10 questions from the devs.

[Phoenix-D]

The useless items are great trading fodder for the Klakkar, though.

[GreenFrog]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

I like the cloak best. Hyperdrive is clearly the best item, but having the cloak makes combat much more interesting, particularly when one's collected weapons and other items are not yet that great. I also like the Timeless Bauble as it allows one to fill in a missing item (like the cloak :-) I wish I could figure out how to magical word to make the Bauble give me a hyperdrive! All of the easter egg items are fun, it would jazz things up if most items had some use or purpose to be discovered.

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

The Mantle of Babulon is way too nice. Once you get that the game becomes too easy (for pirate and frigate). The crystal fish is better -- applicable to only one species, instead of three. I would like more special quests than two -- how about another few please? Also, it is too easy to retreat - as long as you hit retreat within a second or two of combat you can escape, even if surrounded.

3) Which map size do you prefer?

Medium - a nice 15 min break from work, and not all items guaranteed to show up on every map.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?

Pirate - limited (but not too limited) weapons loadout keeps combat interesting, with decent cargo space.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?

All are good. Kawangi is really difficult, but that's okay, they are supposed to be the ultimate enemy.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?

Mostly safe, trying to be rational about choices and avoiding fights unless they are winnable.

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?

Not really, mostly I play not so seriously.

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?

Too dangerous. I play enough as it is!

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?

I rather like the Garthan who disses you before initiating compat. And the Tan'Ru intro is amusing.

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?

No.

Cheers,
Green Frog

[Professor_Spatula]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?
Moddability is good. Hopefully there will be a few more goods mods out for the game before long. I also like some of the ambient sounds you get when stumbling upon some of the planetary features. Strangely atmospheric and effective. I also enjoy the simulator, but sadly it's missing an option to upgrade the player's ships. I want to see if a powered up frigate and science ship can take on a fleet of Carriers etc.

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?
Well not my least favourite items, but the PVC is over-powered. I think there needs to be more diversity added to the game and more special quests. I was surprised to find I'd seen nearly all there was to the game within a couple of days.

3) Which map size do you prefer?
Large. Gives you plenty of opportunity to explore and find artifacts. Small is too random: it's very easy to have a barely playable universe. Medium is ok, but large is where it's at.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?
Frigate. I prefer the main ship to be the one doing all the shooting, and that's the Frigate. Pirate vessel is a close second.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?
I think they're balanced well, although I'd like to see a super or heavy carrier for the Garthan. Once you have a Particle Vortex Cannon, you can pretty much take out a fleet of Garthan Carriers single handily.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?
Hmmm, I don't play too risky unless I have a few good items aboard my ship.

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?
Not really. I tend to try and destroy everything in sight no matter what mission I'm playing. I don't think there's the depth or character shown in the game to make you feel like roleplayng.

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?
Yes.

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?
The Zorg Helmsman. Here's to Folding space.

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?
Nope. Course, if you want to give it free to your loyal WW players...


I'm surprised you didn't ask what enemy strength we prefer as well. I like to have the maximum level. It's great see large fleets duke it out.

[CautiousChaos]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?
Randomization of the maps, events, encounters. Visuals and sounds are sharp.

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game? Gaining hyperdrive early makes the game far too easy. Could use more variety in events. Stars exploding is interesting, but ultimately not much of a factor. More random factors, such as system failures, encounters. More decisions to make would be ideal.

3) Which map size do you prefer?
Prefer small maps.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?
Prefer the science ship, once I can get a good weapon.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?
Just right.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?
Risky!

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?
Not really. Just looking for a quick diversion, a few fire fights, explosions, and that feeling of not really knowing what's around the corner.

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?
No, distracting. How would I get work done?

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?
Frankly, they are all rather unremarkable.

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?
Own and play. But not anymore since WW arrived.

[Nukenin]

Ripcord O'Reilly said:1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

The Klakar with a good stock (esp. nebular ramjet/hyperdrive and PVC) in the first system I visit.

I also love the nebular plow, once I equipped it and, er, plowed through a nebula.

I was an early purchaser of the game (having been addicted to SAIS) but for some reason I didn't really dive into it until today, of all things. Who can play this for just a single 10 minute session?

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

Hyperdrive and PVC and other "top of the scale" items--simply because in their respective ways they can really shoot the score up, and they make what should be reasonable mid-range items feel useless.

Honestly, I'd love to see a simple system for handicapping oneself--the ability to remove (or render unusable) any item in the game with a pleasant interface by which to do it.

Or else, a method by which score can be adjusted based on the items that were equipped/used in the game... someone who manages to do well with just a basic hydrogen drive should perhaps get a bit of a nudge over the guy who bounced everywhere with his hyperdrive.

3) Which map size do you prefer?

Small for rapid-fire replay, medium for a bit more meat, and large for all the bells and whistles. All sizes fit me.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?

The pirate corvette for feeling closest to the original SAIS ship, but I do like the different gameplay focus you have with a different ship.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?

