Got the Game - Suggestions

[Marcuso]

Hi all,

I picked up the game on Friday. I think it is impressive and it is fun, but I have a few questions/suggestions that I'm hoping a developer could answer.

1. Is there a way to upgrade ships? For instance, I just researched Merlin II, but I have no option to upgrade all of my current Merlin I ships. I searched in the manual, but I couldn't find a way to do so. Is this feature not implemented? Are ships not supposed to be upgraded?

2. The auto-manage AI is impressive as far as I can tell. However, I didn't notice the AI shipping population between high populated colonies and low populated colonies. Is there any way that this could be implemented? Or are we to micromanage this part of the game?

3. The diplomacy AI is very good so far - much better than I expected (THANK YOU - I'm SO tired of poor diplomacy AI in 4X games). However, sometimes the AI will refuse a counter offer but then offer even MORE money. Is this a bug? Again, kudos on the AI - seriously. This makes the game so much more enjoyable!

I'm sure the list will grow as I play more. Overall, the game is very enjoyable and it was well worth the $40 purchase. I hope that future patches will implement new (albeit minor) features, and not just fix bugs.

Thanks in advance!

[Ntronium]

Hi Marcuso

Thanks for buying the game, and glad to hear that you're enjoying it. To answer your questions.

i) There is no way to upgrade ships. The level 2 ships are a pretty major upgrade, so it wouldn't make sense to be able to upgrade existing ships, and it'd just create more micromanagement.
ii) The AI doesn't shuttle population around for you. Deciding, which planets are going to be your population centers is a key strategic decision, that you need to make, so you have to order the dispatch of the first wave of colonists to a new planet yourself. However, you can tell your transports to automatically shift people from one planet to another, so there shouldn't be too much micromanagement.
iii) This bug has been fixed in the 1.01 patch, that will be available shortly (if it isn't already).

[Erik Rutins]

Regarding #3, the v1.01 update is available, just click on the "Check for Updates" link on your game menu to update your retail copy to v1.01. Our online release will already be at the v1.01 level.

[Tom_Holsinger]

Bob,

Do the AI empires transport population, or is this something only players do?

ORIGINAL: Ntronium

ii) The AI doesn't shuttle population around for you. Deciding, which planets are going to be your population centers is a key strategic decision, that you need to make, so you have to order the dispatch of the first wave of colonists to a new planet yourself. However, you can tell your transports to automatically shift people from one planet to another, so there shouldn't be too much micromanagement.

[PDiFolco]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Regarding #3, the v1.01 update is available, just click on the "Check for Updates" link on your game menu to update your retail copy to v1.01. Our online release will already be at the v1.01 level.

Damn ! You offer upgrades for non-customers but still don't sell the game ? [8|] You'll end up in charity [:D]?

[Marcuso]

I just wanted to respond to a point that was made.

ORIGINAL: Ntronium

i) There is no way to upgrade ships. The level 2 ships are a pretty major upgrade, so it wouldn't make sense to be able to upgrade existing ships, and it'd just create more micromanagement. I think I disagree with this point. It creates more micromanagement, in my opinion (rather than just having, say, a mass upgrade option for all ships in planets with suitable shipyards). When I focus my research, my navies tend to become obsolete and I'm having to scrap old ships and replace them with new ones manually. Do you think it would possible to have a mass upgrade feature implemented?

I also had another question for you (maybe this thread should be titled "bug reports" as well). I am allied with the Walden Forest, and they became "very hostile" towards me after I asked to trade technology for one of their planets. Keep in mind, we are "allied" and in a "trusting" relationship. I tried making up for it by giving them several technologies, but they became "hostile" and then "very hostile" again. I still haven't been able to mend relations with them. Any thoughts? Is this a possible bug?

Thanks for the quick response! Awesome support!

[Tom_Holsinger]

Sounds like a reversed interger, or possibly an overflow/wrap-around.  MOO3 diplomacy had both, and a gift of a fully developed planet still makes the recipient hopping mad.

