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Alternative Galactic Civilizations Game Mechanics (from the developers)

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Alternative Galactic Civilizations Game Mechanics (from the developers)

from Stardock Forums

Here are some other concepts we have for Galactic Civilizations that we think would be possible if we made use of a 3D engine:

  1. Planets on the sector map. Rather than having to clck on a star and then click on a planet, we could put stars on the sector map (they'd be made to use 4 move areas instead of 1) and then put the actual planets on there. With the use of a 3D engine, you could adjust the camera angle so that this would look good I think. Moreover, it would greatly reduce the amount of clicking. You'd just click on the planet itself.  You could even show the ships in orbit as a little icon by the planet that you could click on to make them leave orbit of the planet.
  2. Starbases affect a specified area. Rather than affecting a sector, a starbase could use a 3D engine's colorizing to give a faint (Very faint) glow to the area it affects.
  3. Asteroid fields and what not could be displayed.  Asteroid fields at a galactic level are silly. You don't worry about asteroids between stars. But within a solar system, you could then have asteroid fields that would have to be navigated around, mined, etc. This would create "galactic terrain".

What do you think?

2,250 views 52 replies
Reply #51 from Stardock Forums Top
I like it all! Sweet!
Reply #52 from Stardock Forums Top
Regarding the (very) faint glow around 3D Starbases... my monitor is darker than average (not from lower brightness settings, but inherently -- extremely low emissions to help protect my eyes) and I cannot see the "faint glow" showing sector ownership as it is. I would love to have the ability to set the amount of that glow, so I could get enough to actually use it.

Fortunately, on the tactical display, I can tell (in a pinch, if I squint) who owns which sectors. Barely, except for the Altarians, whose light blow shows up just fine. Try to tell a Yor sector from a Drengin, no way, but at least I can tell them both from a Terran, if I look hard enough.

I have also noticed a heavy dependence in the game design on use of color (deal acceptability, the various maps, etc). I'm not colorblind, but I would guess that colorblind players have to do a lot more checking in certain parts of the game. At least the ship designs are all different and the empire flags mark a lot of things.

I think the 3D starbase and its glow would be great! :) Assuming I can see them. :)


- Sirian
Galactic Civilizations IV