Is there a way to make SEIV more challenging?

[Slick]

You want challenging? Don't use the mouse, cover half your monitor, don't read the event log, spend no more than 30 seconds on your turns, do 20 push-ups every time you lose a ship, listen to CNN and self-destruct a ship every time you hear the names Scott Peterson, George Bush or Bill O'Reilly (yes, I know he is on Fox), surrender if you hear the name Martha Stewart, play standing up without using the bathroom for the entire game, colonize only moons, only research basket weaving, cake decorating and history of the sneaker, do not sleep until the game is over, and finally, using only escorts, explore the entire quadrant before attacking another emipire.

That would be challenging.

Slick.

[Kamog]

Well, that will certainly make the game more difficult!

Many months ago, my mouse died and I spent a couple of days playing SEIV using the keypad only. I used the Windows accessibility feature to control the cursor using the numeric keypad. That was very tedious until I went out and bought a new mouse.

[Suicide Junkie]

Start a game with both regular and neutral AIs.

Then on the first turn, set your race to AI control, and set one of the neutrals to your control, and play as the neutral.

[Gandalf Parker]

Suicide Junkie said:
Start a game with both regular and neutral AIs.

Then on the first turn, set your race to AI control, and set one of the neutrals to your control, and play as the neutral.

I like that. And if you include your own race design then you will be the poor neutral playing against "yourself" (up to a point)

[apocalypso]

Suicide Junkie said:
Start a game with both regular and neutral AIs.

Then on the first turn, set your race to AI control, and set one of the neutrals to your control, and play as the neutral.

Hmm interesting idea. But why is that so much more challenging? Just because of the low race points they have? Or what are all the special things with neutral races?

Totally other question! I've choosen at the beginning that I can only see the races I'm allied with in the comparison screen. Can I change that during the game somehow? Cause I want to see if there is anybody left in the unexplored space that may challenge me.

[Atrocities]

Totally other question! I've choosen at the beginning that I can only see the races I'm allied with in the comparison screen. Can I change that during the game somehow? Cause I want to see if there is anybody left in the unexplored space that may challenge me.

I am afraid not.

To make your game more challenging, use TDM, set the AI to use 5000 points, set the Computer AI bonus to High and the Computer Player Difficulty to high. Then you use 0 racial points with the neutral culture and no Advanced Racial Traits. For added flavor set all of your characteristics as as low as they will go and then launch your game.

[dmm]

I don't like giving artificial bonuses to the AI. But here are some role-playing ways to help the AI:
1) Ooops! Scenario: Start with 3 or 5 or 10 planets for everyone. Then on the first turn abandon all but your smallest planet. (In retrospect, it was NOT a good idea to automate EVERYTHING!)
2) Duh! Scenario: Pretend that your race doesn't know about wormholes until another race comes through one. (It can really cramp your style if nobody discovers you for 50 turns!)
3) Aargh! Scenario: Use some of the ministers. (If you are a despot, you have a duty to provide ministerial positions for the oligarchy. Plus, you want to enjoy your despotic wealth a little. If you are only a president or prime minister, then your power is limited by the legislature and the bureaucracy.)
4) YUK! Scenario: Play as a total xenophobe. Immediately declare war on everyone, and never use anything from anyone else. No planet or ship capture, no use of their population, no tech stealing, no demanding tribute or surrender, no treaties, etc. No cessation of hostilities. The galaxy must be cleansed of all filth (i.e., all races but yours).
5) WWJD Scenario: Or, play as a total dove. Short of surrender, do whatever you can to keep the peace. Declare that all space is open to all vessels. Never fire the first shot in a battle. Never glass a planet; only capture is allowed. In fact, don't attack planets at all unless one of your planets has first been attacked, and even then only attack planets with construction yards. Research ship capture ASAP, and make that your primary tactic in battles. Never attack colonization ships. Never use mines, of course, since they might harm innocent ships.
6) Voters Iz Stoopid Scenario: For a real challenge, roleplay a democracy, and switch between #4 and #5 every four years (40 turns). You might also want to make the populace less happy during setup. This will simulate the self-absorbed whininess of the developed world's populace.
7) King Tut Scenario: Your real goal is not to take over the galaxy, but to make a tomb worthy of you. Can anything less than a fully populated sphereworld suffice? This must be completed before you die.
8) Angry Wife/Boss Scenario: You have 2 hours IRL to live.

[TurinTurambar]

I love this place!

Turin

[ZeroAdunn]

2) Duh! Scenario: Pretend that your race doesn't know about wormholes until another race comes through one. (It can really cramp your style if nobody discovers you for 50 turns!)

<===I've actually played that one, I also didn't research military tech untill I encountered another race. Made for an interesting game.

[iaen]

dmm said:
7) King Tut Scenario: Your real goal is not to take over the galaxy, but to make a tomb worthy of you. Can anything less than a fully populated sphereworld suffice? This must be completed before you die.

How about a fully populated sphereworld filled with cultural centers? (proportions mod ofcourse)

I think I'll manage right after Hell thaws again.