Same with the Feminine Union.
I see they haven't been wikified...
6. This will be done in scenario editor to allow switching of factions. While this can allow things like viewing enemy positions, I hope it will not affect enjoyment and I would hope no one abuses this too much. I would also hope folks have the maturity not to use the editor to give themselves troops, techs, or alter landscape. That just would not be cool.I volunteer to make the switches, if you deem it necessary.
I just infiltrated BlueFlux's thread and he wants to see his Red Unit play. Not sure about AARing it though doing the AAR will not be a requirement.
Jarlwolf, The Fascists I think will be fine.'
Yitzi, balance or cheesiness has nothing to do with this AAR. Only a somewhat seriousness. I will look at the Stranded. Good chance they will be included.
I believe I have a fairly good idea as what guidelines to have to make this work. Of course, I am open to change.
Here it goes:
1. ADVANCED START. This is to get past much of the initial turns where there is nothing but survival and waiting on stuff. Of course, I have heard this has, shall we say, interesting scenarios such as folks getting random secret projects, interesting base set ups and forces.
2. Humans go first. Since I will be playing a powerful alien faction it seems only fair.
3. Anyone AARing will have a few days to play their turns, otherwise the save gets pushed to the next person with the AI playing their faction.
4. AARing is not a requirement to have me owning or being owned by a custom faction. I just think it would be cool to offer someone a chance to step in the shoes of their creation, lol.
5. If I have no takers to play a AAR as a faction for a few turns, this will become a standard single player AAR. (wussies)
6. This will be done in scenario editor to allow switching of factions. While this can allow things like viewing enemy positions, I hope it will not affect enjoyment and I would hope no one abuses this too much. I would also hope folks have the maturity not to use the editor to give themselves troops, techs, or alter landscape. That just would not be cool.
7. I am currently thinking 20 turns per AAR faction. I think that number is long enough to set your faction in a better position for the AI to take over but being short enough you would not get burnt out from playing a turn, having to put up screen shots, and posting stuff.
You? Random?
Huh.
The Stranded (Alien Faction); Yitzi - (unknown - can not find origination. Not on wiki)
I think I have the programs to take screenshots in AC. (My prinstcreen button is just flat out broke. Have no clue why)
I'll try to do my 20 turns. Excited to see this start!
So far, possible faction roster:
Exterminatus (Alien Faction); Green1 - (graphics by Jarlwolf, design by Green 1)
The Stranded (Alien Faction); Yitzi - (unknown - can not find origination. Not on wiki)
The Fascists; Jarlwolf - (graphics by Jarlwolf, design by Jarlwolf)
Red Unit; BlueFlux - (grapics by BlueFlux, design by BlueFlux)
Ete: choice between (feeling he will take a NN faction)
The Annihilators (Alien Faction) (Graphics by BUncle, design by Ete)
The Freelancers (Network Node)
The Bards of Chiron (Network Node)
I think I have the programs to take screenshots in AC. (My prinstcreen button is just flat out broke. Have no clue why)
I'll try to do my 20 turns. Excited to see this start!
I may be able to help. But, due to SMAX's ancient nature it does not play well with some video and screen capture programs. What operating system do you use and what kind of computer do you have? If you have Vista or better, on screen keyboard has a print screen key. This can be accessed at the lower left hand side when you enter your password or it can be accessed through control panel> ease of access>on screen keyboard.
More importantly, if you tab out are the colors all weird? (If you are dealing with a laptop). Remember, always open a program like MSpaint for example first on a laptop then SMAX second. That solves that.
If you have the GOG version of SMAX, rename your Terranx.exe to something else. GOG put in a hard lock because of the messed up colors on tab out on many laptops.
I'm using a Toshiba laptop from a few years ago. Windows 8.1 is the OS I have on it.
I opened up task manager to tab out at the menu in AX. Colors stayed the same.
Excited to do this. Though I may be able to finish my next faction that fits before the end of this. Perhaps that would be a better one for the AAR.
Give me a few stats for the Creche Union, and I'll find a way to make them tie into the lore.
