Game of the Month #1

Distant Worlds is a vast, pausable real-time, 4X space strategy game which models a "living galaxy" with incredible options for replayability and customizability. Experience the full depth and detail of large turn-based strategy games, but with the simplicity and ease of real-time, and on the scale of a massively-multiplayer online game. Now greatly enhanced with the new Universe release, which includes all four previous releases as well as the new Universe expansion!

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Tcby
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Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

[center]Game of the Month #1[/center]

After many weeks of people tentatively saying they would be interested in playing one of Ice's challenges, things are finally in motion. I'm taking a lot of cues from the popular GotM series at the Civilization Fanatics forum. Here's how it is going to work...until we come up with a better format.

[center]The set up[/center]This is the announcement thread. Here you will find:
1.) Information about game settings (or none, if it's a surprise [:)])
2.) Specific challenge objectives (if any)
3.) The save file to download and play.

Aside from posting to confirm that you'll be taking part (which you'll all be doing, right?), this thread can also be used to comment on what you think of your starting position, and what your plans are. Make sure to keep these thoughts in spoiler tags!

The next thread will be for your thoughts after you've progressed the game at least 5 years. No peeking into that thread until you reach that point yourself [:-] There we can compare our experiences and discuss the different strategies we are attempting.

It's probably more appropriate for the third and final thread to be in the battle report section, because we'll basically be just doing a bunch of after action reports in a single consolidated thread.

What do you all think of this process? I'm not naturally inclined to make so many threads for one thing, but it seems to be the best way to keep things clean. There are also really different reasons to be posting in each stage, so it makes sense to split them apart. At the very least, it makes sense for the after action reports to go in that forum. Thoughts?

Now that those matters are out of the way, lets have our first friendly game :). Keep in mind that the structure of this series is complex, partly because it allows the game to be a fun learning process rather than simply a competition to get the highest score. The focus is really on comparing strategies and (hopefully) enjoying how different our play styles are. So with that in mind...

SAVE GAME CLICK CLICK


NOTE: Haree's excellent Distant World Extended mod is required!

[center]Game settings + Race Information[/center]
Victory conditions: All standard. Play however you want.
Galaxy settings
Galaxy type: Irregular clusters
Galaxy size: Medium
Star Density: Standard
Aggression: Unstable
Difficulty: Very Hard, difficulty scales approaching victory.
Pirates: Normal, Strong
Research Speed: Expensive

Colony Prevalence: Normal
Independent Alien Life: Scattered
Colony Influence: 80%
Colonization range: 2 sectors

Race Details *hint* due to modding limitations, not all these are visible in game.
Tairoshan
Image
"A very hardy, relatively short amphibian being. Their home planet has extreme climate changes because of 2 orbital moons, life on Roshar has had to be able to handle many different climates.

Tairoshans are not very intelligent but are extremely optimistic and naive creatures. Most life on Roshar evolved to support other life because of such adverse conditions, this has made Tairoshans extremely unequipped to mix in the Galaxy because they judge everyone by their own standards, finding it extremely hard to imagine other races treating them badly despite past experience.

Because of their nature they are a very likeable race and other races all love to trade with Tairoshans, often taking advantage of them.

Extremely positive about their space program, Tairoshans believe meeting other life can only be a good thing for them. All Tairoshans are enthusiastic to spread out in the Galaxy.

On Roshan all life has a 12 year metamorphosis cycle because of one of the moons, this still happens throughout the Galaxy because each Tairoshan's cycle synchronises with other Tairoshans around them. Life goes in to a slowed down docile state while each individual changes sex and finds a new partner to reproduce.

Tairoshans usually stick together in large communities, able to easily colonise any water based planets.

Race Family: Amphibian
Native Planet Type: Marshy Swamp
Default Reproduction Rate: +14%

Characteristics
Very Passive
Very Reckless
Very Friendly
Quite Stupid
Quite Dependable

Race Victory Conditions
25% Earn the most Trade income in the galaxy
25% Spend the least time at War in the galaxy
25% Earn the most Tourist Income in the galaxy
25% Make Free Trade Agreements, Mutual Defense Pacts or Protectorates with 70% of all empires in the galaxy


In game terms this race easily makes friends, and expands reasonable quickly out to certain planets. It is a balance of expanding quickly and trying to make the most money but obviously not making enemies as you do so. They are ill equipped for war and don't research well. "

Additional Data
+10% Mining rate
+20% Happiness
+10% Colony income
+25% Trade income
+10% Migration rate

Colonization Costs
-30% research cost for continental, marshy swampy, ocean, and ice planets.

Resource Bonuses
Gold: +5% Happiness
Vodkol: +5% Happiness
Silicon: +5% High tech research rate

All leader, colony governor, and ambassador characters have the Trusting trait.

Racial tech: none
Disallowed tech: Area Weapons
Troop strength: very weak!

So...shall we dance? [:'(]




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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

WAH the forum is freaking out from the code tags! Better fix that.

Edit: aaaand fixed

Edit2: Oh yeah, and I rigged some of the AI race inclusions to ensure an interesting game. No need to go into that though [:)]. I think the rigging + somewhat forgiving difficulty/galaxy settings should result in a game that is playable and fun for everyone.
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ASHBERY76
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by ASHBERY76 »

I do wonder how races that have FTL can be dumb.
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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

Well I suppose the Tairoshan would say that the most important thing is a positive attitude [:'(]
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Icemania
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Icemania »

Tcby you are a superstar! This is a brilliant way to find new ways to enjoy Distant Worlds. I like the format and split.

I'm used to playing a high research attacking megalomania game ... so I'm not sure how to handle a friendly, stupid and weak race. This setup is a strategic gamechanger!

