Length of games.

How long is a game?

from Sins Forums

Ive just bought SoaSE and whilst its installing, i want to ask: How long is the average game? Ive been playing RA3 for the past year and their games are about 5 mins average length, rarely exeding 30 mins. Ive hear from a friend that he once played a 16 hour long game. How long can the games be, and whats the average length and whats the shortest length you have ever played.

 

:wulf: Wolfy 

14,788 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Depends on map size and how many AI players you put into a match. It could go from 1 hour to 30 or more hours. Assuming you're talking about singleplayer and not multi. Multiplayer games I've heard take roughly 1 to 3 hours.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I have played so far around 10 games online <- total newb.

 

Average time would be ~2 hours I think.

One was around 5 hours, but then it was 1 vs 1 and we were both just entrenching :D

(Most of them Single Large / Medium size, Huge multi would definetly take many hours I think.)

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

So, a lot differant to my cnc game then? Because i onced played an RA3 game that took only 2 1/2 mins, before i lost.  Doesnt look like this will happen on this game. Also, because its such a long game, is the learning curve a steep or a shollow one?

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

You can play on Point Blank, the smallest map and it will take probably good 15-30 minutes to lose unless you throw in the towel early or liek not even build any ships.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting WolfMan92, reply 3
So, a lot differant to my cnc game then? Because i onced played an RA3 game that took only 2 1/2 mins, before i lost.  Doesnt look like this will happen on this game. Also, because its such a long game, is the learning curve a steep or a shollow one?
End of WolfMan92's quote

I'd say the learning curve is fairly shallow meaning it's easy to learn. Mostly because things happen at a slower pace than regular RTS games. You have time to figure out how to do things. This is all assuming you have the game speed set to Normal.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

It's easy to learn. Hard as hell to perfect. Online the games probably go around 45 min to 2 hr's, with the better ones running 2 hrs. 45 minutes means it was a slaughter for the one side.

 

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Raging, reply 6
It's easy to learn. Hard as hell to perfect. Online the games probably go around 45 min to 2 hr's, with the better ones running 2 hrs. 45 minutes means it was a slaughter for the one side.

 
End of Raging's quote

I can tell that ill be on the receiving end of that slaughter.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

Nah. Just listen to the vets, Use a Marza, Mothership, or Evacuator as your first cap, and have your starting fleet be either lrfs or carriers and you'll be miles ahead of slaughter. You'll upgrade to the class of "speed bump" lol, jk, you'll be fine. You'll take a few lumps along the way, I can assure you, but play the AI for a bit. Use LRFS to crush the fleets of light frigs it will make. Use fighters/scouts (not too many scouts)/turrets (I only use turrets if I don't want to defend against seige frigs with my own fleet) to fend off seige frigs, and you'll be fine. Learn to crush a computer 1v1 on hard and you should be fine. Then come online and let the mayhem commence!

Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Raging, reply 8
Nah. Just listen to the vets, Use a Marza, Mothership, or Evacuator as your first cap, and have your starting fleet be either lrfs or carriers and you'll be miles ahead of slaughter. You'll upgrade to the class of "speed bump" lol, jk, you'll be fine. You'll take a few lumps along the way, I can assure you, but play the AI for a bit. Use LRFS to crush the fleets of light frigs it will make. Use fighters/scouts (not too many scouts)/turrets (I only use turrets if I don't want to defend against seige frigs with my own fleet) to fend off seige frigs, and you'll be fine. Learn to crush a computer 1v1 on hard and you should be fine. Then come online and let the mayhem commence!
End of Raging's quote

no idea what that meant, but ill give it a go.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top

Lol, my bad.

What I mean is, just for a few starting tips:

1. Use the colonizing capital ship (it's the one in the middle). Your first capital ship is free, and by buying a capital ship with colonize, you will expand much much quicker.

2. The best choice for your first fleet is either long range frigates, (Assailants, Illuminators, or LRMS for TEC), or Carriers. Fighters are good early game. Bombers are good late game.

3. The AI loves to use seige frigates. Fighters are really good at fighting them off. So are turrets. Just don't go overkill and buy too many static defenses. They're good to fend off light raids, but nothing more.

4. if you're considering coming online, I advise you to play against the AI. The AI loves to build light frigates (the unit that's available from the start besides scouts), and also loves to build seige frigates. Fighters are good against seige frigates. Long range frigates are good against light frigates. Don't mix up the two, because fighters suck against light frigates.

Once you can crush the AI in 1v1, then come online. There are plenty of people who'd be glad to play with you.

Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

I can tell that ill be on the receiving end of that slaughter.
End of quote

Don't worry, that's how everyone starts out.  Find someone better than you, ask them, and listen to their suggestions - Even in-game, it'll make a big difference.  There's also a lot of hints scattered throughout this forum.

 

Edit:  I need to reply quicker.  FYI, Amish knows what he's talking about.  Definately take any hints he gives you.

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

Nah. Just listen to the vets, Use a Marza, Mothership, or Evacuator
End of quote

amish you dont even listen to your own advice -_- you are being a bad example

you dont use a marza as your starting cap for TEC

_|~Uber

Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top

Lol, I only advise using the Akkan for the more experienced player. It's lack of firepower compared to the marza and lack of any colonize bonus until level 2 (0,1,2 free mines is bogus). Basically, with the Akkan you need to know how to use Ion bolt and somehow make it to level 6. If this cap dies before level 6, you're screwed. If you make it to level 6. You're golden.

Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top

Once you can crush the AI in 1v1, then come online. There are plenty of people who'd be glad to play with you.
End of quote

Lol I though it would more be like 1 vs 9 then come online :)

Moo out :moo:

Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top

Lol, I only advise using the Akkan for the more experienced player. It's lack of firepower compared to the marza and lack of any colonize bonus until level 2 (0,1,2 free mines is bogus). Basically, with the Akkan you need to know how to use Ion bolt and somehow make it to level 6. If this cap dies before level 6, you're screwed. If you make it to level 6. You're golden.
End of quote

i like the akkan too because of ion bolt and it also it is cheaper because you dont need to buy as many colony ships which saves alot of money.

using an akkan as my starting cap i have been able to colonize 9 planets before the ai got 5. the ai had 3 roids by its HW i only had 2 then by the time it reached me i had an 80 cred per sec income. I love the akkan :grin: . Ion bolt is amazing as well.

But amish is the akkan isnt really the best starting cap unless you really know how to use it.