Distant Worlds: Introduction of the alien races.

[cdbeck]

Because the game is not yet finished (at least not released) you really DON'T know what is not in the game, or what is not planned to be patched into the game or developed for the future of the game. Guess what, Elliot reads these forums (he responds to many of you). Unless you are Elliot, you don't know his plans.

So lets all try to chill a bit, and look forward to release day with optimism. I can tell you from personal experience that Elliot is a very receptive and perceptive person.

SoM

[Wade1000]

tm.asp?m=2391696&mpage=2&key=&#2394726 : wish list thread

Distant Worlds:Updates,Expansions,and Sequels.Tell the company your wish list.

Many of us DO know what is not in the game. Thus this thread. It's not that difficult. Plus, thread like this are fun to express ideas.

We have read the forum and articles. We have seen the screen shots and videos. Developers and testers have answered questions.

tm.asp?m=2379285 : Facts about Distant Worlds

[morbug]

What I'm trying to say is that:

1) Discussing the included features is great!
2) Mentioning what you think is is interesting features in 4X-games in general is good
3) Writing up wishes for the future is ok

but

4) Saying that: X has to be in the game or it won't be complete/good is a bit rude when you haven't even tried the game.

That said I don't want to start an argument about it, even though it might be too late I'm sure that everyone here are simply enthusiastic about the game and have played too many 4X-games for their own good (I know I have), thus giving a lot of preconcieved notions of how the game is supposed to be without knowing all the details and how it all fits together. Well, we'll all se soon enough

Cheers,

morbug

[CV Zuikaku]

ORIGINAL: morbug

What I'm trying to say is that:

1) Discussing the included features is great!
2) Mentioning what you think is is interesting features in 4X-games in general is good
3) Writing up wishes for the future is ok

but

4) Saying that: X has to be in the game or it won't be complete/good is a bit rude when you haven't even tried the game.

That said I don't want to start an argument about it, even though it might be too late I'm sure that everyone here are simply enthusiastic about the game and have played too many 4X-games for their own good (I know I have), thus giving a lot of preconcieved notions of how the game is supposed to be without knowing all the details and how it all fits together. Well, we'll all se soon enough

Cheers,

morbug

We are not posting ultimatums here. We are just posting our wishes, thoughts and suggestions... If someone thinks that some feature will be missed if not in the game, let it be free to post his or hers thoughts and concerns... It is not attack on anyone, just an ordinary wishlist....

[drillerman]

If it has not got voice control 3D glasses support with 360 degree IMAX movie options straight out the box then I am going to start flaming!

[Webbco]

I NEED to see NES zapper compatibility too. These days, a 4X strategy game should obviously have NES zapper support so you can actually shoot incoming enemy fleets, otherwise the game is incomplete. [;)]

edit: NES or SNES? I can't remember...

[Erik Rutins]

Feel free to post suggestions, don't worry that we are taking any comments here as anything but comments and suggestions.

[DivePac88]

I want... no make that I demand a coffee cup holder, which is sadly lacking in most games. [;)]

[Erik Rutins]

Ok, here's another preview for you all, the Wekkarus.

Wekkarus live deep in the seas of Ocean planets. They can also live out of water for extended periods, but prefer a damp environment.

They construct entire underwater cities in the vast caverns and tunnels of the ocean worlds they inhabit. These cities are centers of technology and industry, manufacturing advanced underwater technology that is used throughout the galaxy.

The deep undersea tunnels that the Wekkarus inhabit are also the home to an abundance of other marine life – some of it hostile. Wekkarus fear one predator in particular: the leviathan Darkhul, a formidable deep-sea monster that grows to lengths of 100 meters or more.

Wekkarus have adapted to these threats by developing powerful force-fields that guard the entrances to their underwater colonies.

Wekkarus are a generally peaceful species that like to keep to themselves.

