Notes for new players on Spices and Resorts

[Bandersnatch]

Quite frankly, I’m astounded by the size and breadth of Distant Worlds. Its design is a masterpiece of work. The learning curve is not overly steep, but rather long and gradual. I’ve played maybe a dozen games, and each new game begins a learning session, and it gets better and better. My own gaming history began before there were computers. Back in those days electronic games joined the dart boards in many bars; particularly Pin Ball machines. Then came Asteroids, and Pac Man, and they showed up everywhere. My first computer was a Packard Bell 286; it had a color monitor, and a Dos operating system; Windows came later. It cost about two grand. Then came the 486 Dx2 66, I had to buy a modem and install it. AOL was the hot item. Gamers drove the development of bigger and better machines thereafter. (So much for nostalgia).

I thought I might be able to help new players with a couple of things I’ve just discovered; I know you old vets can ho-hum this stuff, but if you can add something, then please do.
I’ve never really known what to do with Korabbian Spice and/or Zentabia Fluid except to check the little box on the Empire screen to trade or not. If I liked them, I checked, if not, I didn’t. I had a tendency to hoard it. (In my last game I had both substances). During game play, I could not get any one of the twenty-one empires to accept a Fair Trade Policy. Then I thought of the text at the bottom of the Empire screen giving their reasons for liking or disliking me. One line said: “We resent you not trading (these substances) with us.” Well, they refused to accept my offer for a Free Trade policy, so to heck with them. Then I decided to try something new. Slowly I began checking the box to trade my rare substances with every empire. Before long they began asking me for a Free Trade Policy. Pretty soon everybody loved me. The upshot being: I felt safe in scrapping several fleets freeing me from maintenance costs, and my sinking income leveled off. Soon it began to rise. I won the game. (Random settings)

The second scenario involves the resort base. I always built these to hearten despondent colonies, or reward big populations with entertainment. Then during a game session I checked my Empire summary screen (F12) and took note there was a resort stat for income marked OK. In the past I thought it meant everything was okay. But I couldn’t figure out how it made money. Then I remembered seeing on the galaxy map (F5) info on scenic locations. So I clicked on the yellow dot near the edge of the map, and it took me to a neutron star. Wow! Then I sent a construction ship to build a resort base at the star. It didn’t take long for dozens of passenger ships to start docking, and then back away, holding for passengers at the resort. Since I had a construction ship there, I built a monitor base and a few research bases, and to be on the safe side, a defensive structure along with a couple of cruisers to patrol in case of pirates. Of course I repeated this at other scenic locations. I started watching the money roll in at my summary screen. I hope there aren’t any down sides to this, anyway, good luck with it.

Bander.

[Data]

All valid points Bander, only one thing to add: Korabbian Spice and/or Zentabia Fluid do wonders for your development as well not only for trading.

[ehsumrell1]

ORIGINAL: Data

All valid points Bander, only one thing to add: Korabbian Spice and/or Zentabia Fluid do wonders for your development as well not only for trading.

.....Aahh....HE who controls the 'spice'! {Remember Dune....[:)])

[Bandersnatch]

Good deal. Can my development be followed in any way that I can track or be aware of? I have read their unique qualities. John

[Bingeling]

Your development is the culture stat of the planet, clearly displayed in the colony list.

A colony with 7 (?) luxuries and all well sit at 100 culture (unless a special bonus from ruin or some such). With one of the rares, it rises to 130 (or more with the special planet bonuses). More culture is better pop growth, and larger max, pop I think. A totally good thing.

I did not think of the good sides of the trade, nice tip there. In my current game, I am not so popular, and I have tended to reserve spice for my real friends. I should try to trade (zentiba fluid in my case) to those I want to be my friends, as I am getting scary and menacing.

Also, excellent writeup. I totally agree that the learning curve is not steep, but nice and long.

[Data]

Development is in everything, watch your research speed going hyperwarp when you get these rare commodities......you might as well try to catch a Bandersnatch [:)]

[J HG T]

ORIGINAL: Bingeling


A colony with 7 (?) luxuries and all well sit at 100 culture...

Believe or not, I finally actually understood this in my current game with Zenox.
Planet quality as worst, so I needed to pay more attentation to my few colonies. Live and learn. [:)]

[Bingeling]

I did the swap to trade my zentiba fluid with everyone I wanted as my friends. That is (as human) just about everyone not yellow, red or purple. It was a massive change in attitudes. 14 is gained by going from -5 to +9 from trading the rare, and I think the added trade volume boost the trade amount friendliness too.

And I snatched the 7 rare things from forum or manual quite early, and auto constructors seems to manage to get these by themselves. Also, I think 100 quality is not reached on poor quality colonies, even with luxuries.

[Bingeling]

ORIGINAL: Data

Development is in everything, watch your research speed going hyperwarp when you get these rare commodities......you might as well try to catch a Bandersnatch [:)]

Why does research speed get boosted by rares? Does trade volume influence the research potential? Or does planet quality influence it?

[Data]

research potential is 16% iirc of strategic value and that is calculated based on pop and development.

[bertipa]

I'm just sharing my rares with everybody that are not at war with me (and if they are trade embargo me I imagine they don't get it).

Is there any drawback with this?

[Data]

Yes, it doesn't matter who initiates the trade embargo...no trade is being done in either direction.
The drawback seems to be related to the fact that the AI doesn't prioritize on this atm, ie you can end up with more rares in their stocks than in yours.