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Welcome => GrogHeads Feedback => Topic started by: bayonetbrant on July 17, 2014, 10:52:56 AM

Title: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on July 17, 2014, 10:52:56 AM
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F07%2FDW-AAR-SPLASH.jpg&hash=ace807e24dc3a4dbd4855c71a24b975531a79f33)

We've got a new AAR that'll be running on the front page!

Space 4Xer extraordinaire Kushan is going to be walking us through his current Distant Worlds campaign.

Episode 1 is up today (http://grogheads.com/?p=5462).  Tell us what you think!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F07%2FDW-Part-01-12.jpg&hash=da1ca6fa2d04fba2b48caebd1c1665bccbf594e0)
click to enlarge
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on July 17, 2014, 01:58:27 PM
Coolness.  Looking forward to more! 
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Boggit on August 15, 2014, 03:26:47 PM
@Kushan :)

Do you have any more info on the mods used, how to find them, and why you chose them etc. I love mods in games, but I like to learn a little more before I grab them. Any info is appreciated. O0
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on August 17, 2014, 01:28:12 PM
My original goal for choosing the mods I used was to show off as many mods as possible and add more variety but still keep a vanilla feel to the game. I had to do some copying pasting to merge the various mods together. I started by using Distant Worlds Extended, and merged the other mods into it. One of the thing I'd really like to see in Distant Worlds 2 is a modular system similar to the Elder Scrolls series, where all the changes to the various files would be made automatically and remove the need to merge mods manually.

All the mods I use can be found on the Distant Worlds modding forum at Matrix: http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=795 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=795)

Distant Worlds Extended by Haree78 For every vanilla theme game I play, this mod is a requirement. The new races Haree's added fit seamlessly into the existing ones. I originally started using it to replace the existing race images since I really don't like the vanilla ones, but the new races have grown on me over time.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3141149 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3141149)

DW:U BalanceMod (Hyper Drive Speed Only) by Locarnus This mod makes a lot of balance changes but I chose to only use the hyper drive speed because I didn't like the 200 additional research projects it adds. I don't mind modders adding new projects, but 200 seems over the top IMO.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3624576 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3624576)

HD Environment Mod by nek Used this because HD planet textures are never a bad thing, if your system can handle them.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3626917  (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3626917)

More Governments by dwaine

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3626244

More and Rebalanced Wonders (Rebalanced Wonders Only) by dwaine I've always thought that wonders in DW where over powered. The reason I didn't use the new wonders was because I didn't know what sort of overall balance effect they would have when I started. Reducing the existing ones seemed like a better idea then getting half way in a realizing I lost because one faction built all the wonders.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3630680 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3630680)

Royal navy and IJN Ship Names by Shark7 and USN Ship names by Kushan I really hate the numbered ship naming for escorts, frigates, and destroyers.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2467645 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2467645)
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2467645 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2467645)
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2683826 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2683826)

Ship Sets from Prothean Cycle Mod by Tyrador and Kalthaniell Replaced some of the ship names, mainly for the insectoid races, that I don't like.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3152095 (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3152095)

If there is any other question you have I would be happy to answer them.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Boggit on August 17, 2014, 06:09:13 PM
Wow! Thanks Kushan, that is really helpful. O0
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on August 28, 2014, 09:18:05 AM
Part 3 is up  :)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on August 28, 2014, 09:26:53 AM
Yes, yes it is :)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Boggit on August 28, 2014, 12:18:07 PM
This AAR is really helping my game. My last attempt ended dismally with my home planet taken over, after I picked a fight with the wrong pirates. I usually play in the age of pirates as a challenge, and it usually is!

I'm planning on moving on from vanilla, and starting with Haree's mod and extending from there. Does that make sense to you, or will I be better off doing it differently? Also are the mods free standing in a mods folder or whatever, so if I go back to vanilla I don't have to reinstall again?

Thanks! :)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on August 28, 2014, 01:20:06 PM
Kudos to your AI manager on colonizing that Ugnari world!  Every now and then, it does know what it's doing (and/or gets lucky).  :P 
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on August 28, 2014, 02:35:15 PM
Quote from: Boggit on August 28, 2014, 12:18:07 PM
This AAR is really helping my game. My last attempt ended dismally with my home planet taken over, after I picked a fight with the wrong pirates. I usually play in the age of pirates as a challenge, and it usually is!