Anyways, I GTG. Cya.
So far, possible faction roster:
Exterminatus (Alien Faction); Green1 - (graphics by Jarlwolf, design by Green 1)
The Stranded (Alien Faction); Yitzi - (unknown - can not find origination. Not on wiki)
The Fascists; Jarlwolf - (graphics by Jarlwolf, design by Jarlwolf)
Red Unit; BlueFlux - (grapics by BlueFlux, design by BlueFlux)
Ete: choice between (feeling he will take a NN faction)
The Annihilators (Alien Faction) (Graphics by BUncle, design by Ete)
The Freelancers (Network Node)
The Bards of Chiron (Network Node)
Thoughts on relative power:
The fascists and red unit are way underpowered for this setup; they actually look like they might be balanced as compared to the standard 14.
Annihilators, Exterminatus, and Stranded are all close enough that it would probably depend on the map layout, although being allowed to bombard the Annihilators' native forces will be a huge help to the Stranded (whose usual defensive methods aren't good against psi).
The freelancers look like they might be viable, if they can get the other human factions to pact with them and survive the early game. They probably wouldn't win, but might be able to get the tech to hold off the Exterminatus (and the Stranded if they bother attacking).
The bards are OP for a normal game, but will likely have trouble against the Exterminatus.
Fascists can be menacing if they are near enemies off the bat, especially weak economic ones like ;morgan; or something like ;zak; or ;deidre;. The fascists are a very potent conquering force, and they also got good research to boot.
Fascists can be menacing if they are near enemies off the bat, especially weak economic ones like ;morgan; or something like ;zak; or ;deidre;. The fascists are a very potent conquering force, and they also got good research to boot.
Fascists can be menacing if they are near enemies off the bat, especially weak economic ones like ;morgan; or something like ;zak; or ;deidre;. The fascists are a very potent conquering force, and they also got good research to boot.
True...but they're not designed to handle the power of Exterminatus or Annihilators.
Thoughts on relative power:I've had a few games against Bards before, and the AI handles them.. really, really well. That's what makes me think maybe they'd be able to hold their own. Annihilators have a fatal flaw in that without conflict they can't tech, at all.
The fascists and red unit are way underpowered for this setup; they actually look like they might be balanced as compared to the standard 14.
Annihilators, Exterminatus, and Stranded are all close enough that it would probably depend on the map layout, although being allowed to bombard the Annihilators' native forces will be a huge help to the Stranded (whose usual defensive methods aren't good against psi).
The freelancers look like they might be viable, if they can get the other human factions to pact with them and survive the early game. They probably wouldn't win, but might be able to get the tech to hold off the Exterminatus (and the Stranded if they bother attacking).
The bards are OP for a normal game, but will likely have trouble against the Exterminatus.
Annihilators have a fatal flaw in that without conflict they can't tech, at all.
I'm thinking I should do a small AAR to practice before we start this.
Hey, Green... When do you think we're going to begin? I want to know how much time I have to do my little AAR.
Yea, they have crazy production.. but without tech all you're going to build for the first ages is a billion scout patrols with no one to fight, locusts are not all that cost effective even with their indust and psi bonuses as a primary fighting unit, especially at large range.Annihilators have a fatal flaw in that without conflict they can't tech, at all.
With 4 minerals per fungus square (3 if they don't start with the Manifold Harmonics) and free genejack factories and the ability to build locusts and brood pits right at the start, they don't really look like they'll have much need to tech.
Check the links thread here, search through my thread. Why I got it stickied.
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12252.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=12252.0)
On another note, debating between Portia and Warrick.
I am aiming more for story, my gameplay/strength is not a concern as much.
Alright. Sounds good. I can't wait to see how this goes.I'm thinking I should do a small AAR to practice before we start this.
Hey, Green... When do you think we're going to begin? I want to know how much time I have to do my little AAR.
Not sure, but I am aiming for soonish. By next week, definitely. Though I must admit, I did break down and try to play 20 turns then switch sides with a few of these factions. It was interesting to say the least.