[Erik Rutins]

Tom,

Haven't seen anything so obvious in our testing. If you all see something like that in v1.01 tomorrow, please do report it!

Marcuso,

Do you have a save that shows that perchance?

[Marcuso]

I sure do. Where should I send it?

[Aroddo]

ai usually becomes hostile gradually towards you if you piss them off. Repeatedly offering them bad trades tends to piss them off quite thoroughly.
There's an indicator at the bottom of the diplomacy window how good or bad the trade for each side is.

by the way: if you really think it's a bug then go to the official armada 2526 forums.

see my sig

[Marcuso]

ORIGINAL: Aroddo

ai usually becomes hostile gradually towards you if you piss them off. Repeatedly offering them bad trades tends to piss them off quite thoroughly.
There's an indicator at the bottom of the diplomacy window how good or bad the trade for each side is.

Yes, I had already 'improved' my rep to "Hostile" from "Very Hostile" by giving some technology. However, they become "Very Hostile" again a turn or two later. Is this normal? Not only that, they renewed my alliance. Does this make sense??

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Marcuso,

Once we release the game, we'll have a tech support sub-forum here that will allow you to post your saved game. If you want to send it earlier than that, you can zip it up and e-mail it to me at erikr@matrixgames.com and I'll pass it along to Bob with any info you send along with it.

Regards,

- Erik

[Aroddo]

they must have a reason for not liking you but are too afraid to live without your alliance. or it might indeed be a bug.
try the forum. Keep a savegame ready just in case the chief wants to see it.

[Fluffyzerg]

The game is quite awesome so far. The AI empires are so communicative, its not just the usual , Hi, trade a few times to get them friendly enough for a non aggression, then forget about em. This feature alone realllly boosts immersion.
 
I agree with the idea of a mass-upgrade or Fleet refit button, it doesnt seem unrealistic to be able to send older ships in for a refit of new weaponry and defenses. Im facing my first major scrap and remake endeavour and im dreading it =p
 
and I still wish I could get this auto updater to stop hanging at "creating handle"

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Fluffyzerg
and I still wish I could get this auto updater to stop hanging at "creating handle"

Sounds like your firewall is blocking it.

[Aroddo]

if you mean only minor upgrades like corvette I to corvette II, then it's worth a thought.

I however prefered more ... hmm ... active forms of recycling old ships.
Someone has to soak up the enemy bullets.

[Marcuso]

Another issue with diplomacy - appears to be a bug:

I just started a new game. I came into contact with Humans II. They offered me a non-aggression pact for 20 turns, but they asked for 19 credits in return. I counter-offered simply a non-aggression pact only - no payment on either side - but they keep countering it back stating that it doesn't "address the key issue." Hence, they are being adamant about the 19 credits. I've even tried asking THEM to pay instead, but they keep just saying that it doesn't "address the key issue" and ask for 19 credits.

It's slightly annoying. Is this a bug as well?

EDIT: Sorry - do I need to be posting these on the other forum?

[Erik Rutins]

Posting here is fine - did you manage to update to v1.01?

[Iceman]

ORIGINAL: Marcuso
I just started a new game. I came into contact with Humans II. They offered me a non-aggression pact for 20 turns, but they asked for 19 credits in return. I counter-offered simply a non-aggression pact only - no payment on either side - but they keep countering it back stating that it doesn't "address the key issue." Hence, they are being adamant about the 19 credits. I've even tried asking THEM to pay instead, but they keep just saying that it doesn't "address the key issue" and ask for 19 credits.

They probably want the money really hard - even if it's a very low amount. Maybe that's the real issue.
Having *them* pay when they *want* money is not really a good alternative, is it? [;)] Neither is noone paying - in their eyes. Did you check the trade balance in the bottom? Those 19$ are probably a balancing figure.

[Marcuso]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Posting here is fine - did you manage to update to v1.01?

I have only played with the 1.01 patch - I updated immediately after installing. I have never played without it. I will get that savegame over to you now - sorry about that!