I found this website from a game review site that I frequent and I loved what I saw! The last space RTS that I've been able to play was ST: Armada II.. so I was rather overjoyed to see something like SoaSE. I couldn't get my hands on beta two because paypal doesnt support preorders so I had to wait untill they released beta 3.. it was a long wait.. but I'm glad with the reward.

However, I seem to be doing something wrong. I've tried a few different stratagies in the beginnings of my games (all single player untill I get used to the game): I try to rush about 5 planets immediatly, or I try to turtle with about 3, slowly expand.. nothing.. I always run out of resources. I build as many mines as I can and devote my tech tree to resource gathering and I usually get raped by one of the AI's before I can make it to the refineries tech.

If I go slowly and turtle my way I still can't seem to harvest enough resources to build a fleet big enough for defence AND expansion. I've never been able to afford a cap ship and my longest game was 1 1/2 hours..

I have no problem with the rest of the game however. I love slow paced RTS's (I've never played a 4X game before), they give to time to plan and think, and there are so many other features and fronts battles can be fought on like culture and bounties. It's beautiful.. I just wish I could see the ships higher up on the tech tree.