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Posted by: TheDeadlyShoe
« on: February 08, 2014, 06:14:16 PM »

Quote
Wish there was a way to generate a random NPR close to the player starting point. I really dislike the thought of creating it myself, ruins the feeling of complete lack of information I love so much.  But normally generated NPR can be very far away from your starting point..

You can generate a random low-# system at setup and place an NPR on one of the worlds. You won't know where the NPR is, and you can adjust its homeworld minerals if need be.
Posted by: Hydrofoil
« on: February 08, 2014, 12:17:21 PM »

Quote from: Steve Walmsley on February 08, 2014, 11:40:22 AM
That would still mean you needed sensor checks in systems with wrecks.

It used to be the case you couldn't tell a ship from its thermal/EM emissions either but that was changed so that you were not constantly checking out every thermal and EM contact to ensure it wasn't hostile. While not as realistic, the current system works far better from a game play point of view. Hiding too much can add tedium rather than extra gameplay.



Agreed in the end game play is more important than being realistic.
Posted by: Steve Walmsley
« on: February 08, 2014, 11:40:22 AM »

Quote from: Hydrofoil on February 08, 2014, 11:28:02 AM
could just not show the name or tonnage of the wrecks untill they have been passed over with a active sensor? that at least gives back some of the unknown factor

That would still mean you needed sensor checks in systems with wrecks.

It used to be the case you couldn't tell a ship from its thermal/EM emissions either but that was changed so that you were not constantly checking out every thermal and EM contact to ensure it wasn't hostile. While not as realistic, the current system works far better from a game play point of view. Hiding too much can add tedium rather than extra gameplay.

Posted by: Hydrofoil
« on: February 08, 2014, 11:28:02 AM »

Quote from: Steve Walmsley on February 07, 2014, 02:55:05 AM
In the past you used to have to search for wrecks. However, its time consuming and not much fun to search every system for wrecks. Also, because of the performance overhead, Aurora only checks sensors in systems where there are units from two different empires. If wrecks had to be detected I would have to add every system with a wreck to the list of systems in which sensor checks took place, which would make the game run more slowly. While I agree the lack of wrecks is a give away for one of the spoilers, there are several other way to identify that particular spoiler so I don't believe the downside of searching for wrecks is worth it.

If you want a rationale, you could assume that because of the phased nature of TN ships, they are very hard to detect in normal space. Once destroyed they phase completely into our space and are easy to detect, just like your sensors can detect tiny asteroids from trillions of kilometres.



could just not show the name or tonnage of the wrecks untill they have been passed over with a active sensor? that at least gives back some of the unknown factor
Posted by: dgibso29
« on: February 07, 2014, 04:31:30 PM »

The action in this campaign has been nail-biting. I am itching to take 6.4 for a spin--I'm convinced that the MOMENT I get into a 6.3 game, it'll be released!

Once again, thank you, Steve, for Aurora and all that its existence entails. It & the community satisfy a certain itch that nothing else can.

Keep it up!
Posted by: sloanjh
« on: February 07, 2014, 08:16:36 AM »

Quote from: Steve Walmsley on February 07, 2014, 02:55:05 AM
If you want a rationale, you could assume that because of the phased nature of TN ships, they are very hard to detect in normal space. Once destroyed they phase completely into our space and are easy to detect, just like your sensors can detect tiny asteroids from trillions of kilometres.

Ooooh - great technobabble!! :)  The "popping onto sensors" effect had been bugging me too - now my mind is at ease :)

But wait - shouldn't that mean that mass drivers should have more trouble hitting TN ships since they're in normal space?  :P  (Yes, I'm just joking on that.)

John
Posted by: Steve Walmsley
« on: February 07, 2014, 02:55:05 AM »

Quote from: Teiwaz on February 07, 2014, 02:21:35 AM
Is the plan that wrecks will always appear on sensors in the future? It's always struck me as weird that burnt-out hulks are so easy to detect compared to the same ship maneuvering under power. Also, wrecks in orbit are a bit of a spoiler as to danger, and wrecks not showing up when ships are destroyed are a dead giveaway as to the identities of the ships involved.

In the past you used to have to search for wrecks. However, its time consuming and not much fun to search every system for wrecks. Also, because of the performance overhead, Aurora only checks sensors in systems where there are units from two different empires. If wrecks had to be detected I would have to add every system with a wreck to the list of systems in which sensor checks took place, which would make the game run more slowly. While I agree the lack of wrecks is a give away for one of the spoilers, there are several other way to identify that particular spoiler so I don't believe the downside of searching for wrecks is worth it.

If you want a rationale, you could assume that because of the phased nature of TN ships, they are very hard to detect in normal space. Once destroyed they phase completely into our space and are easy to detect, just like your sensors can detect tiny asteroids from trillions of kilometres.

Posted by: Teiwaz
« on: February 07, 2014, 02:21:35 AM »

Is the plan that wrecks will always appear on sensors in the future? It's always struck me as weird that burnt-out hulks are so easy to detect compared to the same ship maneuvering under power. Also, wrecks in orbit are a bit of a spoiler as to danger, and wrecks not showing up when ships are destroyed are a dead giveaway as to the identities of the ships involved.
Posted by: Sematary
« on: February 02, 2014, 01:00:55 PM »

Quote from: Triato on February 02, 2014, 11:08:30 AM
Are NPCs less likelly to go to war if they are already at war with another empire? The enclave is either very confident or they were attacked  first.  I hope they survive, at least for a while, they have a very interesting history of non stop war.  Against their foes, they seem to have better tech but of course they are very low on missiles if they get are not finished soon, I can see them even conquering Earth.
I am pretty sure they were attacked by the first two aliens they went to war with as for Earth powers, task forces orbiting your homeworld for a few days is a very hostile move.
Posted by: Triato
« on: February 02, 2014, 11:08:30 AM »

Are NPCs less likelly to go to war if they are already at war with another empire? The enclave is either very confident or they were attacked  first.  I hope they survive, at least for a while, they have a very interesting history of non stop war.  Against their foes, they seem to have better tech but of course they are very low on missiles if they get are not finished soon, I can see them even conquering Earth.
Posted by: Mel Vixen
« on: February 02, 2014, 09:44:53 AM »

Could be that thanks to theyr past and the secundus incursions they got xenophobic out of fear. They seem to be at peace with those powers that stay away from theyr coreworlds.
Posted by: MWadwell
« on: February 01, 2014, 10:32:34 PM »

Quote from: Bremen on February 01, 2014, 01:59:54 AM
(SNIP)

I'm starting to feel bad for the Enclave though. They might have been nice folks, but the rest of the galaxy seems bent on exterminating them.

Perhaps they are the galactic-equivalent of the Chinese?  ;D
Posted by: hunter james
« on: February 01, 2014, 08:35:19 PM »

I think the enclave are warmongers
Posted by: Bremen
« on: February 01, 2014, 01:59:54 AM »

Yay, early update :)

I'm starting to feel bad for the Enclave though. They might have been nice folks, but the rest of the galaxy seems bent on exterminating them.
Posted by: Zincat
« on: January 31, 2014, 05:27:38 PM »

I envy you. no, I really do. To have so much... action :)

Wish there was a way to generate a random NPR close to the player starting point. I really dislike the thought of creating it myself, ruins the feeling of complete lack of information I love so much.  But normally generated NPR can be very far away from your starting point....

The mysterious alien sounds like a swarm queen, but still apart from that the various NPRs are really kicking each other.

One has to wonder how long will the Jovians be able to stay neutral? Great AAR anyway :)