Characteristics
Race Family: Amphibian
Default Reproduction Rate: 12%
Moderately Intelligent (+1)
Very Passive (-20)
Quite Cautious (+7)
Very Unfriendly (-29)
Quite Unreliable (-10)
Industrious Miners: faster mining +20%
Natural Merchants: colony income +25%

[Wade1000]

Yes! Thankyou. Two more checked on my race wish list:

-a crab like race. (Although, I was hoping for it to be less humanoid in body shape; like instead having six or eight limbs. Though, I suppose that since the portrait doesn't show the lower portion then there could be four or six MORE limbs there.)
-an under water habitat race

Thankyou, artist, Code Force, and Matrix Games.
-----

tm.asp?m=2391696 : wish list thread

I always like the aliens to have a variety of body shapes other than just humanoid and at least one of each of:
-a robotic/android race
-a cyborg race(part machine, part biological)
-a parasitic assimilating(absorbs and incorporates), bio-mass using race similiar to 'Zerg' of Starcraft, 'The Flood' of Halo, 'Tyranids' of Warhammer 40,000, or others similiar. (Sulken most likely for now)
-(one or more) insectoid race similiar to ants, wasps, mantis, and roaches (Sulken can be one)
-a spider like race
-a crab like race (Done)
-an under water habitat race (Done)
-an ice habitat race (Done)
-a floater, gas giant planet dwelling race
-a scaled reptilian race
-a feathered avian race
-a furred mammalian race (Done)
-an amphibious race (Done)
-a tentacled race

[Wade1000]

I have consolidated more of the race portraits and descriptions to the top of this thread.

[Mad Russian]

To fill out the Bad Neighborhood I need to see Cats, Dogs, Bugs and Humans. Anything after that is just extra joy.
 
Good Hunting.
 
MR

[Gertjan]

It is my impression that most races are cautious and tend to be unreliable is that right? Do you check the balance between races?

[Okim]

Mmm. Wekkarus race is an interesting one. Never seen another crab-like race being so intelligent and productive. Man, i never actually saw any crab-like race in space games! Well, Star Control 3 had one extremely unstable race, but this one doesn` t count

[VarekRaith]

ORIGINAL: Gertjan

It is my impression that most races are cautious and tend to be unreliable is that right? Do you check the balance between races?

Remember, we've only had 5 of the 20 races revealed to us. [;)]

[Wade1000]

ORIGINAL: Gertjan

It is my impression that most races are cautious and tend to be unreliable is that right? Do you check the balance between races?

To me, they seem varied, even amongst those we have previewed.

These are the Quameno, a peaceful race of amphibians given to puzzle-solving, science and the study of galactic history and languages.

Characteristics
Race Family: Amphibian
Default Reproduction Rate: 9%
Extremely Intelligent (+35)
Extremely Passive (-30)
Very Cautious (+17)
Very Unfriendly (-25)
Extremely Dependable (+30)
Gifted Scientists: faster research +40%
Special Government: Technocracy

Ok, here's another preview for you all, the Wekkarus.
Wekkarus live deep in the seas of Ocean planets. They can also live out of water for extended periods, but prefer a damp environment.
They construct entire underwater cities in the vast caverns and tunnels of the ocean worlds they inhabit. These cities are centers of technology and industry, manufacturing advanced underwater technology that is used throughout the galaxy.
The deep undersea tunnels that the Wekkarus inhabit are also the home to an abundance of other marine life – some of it hostile. Wekkarus fear one predator in particular: the leviathan Darkhul, a formidable deep-sea monster that grows to lengths of 100 meters or more.
Wekkarus have adapted to these threats by developing powerful force-fields that guard the entrances to their underwater colonies.
Wekkarus are a generally peaceful species that like to keep to themselves.