Just right. No, too hard. Wait, too easy. Heh heh, like much in this game, it's the luck of the draw. It's always a good feeling when you've got just barely what you need to pull off a win over one of these.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?

Yes.

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?

I don my captain's uniform, talk to my imaginary Scots engineer, talk in treknobabble... no, just what I normally do.

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?

No! Why are you hounding me! NO, I don't! What a terrib--er, terriFIC idea! I'll create seven!

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?

The guys behind the game.

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?

I own it, and have played it much. But Weird Worlds has kinda replaced it for me.

[skyknyt]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

I love being able to fly around and upgrade all my ships, having a fleet, etc. I think my absolute favorite moment, period, was when I first discovered the Damocles. My mind was just absolutely blown when that happened.

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

Okay, when I was playing the demo and it advertised the "Create your own battle feature" my first thought was that I'd get to personally deck out a bunch of ships with weapons and equipment, then pair them off against each other.

Instead I get to stick OTHER people's ships and have them fight, which is kinda boring in comparison. I can already guess how most of the fights will turn out, and you can't "play as" all of the ships, or even USE some of the super secret ships. Bah!

3) Which map size do you prefer?

Largest. The others aren't as fun - the exploration is so enjoyable, especially on a map with such a long timeline.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?

I like playing the Pirate scenario. The pirate ship is fairly fast, has a large cargo space, and rates artifacts as valuable, which in my head seems appropriate.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?

Kawangi is just ridiculously powerful, and only gets potentially harder as the game goes along.. (since it's possibly destroying the weapons and ships that might kill it)

At the same time, I really love the challenge that the Kawangi brings with it. I kinda wish there was a checkbox "make this a kawangi scenario!" Then at least I could practice. <_<

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?

The riskier the better! But I always bonk myself when I lose a cool ship because I pushed the envelope a little too far.

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?

Errr.. sort of?

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?

No. The quicklaunch bar is much more convenient.

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?

The Moon Marauder chick. I love the music that plays when you find her and I love her ship.

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?

Nope, didn't know it existed until I came here.

[RTyp06]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

Features: Combat simulator, Kwangi and Primordius quests. Wish these quests were optional rather than random so I could play them on demand. And of course the mods. The modding capability is probably the best feature of all.

Items: The high end weapons/special ship upgrades (neb plow, hyperdrive etc.) and interactive devices (gong, mirror etc.)

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

Lifeforms, Useless Artifacts, Passengers. Passengers would be interesting if they provided some sort of usefulness to your crew/fleet or added to some sort of quest.


3) Which map size do you prefer?

Largest, always. In fact I wish it went bigger. Even if it meant many stars were added with no items or events.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?

Military frigate almost exclusively.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?

Balance is pretty good as is. I usually play at the highest enemy level and this seems sufficiently tough.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?

I have to play "safe" at the highest enemy setting. At medium setting I grow a little bigger balls..

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?

No. There isn't really any interacting with the characters to speak of. This game could really shine if there was!

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?

Yes. Right next to my Urquan Masters (Star Control 2) shortcut!

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?

Does WW have any characters? Probably the Klakar or Fomax. Worst is RipCord, I cringe every time I run into him..

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?

Own and play.. Usually the "Even Stranger" mod..

[Ripcord O'Reilly]

Yikes, lots more responses. Thanks guys. I'll get back to this one as soon as I can.

[SaintCloister]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

The Plasma Coil Cloaker, the multi-missile launcher and the molybdenum node cannon.

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

Limited possibilities in the Quest scripting language
Can't program add-ons in more flexible languages like, say, c++
I can barely ever attack any decent-sized urluqai fleet without losing at least one or three ships. It annoys me to have such dirty tactics standing in the way of the expansion of my empire.

3) Which map size do you prefer?

The bigger the better.

4) Which player ship do you prefer?

The Frigate.

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?

Depends. You have to be lucky to be able to beat the worst of them. Sudden exploding stars are very bad news in a ww game, and spells low odds of survival. But so long as the reward meets the challenge, there's no such thing as 'too hard' unless it's impossible.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?

I don't take unneccesary risks. Unless i'm bored.

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?

Nope. But i do play it with vigor.

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?

Nopes. It's in a folder on my desktop, though.

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?

The ones i add through modding

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?

Nopes.

[Zogu]

1) What are your favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

I really love the game and thus, it is hard to define exactly which feature makes it so fun to play.

I like the fact that each game is different. Also, the fact that a game takes you less than 30-40 minutes.

The Klakar are nice. They act both as helpers, traders, bank vault. One thing though: When calling them with the beacon, it should take a few days from the counter (it shouldn't be instantaneous).

Although I haven't played many mods, the fact that the game is moddable is definitively a positive point. It is also a challenge to my own creativity.

I like the "Esmeralda factor". Sometimes you have to develop a strategy so that your precious loot is not in danger of being stolen. A nice thing would be that after she has stolen something, it would be possible to find Esmeralda on the map (in "her" ship) and fight her to get your stuff back.

