but balancing a family and a career ... oooh, it's all too much for me. "

Richard · #7 May 24th, 2001, 05:41 PM

Just a quick note guys.

This is coming from an offshoot of a post to another forum. The original poster decided to attack Aaron and myself on a forum on cdmag and attempted to call both of immoral and unethical and other such nonsense.

I am upset about this but let's keep it somewhat low key as maybe you guys can convince him otherwise. However with his posting on the cgOnline.com forum I somewhat doubt it, but there's always hope.

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Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com