What is better--SMAC or SMAX

[Dis]

actually I don't always play with the original 7 factions. About half my games involve the original 7.

As I've mentioned, I like playing games with all peaceful factions, or all warmonger factions.

my current game I changed one line in Morgan to focus on expand. Though somehow in the smax game start screen I selected them twice. . So now I'm playing with 2 morgans in my game. And they actually seem to be fairly strong (though Deirdre is in the lead this game- she's probably in the monsoon jungle)

[Frankychan]

Hmmm the Angels?

I guess their an ok faction. When they start stealing tech, credits, blowing up base facilities, whatever. But their military pretty much is lacking.

And once they anger me, my invasion begins.

But I like a mixture of SMAC and 'X' factions. Wish there was a way to add more factions on Planet but that's impossible.

[Commy]

Wow...I would never guess that this thread would become so popular and lead to Muslims and fundalmentalists....

And about those fundalmentalists...

www.moral-politics.com has a "moral values map" of the major religions...it also has a test you can take, but anyway...perhaps this will solve your questions over fundalmentalists compared to just moderate muslims and christians...to see it click on "maps" on the left menu and then click on religions...

And just for future reference...saying you are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, or an extreme fundalmentalist is an extremely bad idea when you are on the Internet...this isn't the US where the government protects you...you can literrally get eaten alive by saying what religion you are...unlike political parties and nationalities, people react a lot differently and a lot worseto someone who is "Muslim" or "Catholic" or "A fundalmentalist" than to someone is "Conservative" or "American"...

I'm not slandering anyone about their religion, but think of this as a public notice...

[joncnunn]

More of an issue is that terms mean different things in different parts in the world.

Even political terms such as "Conservative" & "Liberal", which my internet friends across the pond in England tell me pretty much means the opposite in the UK that they mean in the US when used in politico-speak. Same goes for "right" & "left".

This must have something to do with them always driving on the wrong side of the road there.

A term like Fundamenalist is usually only used by those opposed to it and not the supporters. Supporters of traditional beliefs in their religion usually prefer to call themselves "Conservative".

As for SMAC itself, all seven faction leaders are extemists. And in SMACX, the added leaders there are all also extremists.

[Commy]

Very true, conservatives in most countries would be considered die hard dictators in the US...even the US green party is more right economically than most countries...

Fundalmentalist, dictionary talk now, is someone who adheres to fundalmental principles, basically, a conservative on social issues...

Generally fundalmentalists are considered conservative, and very few would ever be called liberal (ignore economics)...

While I guess an extreme socialist that's Budhists could call them selves a fundalmentalist (extremely rare I presume...), for all intensive purposes, we can say they are strict conservatives that believe in traditional principles held by a religion or moral doctrine...

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by joncnunn
Even political terms such as "Conservative" & "Liberal", which my internet friends across the pond in England tell me pretty much means the opposite in the UK that they mean in the US when used in politico-speak. Same goes for "right" & "left".

Hmm.

"Conservative" is the same. As for "liberal," it means the same as "libertarian" in the US. "Right" and "left" are the same.

[Commy]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Hmm.

"Conservative" is the same. As for "liberal," it means the same as "libertarian" in the US. "Right" and "left" are the same.

Not exactly...conservatives in most countries, with UK as an exception, are more left than even the US green party...

Liberals are not libertarians, liberals are democrats...big difference, because claiming to be a liberal will get you killed, claiming to be a libertarian will get wierd faces...I would know, I live in the US on the borderline between the Republican states and the Democratic States...

Right and left almost always refer to economic issues...however, if you say you are left, many assume you are a democrat, if you say you are right, many assume you are republican...however, depending on the country, the degree of being left or right can vary...being "left" in the US can actually be "right" in say Germany or France...

[Xian]

Originally posted by fender

. The factions are believable, well except for Miriam being so aggressive. This is not a Christian trait.

I totally disagree with just about everything you said, but this needs comment - Miriam is symbolizing fundamentalism, not christianity. These are not one in the same.