Let's keep it friendly and encourage others to join in!



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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

I chose this race specifically to make your favorite strategy more difficult [;)]

I was also thinking of the recent thread where people were discussing the merits of researching colonization techs versus the medical wonders. The former techs are cheaper for this race, which may produce an interesting mix up when combined with their poor pop growth, but higher migration rate. Getting to that advanced colonization module may be a bit more desirable. The sparser independents are also meant to encourage exploring this path.

I'm actually hoping that plenty of people cause a lot of trouble and go to war, though. I intended the choice of race to facilitate peaceful play for those who aren't comfortable with warmongering, but it is also meant to present a fun challenge to those who are willing to take the Tairoshan on a path of conquest :) Figuring out where you're going to source quality troops is a troublesome first step.

I'm hoping that having the choice to play to or against the Tairoshan's strengths will allow a greater range of players to enjoy the game. It's difficult creating a game that everyone can find challenging and interesting in some way...we'll see how it goes.
Bingeling
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Bingeling »

Fun concept, but poor timing for me.
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Icemania
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Icemania »

We have two months before Universe, this helps maintain interest in the interim, and enables us to trial the concept ready for Universe release.
Cauldyth
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Cauldyth »

I'm too pathetic at the game to take part (and also, Crusader Kings 2 expansion on Tuesday!) but I look forward to reading the various ways the more skilled players tackle the same starting point. Should be a great learning experience!
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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

If there's anyone out there who likes the idea but doesn't want to go to the trouble of posting about their results, etc, I suggest playing the save file anyway. There's no obligation to say you're playing the game, and you may enjoy comparing our experiences even if you decide that you don't want to play past the half hour mark [:)]

Needless to say, there's also no shame is saying you'll play, then backing out for any reason. Distant worlds games take time and we all have lives.
Cauldyth
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Cauldyth »

Good point, I may try the save game out but keep my shame private. [:D]
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RaffleSnaffle
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by RaffleSnaffle »

I am SO down for this!

:)
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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

I've added a picture of our starting position to the OP.
***SPOILERS***
Thoughts:
So, we start in the middle. Lucky us! We'll be able to meet everyone quickly. I'm going to upgrade my explorer design for more speed and turning rate. They'll be on the expensive side, but our bonus to colony income will offset this. I'll use my available explorers to see what the systems near me are like, and I'll cue up 15 more explorers for the other major star clusters.

I'll probably also save money by retrofitting my spaceport. It started with double the necessary defenses, weapons, fuel, and reactors. While I'm taking down those components I'll give it some more construction yards and labs.

Tech wise I'm going straight to assault pods, size 300 ships, and enhanced long range scanners. I'll use the assault pods to save aliens whose ships have gone out of control and attacked me. The Tairoshan understand that the only reasonable thing to do is dismantle the ship to prevent these accidents in the future. Those aliens will be so appreciative!

I think I can hold off troop tech for a little bit, because my troops won't be seeing much action for a while.

Starting the game with knowledge of gravitic weapons instead of lasers is unusual, so I've allowed those weapons to stay on my mining stations [:)]

Every private sector ship also gets an additional reactor, and my high tech research base will get 3 gas extractors and extra cargo space.

Edit: Final thoughts before I head to the 5 year mark: I REALLY WISH I had checked what weapons my default state ships were armed with. I planned on not bothering to design them until hitting size 300, assuming that the handful of escorts and frigates we started with would be enough. Whoops. They only have gravitic weapons! Taking down this ardilus in my home system is...slow.

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Icemania
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Icemania »

*** SPOILERS ***

All right ... game start thoughts.

Interesting map, pretty busy to the North-West ... and weird to start a game with Hyperdrive already!

Spoke to the Menacing Gang and bought an Empire Contact. Sent my starting Intelligence Agent on a 1 Year Steal Galaxy Map mission to that Empire (79% success chance). My 1st homeworld invasion target perhaps?

Starting Leader looks worth keeping with income & happiness bonuses.

Dismissed all of the starting troops as they are bad value for money particularly given starting game finances.

Beam Weapons research changed to Improve Ground Assault, Armoured Ground Forces (particularly with such weak Troops) then Improved Torpedoes.

Enhanced Construction research is good, when finished I will import all of my Standard ship and base designs for Size 300.

Changed Proximity Sensor research to Advanced Medicine and Biological Workshops for population growth bonus as early as possible.

Research is not at full capacity so redesigned my Spaceport with more Energy Labs. When that upgrade is complete will retrofit to remove weapons to save maintenance costs.

Took the Construction Ships off Auto and queued 2 more Construction ships (after Spaceport retrofits) with more to follow before long.

Took Exploration Ships Off Auto using "Move To" command. Queued 5 more Exploration Ships with many more planned to be built shortly.

Retired the Escorts and reassigned the remaining Military Ships to 1st Fleet on Manual.

Increased tax rate to 54% where happiness is just above 0, I'll need that cash early.
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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

Very thorough! Looks like it's going to be your move to explorers versus my automated dumb luck! So far the emphasis is on dumb - they've already blown up a priceless abandoned vessel [8D].
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Icemania
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Icemania »

Managed to get about 4 years in after family duties. Happy to trade notes but probably best to do so in a more dedicated spoilers thread.
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Haree78
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Haree78 »

Can't wait to see the results :)

Unfortunately I can't participate because of my game and mod version having some notable changes ;)
Cauldyth
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Cauldyth »

Stop teasing us!
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Grotius
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Grotius »

I'm so doing this! Great idea. :-)

I assume we need all the current expansions ? I have all but the most recent one. Don't mind buying it, if necessary.
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Tcby
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RE: Game of the Month #1

Post by Tcby »

Welcome aboard Grotius :)
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