<r> "Snowball effect" or as I usually call it "Steamroller" effect:<br/> <br/> I think that's a good point to bring up. Once your (hopefully it's <I><s>[i]</s>your<e>[/i]</e></I>) empire, space navy, military, economy or whatever gets ramped up in many games, victory becomes a bloody drill of knocki...

<r> Thanks for the interesting comments.<br/> <br/> I like it when a game works at defeating you: your empire's been a long-term enemy and the AI comes to teach you a lesson you won't soon forget. <br/> <br/> I've been playing another 4X strategy game (which I won't name for fear of thread derailmen...

Thanks for the replies.

I like 4X games where survival itself is on the line but I'm open-minded.

I welcome any impressions, anecdotes or thoughts on Distant World's capacity to challenge you.

<t> I did do a "Search" but I may have missed the answers I seek, so...sorry.<br/> <br/> As fascinating a game as Distant Worlds appears to be, I wonder:<br/> <br/> Q: Do any of you players ever get wiped out by the AI? I mean, once you've learned the "stick them with the pointy-end" weaponry and ec...

<r> It is sensible for the AI not to attack if the conditions aren't good enough; that's probably a mark in its favor most times. <br/> <br/> However, the OP was describing a situation where he felt he was greatly outnumbered and vulnerable and the Qa Qa Assembly didn't attack. I'm at a loss to say ...

<t> Using Armada Supernova, with patch to 1.4, extensively played 3 games (300) turns - and a dozen or so shorter games (I often just play until bored) - I have to say that in most of my games the AI did not attack early. They did react to my attacks with retaliatory strikes but aside from the Klurg...

<t> Hello, I've played the first game since its release and have spent a week or so with the expansion. In my experience:<br/> <br/> * The AI builds plenty of fleets; sometimes I wonder how they can afford them so early (it's not been excessively early so perhaps they just play better)<br/> <br/> * ...

<t> A race-spedific weapon may be less efficient but culturally obligatory. Perhaps some species may even be able to employ them more effectively or efficiently then other species; either vs a species affinity for building them smaller or more cheaply or simply aiming them better. I don't know, but ...

Err...revenge? A clever feint? The destroyer captain owes the First Fleet's Captain money?

<r> <B><s>[b]</s>AI<e>[/b]</e></B><I><s>[i]</s>: I<e>[/i]</e></I> don't[/b] like[/b] you[/b] either. You[/b] just watch yourself. We're wanted men. I have the death sentence on twelve systems. <br/> <br/> <B><s>[b]</s>DW Player<e>[/b]</e></B>: I'll be careful. <br/> <br/> <B><s>[b]</s>AI<e>[/b]</e><...

<t> I'd be surprised but pleased if anything beyond making the AI more aggressively suicidal. I say mainly out of experience with many other 4x games where the AI's are sadly lacking in basic strategy - though they can appear to fake it quite well if you give them enough bonuses. It's not a slam aga...

Hope they pass over matrixgames.com; DW doesn't need the headaches.

Beautiful stuff here! I'm certain that most DW players will love the mods. Thanks for your work! And for sharing!

<t> I second all who wish increased success for DW. I would be pleasantly surprised though if the game moved much out of the genre space niche - or whatever the term may be. There's a lot of enthusiasm by players who are ready, willing and able to work with the game's quirks but how would DW be perc...

<r> As one who loves to tinker with optimal design, I like the discussion! I think a Galactic Emperor would have more "important" matters to deal with but if you're into ship design...<br/> <QUOTE><s>[quote]</s>It's interesting to note how in every 4X game to date, AI ship design has always been cra...

It does seem exploitative - unless of course an AI Diplomacy King can do the same thing.

<t> If those pirate ships are indeed "pirates" and not just hidden nationality vessels or privateers attacking your shipping. Perhaps, too,&nbsp; some governments not only pay the pirates but supply 'em with more powerful ships. As for imitating ship designs, that's a puzzle to me except if our ...

<r> <QUOTE><s>[quote]</s>That's fine in theory, but in games, as in life, "you go to war with what you've got."&nbsp; If war comes unexpectedly, you will find yourself with ships as yet not refitted to the latest designs. With a large game with a large, wide-flung fleet, you may have a lot of di...

The "Master Wishlist" seems the best place, I agree.

You attempt to "colonize" your neighbor's empty backyard.