This game is an expensive coaster

Kagetora · #1 May 24th, 2001, 05:50 AM

Well I played the demo of this game way back in September of Last year. I knew from the demo that the AI was pathetic to the point of non existance. I liked the design and figured it would be fun to play with other humans Online. Since they were saying TCP/IP would be put in I figured I could spend a month or 2 getting my feet wet and then be ready for real opponents. Well it's now been 8 months and counting and I still can't play this game in the manner that was promised and that I bought the game for. The AI is still the equivelant of beating up a baby and stealing it's juice. I am sick of people saying this company has such good customer support. They are still in the middle of a 3 year creation run which seems to be petering out 8 months after they sold this coaster. This is a mass produced fraud, not a game company.

Spoo · #2 May 24th, 2001, 06:47 AM

As I recall, TCP/IP support was put off because a large number of fans (from this very board) requested that AI improvement be given top priority. And improved it has! It's certainly not perfect, but given the complexity of this game it does a pretty good job. Not to mention, if you want human opposition, why not try Admiral's play by web server? http://seiv.admiral.com

p.s. Don't expect much sympathy from us.

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Assume you have a 1kg squirrel
E=mc^2
E=1kg(3x10^8m/s)^2=9x10^16J
which, if I'm not mistaken, is equivilent to roughly a 50 megaton nuclear bomb.
Fear the squirrel.

Deathstalker · #3 May 24th, 2001, 08:10 AM

I only have one thing to say about this game. Since downloading the demo in October I have not really played another game since. Bought the Icewind Dale add-on and opened the box (played for about 2hrs, then went back to se4). The only other game that has had me this addicted was Civilizations (the original) back in my university days.

DAMN I love this game. And as to company support, in a world where games are fired out at us WAY b4 they are ready (anyone remember the Battlecruiser fiasco a few years ago?) I think MM has supported this game quite above and beyond the call of duty.

Aaron deserves a raise/holiday and his name in lights.

(and whoever did the artwork as well, some damn fine shipsets there!)

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"The Empress took your name away," said Chance.
Owen smiled coldly. "It wasn't hers to take. I'm a Deathstalker until I die. And we never forget a slight or an enemy." -Owen Deathstalker.

Magnum357 · #4 May 24th, 2001, 09:11 AM

Dude, you cry like a baby!!! This is a one man operation (with Sharpnel games helping out some). I think MM has done an excellent job with this game. So what if their is no TCP/IP support, can't you play a game by E-mail? Or are you one of those type of gamers that likes "shootem-up" type games? Hey, if you don't like the game and want to use as a new fresbie for your dog, be my guest! Its your loss.

Kagetora · #5 May 24th, 2001, 03:12 PM

I didn't really expect any sympathy here as obviously anybody who thinks spending months playing this game a turn every 2 days with the complexities involved doubles for internet play is a whole case short of a six pack. I play the AI with one arm tied behind my back. I don't use mines, fighters, or any planetary defenses and I still stomp it flat with no effort on the hardest setting. Of course those of you not so bright or strategically minded might consider it adequate but when my golden retriever beat it he said it sucked too. I don't care what they said they have done or how many patches they put out this game isn't a game with no way to play solo or any way to play against other humans in the manner in which most human being would consider the proper way.

God Emperor · #6 May 24th, 2001, 03:16 PM

Kagetora,
Doesnt sound like you are playing the same game as me.
My current game (large galaxy, high difficulty, low AI bonus, all 16 mod pack races) is very challenging (see my thread "Tale of a Game from a Play Test Perspective" - I may be in 2nd place by turn 77, but, I've had to work like hell to get there).

Although the AI cant skirmish very well, when a mod pack race comes gunning for you, you are in for a challenging time.

If on the other hand you have played the mod pack races at low bonus or better and consistently beat them, then I'm not sure there are too many humans who will be a challenge for you.

I wish you the best of luck in finding a better space strategy game, as I think you will be waiting a long while.

GE

PS: There have been lots of strategy games since the Last great (MOO2), but, only SE4 has managed to take its title. With every patch, SE4 makes it harder for the next game to beat it, and Aaron seems comitted (from his replies to my suggestions, and those of others) to be taking on board gamers feedback in further improving the game - I cant see how this could be conceived as poor support.

PPS: By the way, my friends and I am hanging out for TCP/IP too, but, are still enjoying the game (particularly given all of the mods that fans are doing, and are able to do).

rdouglass · #7 May 24th, 2001, 03:31 PM

I agree with GE. If you're playing Mod pack races with at least a low bonus, high difficulty and are THAT dissapointed, please don't ask ME for a Human vs. Human game - you'll be dissapointed with me also.

Yes, I too can (easily!) beat the 'standard' AI without using ANY UNITS (fighters, mines, troops, sats, etc.) and giving them more Racial Points to boot! However, there are some very good AI's written for some of the races in the Mod pacs.

Try playing a game or two against the Rage and give them High Dificulty and Med bonus. If you still feel that way after that, you are probably a MUCH better player than the vast majority of people in this forum. I know personally, I was humbled....

LeTharg · #8 May 24th, 2001, 04:05 PM

Why not play PBEM? Is the pace too slow? I find the pace provides opportunities for lots of diplomacy and conniving. Your opponents will be intelligent and unpredicatable. I've been very impressed with the ability, maturity and competence of the opponents I've met.

PBEM also allows you to role-play. I'm trying a berserker race in a new PBEM. It may not be optimal (or survivable) but I bet I have a lot of fun.

Nitram Draw · #9 May 24th, 2001, 04:18 PM

Hotseat is also an option if you are lucky enough to live near some players.
This game is definately one of the best human vs human games ever. There are so many ways to win!

klausD · #10 May 24th, 2001, 04:25 PM

Kagetora
Instead of complaining you should mention a strategy game where the AI is better than SE4 Vs.1.35. The fact is, that there is none.
Maybe you played the 1.0 Version and won "one handed", but against the TDM races its another story.

TCP/IP: who cares about this? Do you want to tell us that you are playing a game over the internet which Lasts several hundred of hours?
As long as the scenario editor (for shorter games) is not available it has no sense to play TCP/IP.

klaus