Can we talk a bit about diplomacy now?

[SirHoraceHarkness]

ORIGINAL: StormingKiwi

So based on a 3 week cycle for dev diary releases, I guess that means DW2 is being released next year?

Well if 4 more dev diary are all thats left that puts it right at the end of the year which is about when we are expecting it. Plus they might put them out faster as the game gets nearer to release. I suppose we will find out soon enough. ~shrugs~

[USSAmerica]

My anniversary coupon should be ready at the end of October, so I'd like to request a release date just before Thanksgiving. [8D] [:D]

[SirHoraceHarkness]

I'm assuming a $60 launch price so money put away and waiting as soon as the download links are active. [:)]

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: USSAmerica

My anniversary coupon should be ready at the end of October, so I'd like to request a release date just before Thanksgiving. [8D] [:D]

End of November for me. [:)]

[wetpig]

The more granular and in depth the diplomacy the better IMO. I take great delight in simply watching the universe tick over in Distant Worlds.

My favourite playstyle was as a smuggler in DW1 which didn't really involve much conquest (for me at least) except for the acquisition of strategic and luxury resources that the universe would then have to go through me to obtain. One of the things that annoyed me in DW1 was the fact that as a smuggler I was unable to make any meaningful long term agreements with an empire that would prevent hostilities between us (it would be amazing if there was some form of corporate playstyle akin to pirates eventually in DW2, start with just a base etc), I really enjoyed being a parasite on an empire without actually going to war with them this, however, was impossible to maintain in DW1 due to the only diplomatic option being "protection" which the AI would inevitably cancel (often only to accept it immediately again, but usually the damage would already be done). I know pirates aren't in DW2 (at least not at the start) but I'm using this as an example of the type of playstyles a solid diplomatic system could provide.

As a proper empire I also enjoyed playing as the rats (larger civ ships, cant remember their name) and obtaining mining rights with every empire I could to gain a hegemony over resources, which in turn gave me power over these empires, thanks to the economic simulation in dw this diplomatic option was very satisfying indeed watching as my mining ships became basically responsible for the resource needs of the other empires and it was profitable to boot. I appreciated that diplomatic option a lot.

So for me the more diplomatic options the better as I like to play the game more like a space empire simulator than a pure 4x.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

I should add to my earlier comment that I do use the diplomacy options in DWU but not as a main game feature and more as a tool of conquest instead. Getting an empire you want to take over hooked on mining their resources from your own systems then when the time is right remove those rights and starve them out of minerals as they fight a war with some other empire you bribed into attacking them then once their ships are depleted declaring war yourself and wiping them out easily.

[ncc1701e]

In terms of diplomacy, I really hope that treaties could be signed with a definition of some systems as a neutral zone between two empires.

[martok]

^ That'd be great, in theory. In practice, however, I don't ever see that happening in a strategy game. The difficulty in coding such a feature (if it's even possible at all) would almost certainly require more time and/or effort than it'd be worth.

[ncc1701e]

I think you are right. Just hoping for a good surprise. [;)]

[wetpig]

I hope we get multiplayer somewhere down the track, agreeing to arbitrary borders amongst friends then breaking the agreements and going to war anyway is always fun.

[Sild]

MP is something they definitely have planned for the near future. If not present at release.

[martok]

ORIGINAL: Sild

MP is something they definitely have planned for the near future. If not present at release.

That's not at all the impression I've gotten from what Erik and Elliot have said.


Yes, Elliot is making the game so that MP can be added later on, and Erik has stated they definitely hope/would like to do so. However, I'm reasonably certain we're not going to see MP added to the game anytime soon.

We might -- *might* -- see MP added in the first major expansion, but I honestly doubt it. And I can't imagine we'll see it added any sooner than that (although I won't be upset if I turn out to be wrong).

[wetpig]

Agreed, as much as I'd love MP we really only have confirmation that the engine is capable of supporting MP and that it would be possible to implement it at a later date.

[Sild]

Well, in my opinion it would be odd to design a game with MP in mind (and that's not a simple thing) and not have it in at some point. If all goes well, i don't see why not. The ball is in the air about when that's going to happen, i agree.

[Bleek]

ORIGINAL: Sild

MP is something they definitely have planned for the near future. If not present at release.

Source? [:)]

[SirHoraceHarkness]

ORIGINAL: Bleek

ORIGINAL: Sild

MP is something they definitely have planned for the near future. If not present at release.

Source? [:)]

I don't remember which thread it was in but they definitely said that the foundation of MP was planned from the start as a future option but actually putting it in would not be a primary consideration at least early on. So unless DW2 has brisk sales and catches on in a big way don't expect MP any time soon as they have so much other basic stuff to put back in like pirate play and the other races etc.

[Sild]

SirHoraceHarkness has it right. There was no source in particular to what i said a few posts back, just my impressions of everything i've read. I think they will add MP in at most 2 years post release (near future). Won't be at release though, of that im more certain now. Hope that clears things up a bit cause this isn't exactly on topic, lol.