Happy to hear that its useful. Hopefully I wont be providing an example of what not to do.

Quote from: Boggit on August 28, 2014, 12:18:07 PM
I'm planning on moving on from vanilla, and starting with Haree's mod and extending from there. Does that make sense to you, or will I be better off doing it differently? Also are the mods free standing in a mods folder or whatever, so if I go back to vanilla I don't have to reinstall again?

I would definitely start of with Haree's extended mod. I hear the AI Improvement mod (which comes with a patch for Haree's mod) is also really good. I'm tempted to use it myself, but I will need to merge it into my custom theme for this play through and do some testing on my own to see if it breaks anything. I'm sure it conflicts with some of the research changes I made.

If your looking for something outside the Distant World vanilla setting, the Star Trek Picard Era mod is great. I wish they would go further in overhauling the game, rather then trying to have a balance mix of vanilla and Star Trek. But it does provide an excellent base for one to make your own personal changes. I'm in the process of (trying) to redo the tech tree to be completely ST and either rename or remove the vanilla technologies and components.

All of the mods designed for Universe should be self contained in its own folder under the customization folder in the game directory. So you can freely switch between Haree's Extended Mod, Star Trek, etc. Just be aware that some of the older mods that predate Universe are still around, and some of them do overwrite vanilla files. One example is the GEM (graphic Enhancement Mod) which overhauls the UI icons. For those mods all you should need to do is create a new theme folder (or into your custom theme) and install them in there, making sure that it mirrors the vanilla file structure. As far as I know, all the old Pre-Universe mods should be able to be used without overwriting vanilla files if you set them up this way.

Quote from: Martok on August 28, 2014, 01:20:06 PM
Kudos to your AI manager on colonizing that Ugnari world!  Every now and then, it does know what it's doing (and/or gets lucky).  :P 

Since I tend to micromanage everything I never really noticed until recently just how far the automation has come since the original release.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Boggit on August 28, 2014, 05:17:11 PM
Thanks Kushan. As ever you advice is valued... and useful. O0
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on October 09, 2014, 11:32:45 PM
I've decided not to merge the AI improvement mod into my custom AAR theme. While really tempting I don;t want to risk breaking my game.

I think my biggest gripe with the game is the diplomacy system. I had to order the Visareen to leave my territory multiple times before they finally left for good.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on October 10, 2014, 05:34:33 AM
Quote from: Kushan on October 09, 2014, 11:32:45 PMI think my biggest gripe with the game is the diplomacy system. I had to order the Visareen to leave my territory multiple times before they finally left for good.

sounds like my brother when I was growing up...  pretty sure he was an alien too
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on October 12, 2014, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Kushan on October 09, 2014, 11:32:45 PM
I think my biggest gripe with the game is the diplomacy system. I had to order the Visareen to leave my territory multiple times before they finally left for good.
Could it be because the Visareen don't like you?  Or do you think it's just the AI being obtuse? 

Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: RooksBailey on October 23, 2014, 11:44:31 PM
Now that the days are getting darker and colder, I suddenly find myself in the mood for a good space game (what can I say but that I am a man of feasts and seasons?  :) ).  Reading your AAR has reminded me of what a great game DW is.  I am so glad to see that it has been warmly received by the Steam community.  I really need to pick up my copy of DWU soon! 

Looking forward to part six of your AAR!  O0
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 06, 2014, 01:42:36 PM
Quote from: RooksBailey on October 23, 2014, 11:44:31 PM
Looking forward to part six of your AAR!  O0

look no further!  New one today!

Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Boggit on November 10, 2014, 10:31:44 AM
I'm really enjoying this. My empire is still struggling, but has started to benefit from your 101 on running a space empire! ;)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on November 10, 2014, 02:56:04 PM
Gah, I somehow missed this latest update. 



Nice job with the Gulrath, Kushan.  :)  Bring on the Yirphunea Supremacy! 

Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on November 10, 2014, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: Boggit on November 10, 2014, 10:31:44 AM
I'm really enjoying this. My empire is still struggling, but has started to benefit from your 101 on running a space empire! ;)

What are you struggling with Boggit? lack of resources? money?

