Alternative Game Modes - I NEED HELP

[LarryVE]

Page 11 and 12 of the Distant Worlds Game Manual and the marketing literature state that a user can use alternative modes of play but neither give directions as to how to make this work. (I pasted a copy of the Matrix Games statement below.) I tried to get help from the help desk, they referred me to technical support. Technical support said they don't support game play and referred me to the Forum. I am hoping someone can tell me whether this is truly an available function or just marketing hype.

Thanks,
Larry

"There are, however, several available alternative modes of playing Distant Worlds, during which the player is advised to automate all activity. These include playing as a ship captain; as a fleet admiral; locking on a ship and supervising it; playing as a bounty hunter in search of pirates; automating everything except espionage and playing as a “spy master;” or building a secret construction project. For more information on these alternative modes of game play, consult the Galactopedia. There are many ways of conquering the universe!"

The Galactopedia does not add any new information!!!!

[elanaahova]

ORIGINAL: LarryVE
Thanks,Larry

"There are, however, several available alternative modes of playing Distant Worlds, during which the player is advised to automate all activity. These include playing as a ship captain; as a fleet admiral; locking on a ship and supervising it; playing as a bounty hunter in search of pirates; automating everything except espionage and playing as a “spy master;” or building a secret construction project. For more information on these alternative modes of game play, consult the Galactopedia. There are many ways of conquering the universe!"

Larry, 'mode' was, perhaps, a poor choice of words on their part. What they are describing, are various ways you can set the automation of your empire, such that you can experience the 'pirate hunting, etc. I will do one, for example: I want to play 'lets go kill 'billy the squid' (pirate). Automate EVERYTHING in your empire, EXCEPT 3 or 4 Destroyers. make them into a fleet that YOU control. Let the AI run everything else. Now, hit the space-bar and get time moving. Might want to move it up to 2x or 4x game speed (time passage). Set the game to follow your lead pirate hunting ship. Now, with, when pirates show up, send in the space cavalry (YOU!)
Get the idea? It has to mixing and matching, in the automate area, what areas of your empire do you fully automate (let the AI control).

Hope this helps...

[Data]

I really like the L option and the fact that you can forget about everything else and follow whatever interests you
but never tried it though, the AI really takes care of your empire? the first fear that comes to mind is overtaxation that could result in unhapiness and rebellion / spliting of the empire

[LarryVE]

Matrix and Elanaahova - thanks for your responses. I understand your suggestions.
Matrix - you said you never tried the approach that Elanaahova suggested, what have you tried?
Thanks

[Data]

I think by Matrix you are reffering to me? If so, I never tried any of these options....I play it with full manual control, I'm an old MOO2 micromanager freak [:)]

[LarryVE]

Hi, yes I was referring to you. I see I truncated your game name - sorry. It has been several years since I last played any computer games. I have enjoyed strategy games over shoot them ups. And I was a MOO2 player as well.

Since it has been so long since I played a game I consider myself new to gaming and definitely new to Matrix Games. I am using the automation to assist me in learning to play the game. It looks like it should be fairly simple to gain a good foundation. Any tips on how to improve my style and understanding of the Distant Worlds?

Thanks.

[Data]

given your past experience or lack off it I would indeed recomend automating at first....and also a small map with low level of difficulty
then you can put on manual the things you want to try out and learn this way
I also highly recommend the AAR section, some good stuff in there....the same holds true about the war room but here the info is not as structured as in an AAR
still waiting for a good LP on youtube, that would be a great experience for beginers and attract new players as well...there are some videos by CodeForce, something extra to the tutorials
aside from this, just jump in and have fun...don't be afraid of the huuge amount of gameplay [:)]

[elanaahova]

I would add to data's fine suggestion, that as you get comfortable with how things 'really' work, you begin, one area at a time, taking the Ai off control and putting the setting on the middle choice: let the AI 'suggest' actions, but you make the choice. Remember, your advisors will repeatedly try to get you to act hostile to your neighbors. And your spy master will send inexperienced agents off on missions where they will usually get caught - and nose dive your reputation. AI choices for new colony efforts seem sound except when a strategic location issue (think 'geo-political) is important to address. have fun...

BTW, I play on a small galaxy, with all actions of the AI subject to my consent. Guess i'm a micro-manager, as well.

[Data]

yes, elenaahova really nailed it....putting the AI on suggestion mode is one of this game's strongest features for beginers and not so beginers alike as it teaches you at first and takes some of the micromanagement later. And all this without making the actual decision for you, very nice indeed.

[ehsumrell1]

ORIGINAL: elanaahova

BTW, I play on a small galaxy, with all actions of the AI subject to my consent. Guess i'm a micro-manager, as well.

