What this game desperately needs...

Guynemer · April 24, 2003, 11:48

...or perhaps I'm an idiot and can't figure it out.

Hyperlinks on tech screens and negotiation screens. When choosing a tech, I should be able to click on a building or module that it lists to find out exactly what that building does. Likewise in negotiations--I can't remember how Advanced DNA Repair compares to Extravanganza if I can't see what exactly those two techs do--bonuses, buildings, modules, future techs, etc.

A little more give and take on the negotiation screen would be helpful too... they don't like my offer, come back with something they do like.

Great game.

Ragnar_84 · April 24, 2003, 13:29

I wholeheartedly agree on both points!

Asmodean · April 24, 2003, 15:44

A hyperlinked tech-tree is top of most users wish list. So far, Brad is against it, though. He has stated that it takes away the feeling of climbing up the tech tree being a "voyage of discovery".

As much respect as I have for Brad Wardell, on this issue I don't agree with him.

Asmodean

Guynemer · April 24, 2003, 15:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Asmodean
A hyperlinked tech-tree is top of most users wish list. So far, Brad is against it, though. He has stated that it takes away the feeling of climbing up the tech tree being a "voyage of discovery".

Come on. This is supposed to be a strategy game... SMAC's "blind research" is one thing, but actually knowing what you are researching without knowing what it will give you sort of defeats the strategy of it.

What about hyperlinked diplomacy? Has he said anything about that?

Draginol · April 24, 2003, 16:06

This stuff will be in the expansion pack (or most of it) which will be free. That's due out hopefully in June.

Jamski · April 24, 2003, 16:07

Brad, since you're reading this, is there any news about availability in Germany yet?

rayingsmilie:

-Jam

vmxa1 · April 24, 2003, 16:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Asmodean
A hyperlinked tech-tree is top of most users wish list. So far, Brad is against it, though. He has stated that it takes away the feeling of climbing up the tech tree being a "voyage of discovery".

As much respect as I have for Brad Wardell, on this issue I don't agree with him.

Asmodean

I will concede that poitn for the first pass or so, but at some point you lose that feeling anyway and would like to have the data available IMO.
Anyway it sounds like we may get it eventually.

Garth Vader · April 24, 2003, 17:24

It would at least be nice to be able to see tech info from the diplomacy screen.

If I am trading X for Y I don't want to have to remember what level and what comes with the techs.

As for picking what tech to research, I don't really care, the discovery thing is still cool, I just hate it when I trade a high level tech for a low level one, or trade away something that gives a wondor that I forgot about

Guynemer · April 24, 2003, 23:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Draginol
This stuff will be in the expansion pack (or most of it) which will be free. That's due out hopefully in June.

Bless you. If only all game companies were as responsive.

Although, this game could potentially jeopardize the health care of many patients, as it is keeping me from studying. On the other hand, keeping me from seeing patients may actually improve their health care...

Alex · April 25, 2003, 13:09

/me joins WoA in asking Brad:

Would you know if the game will be released in Brazil?

Draginol · April 26, 2003, 23:17

International availablity:

(typing messed up, band aid on finger)

I wish I could tell you. I had hoped it w2ould be available more so overseas than it already is.

I'm going to try to get the files up that are required for translation. Then the users themselves can translate if they want and not have to wait for Strategy First or anyone else if they don't want.

Todd Hawks · April 27, 2003, 01:32

War of Art: You can order it from okaysoft.de. From what I know they are very reliable and fast.

Felch · April 27, 2003, 15:17

I liked going on up through the tech tree the first time and not being sure what benefits I would get from each tech. It makes the game feel more like a discovery.

The only way to really keep that up though would be to continually mod it with new techs every few times you play.

Does including mods ban you from the Metaverse, or does it check about fairness of the mods? I admit that would be a tough thing to guage, but it's hardly cheating if the mods are more or less balanced.

vee4473 · April 28, 2003, 19:04

I think the game needs to have zoom levels on the main map screen, not just the mini-map.

That would be lovely.

Rusty Nail · April 30, 2003, 15:33

It is really important to get an exact definition of how scoring is done if the metaverse is to have any value. I would suggest you put it out as is and then ask players for suggestions on how to weight various factors before finalizing it. Also scoring should be categorized by average AI level to be meaningful, i.e. separate lists for each category. A strategy that worked at "normal" is not attractive for a player who wants to play against good strategies that succeeded at "intelligent". Right now, the metaverse is pretty useless, but it is a very imaginative idea and has tremendous potential, but requires a little work.

Felch · May 1, 2003, 20:07

If there are any tutorials on how to make mods, or any sort of help or guides or anything, I'd love that. I don't want to change game mechanics, so much as add in things that I think would add to the experience, like events and what not.

Zoom levels on the main map I second.