Distant Worlds: Return of the Shakturi

[Eldiora]

I am really looking forward to this expansion, can't wait to see whats all in it and definately to play it. Will be a really nice self christmas present for me (well early one depending on release date

What ive seen I really like so far, fighters, fleet enhancements and alot of new options and ui overhauls make me happy.
Add in proper mod support and it will be probably the most awesome game im anticipating for this holiday season.

[adecoy95]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: Baleur
Looks like some good UI additions, but overall seems more like patch-changes than full expansion stuff, i look forward to the full features list next week

A complete UI overhaul, a full empire policy system, a brand new research system with tons of techs and new ship systems like fighters, point defenses, fleet systems, etc. seems like just patch changes to you? Wow.

Regards,

- Erik

perhaps he confused the word patch with game [:D]

[Evil Steve]

Thanks for the good news Erik: any holistic changes in the pipe? tiny galaxies or star slider? resource slider/more strategic resources? more embedded backstories?

[:)]

stevil

[Krasny]

The UI for starship design still looks as clunky and unintuitive as ever.

MOO2 had a better DYO system.

Correct me if I'm wrong please.

BTW how can I redownload DW? I had a PC catastrophe.

[SilverRocket]

Looks good. I'm especially pleased to see the new policy section which should make empire management much easier.

If it's not already in there can I please request a policy to keep military ships out of other empire's systems in peacetime... a massive cause of intergalactic strife!

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Evil Steve
Thanks for the good news Erik: any holistic changes in the pipe? tiny galaxies or star slider? resource slider/more strategic resources? more embedded backstories?

Yes, there's more to discuss - the name of the title may give you some idea as to the backstory too.

Regards,

- Erik

[Litjan]

What, no new screenshots?? How cruel is that? [&:]

Jan

[shinobu]

This will make for an even more excellent holiday season!

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Litjan
What, no new screenshots?? How cruel is that? [&:]

I'll post another one up today, just working through my backlog first.

Regards,

- Erik

[J HG T]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins


Yes, there's more to discuss - the name of the title may give you some idea as to the backstory too.

Regards,

- Erik

So the punk Shakturi are coming back and want a piece of a pie? My guess is that they are either a playable race ('In Fwiffos voice' "The evil ones!") or they are powerful neutral empire that attacks all other empires, sending fleets to attack empires that are getting too powerful for their liking. Something similar to MoO2s Antarans.
Oh well, we'll see it soon enough.

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: Litjan
What, no new screenshots?? How cruel is that? [&:]

I'll post another one up today, just working through my backlog first.

Regards,

- Erik

You could post more than one...we won't mind. [:D]

[s20dan]

Hi guys, while im on a new account here, I have been lurking here for a while now, waiting for the announcement that was made.

However, It appears as if the most desirable feature has been ignored... Im hoping the guys are going to surprise us with it, but you never know.
That most wanted feature is of course MODDING SUPPORT.

In this day and age, releasing a game without modding support is like going into combat and shooting off your leg.  Deliberately. Especially when you consider that this is a single player only game...

I dont wish to come across as rude or un-happy, Its just that the announcement has been something of a double-edged sword to me... Yes some cool features, but they dont mean a lot to me, as full modding support would eventually add in far more good features.
Modding is a hobby of mine. If I cannot change features in a game then I tend to lose interest, call me spoiled if you like but thats how the majority of games are released now.

Anyway I'll shut-up now... As you may have guessed I am PRO MODDING.

Cheers,
Dan.

Edit//

In Fwiffos voice' "The evil ones!

Haha, funny of you to mention that game, Ive just been playing that on my Wii. Its a great game

[Yskonyn]

Great stuff!
This looks like all the improvements I wanted to much from the get-go! Very exciting!

[J HG T]

ORIGINAL: s20dan



Edit//

In Fwiffos voice' "The evil ones!

Haha, funny of you to mention that game, Ive just been playing that on my Wii. Its a great game

First, sorry for Off-topic

On Wii? Actually, forget that I asked. You are modder and I'll leave it at that.
And yes, Star Control 2 is one of the greatest games ever made.

[Hawawaa]

Hi! Just got the game and I am enjoying. Still figuring things out after a few games. The expansion sounds awesome. DO WANT! 

[Merker]

Looks awesome so far, a lot of wanted features in. I have one question: what are the improvements to the AI? Can it handle huge empires properly? Huge fleets, large and long wars, etc?

Cheers.

[Erik Rutins]

Yes, the AI has had some very substantial improvements along the way too. In my experience it handles the mid to late game better now and I have had a heck of a time in my latest test game maintaining much more than a stalemate with a hostile Boskara AI empire that started out near my Solar Republic. I've built some fleets oriented around "light carriers" and missile boats to give those a good test and I'm finding it's a lot of fun to use stand off tactics.

I also tried a test game this week with the Dhayut and build some close range ships with ion weapons and torpedos that can really wreak havoc on an enemy fleet in the right conditions.

Regards,

- Erik

[J HG T]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Yes, the AI has had some very substantial improvements along the way too. In my experience it handles the mid to late game better now and I have had a heck of a time in my latest test game maintaining much more than a stalemate with a hostile Boskara AI empire that started out near my Solar Republic. I've built some fleets oriented around "light carriers" and missile boats to give those a good test and I'm finding it's a lot of fun to use stand off tactics.

I also tried a test game this week with the Dhayut and build some close range ships with ion weapons and torpedos that can really wreak havoc on an enemy fleet in the right conditions.

Regards,

- Erik

Sounds like ships can be customized much more to fit specialized roles or to be jack-of-all-trade combat ships now. Can't wait to test some combos.

Gotta hate the Boskara and the Dhayuut as enemies. Don't mind if they migrate into my empire; Boskaran troops are always useful. Haven't got so big problem with Sluken. Probably because thay remind me of ants, which I like.

Anyway, waiting patiently for more news.

[Xkill]

Hello, Gentlemen, Been away for some long time huh?

Anyways, there are some questions about the expansion that I would be happy if they got answered.

1: The Diplomacy was soooo weak in the original game, is it better now?

2: Are the AI more agressive now? Before they were just attaking my Mining Stations, I want Full-Scale Invasions.

3: The Modding support.... It would be nice if we could change some of those governments corruption.

4: Are there more races? I would really like some more races.

But in any case, the Expansion looks great. My money surely are going to run from my wallet to get a copy of this one! (Full Feature List Please!)

[s20dan]

First, sorry for Off-topic

On Wii? Actually, forget that I asked. You are modder and I'll leave it at that.
And yes, Star Control 2 is one of the greatest games ever made.

More off-topic

I actually meant 'The Urquan Masters', which is a fan-remake of starcontrol 2 as the original source code was released for that game many years ago.
You can get it on just about any platform that you can think of, even Android phones and the Wii like I mentioned. And its free and legal

I look forward to more information on the upcoming expansion.
*Fingers crossed for decent modding support*