How many folks still playing?

[Mr. Harley]

Played it when it first game out. Had fallen into disuse, then decided to try searching the web about two years ago and discovered Apolyton. Tried out the new strategies, then went for PBEM. That gets to be a real challenge.

[gwillybj]

enjoy, play, etc.

[Barinthus]

SMAC/X have a permanment home on my hard drive, suffice to say.

[molly bloom]

Re: How many folks still playing?

Originally posted by muskelmichi
High People!

I'm new to this Forum (not to some of your great advices or vel's guide) and a HUGE Smac/x fan. I've been playing for years now, with a few breaks between but continuing. I'm just wondering how many people still enjoy/play it.

Can someone tell me whether you're still finding out more about this game or is most (or ALL) of the game mechanics already written here?

Answers?

Yes I still play- the hard work and intelligence and creativity put into making SMAC/SMAX paid off, at least in terms of interest from its devotees.


I can't think of any other game (even CIV II) which has ever enthralled me with the charm, frustration and zest to play just one more turn, the way that SMAC/X does.


And yes, every few months someone comes up with something new and delightful on the boards, either a discussion point, or something in the game itself.

[muskelmichi]

thanx you guys!
I've had expected 2 or 3 answers, but hey!
I'm just glad SMAC still rocks the flippediefloppedieflew!

[-SafaN-]

Originally posted by mart7x5
I play both SMAC/X and Civ3. When I compare both games, definitely SMAC wins. Some mods for Civ3 might somehow get closer to SMAC level, but I haven't seen any yet. The main problem with Civ3 is diplomacy and spying. Also lack of customizable units. After SMAC this genre should have always customizable units. And I do not think it is something which cannot be done.

Only one game can make me stop playing SMAC/X - SMAC2

customizable units in civ3 how would u do that?
a unit armed with an axe and a kevlar suit as defence?
and a unit with wheels, a cannon and a leather armor as offence?

interesting but not doable I think

[Mart]

Originally posted by -SafaN-


customizable units in civ3 how would u do that?
a unit armed with an axe and a kevlar suit as defence?
and a unit with wheels, a cannon and a leather armor as offence?

interesting but not doable I think

It's just a question of creativity. I think that if you put enough effort to design such system it would work very well. It would not be probably a simple matter.

I observed that civ3 is an attempt to be very true to history of earth. Still players are welcomed to make their own units and include them in scenarios, so if someone wants to have a modern armor armored with leather plates he/she can do it. Many people though would not like to play such scenario, I guess. Lack of customizable units thus is in my view preventing players from designing weird ones.

[livid imp]

Originally posted by -SafaN-
customizable units in civ3 how would u do that?

The same way they do it in SMAC of course.

Originally posted by -SafaN-
a unit armed with an axe and a kevlar suit as defence?
and a unit with wheels, a cannon and a leather armor as offence?

And why not? What prevents a person from doning a kevlar vest and wielding an axe? Is it terribly pratical? No. But that level of freedom needs to be there to have a game with this kind of lasting power. In SMAC you can build a 5-12-3 hovertank. It isn't a very practical design, but that is for the player to decide, not the designer.

[dacole]

I definitly still play single and multiplayer. AC is perhaps the best game of all time which is why when it came out it recieved a rating of 96 or so from pc gamer which I think is still one of the top five ratings they have ever given a game. (the others being given to civ 2 and 3 and half live one and two I believe). What makes it so much fun for me is something that hasn't been mentioned here yet. It is civ with a story! The sci-fi elements of a living planet and people merging with it are incredible and add such a dimension to the game. I still get shivers down my spine when I remember the first time I read the interlude where one of my scientists was telling me the fungus was conscious. Man!

[Datajack Franit]

Course we still play.. but we´re a little ashamed of?

[BlackCat]

Got that damn Planetary pack four years ago, and ever since I have had an bad habit to hit Start->Firaxis games etc and start a new game knowing i shouldn't (costs to much needed sleep). Well, a bottle of wine, a pack of cigarettes and your brain challenged - what could be better ?

[Dis]

Originally posted by livid imp


The same way they do it in SMAC of course.



And why not? What prevents a person from doning a kevlar vest and wielding an axe? Is it terribly pratical? No. But that level of freedom needs to be there to have a game with this kind of lasting power. In SMAC you can build a 5-12-3 hovertank. It isn't a very practical design, but that is for the player to decide, not the designer.

I love unit design. My only complaint about SMAC is some of the unit weapons and such are so sci-fi-ish that's hard to relate to them visually.

I would love to have the ability to have customized unit in modern times in Civ games. Especially with regards to tanks. At least have the option to go for swifter less armoured tanks vs. heavier/slower tanks with stronger guns. Also I think aircraft could have some different options for them as well.

[Mart]

Maybe Firaxis is already doing it in Civ4? So they could visit SMAC/X forum for players' requests. Has this been proposed in ci4 ideas?

[geniemalin]

Still playing - I second the notion that it's the first game to go back on after a reformat.

I do play Civ III as well, but keep coming back to SMAC (I was very disappointed with SMAX) for its combination of strategy, story and personality. I love the nonlinearity of SMAC - the ability to transcend, or dominate militarily, politically, or economically, and play each game in a very different way.

Even with different civilisations having different traits and UUs, Civ III has not achieved anything like the difference that you feel playing the different SMAC factions.

I'd love to play MP but have never had the chance.

[dacole]

Hey geniemalin if you want to start a pbem game I'll play you! Let me know.