Spaceships Ahoy - Sins of a Solar Empire

Launch Day Is Here announces the Stardock Forums, announcing the release of Sins of a Solar Empire, Ironclad's new 4X space strategy game. They have a Launch Day FAQ describing how to get your hands on a copy online, in stores, or if you have preordered. The FAQ mentions a version 1.01 patch that's an 11 MB download, available automatically.
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86 Replies. 5 pages. Viewing page 1.
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86.
 
Re: No subject
Feb 8, 2008, 19:43
86.
Re: No subject Feb 8, 2008, 19:43
Feb 8, 2008, 19:43
 
The best part about this game is that it isn't made by Derek Smart.

Which is why it doesn't suck, is gorgeous, can be played by "hardcore" strategy philes and, of course, comes with a representative of the company who isn't a complete tool and ass all at the same time.

"Just take a look around you, what do you see? Pain, suffering, and misery." -Black Sabbath, Killing Yourself to Live.

“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains” -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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85.
 
agree prez
Feb 8, 2008, 17:25
85.
agree prez Feb 8, 2008, 17:25
Feb 8, 2008, 17:25
 
you nailed it perfect. great synopsis on this game, I was in beta for a year and they really suprised me with the end product and the beta was very playable. I cant ask for anything more in this game atm.
btw z axis is in the control list but not mapped i tried to map it but it didn nothing. maby i will try it on a cap ship.
Now if we can just get Elite4 to ship in the next century ill be happy.

This comment was edited on Feb 8, 17:30.
84.
 
Re: theres no z axis
Feb 8, 2008, 10:28
nin
84.
Re: theres no z axis Feb 8, 2008, 10:28
Feb 8, 2008, 10:28
nin
 
I understand that - I just wanted to see if the depth was a ruse (programmed on 2d but looks 3d) cause it looks amazing.

It's damn pretty.

Hoping I get more time to play it this weekend...





------------------------------------------------
http://niggytardust.com/saulwilliams/menu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4zXIyyaJss&NR=1
83.
 
Re: theres no z axis
Feb 8, 2008, 10:18
83.
Re: theres no z axis Feb 8, 2008, 10:18
Feb 8, 2008, 10:18
 
At any rate, the game is complex enough with x and y! I should have mentioned the weak tutorial in my earlier impressions - they are only marginally helpful at best. I hope to find an online guide somewhere that sheds more light on the more complex strategies.

I understand that - I just wanted to see if the depth was a ruse (programmed on 2d but looks 3d) cause it looks amazing.

For everyone: Gogamer has it for 38 bux!

SoaSE!!!! Holy crap - that is cheap! $37.90!
http://www.gogamer.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=34993372

we walk the streets at night
we go where eagles dare........
82.
 
Re: theres no z axis
Feb 8, 2008, 00:08
Prez
 
82.
Re: theres no z axis Feb 8, 2008, 00:08
Feb 8, 2008, 00:08
 Prez
 
I don't think there's a z-axis. I tried finding one in the controls list, but it isn't there. EDIT: I found this in the SoaSE FAQ:

Q. How can players control the movement of capital ships?
A. Selected capital ships can be ordered to move towards another ship, orbital structure or planet simply by right-clicking on them. Issuing movement to arbitrary positions in 3D space is also possible as an advanced feature using the ~ key.


Could that be it? I'll check it tomorrow.


At any rate, the game is complex enough with x and y! I should have mentioned the weak tutorial in my earlier impressions - they are only marginally helpful at best. I hope to find an online guide somewhere that sheds more light on the more complex strategies.

Still, learning the game is fun even while the AI is handing your butt to you. I'm slowly learning the finer points, and I have to say that the way the game lets you control multiple fleets, planets, and battlesis nothing short of incredible! The UI is sheer genius.


This comment was edited on Feb 8, 00:21.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
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81.
 
theres no z axis
Feb 7, 2008, 13:26
81.
theres no z axis Feb 7, 2008, 13:26
Feb 7, 2008, 13:26
 
Not that i have seen anyways.

80.
 
