Random events too powerful

from GalCiv2 Forums
Is there a list of the so-called Mega Events? IMO they are way too powerful so in future I will have them turned off.

I was playing a really enjoyable game until a couple of events completely changed the course of the game. It sort of seems 'what's the point?!' if some random dice roll can take away all the benefit of your research and construction.

First event I had was that the galaxy decided that they didn't like my culture any more. This was just after I had researched the influence techs and diplomacy techs. I have massive influence starbases all over the place but within a few turns they were practically useless. Went from controlling over 50% of the galaxy culturally to around 20% in just a handful of turns.

Second event was that half my planets decide to join a new force in the galaxy. Hmmm, great. I spend hours of game play to get them and some random generator decides to take them away.

What do the rest of you think of these mega events? For me they are game breakers so they will definitely not be part of any future games I play.
12,960 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
There's been plenty of discussion on the mega events - and even some of the more impactful other events.
The idea behind them is to throw you off-guard even when you're doing well, forcing you to adapt your strategy to this new environment (survival of the fittest).

As for the 2 examples you mentioned:
1) Influence: even with the reduced influence, building concentrated maximized influence starbases next to AI planets should still allow you to flip them, which in turn will increase your overall influence in the galaxy.
2) New race: conquer them fast and the damage will be limited. This can even work to your advantage if the new race received some planets from the AI's - just conquer the whole thing (keeping in mind that their soldiering and tech rating will be advanced, but they won't have a lot of ships yet).
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I totally agree. For me, a turn-based strategy game is like a game of chess, and introducing arbitrary, game-altering events is similar to somebody coming by during a game of chess and moving pieces around or stealing them off the board. Perhaps some players would find this entertaining but most would not. Indeed, most would find the interjection to have destroyed the game.

The whole point of a strategy game like chess is for players to vie under a common set of constraints that allows the most effective strategy and ability to win out. That is, you win by being able to assess the current situation, and then by successfully manipulting that situation into a future that you determine. But you can't do that if arbitrary events can interject because they destroy your ability to effectly plan and thereby your ability to effectively manipulate the current situation into a future of your choosing.

Clearly, some people don't want to play chess, but those who do shouldn't have to put up with their game being messed up by somebody who thinks that doing so would be more fun.

I for one would definately turn these random events off - if only I could find out how to do so. Any help on that?  :LOL: 
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If you play for the sake of winning at the end...turn 'em off.
If you play for playing's sake (aka having fun) ... they are nice as they force you to adapt to a new situation.

I for one would love more Mega events as I often have games without any at all and I find those games boring usually ;P

I for one would definately turn these random events off - if only I could find out how to do so. Any help on that?
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At the screen where you make the settings for winning conditions and galaxy size etc there's a checkbox for Mega Events. just deactivate it of you dont want them.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
At the screen where you make the settings for winning conditions and galaxy size etc there's a checkbox for Mega Events. just deactivate it of you dont want them.
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Thanks for the info.  :)
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Love the chess analogy. :)

I suppose I like to play to win. The most interesting time for me is the middle game where the races are established and balance is relatively even. Once this portion is over I like to win or lose quickly. Mega events draw the game out at a time I just want to finish it so I can start a new one.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I dislike the chess. One college at the secondary grammar school beat me every time we played this game. It was frustrating. If there is a random influence, I have a chance. And so I like Galactic civilisation and not the chess.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I totally agree. For me, a turn-based strategy game is like a game of chess, and introducing arbitrary, game-altering events is similar to somebody coming by during a game of chess and moving pieces around or stealing them off the board. Perhaps some players would find this entertaining but most would not. Indeed, most would find the interjection to have destroyed the game.The whole point of a strategy game like chess is for players to vie under a common set of constraints that allows the most effective strategy and ability to win out. That is, you win by being able to assess the current situation, and then by successfully manipulting that situation into a future that you determine. But you can't do that if arbitrary events can interject because they destroy your ability to effectly plan and thereby your ability to effectively manipulate the current situation into a future of your choosing.Clearly, some people don't want to play chess, but those who do shouldn't have to put up with their game being messed up by somebody who thinks that doing so would be more fun.I for one would definately turn these random events off - if only I could find out how to do so. Any help on that?   
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So the great thing about Gal Civ 2 is that, those who don't want the Mega Events, can simply shut them off.

