Some suggestions and observations

First off let me say that you folks did a fantastic job on this game. I've not enjoyed a game like this in a long while.

Here is a list of things that I've noticed while playing. Some maybe bugs others maybe just my own confusion about how it should work or just design decisions you made for whatever reason.

1.) Slider bars. The culprits here are the three on the Economics page and the one in the Trade screen for giving/requesting BCs from the AI. The three on the economics screen do not move when you adjust another. Also they do not stay in sync with the number shown on the right hand side. This causes the numbers to vary a good bit if you later move a different slider until you hit the sweet spot that represents what the value on the right shows.

The one in the Trade screen can be even more frustrating. If the AI has < 1000 BC it seems to move very smoothly up by abouts 10s or so. However if they have a good deal of money say upwards of 5k the slider starts to jump rapidly into the thousands. This can make fine tuning a trade proposal difficult at times. The slide needs to adjust better to whatever the max value is.

2.) Colony tab in the Civ Manager. I love this screen. An instant snap shot of everything my planets are doing. I would like to make three requests concerning this screen. 1 - Can you show which of the three production types a planet maybe focused on? Even if it is just the number in green or something would help. 2 - On that same note can I set planet focus from this screen? 3 - Can I see the planetary improvement build list from this screen?

3.) Ship Designs. The ship yard is a fantastic feature. I play with that thing probably longer then I play the actual game at times. I would like an addition for it. Would it be possible to see what has been designed even if I can't actually build it yet? There are times where I'll design a really cool ship late in the game and then in the next game can't make another version of it just with less advanced tech because I haven't researched the required weapons or what have you for the more advanced version. Also there are times where the *Required Tech* list for a ship is not complete. While it shows weapons, engines, defenses and modules it does not list things like miniaturization. I don't know how many times I've designed a ship and then later wondered in the next game why I can't build it only to figure out that my level of miniaturization isn't the same as the previous game.

4.) Normal AI. Maybe this doesn't occur on the higher AI settings but on Normal the AI does not put defenses on it's ships until late in the game. From my experience this seems like an oversight on their part.

5.) Why are there times that an AI doesn't show another AI as a selection to attack? I understand that if they are allies I should not be able to try to pay them off to attack but it seems as if there are other times where the other empires just aren't in the list.

6.) Empire split negative event. I'm of the opinion that this is a bit harsh as it currently stands. With no warning at all half your empire just up and leaves. Depending on when this occurs in the game it can pretty much end the game right there. I could understand if it happens if I lose an election or if my approval rating is in the tank but for it to just be an event is too much.

7.) Why doesn't there seem to be any positive good ethical choices? I understand that in real life a lot of times the right moral thing to do isn't always to most beneficial to the person making the choice but just from a balance stand point I'd think that there would be at least a couple of these events where choosing the good side gets me something nice.

8.) Orbital Platforms. Most likely these aren't in the game for balance reasons. However I can still request for a way to build an orbiting star base to bolster my planetary defense.

9.) Terraforming. Why isn't there a tech that either allows me to utilize an entire planet or allows me to start colonizing and building up those PQ0 planets?

10.) Initial Colony Improvement. I understand why this exists. However shouldn't it phase out or something as my colony grows? Or maybe allow me to destroy it for something else once the planet can support itself via the other planetary improvements.

Like I said great job all around. Definitely looking forward to all the game improvements you are working on
3,921 views 3 replies
Reply #1 Top
#1 I agree.

#2 Great idea!

#3 I have already suggested the same. See #4 in my thread Link

#4 I have not noticed this but then I only play at level "Tough" in which case the AI is at level "Intelligent".
Reply #2 Top
That's good Mascrinthus. Stardock seems very willing (to our benefit) to try to accomadate things so the more of us that ask for a particular thing the more they'll know it's worth doing
Reply #3 Top
I miss the sector influence readout gizmo from Galciv I...it was a good tool for finding influence "dead spots" and sections of influence overkill...with limited planet building space, it would be good to know at a glance how your culture was progressing as opposed to the AI's nearby. I would like to see it in Galciv2 in the near future...

Other than that, Galciv2 is far more than I had dared hope...usually sequels are barely worth installing. Great job on the game and the incredible support you have shown your customers!!! By the way, Galciv1 will forever have a place on my computer along with Galciv2...it is unique in it's own right...I regularly switch between the two. Thanx a mil!!!