Re: No subject
Feb 7, 2008, 09:36
80.
Re: No subject Feb 7, 2008, 09:36
Feb 7, 2008, 09:36
 
Picked up this game yesterday, played it for hours. It's a great blend of Galciv, Homeworld, etc. It's a little overwhelming and unfortunately the tutorials barely scratch the surface of the game - you really get "on the job training" when you start your first game and realize "Oh! So THAT'S what that does!"

- - - - - - - - - -
WoW = Waiting on Warhammer.
My Steam Community link:
http://steamcommunity.com/id/slinkfsu
79.
 
Re: No subject
Feb 7, 2008, 09:15
Flo
 
79.
Re: No subject Feb 7, 2008, 09:15
Feb 7, 2008, 09:15
 Flo
 
You can go into the Z-axis manually by holding down a modifier, similar to Homeworld.

Really? I don't think so.
Supporter of the "Chewbacca Defense"
78.
 
Re: No subject
Feb 7, 2008, 03:45
78.
Re: No subject Feb 7, 2008, 03:45
Feb 7, 2008, 03:45
 
Just wanna add here that I fucking love Stardock. Not just for their games, but also their customer service.

The whole Stardock Central thing really works, and I love how you can buy the box, but still download now and get playing while they'll mail out the dvd. Great thing is too, if I ever lose my GalCiv2 cds, I can just have it reinstall that game for me, expansions and all.

SoaSE is totally worth buying. Finally, I've got something for those evenings after work when I'm just a bit too tired to drum on Rock Band

77.
 
Re: No subject
Feb 6, 2008, 15:46
Bet
 
77.
Re: No subject Feb 6, 2008, 15:46
Feb 6, 2008, 15:46
 Bet
 
So the videos look cool - but still looks like it is an X-Y axis game? Appears to by X-Y-Z, but it looks to be a ruse...

Can anyone elaborate?


You can go into the Z-axis manually by holding down a modifier, similar to Homeworld. The AI uses it to be exceptionally annoying while retreating capital ships that it's trying to bail out of the sector. If you really want to kill that capship, you need to chase it up and away, increasing your distance from the rest of the targets of opportunity, and then giving them more time to escape when they decide to bail out when the capship is out of the picture.

Haven't seen what a human intelligence can use it for. I imagine there's griefing potential there though. If the AI can be annoying, a human can be 10 times worse.

This comment was edited on Feb 6, 15:49.
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76.
 
Re: honesty
Feb 6, 2008, 15:20
Prez
 
76.
Re: honesty Feb 6, 2008, 15:20
Feb 6, 2008, 15:20
 Prez
 
to prez,

please elaborate.

(also, you can spin riffs, improvise, syncopate and roll with happy mistakes very nicely! not at all hard on the ears. Fruity loops? audition? protools?)

thanks!


First off, thank you for the compliments! (Sorry for the abundance of "happy mistakes".:) I'm only an amateur...)

As far as my comments, I wasn't addressing the content of your post, as it was too sing-song and prophetic for me to really understand. Mostly, it just sounded like drug-induced beatnik poetry!

Perhaps if you were to reiterate in a more clear, less poetic manner, I could make heads or tales of it...
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Avatar 17185
75.
 
Re: honesty
Feb 6, 2008, 11:56
75.
Re: honesty Feb 6, 2008, 11:56
Feb 6, 2008, 11:56
 
BTW, do you know how to manually add a ship to a fleet?
Yeah, just select your fleet and then shift-click on the ship you want to add and hit the create fleet button again. May need to regroup them as well, but I think if the fleet was already set to group, the new ship will take that setting too. Been doing a lot of that as I had to shuffle ships between a couple of fleets in my last offensive. Haven't finished that game yet, but I think I've got them on the run

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." -- Bertrand Russell (I think...)
Avatar 9540
74.
 
No subject
Feb 6, 2008, 10:52
74.
No subject Feb 6, 2008, 10:52
Feb 6, 2008, 10:52
 
So the videos look cool - but still looks like it is an X-Y axis game? Appears to by X-Y-Z, but it looks to be a ruse...

Can anyone elaborate?

I am not much into RTS, but it looks fun.....

we walk the streets at night
we go where eagles dare........
73.
 
