one simple question

[IdaGno]

SMAC/SMAX player since day one here. Just tell me it's mouse & keyboard driven & not some joystick driven flight-sim like thing.

If that is the case, the developer will have my full retail dollars w/in the next 24 hrs, even if only just to show my gratitude for their approach to the copy protection issue in these troubled times.

[Kinjiru]

It is a strategy game, not a flight sim.

Quite different than SMAC, but very interesting nonetheless. SMAC was all on a single planet, GC is building an empire across many planets.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Kinjiru
Quite different than SMAC, but very interesting nonetheless. SMAC was all on a single planet, GC is building an empire across many planets.

So the thought of "Planets are to GC2 as cities are to SMACX" wouldn't be accurate?

Also, concerning the Map view in GC2: is it 3 dimensional (meaning that there are solar systems in the X, Y, and Z axis' from the point of reference), or are the galaxies a flat plane (meaning that solar systems are confined to the x and y axis only)?

Finally, I've signed up at Gal Civ 2 and gotten my account registration E-Mail. It says that I now need to "download and begin using Stardock Central". I've never had to download anything when I've registered at a site before. What all is downloaded, and why?

Any help in answering any of these questions would be appreciated.


Thanx,

D

[vee4473]

Stardock Central is a sort of "headquarters" application for all things that Stardock does, including gal civ 1/2.

It is also a way of updating the games. It launches kinda like a browser where you can read news, download things for gal civ and the other games associated with Stardock etc...

it's rather harmless as far as I have experienced. Not sure if it's the only way to update the game..

[Kinjiru]

If they follow the path of GC1 you will be able to download standalone updates from the website, but only when they get around to creating those files.

SMAC Cities = GC2 Planets is both valid and invalid.

The planets already exist in fixed locations (though random between games), you just have to colonize them. But the aliens will be trying to do the same. Those planets you do manage to occupy become your production centers in the same way that SMAC cities do.

However, in SMAC (or Civ) you could really build everything in every city if you wanted. In GC2 you cannot. Each planet has a set number of 'tiles' that can be worked/built upon. You can increase this number slightly through research, but you will defintely need to specialize.


Finally, the galaxy is a flat plane. At first I was annoyed by this. But after playing a few games, I realize that it would be too cumbersome otherwise. Afterall, we are playing a grand strategy game, not a tactical fighting sim.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by vee4473
Stardock Central is a sort of "headquarters" application for all things that Stardock does, including gal civ 1/2.

It is also a way of updating the games. It launches kinda like a browser where you can read news, download things for gal civ and the other games associated with Stardock etc...

it's rather harmless as far as I have experienced. Not sure if it's the only way to update the game..

So I can't just cookie another computer and log in with my online personae like I can with Apolyton?

Originally posted by Kinjiru
the galaxy is a flat plane. At first I was annoyed by this. But after playing a few games, I realize that it would be too cumbersome otherwise. Afterall, we are playing a grand strategy game, not a tactical fighting sim.

OK on the map being a flat plane, but I will respectfully disagree with you regarding it having no strategic significance: just as a planetary force cannot disregard a heavily fortified city on its flank, neither can an insterstellar invasion force disregard a heavily defended (and industrialized) solar system that exists either above or below the "front".

Some other questions:

1. If I am reading the game correctly, spaceships use hyperdrives to move from solar system to solar system. This implies that ships can use this to jump anywhere in the galaxy. Is this a correct assumption?

2. How are planets "conquered"? Are there the equivalent of Drop Troops that launch orbital assaults to take planets (like in the books "Starship Troopers" and "Dorsai"), and if so are there battles similar to how the spaceships battle in this game?

Overall this game sounds quite enjoyable. I am patiently waiting for my copy to arrive at EB Games: every time I call in to check on status they keep telling me "tomorrow". Someday they'll be right.....


D

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by Darsnan

1. If I am reading the game correctly, spaceships use hyperdrives to move from solar system to solar system. This implies that ships can use this to jump anywhere in the galaxy. Is this a correct assumption?