Way to go Elana! Good to hear you've gotten the 'hang' of things with DW
since we last spoke (and becoming quite the Galactic Empress as well)! [:D]

[LarryVE]

I want to thank you guys. Your suggestions are great and I will use them. I just completed my first game. I set a large galaxy, with no other players, no pirates or critters, and a 3 year time limit. I wanted to see how the mechanics worked without having interference. I am going to start a new scenario with a smaller galaxy and one or two other races. My goal is learn more about travel long distances and building and managing fleets. At this rate it will be awhile before I can be a mid-level player. You will probably be hearing from me again - looking for the benefit of your knowledge and experience.

Regards and thanks,
Larry

[Data]

That's the way we like it, Larry...you take your time, playing this for the remainder of your days is not a bad prospect [:)]

[elanaahova]

Yes, Larry, and we will be looking forward to learning from your experiences. I only play on small (100 system) galaxies... so i am looking forward to what you will teach me.

[Abraxis]

ORIGINAL: elanaahova

Yes, Larry, and we will be looking forward to learning from your experiences. I only play on small (100 system) galaxies... so i am looking forward to what you will teach me.

How do you find the smaller systems? On the one hand, I like having fewer colonies and resources as it means those things are more important, but the massive amounts of space between everything seems a bit much.

Maybe I'll get over it and play one anyways, having a million sources of everything sorta takes some fun out of the game (go ahead, destroy that mining station, I have 500 more).

[elanaahova]

ORIGINAL: Abraxis

ORIGINAL: elanaahova

Yes, Larry, and we will be looking forward to learning from your experiences. I only play on small (100 system) galaxies... so i am looking forward to what you will teach me.

How do you find the smaller systems? On the one hand, I like having fewer colonies and resources as it means those things are more important, but the massive amounts of space between everything seems a bit much.

Maybe I'll get over it and play one anyways, having a million sources of everything sorta takes some fun out of the game (go ahead, destroy that mining station, I have 500 more).

Find Smaller galaxies? In game set up, is a slider, pull it all the way to the left.
explore the smaller systems? (do you mean, how do i start so i can find them?) This my general plan: I play an economic game 'at start.' I redesign DD to have max weps, and a little more maneuverability and ditch the troop component. Redesign explorers to have long range, 300 fuel in cells. DDs get the collector (forget the name) but it covers the static needs of DDs when 'sitting' waiting for action (so they don't draw fuel when waiting). I redesign a LSP with 20 of each lab, 2 additional yards, (and one each of the 'plants,' needed for construction yards). I refit the DD (and unload troop - if one is on board). Refit the MSP to the new large design. I order 4 explorers built, and wait a bit, and order 4 more. I take control of construction ships, and explorers. I redesign both types of mining bases to have some weps, and shields, enough to stand off 3 -4 Frigates (max pirates seem to attack with). I redesign all size freighters to have an additional fuel cell, and more acceleration; small and large get a resource scanning component (forget exact name). Redesign constructors to have resource scan component as well. Refit constructors. I send explorers out to look at each system, but NOT explore the system. I want to find, asap: ruins, abandoned ships and bases, (before anyone else) and potential colony sites. I check the galaxy map for resort / research sites (and assign constructor). I check the expansion planner for resources I might be short on, and send constructor there. After a time, as finances allow, keeping about 30,000 in reserve, I order 4 more explorers. Note that the space base yards will construct new ships, even while the rest of the base is being refitted. I pay off pirates, as i have no 'real' navy. I also, as money allows, pay for info.
When the base is done refitting, I add, as finances allow, 5 - 6 DDs. Hopefully, by this time, I have torps. I research them all the way, so they upgrade in place without refitting ships bases that have them. I redesign all DD's, and bases to use torps. I refit / tham all as well. Now its hunting time. Once i have a squad of DDs, I use it to attack pirate bases in range, and patrol key systems. After A time, I rarely have to pay pirates off because my weak bases (from start of game, are 'interior.' Newer bases, that pirates can attack, will kill any pirate attack. New waves of explorers are built, like 8 more - but left on auto... they explore the details of the systems already 'viewed' by the first wave. The one or two DD squads i have patrol the 'system' that has weak bases, colonies and/or hit pirate bases. Wild cards are monsters, and diplo problems... like bugs... I race to find the tech from ruins and repair abandoned capital ships. I repaired high tech (abandoned / wreck) DD can destroy a pirate base by itself. The rest depends on how the galaxy unfolds, what i find, who is in it... how much they hate or like me... etc. Does this help?