SFTC

[Ironmanbc]

why go Lite when we can KICK YOUR BUTT! at full

[President_Elect_Shang]

ROFL, ya I'm not trying to fool myself into thinking I will win my first on-line game. I suspect I will get pounced pretty quickly. The Lite or Full version depends on what style of component progression you want.

SFTC Full = By "the book" style components in an SE4 style Generational progression. It allows you to retro build ships too. Let's say we have a treaty and I am two tech levels above you. You want me to build cream-of-the-crop warships and sell them to you for your use. I build the ships and tell you they are the best I can build. In fact they are fleet quality for my empire. In truth they may be two tech levels above you but are two tech levels below my real ability. You think they are top of the line because the only readings you have gotten of my ships are the pickets I let you see. Which are purposely two tech levels lower than my best. Keep in mind "tech levels" is just for example. Each High Tech level has sub-levels with various components.

SFTC Lite = This is SE5 style component progression. No retro-build unless I have completely missed that toggle button in the Empire screen.

Best to read the FAQ with each, that will give you a detailed description. Full version is going to allow you much more intricacy at the empire-to-empire level and empire level. Using the above example do you really want to picket your borders with the best of the best? Keep in mind this is an Open Beta. If problems are found in the game I can patch them then and there. There shouldn't be any "game breakers" if you know what I mean. I patch it and the turns won't work anymore. However; since it is still a Beta, I can't promise anything.

[President_Elect_Shang]

I have updated the heading description to clarify the difference between these two version of the same mod:

SFTC: The components progress in an SE4 fashion; that is they are Generational. This version structures progression and allows retro-construction of ships, bases, fighters, etc.

SFTC-Lite: The components progress in an SE5 fashion; that is they are Progressive. There is less structure in progression and no retro-construction.

Q: Ok PES but what is "retro-construction"?

A: Lets say we are allies and I am two "tech levels" above you. You are in a war and want to field ships with better technology for an added advantage to your forces. You pay me to design and build the best ships I can. I do and sell them to you as "fleet quality ships for my empire". In truth the ships are old technology for me even if they are new technology for you. That is retro-building. To the best of my knowledge this can't be done in SE5; unless I missed a toggle button.

[Hippocrates]

I'd be up for a test game to help sort out the bugs and such.

As for which version to play, I've always prefered Se4's ability to use older equipement in new designs, allowing for a much richer cost vs. benefit approach to ship design. That being said, SFTC Full, all the way!

[President_Elect_Shang]

I have to agree, the ability to fool your enemy and ally into thinking you are a technologically backward empire was one of the strongest motivators for making two versions. One version that I think is the proper way to play (SFTC) and one that fits mainstream SE5 (SFTC-Lite). The problem with SFTC is that you have to right click to find the next area for research. SE5 can't handle the call for two requirement tech areas. I have reported this problem to Aaron and it does not effect game play or the components in any way. For some reason it just stops the component picture from being displayed in the Science window.