Not complaining, geo. Just trying to get an idea of how often the game starts with people very close to each other.
I spent some time reading the Looonnnngggg KOTH thread and seems like some people were "surprised" by how close. Like I was.
Now, giving credit where credit was due, Primitive popped in on my home system on turn 4 and he could have made a "go" for the whole game at that point. I had assumed I had a little "colonizing room" and only had colonizers around. IF he had missiles on board, then I would have had to rely on the luck of emergency building of platforms that MIGHT have stopped him, but as we all know, ships with missiles are (at least) smart enough to move in range and fire and move out of range. So, IF he had missiles on his escort, then he allowed me to continue to play. I salute that. IF, however, he had DUCs 1, then he did the right thing...not approach my planets. As a skilled player, I will assume he let me go (deference to a newbie).
I read where people like that aspect...not knowing and having to make an important early decision.
I don't like it and considering the small amount of research and resources at hand in KOTH standard starup, it makes for a potentially boring game of rolling the dice.
Games should be decide on skill and choices that begin to manifest themselves after 10 or 15 turns.
So, to gather some info, I thought I'd try a poll. It benefits me as well as any other player in KOTH as well as anyone considering trying it on for size.
(assuming people answer honestly...
)