As in original Gal Civ, hyperdrive is just the name of the propulsion. Ships still move tile by tile. There are anomalies that can randomly relocate ships.

2. How are planets "conquered"? Are there the equivalent of Drop Troops that launch orbital assaults to take planets (like in the books "Starship Troopers" and "Dorsai"), and if so are there battles similar to how the spaceships battle in this game?

Load a transport with troops (deduced from population of a planet) and direct it to planet without any ships in orbit. After that a menu pops out where you can select additional options (bombard the planet with meteors, use microrobots). The options depend on your research and cost money. At least this is the way it was in original.

[Illuminatus]

Re: one simple question

Originally posted by IdaGno
SMAC/SMAX player since day one here. Just tell me it's mouse & keyboard driven & not some joystick driven flight-sim like thing.

If that is the case, the developer will have my full retail dollars w/in the next 24 hrs, even if only just to show my gratitude for their approach to the copy protection issue in these troubled times.

I've enjoyed the first part very much. It is easy to learn yet immersive. My biggest fault with the original game was the combat system which has been reworked for the sequel, not mentioning many other additions. I am considering buying the sequel as well, if I find a retailer.

[Kinjiru]

Originally posted by Darsnan

>OK on the map being a flat plane, but I will respectfully disagree >with you regarding it having no strategic significance: just as a >planetary force cannot disregard a heavily fortified city on its flank, >neither can an insterstellar invasion force disregard a heavily >defended (and industrialized) solar system that exists either >above or below the "front".

Not sure I understand your point. The planets within a solar system generally exist on a fairly flat plane anyway. In any given battle, other systems are going to be too far away to give any advantage, regardless of their orientation on the z-axis respective to the system in question.

Winning a battle only to have your weakened force destroyed in a counter attack from a neighboring system is very much a factor. But again, I am not sure how the z-axis comes into play?

>Overall this game sounds quite enjoyable. I am patiently waiting >or my copy to arrive at EB Games: every time I call in to check on >status they keep telling me "tomorrow". Someday they'll be >right.....

I do think you will enjoy the game, based on some of the posts you have made on these forums. I look forward to seeing you in the Empire!

[vee4473]

Originally posted by Darsnan


So I can't just cookie another computer and log in with my online personae like I can with Apolyton?





D

no, it's an app. that needs to be installed like any other. There is of course the gal civ 2 site to read from anywhere.

even though the forum there is a bit.....well bad. Not very well structured.

I think SD central has more of a newsgroup type forum..i can''t remember...

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Kinjiru
Winning a battle only to have your weakened force destroyed in a counter attack from a neighboring system is very much a factor. But again, I am not sure how the z-axis comes into play?

In real galaxies solar systems exist in the x, y, and z axis in relation to each other. To extrapolate on your thought above why all I am doing is taking the scenario you are using and rotating it 90 degrees (so that the left and right are now up and down) while still maintaining the original "x y" axis relationship. Or to look at it slightly differently why the gist of my original question was whether the GC2 map from a strategic perspective was 3D or 2D, and from what you have said it is only 2D.

I do look forward to playing the game, as well seeing what scenarios it has and what all can be done with it mod-wise. Should be interesting!


D

[tetley]

3D galaxies would be AWESOME! I played an old Apple II game that had 3D galaxies, and once I figured out the funky graphics, it was fun. The thing I'd worry about is whether everybody's graphics cards were good enough to rotate the galaxy views around quickly. I don't think everyone's there yet.

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by Darsnan
I do look forward to playing the game, as well seeing what scenarios it has and what all can be done with it mod-wise. Should be interesting!

Darsnan making mods for GalCiv2. A perfect combination.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Illuminatus
Darsnan making mods for GalCiv2. A perfect combination.

I'd just settle for Darsnan getting Gal Civ 2 at this point - no game again today....

And as far as making GalCiv2 mods/ scenarios are concerned, why its gotta be a "Labor of Love": once I get GC2 I'll see about how much I enjoy the game, and whether the mod/ scenario ideas come naturally, or not. We will see.


D