For me personally, I like a good well constructed strategy that spans the galaxy and leads to my ultimate rise to a ruby throne and dominion over all that I see, crushing the lesser races under my iron heal. However I also enjoy the challenge of constructing that strategy to be flexable enough to accomodate random changes. I admit to several Mega events causing me some consternation "At the time" but there is an emense satisfaction from overcoming that sudden and unexpected hardship.

Either way, play as best suits your preference. If you don't like the events, shut them off. I think the great folks at Star Dock had the right idea to make the game as customizable as possible for just that purpose.

Just my two cents.

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The only problem is that some of the nastiest events, like the Jagged Knife for example, are just regular random events and not mega events, so you can't turn them off (correct me if I'm wrong).

I love playing with these crazy events myself, I never know what's going to happen next. Keeps things interesting and tense.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The only problem is that some of the nastiest events, like the Jagged Knife for example, are just regular random events and not mega events, so you can't turn them off (correct me if I'm wrong).I love playing with these crazy events myself, I never know what's going to happen next. Keeps things interesting and tense.
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The Jagged Knife is most certainly a mega event, and as such can be turned off with the rest of them.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The Jagged Knife is most certainly a mega event, and as such can be turned off with the rest of them.
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I stand corrected, I think I heard that in another thread about mega events somewhere. There's probably an accurate list floating around someplace.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah, Jagged Knife hit me last night. But the up side is that it hit my nearest neighbor as well. So I ended up getting a planet for free without going to war with my neighbor.

Ain't life grand?
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Once I had game with 2 Dread Lords (Milky Way map starts with them, then I got the event). The Dread Lords blew up about 20 of my economy starbases. Then, the Jagged Knife took away my biggest economy planets, and took over the 2 Terran planets I was doing all my trade with. Then I had the speed limit event (5 pc). In the middle of trying to take back my planets and make new trade routes (that took forever at 5 pc) I got the event where you're framed for assassination and another race declares war on you, and that race gets a bunch of extra ships from a mysterious benefactor. THEN, 5 turns later, I get that same event AGAIN from the 2nd largest civ besides mine.

I petition Stardock to add a game score element for sheer pity in the next patch.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
My main issue with the Mega Events is that they feel unrealistic. In the Jagged Knife, there is a seizure of massive amounts of planets - and not one intelligence agency anywhere saw it coming?

If there were some foreshadowing (Planets with approval drifting downward for no noticeable reason, unknown agents showing up on worlds, a chance of a contact from an allied (or Respected Enemy) civilization in neutral territory) that gave one the feeling that there is a new player on the board, it would 'feel' more like a storyline than a club - maybe the Jagged Knife seizes worlds with approval below 40%.

I reloaded (I was badly unprepared) after it, but that's my objection, is not that it's unbalancing, but that it doesn't feel 'realistic'.

Jonnan
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm currently playing a game that has just turned very challenging.
My neighbours, the Korath, decided that i was a menace and went to war with me. They have the largest military and tons of sporeships near my planets.
I was not completely unprepared for this, but the turn after i got the Jagged Knife event. I lost 27 planets, among them was my class 30 planet with a few buildings that kept my morale up through my empire. I don't have as vast an army as the korath but i would have been capable of amassing a fleet fast, that is no longer an option, my economy is a mess because of the drop in moral.

I like the random events, but talk about bad timing. I'm playing on immense and it will take quite a lot of time to get over this if it's even possible.

I do think that the jagged knife event is a bit too much...