SMAC 2 Storyline

[Asmodean]

Originally posted by Xian
Since when do sequels have to CONTINUE storylines? wtf this is a simulation game have we all lost our mind?

Does simCity 2000 continue the story of the original?!
Does Civillization II pick up from where Civ I left off?!

Of course not. Even games liek doom3 dont do this.

If a SMAC 2 is ever made it should be a refined version of SMAC 1's and SMAX's story line, perhaps modifying or adding on to the concept of factions but otherwise being a remake.

Its silly to attempt otherwise

They don't. But it's fun to fantasize, no?

Asmodean

[Illuminatus]

SMAC storyline is perfect. There is no need for any change - just add much more quotes and blurbs about background. Explaining what is the deal with Miriam and Psi Gates would be great too.

Failed Transcendence story doesn't sound right to me as it would take milions of years until next growth circle (so plotline would have to assume mankind will wildly accelerate growth cycle while it rebuilds) and for the main reason: it would mean no old faction leaders - no Deirdre, no Yang, no Morgan. That is a terrible sideeffect.

The hyperdrive solution is forced to assume Progenitors multiple times to advance the starting point of the story which makes it sound weird, not bad, for a storyline.

It is impossible to make a continuation of transcendence level storyline as achieving transcendence is equal to achieving of technological singularity.

Instead of modifying the storyline in never-to-come SMAC 2, I would suggest making the game more moddable so that Darsnan and others can bugger us with their modifications ( ) and only expanding the existing the storyline with more quotes and blurbs..

[Senethro]

I think you guys are forgetting that in the interlude it indicates that Transcendi can reassume a physical form. Also, those that didn't wish to join with the planetmind were put into cryogenic storage.

The progenitors cannot be edited out from the storyline. I think you're forgetting a few things. If they created planet and the other 5 manifolds several billions of years ago, and Planetlife is based on the same DNA as Terran lifeforms, then I think it is reasonable to assume that Earth was a testing ground for the progenitor. Either they are the cause of all earth life or they took samples and modifed them for use on Planet. I favour the second as life on Planet has some anthropomorphic similarities. Limbs, eyes etc.

How far must have the Progenitor degenerated to be reduced from planetwide terraforming to having to use scoutships to locate planets.

I think the main problem with any continued storyline is how do you have a plot that forces your colonists to begin again from Lasers and Inf. Networks.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Senethro
I think the main problem with any continued storyline is how do you have a plot that forces your colonists to begin again from Lasers and Inf. Networks.

My answer in my Beta Lyrae storyline:

$NAME3, after arrival in the Beta Lyrae solar system, you find that the planet described in the Progenitor's starlogs as an idyllic paradise is now a wasteland, a shadow of its former self. As your spaceship's Progenitor-cloned hyperdrive is activated to leave the Beta Lyrae solar system, a mysterious alien spaceship materializes in the space above you, attacking your spaceship and sending it into a decaying orbit around the
planet below, known as Beta Prime. Now, armed only with what you could hastily salvage from your spaceship, you must begin anew on the former Progenitor colony planet of Beta Prime!

I can also explain how the Progs show up 5 years later:

#INTERLUDE21
#xs 500
#caption Interlude: The Plot Thickens!
^ You look up into the starry night to see two spaceships enter orbit above Beta Prime. Progenitor
Battle Cruisers, one Usurper, the other Caretaker, drift into a geosynchronous orbit in the dark
sky above! The two Battle Cruisers remain motionless facing each other for what seems an eternity,
before each ship heads in opposite directions above Beta Prime, slowly zigging and zagging back and
forth in an odd synchronized dance with each other. "Their executing a search pattern", you hear
someone say, and realize their right! The Progenitors must have come to find out what happened
to their lost colony here!
^ Just as each Progenitor ship is reaching the horizon in opposite directions, a third
ship materializes right above you: its the same mysterious Alien spaceship that attacked you!
Huge energy weapons discharge out of its port and bow, lancing out and targeting the two
Progenitor craft, before the ship disappears again!
^ The two Progenitor ships, not realizing who the real attacker is, immediately swing about, their weapons blazing salvo after salvo at each other! You watch with morbid fascination as the two
behemoths bear down on each other, and, at almost point blank range, deal each other several death blows, the resonance armour reinforced hulls shattering under the onslaughts!
^ The battle over, the two dieing ships drift by each other, their orbits already noticeably decaying towards Beta Prime. As their hulls start glowing from contact with Beta Prime's
outer atmosphere, you see several tiny dots depart from each spaceship and head for the surface. Progenitor Escape Pods. Soon, you think, you will have to add the Progenitors
to the list of problems facing you on Beta Prime.......

Two other explainations as to why arriving Factions on a planet land only to have to start the slow climb up the tech tree again are that each planet is slightly different in it makeup, meaning that each technology needs to be adapted to the specific planet's environment. Another would be the "Deadlock" game explaination that each Faction goes in and has to start from scratch, thus ensuring a level playing field for each Faction landing on the new planet.


D