Opportunity for DW2 now that Stellaris just shot itself in the foot

[Osito]

So the rumours have finally been confirmed. Stellaris just dropped warp drive to go hyperdrive only, sticking a big finger up to those who bought it for the warp drive funtionality.

This is great for DW2, providing of course that you intend to keep the warp drive functionality in the game. You are going to keep that in the game, aren't you? You can tell me ...

[Cauldyth]

I actually think it's a great decision for Stellaris. Their current system is an utter mess, and none of their mechanics worked well for all three FTL types. Now they can focus the mechanics on hyperlanes (which a lot of them seemed to already sort of be aimed at).

DW's mechanics, on the other hand, are geared towards free-travel (i.e. warp).

I prefer DW's combination of FTL and mechanics, but I think for the mechanics that Stellaris both already has and wants to implement in the future, hyperlanes are the correct choice.

[Icemania]

I'm pretty Indifferent to the change coming in Stellaris. To me it’s like the TBS v RTS debate, I don’t really care, so long as the game is fun. What I'd like to suggest, in the context of Distant Worlds 2, is that a lot of what has been described in the latest Stellaris Dev Diary as specific benefits to hyperlanes could also be done with warp drives.

For example, having areas of the galaxy only accessible by a single hyperlane … well warp drives have a limited range … so just set areas that are beyond warp range. Access to those areas could similarly be via special technologies or exploration events.

Another example is Galactic Terrain e.g. pulsars with shield nullification. With warp drives the map could have more nebulas/spatial anomalies/artifacts with various effects over a region of space. It wouldn’t be hard to implement a variety of different effects here. Some of these could even occur as a result of events e.g. if anyone remembers the Omega Particle from Star Trek Voyager.

And so on.

[SaltiMilk]

Shot its self in the foot? It downright just saved its self. Trying to balance all 3 FTLs is a nightmare and its more of an annoyance than anything.

Also a large majority of people support the change.

[Osito]

The post was intended to be a bit tongue in cheek, although I guess that doesn't come across too well in writing.

Saltimik (I'm surprised you didn't call yourself SaltiOsito ), you must have access to some statistics I don't have, as it's not clear to me whether a large majority support the change, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's a majority. However, regardless of that, it seems likely to me that there is a significant number of people who just don't like hyperlanes, and will be very happy to see DW continue with the warp systems (and other ftl systems, if possible).

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just me and a handful of salty old codgers who care about it.

[ASHBERY76]

DW2 might have starlanes too.I see no evidence the game is real.

[Retreat1970]

ORIGINAL: ASHBERY76

DW2 might have starlanes too.I see no evidence the game is real.

Exactly.

[Lucian]

ORIGINAL: Osito

The post was intended to be a bit tongue in cheek, although I guess that doesn't come across too well in writing.

Saltimik (I'm surprised you didn't call yourself SaltiOsito ), you must have access to some statistics I don't have, as it's not clear to me whether a large majority support the change, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's a majority. However, regardless of that, it seems likely to me that there is a significant number of people who just don't like hyperlanes, and will be very happy to see DW continue with the warp systems (and other ftl systems, if possible).

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just me and a handful of salty old codgers who care about it.

Its not just you. I hate starlanes, they just turn the fluid complexity of space strategy into a greatly-simplified land-based strategy game (roads,mountains,chokepoints) similar to RISK, and its just not what I'm looking for in a space strategy game. If I want land strategy I'll play Civ.

Now that Stellaris has well and truly shot itself in the foot (very appropriate IMO since they wont be getting another penny from me), DW2 has become our last best hope for a space game that actually treats space like space instead of a giant RISK board. Please, please stick with free-movement for DW2, this roads-in-space plague has gone far enough.

[Bingeling]

ORIGINAL: Icemania

For example, having areas of the galaxy only accessible by a single hyperlane … well warp drives have a limited range … so just set areas that are beyond warp range. Access to those areas could similarly be via special technologies or exploration events.

I have had some of my best fun in DW when limited ranges are an issue. If they want to enforce that kind of play to everyone, they need to do something about the "just add more fuel cells" solution. Maybe some more "punitive game modes" could be enforced on galaxy creation which could be easily be turned into "game presets" to be shared?

For me the game starts in what feels like a large galaxy, but it feels smaller as I get better technology, more resources, and basically beat the game. And that is without even modifying ship designs, so no extra fuel cells.

[Twigster]

Adding to the chorus hoping ardently that DW sticks with free movement.

[Cauldyth]

I can't imagine them changing that. But if they do, then yeah... would be very disappointed.

[Erik Rutins]

It's not changing. [8D]

[Cauldyth]

[8D]

[Lucian]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

It's not changing. [8D]

After the Stellaris devs suddenly turning to the dark-side with a fully mature product that I only purchased *because* I could turn off starlanes and play with free movement, I cant tell you how relieved that makes me. Thank you.

[stuart3]

At last, a little piece of hard (and crucial) information. Even this makes the game seem so much more worth waiting for. [:)]

[Osito]

Really happy to hear that, Eric (and really happy to get some hard information about the game!).

[Ranbir]

What is good about DW's space terrain is that it can literally encompass vast sections of the galaxy. LIke we see a lot of clouds and nebulae along the galactic arms (I play spiral). The terrain for stellaris has to limit itself to "nodes" that are connected to hyperplanes.

[Hattori Hanzo]

ORIGINAL: Lucian

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

It's not changing. [8D]

After the Stellaris devs suddenly turning to the dark-side with a fully mature product that I only purchased *because* I could turn off starlanes and play with free movement, I cant tell you how relieved that makes me. Thank you.

Erik Rutkins, about Stellaris:

at today is still possible to play an older Stellaris version with the starlanes turned off ?

[Osito]

Regarding Stellaris, the change has not yet been implemented, but it will still be possible to run an older version with warp. Regardless of that personally, I've returned to DW:U already.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

Haven't even felt the need to play another space strategy game getting dw:u and sticking the ai mod in. It scratches every itch and even though the graphics are dated compared to a more modern game like sins of a solar empire or even galactic civilizations 2 it doesn't matter because the gameplay is so solid and with the excellent automation you can give vast amounts of micromanagement over to your ai minions and concentrate on the parts of the game that are the most fun to you personally. This is the true reason dw has lasted the test of time due to the near infinite ways you can play the game.