How to make a SMAC Stategy Guide...

[Commy]

Originally posted by Flubber
But I caution you to check and recheck your conclusions. You have attempted to correct statements of mine on a couple of occasions and even argued the points for a bit before conceding you were wrong after performing tests. Some of it was not what I would call super advanced knowledge either.

I remember that...you should you have read my posts a few years ago, they were...embarrassing...

That's why I really need feedback...I would hate to have errors and never know about it...

[#endgame]

Originally posted by Commy


I was actually was going to call it the University of Planet, but Planetary Datalinks will work...perhaps as a second Website? I think I can find the time...

That girlfightclub person already runs a site called "Planetary Datalinks".

[BlackCat]

Nice site, especially the white text on black - it's much more relaxing for the eye.

Maybe a Print button would be a good idea - as it is now, half of each page is wasted because of the navbar to the left.

A "known bugs" section at the top after general description would be nice - even "no known bugs" can be added - at least it shows that the issue has been considered.

Last some spellchecking : You are missing a r in "thee main reasons" in the general desc.

Worse, your summing in the first table in REASON 2 doesn't add for "Before Inefficiency".

[Kirov]

Commy, I've just got back from your site. Good work! Keep writing.

Originally posted by dacole


I agree that asking was a good idea but is Vel's guide not considered to be quite good? I've been using it quite succesfully for two years or so now.

The thing is, Vel's guide _is_ good, but is _considered_ to be a Holy Bible.

I read it after spending some time around here, and what I appreciated most was that Vel put it all together in one place. I owe him a lot of things in my gameplay, but right now I'm just ready to take in more, in terms of both equations and practical applications of some tips.

That's why I miss MariOne as much as you, Sikander. When this guy answered your question, there wasn't really much left to ask...

[Kirov]

Originally posted by Velociryx

[cut the stuff about armoured probes]

Take it with a grain of salt....like I said, it's been so long that I couldn't swear to it, but the above, or something very like it, was almost surely my line of thought.

I used this example specifically as I recall an old thread when someone was asking why his defensive armoured probes don't get direct bonuses in a duel, contrary to what he _understood_ from your copy. MariOne had to explain him several times how a probe combat works, as the idea that there may be an error in your guide was obviously too much for the guy and he thought he'd run into a bug... It was so funny...

Please don't get an impression that I dismiss your job, which is great, I'm just really allergic to people worshipping other people.

Anyway, why don't you drop by more often? I bet you'd still have a lot to contribute to on this forum.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kirov


That's why I miss MariOne as much as you, Sikander. When this guy answered your question, there wasn't really much left to ask...

Agreed. MariOne was the strictes and most fervent advocate of testing things yourself that I ever saw. I don't think he ever ASSUMED anything

[Commy]

Originally posted by BlackCat
Nice site, especially the white text on black - it's much more relaxing for the eye.

Maybe a Print button would be a good idea - as it is now, half of each page is wasted because of the navbar to the left.

A "known bugs" section at the top after general description would be nice - even "no known bugs" can be added - at least it shows that the issue has been considered.

Last some spellchecking : You are missing a r in "thee main reasons" in the general desc.

Worse, your summing in the first table in REASON 2 doesn't add for "Before Inefficiency".

Thanks very much, it will be fixed immediately...

[Velociryx]

Please don't get an impression that I dismiss your job, which is great, I'm just really allergic to people worshipping other people.

Anyway, why don't you drop by more often? I bet you'd still have a lot to contribute to on this forum.

Awwww, no worries man.... having been through four (sometimes painful!) iterations of the strat guide (and, a thing which amazes me, is that to this day it still sells regularly!), I've developed relatively thick skin when it comes to criticisms of various aspects of the book.

That, taken together with the fact that the meat of the guide was developed in the very halls we're speaking (writing) in right now, hammered and shaped by debates that raged here for months on end, I feel more than a bit confident that the vast majority of the work will continue to stand the test of time. With regards to the amazingly enthusiastic reception the guide has gotten (and continues to get), I am both humbled and amazed. Never in my wildest imaginings did I foresee the insanely positive reactions it's gotten. It almost makes me scared to try and write a guide for any other game, for fear that I'll have to do better than this one!

And I appreciate the offer to come around more. Who knows....once Candle'Bre is released and I have more time to myself again, I just might take you up on that.

Oh...and I have no idea when, exactly, but if Sid & Co. decide to shelve plans for SMAC2, I think that, or something very like it, would be an excellent target for Velocigames' next conquest....

-=Vel=-

[zsozso]

Originally posted by Velociryx
Oh...and I have no idea when, exactly, but if Sid & Co. decide to shelve plans for SMAC2, I think that, or something very like it, would be an excellent target for Velocigames' next conquest....
-=Vel=-

Hey Vel!

Good'ol friend, how are you ?

If you ever venture in that direction (writing somthing like SMAC2) I'd love to volenteer some work on the AI. You may remember I am a programmer by profession and I have contemplated all kinds of ways to hack around SMAC/X just to be able to tweak the dumb AI a bit. I'd love to have a chance to code a good AI and believe me I have a lot of ideas for it even in addition to your strategy guide (which would of course form some base of it). Certainly my AI would be scripbtale plus auto-learning from the games played.

[Velociryx]

Master Zso! How are you?! Dang, I didn't know you were still in these parts!

It has been too long....PM me when you next get the chance and give me the scoop on what's been going on with you!

And with regards to your offer....COUNT ON IT! Any time you're interested, pop over to the CB forums and start an AI thread...I'm certain we would all learn a great deal just by listening, and if you've got some spare time.....

-=Vel=-

[Phenix]

Vel, I recently began playing SMAC again and I found your 3.0 guide lying buried somewhere on my bookshelf (even neatly printed out and binded)... I started reading it again and I do enjoy it a lot. It's about as relaxing as a great book

Props for writing such a nice work!

[Velociryx]

Glad the ol' gal is still in use, and an enjoyable read!

-=Vel=-

[Commy]

So Vel, when are you going to start selling stock?

[Velociryx]

Mmmm...that'll prolly be quite some time down the road. Lots to do between now and then, not the least of which is prove profitability, so that buying said stock is....enticing...

-=Vel=-

[dojoboy]

Originally posted by Phenix
Vel, I recently began playing SMAC again and I found your 3.0 guide lying buried somewhere on my bookshelf (even neatly printed out and binded)... I started reading it again and I do enjoy it a lot. It's about as relaxing as a great book

Props for writing such a nice work!

Ahh, I was just reading my version 4.0 this weekend. As Domai, I was having a bit of difficulty with the Spartans trying to overrun me. Unfortunately for Corazon, she didn't know I had Vel's guide at my disposal.

But, we must never forget, many drones lost their lives for that information.

Death to the Spartans!