Should I buy this game???

[Intimidator]

I understand what Ragnarok-X means, The AI isn't the best part of the game. But I agree more with Bobhouse, I saw 'Worse' AI than the one from SEIV.

And indeed, use TDM-mod, put all the AI settings to high and play against only 8 or 10 AI on an large map............

But if you want diplomacy, Go for PBW/Multiplayer (I don't think you will have an very hard time to find people to play on this forum.)

Intimidator

[tweek]

Thank you for the feedback everyone,

I tried to look for Neo-standard pictures mod. The only thing I found was Neo-Expansion Pack at www.spaceepires.net So is this the same mod?

One more thing, should I install all these mods after applying the latest SE4Gold patch? Does it matter in which order the mods are applied?

Thanks again,
Tweek

[douglas]

Neo-standard isn't so much a mod as a set of extra pictures that many shipsets have that aren't used in the stock game. Some mods use them for new ship or unit sizes introduced in the mod, but each size that uses a neo-standard image has a stock image as a backup option.

Mods generally cannot be combined. The order of applying the patch and any mods you use doesn't matter, provided that you install the mods properly and don't overwrite the stock data files. Each mod should go in its own subdirectory of your Space Empires directory. You can then use either manual editing of path.txt or the Mod Launcher that comes on the CD but isn't installed automatically to play them.

[Fyron]

You should install the SE4 patch first.

The Neo-Standard is defined on this site: http://www.dogscoff.co.uk/neostand.htm

The Neo-Expansion Pack is a collection of images matching this standard for the stock shipsets. It just adds new images that mods can make use of.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Did anyone give the PBW address? seiv.pbw.cc

Automated email play.

[Atrocities]

There are many mods that use NEO-STANDARD ships. Adamant through the Star Trek mod have callings for them. But the best way to get them all is to simply make your own mod. That is were a lot of the underlining fun lays for Space Empires IV.

BTW, NASY has many neo-standard compliant ship sets, including all of the star trek sets, say for the Tholians. (The new Federations sets are not yet posted, but will be soon.)

[Hunpecked]

I'm still new to the game and have only played against the AIs so far. In my experience the AI races aren't bad for AIs, but generally are still no match for a semi-experienced human player. Certain game settings, however, can improve the AIs' chances:

(1) As Douglas has suggested, play against the top races from the AI Deathmatch run by Master Belisarius. Five of the top six finishers are found in the TDM ModPack; these are the ones I'm playing against now.

(2) It seems unmodded AIs will accept trades even when at war. Don't use this exploit.

(3) Play a semi-generic race, i.e. don't Min-Max your race aggressively.

(4) Select "Team Play" during game setup. The AIs will all declare war on the human within a turn or two of first contact.

(5) Play with simultaneous movement and strategic combat. Sequential turns and tactical combat give the human player a big advantage.

(6) Give the AIs a bonus. As I recall, the AI Deathmatch was run with low bonus for all AIs. Players should start with "Good" homeworlds.

(7) Play in a smaller quadrant. The AIs tend to expand slower than human players, but in a small/medium quadrant conflicts start before the AIs fall far behind.

Some combination of these settings should challenge or even overwhelm a new player; they can be adjusted as player skill improves.

[Suicide Junkie]

The neostandard isn't a mod or anything.

It is a standardized naming scheme for extra race pictures.
EG:
If you're a shipset artist, and have made a death star like ship: you save that as the closest neostandard name ..."_worldship.bmp"

If you're a modder who wants to include a "battlemoon", you use "_worldship.bmp", since a fair number of shipsets are likely to have it.

If the mod called for "battlemoon.bmp" and the artist saved his picture as "deathstar.bmp", you would see nothing.
Instead, with the neostandard mediating names, you get to see those fancy extra pictures used in more places.

[tweek]

Hunpecked said:
I'm still new to the game and have only played against the AIs so far. In my experience the AI races aren't bad for AIs, but generally are still no match for a semi-experienced human player. Certain game settings, however, can improve the AIs' chances:

(1) As Douglas has suggested, play against the top races from the AI Deathmatch run by Master Belisarius. Five of the top six finishers are found in the TDM ModPack; these are the ones I'm playing against now.

(2) It seems unmodded AIs will accept trades even when at war. Don't use this exploit.

(3) Play a semi-generic race, i.e. don't Min-Max your race aggressively.

(4) Select "Team Play" during game setup. The AIs will all declare war on the human within a turn or two of first contact.

(5) Play with simultaneous movement and strategic combat. Sequential turns and tactical combat give the human player a big advantage.

(6) Give the AIs a bonus. As I recall, the AI Deathmatch was run with low bonus for all AIs. Players should start with "Good" homeworlds.

(7) Play in a smaller quadrant. The AIs tend to expand slower than human players, but in a small/medium quadrant conflicts start before the AIs fall far behind.

Some combination of these settings should challenge or even overwhelm a new player; they can be adjusted as player skill improves.

Wow. I was just going to ask a question about game settings but looks like you have read my mind.

All of your points seem fair. However I think number 4 a bit tricky. I mean it sort of predetermines the political strategy, i.e. everyone declares war on me no matter what I do. Nevertheless since I havent played the full version yet I cant really have a point of view.

Thanks a lot anyway - the first game I play will be with those settings (exept 4 I guess and tactical combat issue).

Tweek

[NullAshton]

Its hard to keep peace with other empires. They keep trying to colonize in your system. Annoying to say the least.