Characteristics
Race Family: Amphibian
Default Reproduction Rate: 12%
Moderately Intelligent (+1)
Very Passive (-20)
Quite Cautious (+7)
Very Unfriendly (-29)
Quite Unreliable (-10)
Industrious Miners: faster mining +20%
Natural Merchants: colony income +25%

Here's one more for you all, the Ugnari:
Though not especially gifted with technology, Ugnari are fascinated by machinery and electronics and spend much time diligently studying and experimenting with them.
This fascination often leads Ugnari to invent interesting alternative technology by combining unrelated components together to form new equipment with improved capabilities.
Ugnari also love to gamble and place bets on nearly any activity imaginable.
By nature they are fairly friendly, though cautious. However it is wise to carefully examine the fine print of any business contract made with an Ugnari – they are often devious, even dishonest.
Ugnari do not see underhandedness as a negative trait, nor do they consider cheating someone to be a personal insult to their victim. Instead they deem a highly profitable business deal as a great achievement, even if it was attained by trickery. In fact they highly admire anyone who manages to outdo them in deceit.
Ugnari inhabit the tundra wastelands of Ice Glacial planets. They typically build large cities deep underground in vast ice caves and tunnels.

Characteristics
Race Family: Rodent
Default Reproduction Rate: 9%
Quite Stupid (-6)
Very Passive (-24)
Very Reckless (-19)
Quite Friendly (+8)
Extremely Unreliable (-30)
Industrious Miners: faster mining +30%
Natural Optimists: happiness +10%
Special Government: Mercantile Guild

Getting back on topic, here's the race I've most recently been at war with and they are tough!
Short insectoid race with thick black exoskeleton covering. Sluken have many small forearms enabling them to perform multiple actions simultaneously.
Sluken are very aggressive and intelligent. A central theme in their customs involves a macabre reverence of death.
Sluken have the bizarre and gruesome ability to incorporate into their own bodies the biological appendages and organs from other alien races. Thus some Sluken have additional limbs, eyes or other body parts.
Some other alien races allege that Sluken are in fact genetically modified creatures, designed as an ultimate warrior race. But the Sluken themselves denounce such claims as outrageous slander.
Sluken technology includes the StarBurner XX-12, a very fast and powerful engine. With these engines, Sluken star ships are able to outrun nearly any opponent.
Sluken are found in dry temperate regions of Continental and Marshy Swamp planets

Characteristics
Race Family: Insectoid
Default Reproduction Rate: 16%
Quite Intelligent (+8)
Very Aggressive (+19)
Slightly Cautious (+3)
Very Unfriendly (-18)
Very Unreliable (-20)
Warrior Class: troop maintenance -20%
Fierce Rivalry: lower war weariness -40%
Special Government: Hive Mind

[Gertjan]

I'm sorry. I made a statement without any basis.. I just thought to remember that it was the case. But clearly not. Good!

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: VarekRaith

ORIGINAL: Gertjan

It is my impression that most races are cautious and tend to be unreliable is that right? Do you check the balance between races?

Remember, we've only had 5 of the 20 races revealed to us. [;)]

So far you've only played with 5 of the 20 races or you played with them and just don't know what they look like?

Good Hunting.

MR

[VarekRaith]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

ORIGINAL: VarekRaith

ORIGINAL: Gertjan

It is my impression that most races are cautious and tend to be unreliable is that right? Do you check the balance between races?

Remember, we've only had 5 of the 20 races revealed to us. [;)]

So far you've only played with 5 of the 20 races or you played with them and just don't know what they look like?

Good Hunting.

MR

Oh, by I mean that we, as in non-beta testers, have only had a few of the races revealed to us.
Sorry for the confusion.

[Erik Rutins]

Here's another one for you all, the Ketarov:

Average-sized bipedal mammalian race with short white fur.

Ketarovs are very intelligent and love intrigue and deception. Instead of engaging in open conflict with their enemies, they prefer to use espionage and sabotage to exploit their weaknesses.

They are often suspicious that others are working to undermine them. This natural paranoia reinforces their inclination towards spying and espionage. However it can also lead to misunderstandings, as they constantly question the intentions of even their friends.

For these reasons Ketarovs are often unreliable allies – ironically they are untrustworthy because they do not trust others.

Ketarovs are usually found in large communities dwelling on the open plains of Continental or Marshy Swamp planets.

Characteristics
Race Family: Ursidian
Default Reproduction Rate: 12%
Quite Intelligent (+15)
Extremely Passive (-40)
Very Cautious (+17)
Quite Unfriendly (-10)
Extremely Unreliable (-30)
Cunning Schemers: better spies +50%