Hi, all--
I just spent the past few hours going over the data files for the TDM-modpack and DevNullModGold. The second mod feels comfortable to me, as I'm a fan of books based on StarFire (such as by Weber & White).
Anyway, what I want to change about the game is to incorporate more of a sense of strategy rather than tactics (ie, with more logistics & economy building), and I want to take advantage of the capabilities of the game engine-- ie, the flexibility of the tech tree, the component/tonnage build system which can output anything from individual troops or fighters to bases and capital ships.
Planet population should mean more and there should be reasons for capturing a planet rather than nuking it from orbit. If for no other reason, a Mean Evil Empire(tm) such as an "Arachnid" race might create facilities on a captured planet to convert them into organic resources and research points...?
Anyway, I want to do something like making transport ships required and meaningful to actually defend-- ie, making support more important. Perhaps by making cargo required as ammo-- have capital ship missiles/heavy bombardment missiles simulated as drones. Be nice if you couldn't reload all weapon types (ie, missile bays) via solar collectors and actually needed a production facility once in a while. :-)
I also want to adjust carrier-to-fighter ratio quite a bit. An 800K "light carrier" should only be able to carry, say, 8 or 12 25K large fighters, rather than 70 or so. My Last game, I refused to build any ships except carriers and fighters (and colony ships). Doing that plus only using weapon platforms to defend left me with low maintainance.
Does anyone have a source of numbers for the ratio of component types (ie, weapons/power/drive/control/crew space) for 'real ships'. If I compare something like a CV or SSBN, that might be a starting point for updating the balance.
More types of warp points are definitely needed, and there should be a reason to equip explorer ships with sensors. Well, time to start tweaking.
Later,
-Chuck
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