What settings in a large universe will make for a more lively interactive game?

from Stardock Forums
I've been playing in large universes at the sub-normal level for my opponents the last 2 games and not much
military action is going on at all between anyone.

The ais are at the default alignments and the
habitable planets are common and the star density is
set at the middle value.

question- is the ai that needs to be upped to make it
more lively? or do i need to change the star density
value or make planets more abundant?

what do you think? :)

Douglas

I do want to stay in the large galaxy though, not the
medium.
469 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Also found in my victories that the cultural victory was
not that difficult. Should i also turn that off..or
leave that on ..and just tweak other things such as those i asked you in the original post here? :)

doug
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I've only played on medium or smaller maps, and there is always plenty of action. So maybe it's the large map?

~SDC~
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Duglis,

I recommend the following settings:
- Large/Huge Galaxy
- Uncommon/Rare planets (forces a military approach to colonize the few habitable systems available)
- Cultural/Tech Victories off (forces conquest as the only available path; also, influence is already vital for control of the UP, so doubling it up as a victory condition is unneeded imho)
- AI levels set in a combination that rates the scenario "painful" or above (generally, 3xintelligent and 2xgenius provides this)
- Stars at any setting preferred (clusters will provide an initial build-up period in relative safety; loose will provide an "island-chain" effect which the AI can use to colonize towards your home system)

These settings provide quite a number of wars and force early military buidup using defenders & corvettes should an AI start in your general proximity (especially the Drengin or Yor).

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
1. crank the AI level. the AI generally will only be really aggressive if it has an edge over you. this will happen more often on higher AI settings.

2. play pure evil. that means all the good AIs will want to kick your arse. especially those damn altarians.

i just played an evil civ in a large galaxy on high AI settings and, after the initial colony rush, it was more or less constant conflict. very fun.

cheers

h