A favor...

[Q]

Originally Posted by Fyron

Don't let petty realism get in the way of game mechanics.

I agree 100% with that!

Regarding intel: the general concept in SE IV is quite good IMO, at least much better than in SE V. The problem ist the all or nothing effect. As long as counter intel is sufficient you are 100% protected, once your counter intel is depleted you are 100% exposed. My idea is to give any intel project an basic chance of success/failure that is only modified by counter intel (or other factors). Even in the complete absence of counter intel a ship rebellion would not always succeed. Even with tons of counter intel it might sometimes be successful but only seldom.

[Gandalf Parker]

The solo-play drastically needed some repair as far as smarter trading with AIs. I would have enjoyed it far longer if I hadnt figured out that I could trade and get the ability to colonize all world types. And even get an AI to give me their homeworld. Ive gotten AIs to trade me their ONLY planet which immeadiately created the message that they were dead in the game.

[Tim Brooks]

1) With the ideas gathered here and other ideas, is Shrapnel actually going to develop SE 4.5 (I guess Shrapnel has the legal rights)?

Not really. We don't own the code to any of our games. We partner with our developers. This is a game that will be more like SEIV than SEV, but will be its own game engine. This is a joint project -- more on that once everything legal is in place.

2) Barring complications, could this product be out by Christmas 2010-2011?

Really just too early to tell. Once everything is in place we will have a better idea on this. Of course, we plan on this not being put out until the beta testers say it is ready.

3) Will you let us know when you will stop taking ideas en masse (when the code gets 'nailed down')?

Definitely.

I was wondering if the hot redhead in the red dress from the "Dom 3" ad works for Shrapnel?

[Fyron]

Originally Posted by Tim Brooks

Of course, we plan on this not being put out until the beta testers say it is ready.

Good luck with that...

[Imp]

Just a point mention was made that pictures could be any size & program could scale. Take care here not so important unless textures & 3D but big files increase game overheads which has been stated as a plus of the game, so bitmaps are a no as large files to start with. Any spare memory can be freed up for use by the AI as what makes or breaks many games is the AIs capabilities.

[jRides]

I would loved to see added:

15. GROUND COMBAT that looks good and is effective.

Ground Combat, it's something I've always felt is missing from SEIV, hell, any 4X game. If you do make a 4X, the addition of ground combat would make me a happy bunny.

Also,
Leaders, (with rudiamentary stats at least) who would step in when you hit that Autoresolve button, for good or bad. Would be nice if they just care of themselves, but you could move them around if you had a better place for them (leading this task force or that diplomatic mission).

Expand the max Universe size, I would love a game with 1000s of stars.

Expand the Solar system size. I liked how you could expand the sizes of the solar systems in SEV (by modding), made scanner ranges and cloaking more important, playing cat and mouse with fleets and forcing design and use of scouts.

Also, one of the best thing about Space Empires is it's just so moddable, we see spectacular stuff from the community, vastly extending the game life, and sales - I have a friend who recently bought SEIV just to play Atrocities Star Trek mod.

[Xrati]

AST mod, good choice! Then you'll just love the new SE4.5...

[Gandalf Parker]

I think it was slowing on its own. Most of the opinions seem to have been given unless Tim Brooks spurs again. Maybe a specific direction.

[Timstone]

Yeah, you're right Gandalf.
But another wish comes to mind:

- Firing arcs (shield arcs?)

Perhaps my namesake can give us some more info about this intersting mysterious project?

[Q]

Sorry, but firing arcs, directional shields and armor would be for me a reason not to buy this game: to much micromanagement and the AI would be almost certainly incapable to deal with it.