OT: I'm Back!!(Finally)

[Deathstalker]

Don't know if anyone really noticed http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif , but I have been gone for awhile. My computer finally DIED, would'nt even boot up to safe mode. 'Saved up' and got a new one, 1.5 gig, p4 blah, blah, blah. So far so good. Will have to search thru my 200+ email Messages and see if I missed anything. Sorry to anyone who was trying to get in touch with me. Also have a new Version of the Deathstalker's mod to upload once I get it transfered to this computer. See y'all soon http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

{Modd Plug: new tech's, Mercinaries for hire, re-done experimental ships, Trandimensional Tech, etc.....)

LLL

[Atrocities]

Dude, you were gone? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Welcome back. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I Was beginning to wonder what happened to you. Figured that your homeworld was over ran and you were executed or something. LOL. Glad your back.

[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: Atrocities ]</p>

[Andrés]

Good to see you again.

[Puke]

dude, the PBW server crashed! its still down! the world is ending!

whats more, we had Georgig take over the eeevil in diplowar2, i thought it was poetic justice http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

glad youre back, when the server is Online again, we must get back to the games.

[Val]

Welcome home http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

What's "Mercs for hire" all about? Sounds interesting...

[Deathstalker]

"Merc's for hire",

Basicly it is impossible to create a 'component' that is unique (to mimic the unique 'captains' of Moo2). So I borrowed some pictures from movies etc and made a few components that are 'one per vehicle', added a new tech area and created 'Mercinaries'. Like 'Ork boarding parties', 'Mechanics', etc (abilities like component repair, sensor level, mine sweeping, etc.) Generally these components are as good (or a little worse) than their counterparts (ork boarding parties are good at offense, but bad at defense, way more expensive than normal boarding parties but easier to develop).

This way with this tech people can hire merc's to do many jobs without having the actual tech (ie the minesweeper merc sweeps 4 mines, but with only one per ship and a high mineral cost makes them costly for one per ship).

The one problem (as always) is how the AI uses them. Give a component a defensive bonus and the AI thinks it is a ECM suite, give it an offensive bonus and it thinks it is a combat sensor. Give an engine 'armor regeneration' and watch the AI load up 8 or 9 engines for organic races, even with the 'one per vehicle', the AI ignores this. So basicly this tech is 'player only'. Adds some fun though (IMO).

Will probally have the newest Version of the modd up by the weekend (just some final tweaking remains, and a few more AI's to modd so that they actually use the new weapons).

[Val]

You should check out the rollplaying mod thread, they were talking about making leaders and generals - along similiar line to what you were saying, but more unique.

Rollplaying Thread (http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=23&t=004537)

Can't wait to check out the mod, Da Boyz 'ave given me lotsa 'eadaches in da past!

[eorg]

hi to you from me too :-) if you want your empire back i'll send you the password there are 1 or 2 turns passed i will send you all e-mails with agreements too

[Fyron]

Welcome back Deathstalker! I trust your new marriage is going well?

[Deathstalker]

"hi to you from me too :-) if you want your empire back i'll send you the password there are 1 or 2 turns passed i will send you all e-mails with agreements too "

No need, you are quite welcome to play 'my' empire (with the problems I had it was more Spoo's and yours than mine anyway). Still currently getting the 'kinks' out of the new computer (and learning the quirks of Windoz XP, truely a strange interface). The married life is going quite well, (despite a new computer entering our lives http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

Lookin forward to GOLD!!

[Deathstalker]

For those that I converse with regularly I will be offline AGAIN for about a week or more. The 'Wonderful' new computer is not as wonderful as was adversized. There is a current 'compatibility' issue with windoz xp and hp with thier cd-writer, both companies blame each other and I got the 'pass the buck' routine for the Last few days. Bottom line, the cd-writer does not work and I am returning the computer for a full refund and buying a Dell. Staples can just lose my business for the lousy customer service they gave me. (would'nt take responsibility for anything, their 'solution' was just send it back not try to find out what the problem really was.)

Anyway, to cut the rant short I will be gone for awhile. Bringing in the machine tomorrow. C-yall soon. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif