Blackrook

Reply to GalCiv2 Used in Political Science or Economics Classes? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

With the exception of Sim City, I have never seen a game that wasn't basicly Communist, i.e. total state control of all means of production. I would like to see a game that models free enterprise. Governments can tax and subsidize, and set up state run enterprises, but most economic activity should be conducted by free actors (i.e. corporations) not under government control. In most science fiction settings, mega-corporations are very powerful, and rival, or even exceed the power of g

Two Earths in One Game in Dark Avatar GalCiv2 Forums

I played the Humans and changed my name to "United Earth Empire." Then the computer gave me the option of having Humans as opponents. Imagine my surprise when I learned that there were two Earths in the game! Is this a glitch or what? Can I play Humans that come from some planet other than Earth? I know I can rename Earth, but it still looks like Earth so that doesn't solve the problem.

Reply to 3 Things You Would Like Added Since DA Is Released in Dark Avatar GalCiv2 Forums

1) I would like my spies to live longer. Why should a player automatically know where enemy spies are. Shouldn't you have to go looking for them? 2) I would like a role playing element added, i.e. characters who work for you: dark lords, farm boys, princesses, over-confident smugglers, amusing robots, old and wise warriors. 3) I always thought of "resources" as something that comes from asteroids. But now we have asteroids and they give industrial points. So where exactly d

Reply to Espionage in Dark Avatar GalCiv2 Forums

I've read all your comments, and agree. Espionage needs some work. I'm piling up all my spies but don't want to use them because they die so fast after I place them, I figure "What's the point?" Maybe I'll find a creative way to use them as part of an invasion, but for now I'm saving them for a rainy day.

Reply to It's M-O-R-A-L-E in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

I am a litigator and I am extremely careful to proofread my work product before it ever sees the light of day. When I review the work of other lawyers, I get quite annoyed when I see spelling, punctuation and capitalization errors. Lawyers are supposed to know better, words are our tools of the trade. When I see a pleading written in sloppy English, I expect the lawyer will be sloppy in other aspects as well. And almost always, this is true. Statements of law will not be pro

Reply to AI cheats when they against you... in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

Your ships you describe aren't very powerful and its bad design to spread your attacks to all three types because then you're a "jack-of-all-trades and master of none." Before you go to war with another civ, check out his ships and see what his strengths and weaknesses are and design your fleet accordingly. The Dregnin prefer missle weapons so I put missle defense on my ships and went to war. Later, I realized I'd be going to war with the Altarians since I was flipping

Reply to More Silly AI pictures in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

You don't "own" space in Galactic Civilizations II. Its like international waters in the real world. Anyone can go there. All you own is planets and the orbits around planets.

Its Easy to Run an Empire When Taxes are the Only Thing That Makes You Unpopular in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

Let's face it, as Emperor of your own Civilization, you really have it pretty easy on the home front. If you keep taxes low and build lots of ice hockey rinks, the people will love you. Well why should things be so simple? In Galactic Civilizations II, the people are indifferent to wars. Shouldn't long protracted wars cause the people to become unhappy? It does in real life. If a war drags on too long, popularity should drop. And the opposition parties are really very tame

Reply to Where are the Minor Races? in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I'd like to see a minor race that uses terrorism to get what it wants. Just a thought.

Reply to Some General Game Comments in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

No one controls outer space so there is no "territory" other than the immediate orbits of your planets. Military bases are very helpful to an invading fleet. I've used them to quite good effect. If you can't find a ship, there is a menu popup that shows all the ships you control. Click on the picture and it will take you to the ship. I agree that influence bases seem like a hostile act, but the AI might not see it that way. After all, what you're doing is broadcasti

Reply to Help! How to avoid these Invasions in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I would not recommend keeping planets unguarded. If an unescorted transport gets through you will lose a lot of population, even if you win.

Reply to Espionage in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I'd like a lot more detail on espionage. I want to have the option of destabilizing planetary governments, assassinating enemy leaders, stealing tech, etc. Right now, it just gives you information. I want my spies to be pro-active, not just passive observers.

Reply to Five gameplay balance tweaks I'd like to see added in expansion... in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I prefer lasers. They are the smallest weapons and shields are the largest defense systems.

Reply to trade and music question in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I like the music. Its a bit cheesy, but I like it.

Reply to Economy - How far can you push it? in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

A good way to raise money is to stay ahead of everyone else in research. You can sell each technology to each other player one at a time. It takes a lot of time, but the profits can be huge.

Reply to Let The Galaxy Burn! in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

Just make sure not to get burned yourself!

Reply to Gal Civ 2 on a GameSpot article. in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

Great game. Period.

Reply to Why be good? in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I usually play good. In fact, in most games I play the good side. When I play D&D I always play good characters. The reason is personal. I really hate evil in real life and I feel uncomfortable pretending to be evil even in a game. What that means is I'll go for a diplomatic victory in most games. I'm even nice to minor races. I give them free techs and free starships to turn them into willing client governments. I'm like the Federation in Star Trek. I want everyone to like me.

Reply to Light Fighter VS Capital ships... in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I want to have my CIA overthrow unfriendly third world governments. Why can't I do that?

Reply to The Freedom of the Torians in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I don't like the Torians. They breed too fast.

Reply to The Beginning of the End in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I upgrade my ships constantly. If the AI upgrades only once a year then they'll never keep up.

Reply to The Beginning of the End in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I usually stop when I know I'm going to win, and there's nothing anyone can do about it, or when I know I'm going to lose no matter what I do. I judge this by how I'm doing in research. If I'm way ahead in research I know I'm going to stomp on everyone's inferior ships. If I'm way behind on research that means I'm behind in everything else too.

Reply to Boring in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I find the Altarians to be the most dangerous opponents. They are absolutely convinced that they are the good guys. What that means, in effect, is they feel justified no matter what they do.

Reply to Why be good? in Game Talk GalCiv2 Forums

I find that whenever I play evil, the Altarians declare war on me and wipe me out. I guess the Altarians are the galactic equivalent of the Department of Vice and Virtue. So now I play good.

Reply to THE MYSTERY : THE GALAXY AND THE LIFE OUT OUR PLANET in Galactic Civilizations II GalCiv2 Forums

It is possible that all civilizations destroy themselves before they ever develop interstellar travel. The proliferation of nuclear weapons means that someone will eventually use it, triggering a worldwide apocalyse. Our human race might not survive the century. Perhaps all intelligent races suffer the same fate. That would explain why we haven't heard from anyone.