New to this genre of game... pls help.

from Sins Forums

Ive played lots of EQ and World of Warcraft, but never RTS or this new RT4X type of game, and after trying running the first and then second tutorial, I really had no idea what I was supposed to do.  Seems like the AI is doing lots of things, and I am unclear exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

One unfortunate problem:  my mouse wheel does not work at all with this game (works fine with my other games).  I can use the B and V keys to zoom, but kinda hard to control without the mouse wheel, and I find myself constantly tapping the key to zoom slightly more or less.  I have posted up the mouse problem on the technical forums, along with a number of others experiencing the same thing, but so far have not seen a patch that fixes it.

I am downloading right now the "demo" which hopefully will help with the learning curve on how to play this game, but I am looking for any ideas or guidance on how to learn this game.  What is a good process for getting to the point of being able to start a new small game and play it?

I really want to give it a good try, but right now don't have a good idea of exactly what players are supposed to be doing.  How long should I expect to work on learning the game?

BTW, I am just interested in single player games.

Thanks for any help you can offer....

/scruffies

4,366 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Dunno how to help your mouse problem out, but maybe you could borrow a "standard" mouse from someone you know for a day to see if that helps. Mouse-scrolling is a really important part of how I play the game - might not be for everyone else who uses the preset zoom levels.

I was going to type out a guide to getting going in the game, but that would be quite long, so instead, I'm going to recommend that you play the first two tutorials again (I played them three times to really understand what was going on) and then the demo mission you downloaded, and then post specific questions. It would take quite a lot of typing to give you a good comprehensive overview.

I'd also recommend you read the "Gameplay example" sticky thread at the top of this forum.

Here's a good starting set of build instructions for you to at least set you off on the right foot. This works pretty much for any map.

1) As soon as the game begins, bring up the Black Market/Pirate window at the top, and purchase 100 crystal from the black market. This gives you enough crystal to do all of the following.
- Click your homeworld and select the Tactical Structures button in the commands list at lower right. Click Capital Ship factory and build it somewhere in your gravity well. As soon as the "ghost" of the factory appears, click it, select the capital ship button on your commands list, and then select the type of capital ship that allows you to colonize. (e.g. Progenitor Mothership if you're playing Vasari). THIS FIRST CAPITAL SHIP IS FREE and new players should take advantage of it immediately.
- Now select the green planetary command button, and upgrade your population (the first option) in the subcommand window it brings up. This will build new (invisible) buildings on its surface that can hold more population. More population provides more taxes so you can purchase other things.
- Now select your frigate construction bay (your game starts with a free one) and build a couple Scout class vessels. When one appears (which will be well before the capital ship factory and ship itself appears), click on it to open its command window, and RIGHT-click on the "explore" command to make it 'explore' automatically (that command will have a spinning white circle on it).
- Next, click the crystal satellite that is near your homeworld and click the command to build a mining building on it. As soon as you have enough money, click the metal buildings and do the same.
- When your capital ship appears, click the star in its command window, and select the Colonize ability. Then click the "back" button, and click the Squadron in its command window, and tell it to build a Bomber squadron.
- Build a light frigate or two in your frigate construction bay.
- Finally send your mothership and light frigates to the "asteroid" type gravity well that is nearest you. Take out its garrison (a light frigate and a siege frigate) with your stronger force, then select your mothership and use its Colonize power on the central asteroid. Immediately upgrade that planet's population (as above) as soon as you can afford it to stop their little base from draining your economy, and build mines on its asteroids.

This doesn't talk about research, trading, defense (build turrets), pirates, and the economy in general, but should be enough to get you started once you have PLAYED THE TUTORIALS enough to understand what they're trying to tell you. With me, it took a couple times because I didn't really understand 4x either.

Cheers, and happy playing
-- Retro
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Sorry, should have been "click the metal ASTEROIDS", not 'buildings'. Friggin' unreliable edit forum function...

-- Retro
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
purchase 100 crystal from the black market. ... upgrade your population
End of quote


actualy u cant do this with tec w/out 25 more crystal
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks Retro!!

I have printed out your reply and will follow your advice. I appreciate your taking the time to include lots of ideas...

Between doing the tutorials a few more times (and not feeling so stupid for not seeing immediately whats going on), running the demo, and checking that thread out plus your starter instructions-- I should be able to get started.

Thanks again!

/scruffies