Throughout history christians have been by far the most violent faction of human beings on earth (Crusades, american slavery, the Holocaust, colonization, imperialism, both world wars etc. etc.). So its ridiculous to assume futuristic technology would change that fact.

[Dis]

christians have not been violent the past 100 years (and don't pin wars started by Hitler on christianity) in the name of christianity.

Face it, miriam is a PC choice because no one had the balls to cast a muslim in that role.

You can't pin WW1 and WW2 on christianity. Sure christians were involved. But the wars had nothing to do with christianity and everything to do with nationalism.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Xian

I totally disagree with just about everything you said, but this needs comment - Miriam is symbolizing fundamentalism, not christianity. These are not one in the same.

Throughout history christians have been by far the most violent faction of human beings on earth (Crusades, american slavery, the Holocaust, colonization, imperialism, both world wars etc. etc.). So its ridiculous to assume futuristic technology would change that fact.

Surely you can't be that simplistic in your evaluations? This is a perfect example of someone who starts out with a preconceived idea and looks at events blinded by those ideas. At the worst, you can claim that Christians have allowed their faith to be used by men and women with their own agenda in mind. Blaiming the holocaust on Chrstians is just plain stupid. Again, the worst you can do is say that many Christians didn't resist what was going on enough but Hitler was hardly a Christian. Don't let your bias cloud your ability to think about things. There are enough real abuses made throughout history in the name of religion in general without you just making crap up as you go along.

[Sprayber]

I like the original factions better but I play them in SMAX.

Plus I like the ability to create custom factions.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Alex
Ever heard of the Crusades?

Ever hear of human nature? The best of ideas usually get ****ed up once actual live human beings start trying to implement it.

Religion, communism, or the strip mall at the corner all get fouled up when people are thrown into the mix.

Unity seemed like a good idea. But once it started to break up everyone had their own ideas as to what was going to go down.

[sentry33]

Yeah christianity is about mercy to the extreme, even at cost of oneself (just look at christ's example, john paul's 2nd life and so on).. though there are always people who use religion (anything that is convenient really) for their benefit (crusades, politics).

Its old testament that contains violent parts (eye for an eye) but its not what priests teach people in churches.

Muslim faith seems to be much more violent (Koran speaks about fighting nonbelievers with any means possible, and about Allah's vengeance that catches everyone), though I am not any expert here and can misinterpret.

---

But as far as game goes - I do not recall anything that precisely states which religion Miriam pursues. Surely there are some references to christianity, but not only.

To me it seems that she is following some futuristic mix of monotheistic religions - some catholic thoughts, some muslim, some utterly fictional.

And its pretty ok - this is a game after all meant to be fun for everyone who likes to think - nothing more, nothing less

[Kataphraktoi]

Yeah christianity is about mercy to the extreme, even at cost of oneself (just look at christ's example, john paul's 2nd life and so on).. though there are always people who use religion (anything that is convenient really) for their benefit (crusades, politics).

Its old testament that contains violent parts (eye for an eye) but its not what priests teach people in churches.

Muslim faith seems to be much more violent (Koran speaks about fighting nonbelievers with any means possible, and about Allah's vengeance that catches everyone), though I am not any expert here and can misinterpret.

that is very adequate interpretation to me.its nice the smacers dont just dogpile on christiananity here,like on some other forums....but then i guess if your playing smac your going to act better,live better,breathe better and do everything better anyhow

[Senethro]

I, Senethro of the Hive propose a new motion before the Chironian Planetary Council; That this thread be buried and bumped no more, as it is in clear violation of the Forum Necromancy Act of 2123 and the Prohibition of Entirely Subjective Religious Discussion Act.

I further more propose that if the conflict is not resolved or at least off the AC G/H/S front page in 10 days time that extensive carpet bombing using kitten and puppy jpegs be conducted until all thread participants cease activity under a hail of cuteness.

How does the rest of the council vote?