Hi All!

I've been following this since Beta one and I have some ideas for the final version.

It seems as though there is some hesitiation as to the final product with regard to replayability, AI performance, and overall independant feel for the races.

My idea:

1. Create a random string in both single player and multi-player games that allows for random resource allocation and type prior to launching. (more on this later)

2. Assign, and affix resource types to research paths.

I know simple eh? I admit I'm not a programmer, but it seems that this would not be too complex a task to accomplish?

As to idea 1, randomizing resources and location adds a leel of compexity to your gaming strategy that automatically builds in excitement, and both startegic and tactical management at the get go. It will do away with the click-fest players, that, once the games asthetics are learned becomes a matter of who gets to what first. Randomizing resources and resource types that, alter playing style gives the game a fair element, albeit randomly fair.

As to two, I have always felt that having the standard three or four resource types, and having them the same for all races is inandofitself, a boring model for RTS ?? Why not have five or six ways to gather resources and have the resources help or direct the kind of empire you can and want to build? It also creates a sense of urgency for players that are not so easy to adapt theuir playing styles. Forcing them to explore, branch out into unknown space looking for the resource that they are familiar with, and having them defend and protect that valuable resource as if it were the be-all and end-all to the very existence ..

If I'm wrong, and this is more difficult in practice to acomplish, pleas eexplain why, and I also welcome other thougths and ideas from some of the people that have actually played the game ..


Thanks,

Tim-