Some weapons are funny to play with, for instance the Micrometeorite gun. I'd like to see more variety though; for instance, weapons with recoil/inertia, a goo gun (which slows down the enemy ship), etc.

2) What are your least favorite features/items/etc. in the game?

Currently, most star drives are too pedestrian in nebulas. What if some of them gave a speed of 2 or 3 at least? There should be more variety in drives.

I liked it in SAIS when it took some extra time to capture a life form. This funny feature is missing from WW. By the way, some of the expensive loot/items/lifeforms should slowly damage your ship's hull (for instance, huge violent beasts or radioactive jewels) -- the player would then want to resell the stuff as soon as possible!

Combat is sometimes disappointing; it is slow and limited.

I tried to mod the game so that thrusters are 2x as fast and weapons fire 2x as slowly, but it didn't make combats funnier. It would be fun to have faster and more agile ships, but it would require major changes in the way combats work.

Ships collide way too often in combat; maybe the shields should have a repealing effect, at least some of them. It would prevent some of the accidental collisions.

When we encounter a fleet 'round a planet, the "bonus item" should float in space in a cargo (ie, the enemy fleet would defend it). It would then add some new dimensions in the game: blowing up the cargo by mistake, running away with it (cloaked or with a fast ship), etc.

It would be nice to encouter some low-profile baddies between stars (nebulas should be infested with pirates and creatures). And no hyperdrive please!!!! I don't like it.

3) Which map size do you prefer?

Medium. I never ever play the small map; most quest are unplayable on it. Maybe there should be special quests only for the small map?

4) Which player ship do you prefer?

I love the 3 of them. The one I play the most often is the Frigate, though. At first I would only play the Corvette, but as I got more confident in the game, I started having fun with all ships. With the Science ship, it is important to build a fleet with some firepower; I often give a Zorg ship the status of "flagship".

I have to say, though: the Terran fighter (Ripcord O'Reilley) should be a real fighter, and have no star drive. It is too limited to be considered a real ship. And how 'bout having a Terrain carrier? You find it (on the map), you keep it!!!

5) Do you think the bosses (Kawangi, Primordius, Vent Mother, Deep Hunter, Garthan carrier) are too easy, too hard or just right?

Primordius: Too easy to defeat if you have the Furies (Chromium Gong). Maybe the Furies should be slightly scaled down, so that they give only 50% of the damage required to destroy Primordius. Also, Furies should be single-use (or have a limited number of uses, each time getting weaker). Idea for the furies: each time you use them, there is a chance that after destroying the enemy they "materialize" as a ship and attack you back!

Vent Mother: Holy moly! This is a major foe, even with the PVC in hand. Although you can have your way with tremendous firepower, 2 Neptunian Railguns and some mobility.

Garthan Carrier: I don't really like the Garthan in combat. Their fighters are weak (although they can pack a punch if you're weak too). Their carriers are boring. I like their attitude though.

Kawangi: Too strong in combat (unless there is some trick I don't know). If I don't find the LVC, the Furies or the Mirror soon enough, it's the end of the game. Their single undefeatable ship with 2 mighty weapons is just too much. Maybe the ship should be an undefeatable carrier. If you defeat all its fighters, it runs away & escapes from the galaxy.

Deep Hunter: Some Urluquai fleets are currently very hard to cope with, especially with their initial "surrounding" configuration. One thing that would help would be to be able to change the initial orientation of the player's ships. When meeting Urluquai, I'd like to have my ships placed back-to-back (and not all facing up with some Urluquai frying my ***).

Tan-Ru: The fleet with 2 red Tan-Ru populates my nightmares. There should be no more than one of these kick-*** fleets in any map.

6) When you play Weird Worlds do you "play it safe" or do you play risky?

I take risks. That's why a big Urluquai fleet usually kick my sorry *** at some point.

7) When you play Weird Worlds, do you "roleplay" it?

No. Although there are some nice roleplaying features in it (like being able to name planets), I don't see the point. Maybe all the stars should be nameless at the beginning of the game. The player would then have to name the stars without a fleet (ie, not owned by aliens).

Also, the % of the map that has been either explored (or conquered) for Glory should have some emphasis. The player should choose a flag at the beginning of the game; the flag would then be shown beside the systems that have been "claimed" or "conquered" for Glory.

The roleplaying aspect should be explored. There could be a "journal", which would fill automatically, at each game.

The only "roleplay effect" I have is an adrenaline shot when I see a star exploding at the start of the Kawangi game. Then, I am totally stressed out and run around the map in a frenzy. Good times.

8) Do you keep a Weird Worlds shortcut on your desktop?

Absolutely. I play the game at least 3-4 times a week (I usually play 3-4 games each time).

9) Who is your favorite Weird Worlds character?

I don't know. The game doesn't offer much character development. Maybe the ambassadors should have their say in some situations (for instance, a Celatian would refuse to be present in combats)?

10) Do you own/play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space?

I own it, but I don't play it anymore.