Quote from: Martok on November 10, 2014, 02:56:04 PM
Gah, I somehow missed this latest update. 

Nice job with the Gulrath, Kushan.  :)  Bring on the Yirphunea Supremacy! 

Thanks Martok. Hopefully this will be a springboard to better things. Not to get to far ahead of myself but if all goes according to play I have the next few wars already planned.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Boggit on November 11, 2014, 03:44:10 PM
Quote from: Kushan on November 10, 2014, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: Boggit on November 10, 2014, 10:31:44 AM
I'm really enjoying this. My empire is still struggling, but has started to benefit from your 101 on running a space empire! ;)

What are you struggling with Boggit? lack of resources? money?

Incessant pirate attacks on my mining bases, my nascent starports, and my trade lanes. Oh yes, the inability not to get my fleets mashed when I attack pirate bases too! :buck2:
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on November 13, 2014, 09:14:05 AM
Quote from: Boggit on November 11, 2014, 03:44:10 PM
Quote from: Kushan on November 10, 2014, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: Boggit on November 10, 2014, 10:31:44 AM
I'm really enjoying this. My empire is still struggling, but has started to benefit from your 101 on running a space empire! ;)

What are you struggling with Boggit? lack of resources? money?

Incessant pirate attacks on my mining bases, my nascent starports, and my trade lanes. Oh yes, the inability not to get my fleets mashed when I attack pirate bases too! :buck2:

What pirate settings are you using? If you using Shadows or Universe, I suggest setting them to very few and weak, that should set them more or less to where they were in Legends. Very few and weak should make them a nuisance rather then a life or death threat.

Not sure if your using automated design/ship construction. One thing I found with using those settings but manually controlling fleets and attacks was my ships where not getting upgraded. I did a little save reloading this last part when my ships where getting ripped apart. Once I upgraded my ships the problem went away. Pirate bases are also nothing to sneer at. Back in Legend I use to be able to take out pirate bases with a few frigates and destroyers. Ever since Shadows it more or less require a full fleet.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on December 18, 2014, 10:24:03 AM
Part 7 (http://grogheads.com/?p=6941) is now up.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on December 18, 2014, 10:48:23 AM
thanks, Kushan...  I was going to get to it :)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on December 18, 2014, 03:33:02 PM
Crazy.  Do you think the Adare are going to come after you then? 
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on December 18, 2014, 07:54:46 PM
I had to buy them off twice during the war, so yea I'm pretty sure their going to be coming after me.

The real concerning part is that almost everyone hates me. Even the factions that like me don't have a high enough opinion to want anything more then a trade agreement, if that.

I may just keep trying to buy them off while I go after the Gulrath or I might just roll the dice and see what happens. If I can do another short blitzkrieg war and take two colonies then sue for peace. Going to set my spies and scouts on them and see what their defenses look like.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: airboy on February 05, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
Couple of questions about the game:
1] How much "real time" is there?  I loath, loath, loath "twitch games."  I could handle Hearts of Iron however.
     Pausable can be very meaningful, or the game speed can be so fast that pausable does not help much.
Can you give me your opinion on this?

2] Can you set the size of the universe easily?  Can you pick opponents, or level of difficulty, etc........?  How well does that work?

3] How good is the AI given the parameters you set for the universe/opponents/what-not?

4] Is this one of those irritating Steam games that requires a ongoing internet link - or can it be played offline?

5] How would you rate the "fun factor?"

My issue is not with the price of the game ($75 + tax for Universe) but is it worth the time investment to me?

I would greatly appreciate feedback from those who have played the game on the five questions above.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on February 08, 2015, 02:09:34 PM
Quote from: airboy on February 05, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
1] How much "real time" is there?  I loath, loath, loath "twitch games."  I could handle Hearts of Iron however. Pausable can be very meaningful, or the game speed can be so fast that pausable does not help much.

Its same as the Paradox games. Its real time but you can speed up or slow down time and pause to give orders.  I haven't run across any order that can't be given while the game is paused.

Quote from: airboy on February 05, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
2] Can you set the size of the universe easily?  Can you pick opponents, or level of difficulty, etc........?  How well does that work?

