King in Yellow

Reply to Planet Improvement Organization in Ideas Stardock Forums

Give the man a cigar! Precisely.

Reply to Planet Improvement Organization in Ideas Stardock Forums

Now THAT'S what I call Progress! Excellent implementation of anti-micromanagement tools. And yet, I'm curious -- will it be possible to "tag" a planet with one of these categories and have it automatically follow a build que (somewhat like switching governors in the first game but more localized?) For instance, if you want a "farming" planet, will you be able to set up the appropriate build-que at the push of a single button? Hmm... I just read back over that question, and I'm not sure mysel

Reply to Screenshots updated.. in GalCiv II News Stardock Forums

Ladies & Germs, the incomparable Lowa11; give 'im a hand, won't you, he works so hard for your entertainment! Oh, and to address the two queries buried in your stream-of-consciousness writing, I think that the Drengin are still set up to be the ultimate baddies -- just read the catchline from the game box at the top of the website. They're still being called the "evil empire," so I'm sure they'll be happy to buddy up with another tyrant (at least until the proper time to pull the hug

Reply to Screenshots updated.. in GalCiv II News GalCiv2 Forums

H. P. LoveCRAFT, yes. Although it was really August Dereleth that "created" (or rather "named") Hastur. Still earlier, though, is the book/play "The King In Yellow" by Robert W. Chambers, which deals with the return of a beggar-tyrant that is actually the harbinger and avatar of a far older evil (old He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, don't ya know, although it never comes right out and says it.) Good eye, friend, but remember -- some names shou

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas Stardock Forums

Quite. I just read that databank a little while ago, but I wasn't about to own up to my faux pas. Still, that does definitively settle that, as well as lend credence to that old threat about "liquifying your remains to spread over our toast." (Coming from a toaster, no less.)

Reply to Of aliens and bugs in GalCiv Journals Stardock Forums

Hmm... an interesting point, DK. I was unaware of that bit of background story. But surely you are correct when you intimated that it should figure into the campaign -- in fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see them developing more mass-driver weapons as their reliance on energy weapons has been thwarted.

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas Stardock Forums

Oh, and BTW, let that Elf OUT!

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas Stardock Forums

My goodness, I actually OWNED that game! (Spaceward Ho, that is) I loved it. I'd totally forgotten it, and yet for some reason I clearly remember M.U.L.E. (and the hunt for the fierce Mountain Wampus!) I agree that we could use another tongue-in-cheek game like Spaceward Ho, and sadly I too feel that it will be a long time coming. For some reasons, it's always the old silly games that bring the big smile to my face -- Lemmings, Scorched Earth, M.U.L.E.... ah, levity. You're also s

Reply to Screenshots updated.. in GalCiv II News Stardock Forums

You are most welcome, BoogieBac, and thank you for your conscientious response and explanation! I'm eager to see the perspective shift that the animation will bring. The "change of heart" you mentioned goes nicely with the new look -- I was still thinking of the devious brutes they were. The "wise-old-man" could prove just what the game needs (although I confess I'm still not sure about the eyes... then again, it's not my call! ) I hope

Reply to Why didn't the AI in GalCiv 1 ever build Sensor Drones? in Galactic Civilizations II Stardock Forums

I personally never found much use for sensor drones. Then again, I almost always played on a Gigantic galaxy map, and poured alot of finances into espionage. It kind of made the need for slow-moving physical "eyes" moot. Plus, the AI really had no need of them, as a.) they already knew where the good worlds were, and b.) if they wanted to keep tabs on you more often than not they'd send in something both quicker and capable of defending itself. One game I recall the Arceans parked a few Batt

Reply to Screenshots updated.. in GalCiv II News GalCiv2 Forums

(This comment appeared on a separate thread. It was moved here to minimize exposure and promote relevance.) Overall, VERY impressive work on the diplomatic shots! My compliments to the design team. However, I must confess that I find some of them to be -- well, they could stand some modification. Of course, I know that these images are not likely to be the final, but I do have some thoughts on each which I would like to share. A.) The Arcean: Very Big Guy here! I get a sen

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas GalCiv2 Forums

Or maybe *I'm* the alien, sick of the human masquerade! You never know with computers these days...

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas GalCiv2 Forums

I understand what you're saying, to be sure. Still, is it so wrong to hope that *someone* might find a molten slag world a nice spot for a summer home? Maybe that *would* add too much complexity -- after all, MOO 3 tried something along those lines, and look where it wound up. (Regrettably I've never played Space Empires... would you recommend it?) Oh well. Perhaps it's just wishful thinking, but part of me really wants to get

Reply to Some diplomacy screenshots came out yesterday in Galactic Civilizations II GalCiv2 Forums

Excellent, but there is still room for improvement on some. I agree that the Drath is somewhat of a disappointment, but the Arcean has its good elements, even if its eyes seem to be too close together.

Reply to Of aliens and bugs in GalCiv Journals Stardock Forums

I for one would like to see some preset preference to AI ship design. The insectile race (the name of which currently escapes me ) for instance might favor enormous swarms of highly armed but poorly shielded fighter craft around a single lumbering hive ship. And perhaps the Yor could show a marked preference to the precision of energy weapons. The possibilities are there for the choosing. As far as "omnisciency" where suita

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas Stardock Forums

An excellent point, Ugleb. I admit I hadn't really thought about the food issue that way -- sometimes I'm too damn literal, I guess. Thank you. I'll be sure to check that out link out and reply with any lingering questions/concerns. Still, I'm eager to see what steps are taken to add species (race seems to imply too much genetic similarity, I dunno) identity to the game. After all, in an ideal situation, I would like to be able to implement the identical gameplay style, tactics, and researc

Reply to Alien natural environments when viewing "ambassor" on diplomacy screen in Diplomacy Stardock Forums

Personally, I hope so... the traditional bust portrayal (head & shoulders) is catchy, but if anything I would like to see more anatomy. What do the Torians, for example, look like below that squashed yellow head and segmented neck?

Reply to Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas Stardock Forums

Sorry to drop another line in here, but to further potential discussion, consider the Yor Collective. Here we have a non-organic lifeform (at least they were heralded as such in GC1.) Will they, for instance, really need to worry about food production or Soil Enrichment techs? Will their production scores fall to reflect the time and resources used to maintain, repair, and replicate them? Food for thought.... Once more, Best, KIY

Promoting Alienation (pun??) in Ideas GalCiv2 Forums

Greetings to all. This is my first post on this forum, and I would like to apologize in advance if my newness shows. I have attempted to follow discussions on this site since I first learned of the upcoming sequel to the game that, IMHO, pulled the space 4x genre's tuckus out of the incinerator (kudos to Draginol et al for your outstanding and clearly loved work in the past -- devs like you (pl.) keep my hopes ever new.) Regrettably I'm not involved in the upcoming beta, but believe me if I w