10 years of SMAC

[Alinestra Covelia]

Yay for 10 years of SMAC!

[Hercules]

One thing that fascinated me about Civ 4 is the promotion tree, where you could choose what benefits a unit gained from experience. In some ways, this gave the same ability to customize units that comes from the Unit Workshop in SMAX.

The various civics in Civ IV have some resemblance to social engineering in SMAC.

I think I still prefer the Smacx method of combat though some of the ideas like flanking and retreat can be useful.

But I guess with the whole combat scheme for CIV BTS being thoroughly revised by Blake, - he took combat in Smacx and earlier games into account-. the debate can't really be re opened, least regarding Civ. but SMACX 2 that's another matter.

The Civs in Civ 4 do have some resemblance indeed to social engineering in SMAC and I like the fact there are more options: 5x5 versus 4x4.

In short if some of the innovations in CIV could be applied and built upon in a new SMACX 2, I'd be happy.

One of the things I dislike in CIV are many of the graphics, and in particular the destroyer: the graphic for the unit is smaller than that for a galleon. In Smacx, the disparity in relative size, where it occurs, is less jarring.

[Mart]

I would like to see another succession game. Something basic. Standard rules, standard factions, maybe even librarian level and the Map of Planet. ...

Sounds good idea for me. I would propose maybe Gaians, kinda first faction on the list. But any would be good. And that would be smac or smax?

But we would need a story to it, as you propose. Hydro may have a good idea how it would work well in the format of succession game. You mentioned some time ago writing fan fiction to your multiplayer games.

[Mart]

A Recreation Commons is already present (a remnant from ACDG5).

Yes, it was created in Unity Central Command base on Chiron when after Captain Garland's death the remaining spaceship officers refused to rebel.
Not many people liked to drink there though...
And it turned out later, that it was in fact on the 19'th floor of Recreation commons...

[Alinestra Covelia]

If I remember correctly, Zakharov is already alive and may even be nearing his teens. Sheng Ji Yang was born a few years ago in Wuhan and has probably started his education.

I don't know about the others.

[Maniac]

Hmm, maybe I could time the release of Planetfall version 7 with '10 years of SMAC'.

[Sid1]

The True Genius Behind SMAC

I'd like to promote a thought for Brian Reynolds, the designer of SMAC. I still treasure my original manual and his Designer's Notes that explain where it all came from. He may have gone on to other things but SMAC will always be the Biggest Hugest Game for me.

[Alinestra Covelia]

^ Agreed. Sid Meier is good for the initial idea/concept, but it's Brian Reynolds who really puts the polish on it and makes it stand out.

SMAC still stands pretty well beside Civ4 and it beats the pants off Civ2 and even Civ3.

Rise of Nations is one of the best historical RTSes I've ever played, and the moddability of it is really versatile as well.

[Hercules]

I'd like to promote a thought for Brian Reynolds, the designer of SMAC. I still treasure my original manual and his Designer's Notes that explain where it all came from. He may have gone on to other things but SMAC will always be the Biggest Hugest Game for me.

Couldn't disagree at all. Here's to Brian Reynolds.

[Maniac]

Maybe we could all spam BHG with fan mail saying "Thank you for SMAC!!!"

[Alinestra Covelia]

Dude, let's do it.

[Maniac]

Anyone know if we can get closer to the guy than just
info@bighugegames.com
?

[Alinestra Covelia]

http://www.igda.org/about/IGDA_2004_Annual_Report.pdf

^ This document suggests he's at breynolds[at]bighugegames[dot]com

Maybe we should put together a signed petition (or should that be a congrats card?) and send it all together, rather than individually. That would spare his inbox.

[Hercules]

http://www.igda.org/about/IGDA_2004_Annual_Report.pdf

^ This document suggests he's at breynolds[at]bighugegames[dot]com

Maybe we should put together a signed petition (or should that be a congrats card?) and send it all together, rather than individually. That would spare his inbox.

Good idea.

[Mart]

...

Maybe we should put together a signed petition (or should that be a congrats card?) and send it all together, rather than individually. That would spare his inbox.

Congrats card for Brian Reynolds is a great idea. Maybe we should also acknowledge Sid Meier and whole Firaxis development team that made SMAC/X. They all made it happen. I'm not sure about the best form, 3 similar cards, just addressed to Brian, Sid, then Firaxis Team, mentioning 10 years of the game, etc. Electronic? maybe made with some special graphics - something simple but original.