Check out part 1, all the standard 4x options are available. Galaxy size and shape, AI difficulty, AI aggression, starting tech and expansion, etc. You can either have the game auto generate factions for you or you can opt to set up factions individually.

Quote from: airboy on February 05, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
3] How good is the AI given the parameters you set for the universe/opponents/what-not?

Its ok. It's not the best AI in the world but it does play the game decently. The diplomacy AI is the weakest part of it IMO. Its not like the TW AI where it will declare war on you for no reason, but it can be abused by doing things like buying it off with tech right after it declares war on you. Its one area I really hope to see improvements another expansion or DW2.

Quote from: airboy on February 05, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
4] Is this one of those irritating Steam games that requires a ongoing internet link - or can it be played offline?

No. The Matrix version uses their standard serial code DRM but doesn't require any connection. Even the steam release can be played without Steam running. All you need to do is create a shortcut from the exe in the installation folder and not through Steam or you can copy the installation folder to a location outside your steam installation and create a shortcut to that.

Quote from: airboy on February 05, 2015, 11:34:00 AM
5] How would you rate the "fun factor?"

I think its the best 4x on the market, despite the weak AI. For me its mainly about replayability. The standard Civilization/4x start with one city/planet has gotten really stale for me the last couple of years. In Distant Worlds you can set up just about any conceivable scenario you can come up with. You can set up a large highly advanced faction surrounded by barbarian smaller ones you or reverse it and have highly advance smaller factions surrounding a lower tech giant empire. Or setup a galaxy where you have a number of faction centered in the galaxy and can then spread out from there. And the relative ease to which you can mod ship images, although coming up with decent ones can be a bit difficult, means you can play in just about any sci fi universe created, and that doesn't even include all of the modding options added in Universe.

I do have to point out that there isn't as many overhaul mods for Universe as I expected. But in the end there's only a finite amount of modders in a relatively small community. I think part of the problem is that Universe still had some major limitations at launch (most have been removed through patches), but by the time the patches got released some enthusiasm had already waned.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: airboy on February 08, 2015, 02:46:17 PM
Thanks!  Probably buy it next sale (or next time I get a big chunk of free time).
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on February 12, 2015, 10:52:19 AM
Just wanted to add that I second Kushan's assessment of DW being the best space 4x title currently out there...and I say that from the perspective of someone who overwhelmingly prefers TBS to RTS games as a general rule.  Distant Worlds is a ton of fun, and I already look forward to whenever the sequel comes out. 

Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 09, 2015, 12:41:33 PM
at long last!  new episode today!

http://grogheads.com/?p=7858
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on April 10, 2015, 02:19:38 PM
I suspect the Yirphunea are in for a most unpleasant surprise...  >:D 
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on April 10, 2015, 08:13:53 PM
I really hate that I can't break their homeworld. Their going to be a thorn in my side for the foreseeable future. I'm going to go for Faltir and let them keep Adrenui. Let them take the hit for developing it.
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on April 11, 2015, 12:18:27 PM
Yes, let them keep it as a "concession" to maintain the peace.  >:D  :2funny: 

Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on June 11, 2015, 07:26:20 AM
new episode today!
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on June 11, 2015, 07:34:45 AM
And here's the Link (http://grogheads.com/?p=8315) for those that can't find the mythical front page.  :)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: bayonetbrant on June 11, 2015, 08:06:44 AM
Quote from: Kushan on June 11, 2015, 07:34:45 AM
And here's the Link (http://grogheads.com/?p=8315) for those that can't find the mythical front page.  :)

I was gonna make 'em work for it ;)
Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Martok on June 16, 2015, 12:54:15 PM
I was gonna say, the way the Adare were hacking at the Yirphunea, I'd maybe have held off on pursuing a peace treaty, if only to allow the two combatants to inflict further damage on each other.  >:D  Still, nice job! 

Title: Re: Feedback on Distant Worlds AAR (from Kushan)
Post by: Kushan on June 24, 2015, 02:15:08 PM
In retrospect I wish I would have waited on asking for peace as well. There was a short period of time where there where only a few troop regiments on their homeworld. Had I had the troops ready I could probably have taken it. Oh well, there is always next time. ;)