What is the problem with SE5?

[Raapys]

As unfinished as the game is, what's really breaking it for me is the AI, and it's doubtful I'll actually <play> the game more before that part has been vastly improved. It's just not interesting( especially with stock tech tree ) when there's no competition at all. Heck, you can play player vs 20 AIs on hard and max bonus and never have any fear of actually loosing. You can only go through the tech tree and watch the AI do amazingly silly and uninteresting things so many times before growing bored.

Other than that it's really just the bugs, incosistencies with the data files and functions( for modding purposes ), etc. that's bugging me. And, obviously, the UI.

What's of a somewhat greater concern, though, is the fact that the game didn't really bring with it anything new, or change anything significant. Well, except going from turn-based to real-time combat, but that's a *very* subjective improvement. I am, in fact, having more fun playing SE IV than I am playing SE V. They are the same game, but SE IV comes in a more finished and user-friendly package.

I was sort of hoping for more of a MoO2 -> MoO3 sort of change( without the whole 'was never finished' aspect ), especially regarding planets and economy, which MoO3 does insanely more complex and better than SE. I understand making the game this complex would probably be a nightmare for Aaron on a code-level, though. I just feel we need something new and fresh, something to set it apart from the previous games.

Until then I'll just be doing some modding and stuff for SEV, while waiting for the AI update that will make the game challenging. And some interesting mods.

[President_Elect_Shang]

President_Elect_Shang said:
Without a lengthy discourse as to the nature of the problem what is the ONE problem you have with SE5? The one and only one that eats you up more than any others?

I don't think anyone has actually read my post. I am asking what is your one personal gripe with SE5 that you would like to see fixed. I am not asking what you think is other peoples opinion. None of this helps me to understand anymore than before. Raapy you came the closest to answering my question but you still gave me how many answers?

ONE Problem
ONE Answer

Thats all nothing else. What ONE thing would you like to see fixed if you cold wave a magic wand and fix only one thing? We can discuss the ins and outs and details later. Right now lets get a focus on what one thing is eating you!

[Azselendor]

It's hard to pin frustrations with SE5 on any one problem, but with that said - I'll take a buggy game with a intuitive and great interface over a non-buggy game with a byzantine interface.

[Atrocities]

You are all correct, what more can be said?

I too get extremely frustrated with SE 5 UI's lack of intuitiveness and generally believe that next to game crashing bugs, weak AI, and nescience bugs, the UI is the largest problem with the game.

[President_Elect_Shang]

The UI isn't just one issue that can have a *snap* you are fixed answer. The UI isn't all that bad to me anyway. I have certainly seen worse even if I have seen better. Now I'm going off track; if it is the UI and you have to take that as your one answer what would you suggest as a role model to base an improved UI from?

[President_Elect_Shang]

Atrocities said:
I too get extremely frustrated with SE 5 UI's lack of intuitiveness and generally believe that next to game crashing bugs, weak AI, and nescience bugs, the UI is the largest problem with the game.

That's it, but just one, what game crashing bugs lets start there!

[Uncle_Joe]

What you are asking is not really possible to tell IMO. Because there isnt any ONE 'mission-critical' problem with SE5 that I can see. If there were, that would make it much easier to correct.

The 'problem' with SE5 IMO is a combination of subtle things, many of which are touched on above. I am the one in my gaming group that decided to buy and try SE5 despite the poor reviews and less than glowing feedback from many SE4 fanatics. And when my friends ask me about it, I still cant put my finger directly on it.

The end result is that SE5 just doesnt seem 'fun' IMO. And that is about as subjective as you can get! Whether its the UI or bugs or unfinished features or poor AI or whatever I dont know...but the result is the same...I start a game, play for 15-20 turns, lose interest, save the game, and then not bother with it for a few weeks when I repeat the process again.

So, if you want to sum it up in one problem, I guess that would be it..."IMO, SE5 isnt fun at the moment".

[Moriarty]

Without a lengthy discourse as to the nature of the problem what is the ONE problem you have with SE5? The one and only one that eats you up more than any others?

Simple answer: "death by a thousand cuts". That's the one reason. If you want a comprehensive list there are a bunch of threads that cover those.

Uncle_Joe: I remember them pointing to a poll that they conductd on THEIR SITE about wanting multiplayer or not. They said the results were overwhelmingly against. Well, if you ask on a SINGLE PLAYER ONLY forum, its not likely that you will terribly many MP players hanging around to participate in your poll, are you?

A valid observation, but look at it another way - If they're content with their current, single player market, and that market has no interest in multiplayer, why do they need to implement multiplayer? Sure they'll get more players but they'll also gain all manner of troubles (both from a design and support perpsective).
I did see the poll in question and multiplayer lost by a long way. Also I believe this was for an addon. Who better to ask what you want in an addon than the current players?

[brainsucker1]

The UI -- if I click on a hex containing a planet and several other items (ships, sats, etc) it is more difficult to choose the one you want (right click doesn't work) and give it orders.

Why cant I just click and drag a ship where I want it to go?

Why have I been unable reliably to give a ship multiple orders like pick up cargo, fly over there, drop SOME of the cargo and keep moving. It was easier in SE4

[President_Elect_Shang]

brainsucker1 said:
The UI -- if I click on a hex containing a planet and several other items (ships, sats, etc) it is more difficult to choose the one you want (right click doesn't work) and give it orders.

Really? I can right click just fine? I can also Shift+Click to get multiple ships.

brainsucker1 said:
Why cant I just click and drag a ship where I want it to go?

What if you want it to go through a warp point to an unexplored system? How do you tell the game you want to warp if drag and drop means move? How about a planet 5 systems away, how are you going to drag and drop to a system map that isn't selected?

brainsucker1 said:
Why have I been unable reliably to give a ship multiple orders like pick up cargo, fly over there, drop SOME of the cargo and keep moving. It was easier in SE4

Huh? This is SE5 you are talking about right? Do you mean you can give the order but it isn't as easy as in SE4?