Up to date beta patch info.. - Page 7

Warlord Adamus · #61 December 14th, 2000, 07:26 PM

I think this is just a general misconception more than anything. I'm assuming Freyland is pointing to the long list of fixes/improvements and wonders why this wasn't already done before release. Correct me if I'm wrong. You have to keep in mind that MM has always done things this way, even before Shrapnel. The game isn't incomplete, there is just so much depth and tweaking to be done that development continues even after release.

That is not to say what you bought was a bugged game, remember all of the Malfador testers have been playing much more unstable Versions for many, many months. It wouldn't be released if it wasn't ready. I bought SE3 under the same set of circumstances, and to me it was fun seeing a patch every couple of weeks, a patch that wasn't just improvements but things I suggested. I couldn't wait for SE4 to be released because I wanted to see all the cool new mods. Suggest improvements, take a note from tampa, mephisto, talenn etc. and tweak things a bit. Telling us how much you don't like the game repeatedly just gets old, if you're that unsatisfied, just get a new game.

PS: I think that quote is a bit inaccurate, though he has the idea. To my knowledge Aaron never said, "lets release the game minus a good AI". I would imagine he assumed it was a work in progress like the other 85% of people on this forum do.

[This message has been edited by Warlord Adamus (edited 14 December 2000).]

Taqwus · #62 December 14th, 2000, 08:36 PM

One more bug --

It *seems* that if you set a colony ship to Minister control, and you've got both Colonization and Resupply ministers on, that the colony ship's pathing will ignore supply even when a few squares' worth of a detour would suffice. In my current game, a large number of minister-controlled colony ships are currently completely out of supply in a nebula system, even though, IIRC, all of my adjacent systems have resupply depots...

I don't seem to have this problem with pop transports or minelayers -- they normally pay attention. Just the colony pods.

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-- The thing that goes bump in the night

Courageous · #63 December 14th, 2000, 09:04 PM

Poor A.I.? Buy _Ascendancy_. Get back with
me.

C//

Baron Munchausen · #64 December 14th, 2000, 09:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Taqwus:
One more bug --

It *seems* that if you set a colony ship to Minister control, and you've got both Colonization and Resupply ministers on, that the colony ship's pathing will ignore supply even when a few squares' worth of a detour would suffice. In my current game, a large number of minister-controlled colony ships are currently completely out of supply in a nebula system, even though, IIRC, all of my adjacent systems have resupply depots...

I don't seem to have this problem with pop transports or minelayers -- they normally pay attention. Just the colony pods.

This is a general problem, actually. Your mine layers and population transports are probably just making short enough journeys that the problem doesn't appear. Any ships moving long distances will go straight to their destination without detouring for resupply even if it would cost no extra moement. You will see this when you send ships somewhere manually. They'll move within one square of a resupply depot and go right by it. "Smart navigation" where the ships use resupply depots any time it would cost no extra movement is something I've wanted for a while. Dunno how hard it would be to implement, though.

Socialist · #65 December 16th, 2000, 08:06 PM

Gentlemen, (ladies)

Overall it seems MM is pretty dedicated on "tweaking" the game, and thats usually not the case with most companies. Have to say the game seems quite complete already and any other extras are added bonus. on bug issues, i never actively look for abuse bugs (ie. mothballing and uping production)
I never felt the need to try to get around "the game" to get ahead. Whats the point in playing to abuse a bug? Winning by using something unethical would remove the personal satisfaction of the win itself. At least it will be fixed in next patch.

Glad to see so many involved in discussion, and with the game creators interest in making the game into the best it can be.

very enjoyable game..i think i will go back and play a bit more..

Jonny the Red ( uses a happy workers Collective..no empire here) :P

ready to liberate all your empires of their overlords to join the true collective...hehe

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Waves his Red flag

Socialist

Socialist · #66 December 16th, 2000, 08:10 PM

to you Jubala,

i saw your message a while back...add me into your ICQ, so when the Tcp/IP patch comes out later..we can play those long long
Online games :P

jjustice@kc.rr.com

or Socialist...on icq

glad to play you then!

Jonny the Red

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Waves his Red flag

Socialist

Jourin · #67 December 18th, 2000, 10:37 PM

C4

I will defend myself since you quoted me (out of context)

I think MM had a choice. Continue to work with the 50 unpaid beta testers (hey that got a free game and got to play it for x months so I consider them lucky) and fix all the minor problems or release it and continue to improve the game.

The community put pressure on MM to release the game, and MM complied but stated that the game will not be released with any major/obvious bugs.

AI level: The AI in SEIII was very good and it didn't cheat but it evolved. When you first play the game and are more worried about correcting bugs by testing weird scenarios the AI can be stupid and still give you a challenge. Only after humans play numerous games and evolve strategies does the stupidity of the AI show. Other companies compensate by letting the AI cheat and to me that ruins the game. I like playing against an AI that doesn't "cheat"

I think as people play the game and note the stupid things the AI does - then report them back to MM, the AI will improve. I am very good at strategy games and can easily beat most AIs on the top level, yet the AI in SEIII was challenging. I think the AI can evolve in SEIV to also be very challenging.

If you think the AI is doing something stupid - send your reasons why along with your approach plus the save game to MM and MAYBE they will be able to make the AI smarter.

The big difference between MM and ALL other companies is that MM will try while other companies usually just take your money and run.

I will let the matter drop, but please do not quote me out of context.

Thanks

Noble713 · #68 December 18th, 2000, 11:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Courageous:
Poor A.I.? Buy _Ascendancy_. Get back with
me.

LOL!!!! I remember that game. If the AI in SE4 has the aggressiveness of a sheep, the AI in Ascendancy would be a popsicle stick.

C4 · #69 December 18th, 2000, 11:27 PM

Jourin, Let the matter drop or not as it suits you.

I fail to see how your quote was out of context regarding the AI.

Please let me know how you feel your were misrepresented regarding the AI quote and I will be happy to issue you a formal apology if I did take it out of context.

[This message has been edited by C4 (edited 18 December 2000).]

sogard · #70 December 18th, 2000, 11:33 PM

I have been playing both solo and hotseat SPACE EMPIRES IV (SE4) for the past couple of weeks. With the present patch (v1.11), the game is very good. It is sooooo good that I can not wait until tcp/ip play is enabled. I hope that playing SE4 in the turn based mode will also permit one to use the tactical combat option (as this works perfectly in hotseat play). I liked MOO2 in hotseat play rather well; but, SE4 adds whole new dimensions to game play.

I look forward to the release of the new patch and the enabling of tcp/ip play. One nice added feature would be the inclusion of a timer for internet play so that, if you were playing in turn based mode, one could set limits as to how long a player is allowed to make a move (excluding combats, if possible)