Rumours, Suggestions, Features on the Next Update

CW · #1 June 18th, 2002, 07:22 PM

As the title suggests, I'd like to start a thread for any rumours, sugestions and confirmed features on the next update.

I'm going to start off with a suggestion that I've mailed MM about before, and I think is critically needed for those long PBW games: Please enable the save game button in simultaneous games! Not that many people have a continuous free hour everyday to spend on a game! Not to mention those frustrating Last-minute computer crashes!

Second suggestion: "Go to" command for drones.

[edit] late-night poor spelling syndrome

[ June 18, 2002, 18:24: Message edited by: CW ]

Wardad · #2 June 18th, 2002, 08:15 PM

FIX THE CRYSTALINE WEAPONS AND FACILITIES!!!

I WANT MY RACIAL POINTS AND RESEACH POINTS WORTH!!!

Baron Munchausen · #3 June 18th, 2002, 09:52 PM

It might not be that Crystalline weapons are so badly setup as armor is badly setup. The primary 'power' of both Shard Cannons and Crystalline Torpedoes is bypassing armor. Well, after you have shields level 3 or so what use is armor? If the power of armor was increased then the value of Crystalline weapons would increase.

Anyway, you can mod these changs for yourself, you know.

[ June 18, 2002, 20:54: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

Wardad · #4 June 18th, 2002, 10:27 PM

Shard weapons are greatly underpowered, even when facing armor only ships.

Compare them to PPB. PPB can penetrate normal shields, BUT it is strong enough to be usefull against armor and phased shields. PPB are cheaper to research and cost no racial points.

As for modding... it's fine if you play with yourself. It's hard enough getting PBW players, it would be harder still for an unknown custom mod.

Baron Munchausen · #5 June 18th, 2002, 11:08 PM

Eww....

I hadn't looked at the default techs for a long time. The Shard Cannon tops out at 35 points!?

That's sick! 10 levels for 35 points while the PPB gets to 60 points in 5 levels!

Mod those files is all I can say.

I've got the Shard Cannon topping out at 50 points and the PPB topping out at 45, though there's another weapon 'after' it in that tech field which goes to 70 points and ignores all shields. (It's a 40kt component, though...)

[ June 18, 2002, 22:09: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

Suicide Junkie · #6 June 19th, 2002, 01:27 AM

Note the range, as well.

Shard Cannon: 1.17 @ range 8
P. Polaron Beam: 2.00 to 1.67 @ range 6

It is also general knowledge that you use the shard cannons against organic targets & their heavy armor. If there are shields involved, you use more efficient weapons.

DavidG · #7 June 19th, 2002, 02:05 AM

under the topic of suggestions for future updates how about making it so that only the hosts txt files (components/ facilities etc) are needed for a multi game. This way you could get around the problems mentioned of getting everyone to get the same mode. Of course probably be a major code change and make .gam files huge.

The other think I would like to see (probably also a major code change) is a way to play tactical combat in a multi game(at least in tcp/ip mode).

Atrocities · #8 June 19th, 2002, 02:46 AM

Wheel Mouse Support.

Baron Munchausen · #9 June 19th, 2002, 05:39 AM

Heh... yeah, I suppose the biggest fault in the UI is the lack of wheel- mouse support. Once you get used to it, it's really frustrating trying to use a computer without it.

SJ: The AI isn't smart enough to alter its designs to handle different opponents. And besides, you've paid 1,500 race points to get this tech area. So, the Shard Cannon has to be a decent general weapon, although it also helps to include at least one HEM in every design over Light Cruiser size.

I still think that some improvement is needed in armor. When the next beta arrives I think I'll be able to make some cool armor mounts that will make armor much more useful. And then the hardly used special ability of the Crystalline Techs will start to be worth more.

[ June 19, 2002, 05:28: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

Tnarg · #10 June 19th, 2002, 06:02 AM

Ever since I played a Pyschic Race and had access to the allegiance subverter I have felt as though I was cheating. The Pyschic Race has a great deal of cool things, but when ever the allegiance subverter is researched and applied, it is basically game over if playing against the AI.

I hope that no ones feels that I am stepping on shoes, but think about it. One or two frigates armed with a subverter and enough protection to get in close enough to a Dreadnaught. Well next thing you know you have a Dreadnaught and enough technology gained from analyzing it to put you in Evil empire status real quick. Or a real large fleet built with out even having high tech ship yards.

It should either cost an incrediable amount, or have a significant reduction in successfully scoring a hit.

So yeah, shave a little off the Pyschic advantages and put on the fat to the Crystalline which has some real cool techs, but nothing really worth while becuase of what it has to offer.