Matrix Games Forums

Introduction

This is going to be a collaborative 'Let's Play' AAR, or more accurately a DAR (During Action Report). I will play the role of an empire's bureaucracy - the underlings who grease the gears and do the doing. You will play the role of the empire's governing body. Your will is my command. If the general consensus takes us into areas I don't agree with then so be it. Hopefully it will be a lot of fun.

Each episode will be videoed and uploaded to YouTube. The next post in this thread will contain the links to each episode. Next to each episode will also be a link to the post containing the objectives and decisions arising from that episode.

The goal is to leave each video at a point requiring a strategic decision. I'll try to cover the options available as best I can in the video and also list them for discussion here in this thread. You, as the governing body, will then direct me, as the bureaucratic middle management, with what actions to take. I'll make what I would consider the 'no-brainer' decisions as befitting middle management but leave the higher level decisions to your collaborative efforts.

Once we get started I'll be using italics like this to 'comment' about the process and to address outside-the-game items.
Roman text like this will be used for in-game or in-character communication.

While it will be left to me to interpret the goals and wishes of the governing body I will try to add weight to directives that are delivered 'in character' over directives that are delivered 'out of character'. All advice will be considered though, so don't feel you have to play a role if that makes you feel uncomfortable. To be honest I considered trying to narrate what was happening in the videos 'in character' but I think that would be a problem and also be highly embarrassing. [:)]

Let's all have a bit of fun with this. [:D]

Full Video Playlist

Episode 1: Weak and Thirsty : Discussion from here.

Episode 2: Spice Trade : Discussion from here.

Episode 3: Trade and Treaties : Discussion from here.

Episode 4: Fleet Exercises : Discussion from here.

Episode 5: The Sharp End : Discussion from here.

Episode 6: Medical Attention : Discussion from here.

Episode 7: Police Action : Discussion from here.

Episode 8: Invasion : Discussion from here.

Episode 9: Pirates and Silver Mist : Discussion from here.

Episode 10: Pax Secura : Discussion from here.

Preparation:

First decision to be made:

1. What race shall we play?

2. What shape galaxy should we start with?

3. What size galaxy?

4. How many other races?

1. Human
2. Spiral
3. 1000
4. All of them.

1.Random
2.Spiral
3.1400 15x15
4. All

ORIGINAL: Das123

Preparation:

First decision to be made:

1. What race shall we play?

2. What shape galaxy should we start with?

3. What size galaxy?

4. How many other races?

1. Random race

2: Irregular (that is a shape, right?)

3: I assume Legends so 15x15 and about 700 stars - distances are fun.

4: About 15 if 700 stars.

Arg. And you guys know how much I hate playing as the humans. [>:]

ORIGINAL: Das123

Arg. And you guys know how much I hate playing as the humans. [>:]

ORIGINAL: Nedrear

1.Random
2.Spiral
3.1400 15x15
4. All

As you command my liege.

ORIGINAL: Das123

Arg. And you guys know how much I hate playing as the humans. [>:]

The new racial victory conditions should change it a bit.Get that GOLD.

ORIGINAL: ASHBERY76

ORIGINAL: Das123

Arg. And you guys know how much I hate playing as the humans. [>:]

The new racial victory conditions should change it a bit.Get that GOLD.

True, true.

1. Random or the one you have most fun playing with. That doesn't necessarily mean your favourite race.

2. Spiral or ring.

3. Largest possible from performance perspective.

4. All of them. Just to see how new victory conditions work out.

And excellent idea BTW! This should be so much fun.

ORIGINAL: J HG T
1. Random or the one you have most fun playing with. That doesn't necessarily mean your favourite race.

I tried playing the start of two different games over the weekend to gauge strategic choice with this project in mind. What I found was that playing a race like the Ackadians (or whatever they are called) there was a slow build-up and the galaxy was pretty much populated before anything requiring strategic choices arose. This is fine but it means the AAR will start in the middle game.

Next I played a game as the Boskarans (or whatever they are called). In this game because of the animosity of those around me the strategic choices arose much earlier. I don't really have a favourite but I do find playing races like the humans it is more a game about creating a Federation and trade network than about fighting over rare resources.

I do agree with ASHBERY76's comments that the changes in Legends will make for very different game-play. So I really don't mind what race we try (although I'm secretly hoping it is one of the hive minds or reptiles). [:)]

Once we get started please feel free to give yourself an in-character name and title.

Hell yeaahh, have seen few aar's or lp's doing this but these are the most fun ones. Thank you, Das.

1. Securans

2. Varied clusters

3. The biggest possible [:)] For gameplay actually a smaller one would be good but I always favor gigantic maps

4. Max

1, Atuuk.

2. Spiral.

3. 700.

4. 17 others.

Edit: Seeing your hoping for a Hiver race the Gizureans might make an amusing choice instead of the crazy monkeys...

Ackdarian please, they are so cute . hopefully there will be no seal-clubbers in the galaxy

1. Ikkuro, Ketarov or Zenox. One of the in between races for choices.

2. Varied Clusters

3. Most stars, biggest map that your comp will handle.

4. All of them.

Quite a consensus so far, let me throw a vote for Ugnari into the mix. [;)]

Preparation:

OK. Game downloaded. Manual skimmed. Game started and had a quick look around. Let's get this show on the road.[:D]

1. What race shall we play? We'll go with Random.

2. What shape galaxy should we start with? Spiral

3. What size galaxy? 1000 (but I'll set colonies to uncommon)

4. How many other races? 19 - It's going to be crowded.

First video will need to play out a bit. I'll post when it's done. [:)]

--------------------------------- EDIT ------------------------------

Uploading Episode 1 now... [:)]

Episode 1: Weak and Thirsty

Watch the video...

Data got his wish and we find ourselves playing as the Securans in the Leentaar system.

You will form the Leentaar Council of Elders - charged with harmonising the galaxy and promoting good will amongst races - as long as they are friendly.

I'll let the video set the scene but the main decisions for you, the Leentaar Council of Elders, need to make are:

1. Some say our beloved leader is not selfless enough. Shall we get rid of her?

2. Our ship designs are too weak. These need some love. Peace through strength!

3. Our economy is in tatters. What should we do?

If you see something else that needs addressing please raise it during this Council meeting. We magnanimously leave the floor open to discussion.

Looking forward to this... [:)]