Re: honesty
Feb 6, 2008, 06:59
Flo
 
73.
Re: honesty Feb 6, 2008, 06:59
Feb 6, 2008, 06:59
 Flo
 
@wowbagger
Getting the planet shield upgrade is also suggested. Together with planet shelter upgrades you can at least deflect some of the bombardment while your fleet jumps. BTW, do you know how to manually add a ship to a fleet?
Supporter of the "Chewbacca Defense"
72.
 
honesty
Feb 6, 2008, 06:47
72.
honesty Feb 6, 2008, 06:47
Feb 6, 2008, 06:47
 
to prez,

please elaborate.

(also, you can spin riffs, improvise, syncopate and roll with happy mistakes very nicely! not at all hard on the ears. Fruity loops? audition? protools?)

thanks!

71.
 
Re: honestly
Feb 6, 2008, 05:59
Prez
 
71.
Re: honestly Feb 6, 2008, 05:59
Feb 6, 2008, 05:59
 Prez
 
What a bunch of horseshit.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Avatar 17185
70.
 
honestly
Feb 6, 2008, 05:27
70.
honestly Feb 6, 2008, 05:27
Feb 6, 2008, 05:27
 
to surf and responders,

this may be true:

(at times i am not irreverent.

i illegally download retail software.

i steal games, electronics, and food.

stealing increases the cost of goods.

in most instances, stealing from the rich is dissimilar to stealing from the poor.

in any one instance, increase in price affects the poor differently than the rich.

morality is subjective.

everything is always changing.

every interaction is a conversation.

language is alive and evolves though conversation.

insults are mostly survivable.

we look at reaction through memory.

memory is interpreted.

interpretations are malleable.

i am a thief and metaphors are everywhere.

assert, insult or judge... why would i draw attention to myself?

just as i am humbled, i am arrogant.

just as i am grateful for this game, i disrespect those responsible for it.)

great game!


69.
 
Re: Stardock
Feb 6, 2008, 03:51
69.
Re: Stardock Feb 6, 2008, 03:51
Feb 6, 2008, 03:51
 
I really have to learn NOT to micro-manage every fleet since the AI is that good. I should just make sure that every fleet is well balanced (capital ships, flak,fighters,bombers).
Yeah, sometimes you just have to let go I do have to manage the battles sometimes though, if it's a close contest or if I'm outgunned. Sometimes I can at least take out a cap ship or two and weaken them enough that I can have another fleet mop up.

The AI has kicked my ass a couple times already too. I'm starting to get the hang of it though I think. Really gotta reinforce your positions and pay attention to choke points. So that you don't have to have fleets for every planet. Oh, and use pirates to your advantage. Send them after the other guys if you're not prepared for them. Otherwise, let them come and get your ships some experience

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." -- Bertrand Russell (I think...)
Avatar 9540
68.
 
Re: Stardock
Feb 6, 2008, 02:09
Flo
 
68.
Re: Stardock Feb 6, 2008, 02:09
Feb 6, 2008, 02:09
 Flo
 
@Wowbagger
I really have to learn NOT to micro-manage every fleet since the AI is that good. I should just make sure that every fleet is well balanced (capital ships, flak,fighters,bombers).
The thing is, the enemy AI is pretty damn impressive as well and constantly kicks my ass.
Supporter of the "Chewbacca Defense"
67.
 
Re: Stardock
Feb 5, 2008, 18:42
67.
Re: Stardock Feb 5, 2008, 18:42
Feb 5, 2008, 18:42
 
I've only played 2 games on small random maps, but I have to say that so far the game is pretty damn incredible. The unit AI is better than any other RTS I've ever played. My units actually react pretty intelligently to whatever situation they're in. They work in conjunction with each other and play to their strengths.

The interface is great. I'm always finding more shortcuts to doing things. Very impressive. I was originally worried about the pace of the game, being an RTS instead of turn-based like GalCiv2. They seem to have nailed it pretty well though. Things don't move so quickly that you can't react. Your units tend to take care of themselves for the most part, so you can focus on expanding and developing to secure your position.

Did I mention that it looks fantastic? Well it does

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." -- Bertrand Russell (I think...)
Avatar 9540
86 Replies. 5 pages. Viewing page 1.
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