BTW, Yitzi, you may want to get cranking on your Stranded faction. I think it is an interesting as heck concept. I would love to include them.
BTW, Yitzi, you may want to get cranking on your Stranded faction. I think it is an interesting as heck concept. I would love to include them.
... and I would want to get the hell off the same rock as the Anihilators who want to destroy everything just because and the Exterminatus that want to destroy everything to evolve into gods!
I might be able to make a graphic for you...BTW, Yitzi, you may want to get cranking on your Stranded faction. I think it is an interesting as heck concept. I would love to include them.
Ok...it might be available tonight, if not then probably tomorrow. (Well, except for the art; if nobody wants to do the art for them, we can just use Caretaker defaults.)... and I would want to get the hell off the same rock as the Anihilators who want to destroy everything just because and the Exterminatus that want to destroy everything to evolve into gods!
How do you think I came up with the idea?
I might be able to make a graphic for you...BTW, Yitzi, you may want to get cranking on your Stranded faction. I think it is an interesting as heck concept. I would love to include them.
Ok...it might be available tonight, if not then probably tomorrow. (Well, except for the art; if nobody wants to do the art for them, we can just use Caretaker defaults.)... and I would want to get the hell off the same rock as the Anihilators who want to destroy everything just because and the Exterminatus that want to destroy everything to evolve into gods!
How do you think I came up with the idea?
Okay, I guess I'll get cranking on some alien-type art. Anything specific? I don't really know what the faction is about, so you might end up with a rubber-suit actor as your leaderhead unless you give me a little info.I might be able to make a graphic for you...BTW, Yitzi, you may want to get cranking on your Stranded faction. I think it is an interesting as heck concept. I would love to include them.
Ok...it might be available tonight, if not then probably tomorrow. (Well, except for the art; if nobody wants to do the art for them, we can just use Caretaker defaults.)... and I would want to get the hell off the same rock as the Anihilators who want to destroy everything just because and the Exterminatus that want to destroy everything to evolve into gods!
How do you think I came up with the idea?
Thanks.
I realized that I'm even worse at base names than at dialogue. I'm including a handful of land base names, but unless someone else can come up with others, I'll be hitting the default names early.
Come : Sail Away
Come : Sail Away
Come : Sail Away With Me
I don't like all the names there, but there are enough for at least something (and it's not a very expansionistic faction anyway). I'm attaching the text file now.I'll look at this and begin a graphic file, probably tomorrow. What kind of leaderhead did you have in mind? Something more to the Caretakers/Usurpers, or more Klingony?
Wasting Away : Margaritville
Son of : Son of : Sailor
Stranded : Sandbar
I Don't Know: Where I'ma Gonna Go : Volcano Blow
Alright, I put all the stuff you need to run Stranded in a file to download on my Dropbox.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jnzseb0ub5yol05/STRAND.zip?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/jnzseb0ub5yol05/STRAND.zip?dl=0)
Here is the finished art: (http://i.imgur.com/iwHmfRq.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/jh1rA6H.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/wM4HXo8.png)
Tell me if you want anything changed.
Should I put it up on my factions page?
Looks good.
Green1,
I found an error when I was playing as the Creche in my practice AAR.
The Red Unit alliance text had an error. The "No" to an alliance was "Dostya, "I'm not sure whats up with this additional Dostya""
Before we start, I'd like if you redownloaded it.
DL: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zuxm1n6zyq5vrms/red.zip?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/zuxm1n6zyq5vrms/red.zip?dl=0)
Also, you guys MAY want to change these two numbers to 5000 and 5000. This is an advanced start, and I do know Yitzi's Faction wants to go for Progenitor victory.
By the way, which patch version are we using?
By the way, which patch version are we using?
I am very curious as to what happens when you do this with multiple versions of patches.
Do not worry, Ete. I have not heard from Sigma so I do not think I have to have a lot of seas for Procyon.Yeah I'm not in a position to be a part of this unfortunately. Too much going on offline.
Lots of landmass will make sure your guys can be on the playground with the other kids.
...of course, if the Annihilators play fair or nice is a totally different matter... :D
Tell me what to get if I need it. I'm just using what game from GOG.com, nothing else.By the way, which patch version are we using?
I am very curious as to what happens when you do this with multiple versions of patches.
I would assume everyone is at least using Kyrubs SMAX patch plus or even Scients as a minimum. But I think some of those guys like Jarlwolf are using either GOG retail release or maybe even the ancient Win2K patch from Planetary Pack or earlier post release. About half may be using your latest release.
I do not want to put people through a lot of issues. And, you are right about the mandatory year thing. If everyone is still into it, you can always continue and no one here I know is into score.
By the way, which patch version are we using?
I am very curious as to what happens when you do this with multiple versions of patches.
I would assume everyone is at least using Kyrubs SMAX patch plus or even Scients as a minimum. But I think some of those guys like Jarlwolf are using either GOG retail release or maybe even the ancient Win2K patch from Planetary Pack or earlier post release. About half may be using your latest release.
I do not want to put people through a lot of issues. And, you are right about the mandatory year thing. If everyone is still into it, you can always continue and no one here I know is into score.
For patch, I would make things simple and go with the lowest patch that everything accepts. I would say Kyrubs and not much higher. I think that is what the MP guys do.
For patch, I would make things simple and go with the lowest patch that everything accepts. I would say Kyrubs and not much higher. I think that is what the MP guys do.
By "everything accepts", you mean all machines work, or maximum bugfixes?
:o
This is a first, Green.
You just went a whole paragraph of community history without getting it wrong.
Uh-huh. You usually work in some imaginary stuff. :P
For patch, I would make things simple and go with the lowest patch that everything accepts. I would say Kyrubs and not much higher. I think that is what the MP guys do.
As much as I would like epic testing for Yitzi! It would be interesting, and a good test of Yitzi's handiwork to see how it reacts in a scenario edited pseudo PBEM. And, we would have the creator right here.
So... I will leave that open to everyone. But stepping down would get the AAR off the ground quicker with less convincing of folks.
@Blueflux... on patches, a short history not including various alphax total rewritings or TCMs:
Apolyton, WPC, AC2 and other communities have had assembly language experts look into the code of SMAX. The first successful mod of AC/X was Scient's. It solved several bugs, The second was by an AI tinkerer named Kyrub. His efforts were more towards the vanilla version of the game, but did migrate some limited terraforming improvements into Scient's SMAX version. The third attempt is by none other than Yitzi, whose modifications are a bit more experimental and extensive. Yitzi concentrated on a strategy of assembly language hacking and alphax txt improvements along with balancing eco damage systems amongst many other things. Also, out of all three attempts, is the only one of my knowledge still in active development.
I think the wiki has links to all of them.
No... that one is SMAC only. What you are looking for is called Kyrubs Smax patch PLUS as the highest one I know that is compatible with the most patches.
http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/197946-SMAX-unofficial-patch-PLUS (http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/197946-SMAX-unofficial-patch-PLUS)
I really need to check myself. We SHOULD have that one here somewhere.
No... that one is SMAC only. What you are looking for is called Kyrubs Smax patch PLUS as the highest one I know that is compatible with the most patches.
http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/197946-SMAX-unofficial-patch-PLUS (http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/197946-SMAX-unofficial-patch-PLUS)
I really need to check myself. We SHOULD have that one here somewhere.
Well, ya do now.
Is a patch really as easy as replacing the terranx file?
Who would've guessed.
BTW... for those needing a refresher on being able to load custom factions, here is the crash course.I actually have always just put my faction files in, and they've been selectable from the list. I thought that was only necessary for the original SMAC?
;AARShall I?
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=865)
(Hovertext: Nerd w/ a beer)
GENTLEMEN:;AARShall I?
(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=865)
(Hovertext: Nerd w/ a beer)
That is... wow.(http://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=868)
I want to see a ;zak; style head icon for Vazheli now...