Space Eggs scheduled for beta 3 (IMPORTANT)

We're looking at including a major feature into beta 3 that we originally had not planned until GalCiv 1.x. But we think you'll like the feature enough to see why we're doing it.

Essentially, you'll be able to build a unit called a "constructor" (that I call a space egg). When completed, it's a slow moving 0 attack, 1 defense unit.

But it's a different kind of "Ship". When you get it where you want it, you can plant it and it will become a star base. The star base extends the range of your ships and has a 20 attack, 30 defense, 200 hitpoints. But it CANNOT move. Once it's been created, it's not moving (at first).

You can then build more constructors and either build more star bases or send it to an existing starbase to upgrade it.

The upgrades available depend on the technologies you've researched along with what upgrades you've already applied.

Upgrades would include:
+ Increase the attack rating of your ships in that sector
+ Increase the defense rating of your sihps in that sector
+ Increase the influence of your star systems in that sector
+ Increase the trade income of your freighters as they move through that sector.
+ Upgrade the weapons
+ Upgrade the shields
+ Increase your destabilization abilities in that area
+ Increase your diplomatic abilities over minor races in that sector.
+ Increse the speed of your ships in that sector
+ Whatever else we and you think of that's fun

Now, on top of that, once you have built enough pre-requisite upgrades to the star base you can eventually add an engine to it that will allow it to move again. I.e. create a Super Star Destroyer type unit. For those wondering how Terror Stars are going to be done, if you get Terror Stars, you will (after prerequisite upgrades) be able add the Solar Destroyer Cannon.

As you upgrade your star base, it will visually look different. The more upgrades, the cooler it'll look, the more animated it'll get.

A feature originally scheduled for GalCiv 1.1 was to have galactic resources (i.e. things in space that these star bases can harvest if they are planted on top of them). IF there is time, we'll add this too. Then you can add a host of other upgrades to your star base that will increase your abilities in various areas.

The goal is to make winning through other means other than conquest equally fun. Being able to build intricate star bases throughout the galaxy and through diplomacy get friendly minor races and major civilizations to protect them can hopefully be as fun as cranking out battle cruisers.

Of course, it SHOULD provide a whole new range of strategic options for players.

It'll also be expandable so that users can submit to us new Starbase upgrades to include so that if we don't think of something that would be cool, you can.

Let us know what you think.