drake3's Blog

Re: Take care

I like the MUST_FIRE_AT_TARGET_THRESHOLD. It sounds like some enemies may be more fixated than others and ignore missiles. Either that, or it has to do with how effective firing at the target would be at the time, like if it were one shot from destruction, it would be logical to ignore shooting the missle to perform the final shot.

I know how it can be frustrating. You probably feel like you are just getting things going and then you hit the two hour mark. However, if you didn't you might hit the four, six, eight, ten, or even twelve hour mark without even noticing. Then you finally realize that you are uncomfortable, tired, hungry, or all of the above. It is surprising how we can ignore everything when we are doing something we have a serious interest in.

I'm glad you are making time for yourself.

Re: Dev 10 Combat Screenshots

As long as you can get through their shields.

-guest_guest

Heh, I forgot to log in again.

Re: Dev 10 Combat Screenshots

The reason why I'm putting in so much time and effort is that by and large, the previous iteration did not work. In the feedback I received, players described it as boring and frustrating. There is actually quite a bit of strategy involved in dev 9's combat mode,  as can be seen on the videos I posted about shooting down drones, but many people were so turned off by the lackluster initial experience that they never noticed it.

-zarkonnen

I think the main issue is that they just didn't understand how the system worked. If you don't consider their evasion, you will have more trouble with the encounters without weaponry. I myself don't mind a more complex combat system as long as multiple tactics remain valid and there isn't a single tactic or technique that beats every situation.

It is indeed heavily inspired by (read: blatantly copied from) MOO2's combat mode. I adore the game despite its age and obvious flaws, and think the combat works especially well, mostly because it doesn't pretend to be a "realistic" representation of space combat.

-zarkonnen

I adore the game also. I actually still play it semi-regularly. It is one of my all time favorites.

Dev 10 Combat Screenshots

That looks awesome. With the smaller grid it is beginning to remind me of combat in Master of Orion 2. Being able to maneuver through (or crash through... hehe) asteroids is a new idea I haven't really seen before in a game with turn-based space combat. Sounds like an interesting question, I am being blasted apart by an enemy vessel and my weapons need to recharge, should I trust my pilot to weave through those asteroids or just have him try to evade the shots? Definitely sounds useful if you know the opposing gunner is very accurate as it would give you a way to evade them.

Re: So, what are your high scores?

My personal best is listed at 491, but I don't remember what specifically happened that game. I remember one game went ridiculously well. I got the fuel intermixer and I had three or four coils, so I was zipping around everywhere without a care about fuel. I don't know if that was the 491 game though. My second score is 289 and the next four entries are all in the 200's, so that first one was definitely exceptional for my rankings.

I might have had other good games, but I keep sacrificing myself to the great Zrapta now.

Re: Combat Tips

I don't believe they were made to be killed. However, they do take damage from your shots, and they can rarely miss. Thus, it may be a 1 in a 1000 shot, but it seems possible to me.

Re: Combat Tips

Looks pretty spiffy to me. ;)

-guest_guest

Doh! Forgot to log in, that was my quote!

Re: Combat Tips

It feels to me like evade helps more. For example, against the Zrapta, I have tried both staying put and doing a full retreat. I have yet to evade a shot doing a full retreat. However, I evade an occasional shot by using my movement to evade.

I have no hard results though. Just what it "feels" like to me.

Re: Challenge: Get the antimatter charge intermixer

Zarkonnen's current plan is to keep the base game free (including future updates) and make expansion packs which can be purchased. Here is a direct quote from the feedback page:

"The basic game will be free, and I will sell one or several expansions. Do you like this distribution model? Do you have any concerns about it?"

I myself like the distribution model as it allows those who are poor to be able to play this great game. (Not the expansions, but the man deserves to be paid for the experience by somebody.)

Re: Very Cool Game!

The mod question has been broached once before, here is a link:

http://spaceexploration.lefora.com/2009/01/20/great-little-game-here-3/page1/#post2460106

As far as the offer to help with game contributions, I can't find a reference so you will still have to wait for Zarkonnen to respond.

Re: Challenge: Get the antimatter charge intermixer

That is the only challenge I have left. Its power is incredible. I have tried many tactics and it seems like even with the best methods it will still take a lot of luck. I don't give up easily though, so I will beat it eventually.

-guest_Drake3

Oh, I would like to add that I have managed to take down the shields and begin hitting the armor of the Zrapta. Very shortly after this they hit me twice and blew me into space dust, but still its progress. At this point, my preferred setup is a plasma laser and a missile launcher and my preferred tactic is to just sit there and keep my evasion at full, hopefully with a pilot providing an extra point of evasion.

That reminds me of a question I have. Has anyone every gotten better than +1 evade from the pilot or has anyone ever gotten an experienced (three dots) pilot?

Final note, this game already is among my favorite games even being still in development. Thank you Zarkonnen for creating it and sharing it with us.