I saw Birth of the Federation AAR on the grog main page, I have seen stuff about it before but never looked into it, but I would like to
bbmike patiently waits for Martok to show up... 8)
Actually gameleaper, here's the link to a previous discussion (http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=6832.0) on this!
bbmike thanks a lot!
Someone mentioned me? :D
Yes, I definitely recommend checking out that thread from last year (that bbmike linked to) if you haven't already. Of course, I'm also happy to answer whatever questions I can (although I should warn you that my technical knowledge is extremely limited at best).
BOTF is an old game, but if you enjoy Star Trek and strategy games to any degree, it's worth checking out IMHO.
Have fun with this classic!
Quote from: Anguille on November 21, 2014, 03:11:24 AM
Have fun with this classic!
+1 Still a great game, especially with mods.
BotF is a very easy game to get into. I'd played it like mad 10+ years ago and got right back into it no problem. As it stands now I only play it every several months to get the write-ups done, but for an old game it's amazing.
As they say in the other thread...if you get into it you really need to add mods to it. The "All the Ages" mod I'm running for the front page AAR is AWESOME because it is exactly what BotF should have been in the first place, chronicling the rise of the Federation from infancy to Borg. I cannot recommend it enough, though there's plenty of other mods for the game out there that are worthy as well. O0
I need serious pointers for both, I keep getting steam rolled even on small maps :)
Endfire, I'd recommend advancing your chosen side a bit to give you an advantage. In the start-up screen, it asks you what time period you want to start each faction. I can't recall the settings offhand, but you can advance your own faction up a notch or two. That should give you the breathing room to play around without having to worry about getting conquered too early. Then you can tone it down when you think you have the hang of it.
thanks guys ! this is a great looking 4X, Id love to see it on gog, Id buy a new updated for modern PC version.
Quote from: Martok on November 20, 2014, 03:57:56 PM
Someone mentioned me? :D
Yes, I definitely recommend checking out that thread from last year (that bbmike linked to) if you haven't already. Of course, I'm also happy to answer whatever questions I can (although I should warn you that my technical knowledge is extremely limited at best).
BOTF is an old game, but if you enjoy Star Trek and strategy games to any degree, it's worth checking out IMHO.
thamks, I like old games, they are more elegant than new over-complex games.
Quote from: endfire79 on November 21, 2014, 01:53:11 PM
I need serious pointers for both, I keep getting steam rolled even on small maps :)
Well you're actually more likely to get steamrolled on small maps, so first off I recommend the largest map size in whatever version you're playing (especially if it's vanilla).
Other tips (in no particular order):
Research just one field at a time. Don't split up your research points between all 6 (or even just 2) techs.
If there are any un-terraformed planets in your home system that can be terraformed (gas giants can never be), use your starting colony ship to terraform said planet(s) right away to boost your home system's maximum population.
Build enough factories (Mass Replicators if you're playing as the Federation) in your home system to employ at least half your maximum population. This will allow you to construct ships in something approximating a reasonable amount of time.
Don't bother putting any population points into intel structures (Databanks if you're playing as the Federation) until you've encountered the Cardassians, Ferengi, and/or Romulans.
When colonizing a new star system, it's generally best to found the colony ASAP. As such, you generally shouldn't bother terraforming every single planet before colonizing it. Instead, try to only terraform the "juicer" worlds -- oceanic (O-class) and jungle (L-class) planets especially, as they both have a high population/terraform-time ratio. Leave barren (J -lass) and volcanic (Y-class) planets for a second colony ship you deploy later for "follow-up" terraforming work.
I could/would add more, but I can feel the sleep meds kicking in now... :buck2:
Is it possible to purchase this game, in a format that works on modern operating systems?
I don't want to steal it. I also don't want to fiddle a bunch to make it work on modern operating systems.
GOG really needs this title.
Quote from: airboy on November 21, 2014, 04:19:12 PM
Is it possible to purchase this game, in a format that works on modern operating systems?
I don't want to steal it. I also don't want to fiddle a bunch to make it work on modern operating systems.
GOG really needs this title.
I think the cd version still works but it's almost impossible to get one....and if yes, it's way too expensive (e-bay) and so. I agree it would be nice to see it on gog.
Cheers
Quote from: airboy on November 21, 2014, 04:19:12 PM
GOG really needs this title.
Go vote for the oldies you want to see guys!
http://www.gog.com/wishlist/games
No guarantees due to legal stuff, but maybe you'll help get them moving on certain titles you want them to look into. ;)
Quote from: Nefaro on November 21, 2014, 08:13:02 PM
Quote from: airboy on November 21, 2014, 04:19:12 PM
GOG really needs this title.
Go vote for the oldies you want to see guys!
http://www.gog.com/wishlist/games
No guarantees due to legal stuff, but maybe you'll help get them moving on certain titles you want them to look into. ;)
Great idea Nefaro! I just cast my vote for BOTF, which I would purchase from GOG in a heartbeat.
great link Nef,I just voted on all the lists of it. heres how there doing now
+1809 Star Trek: Birth Of The Federation
+1349 Star Trek: The Next Generation - Birth Of The Federation
+266 Star Trek: The Next Generation: Birth of the Federation
+263 Birth of the Federation-Star Trek
+45 startrek birth of the federation
Quote from: airboy on November 21, 2014, 04:19:12 PM
GOG really needs this title.
I can't second this enough. I up-voted BOTF on GOG aeons ago.
I've noticed it has some graphical problems on this latest rig I run (Win 7, larger 1080p screen); i.e. herky jerky mouse pointer. I noticed it played better on lower resolutions (as I had on my older laptop with Win 7). Alternatively, I can use VMWare Player or Oracle VirtualBox to run an image of Windows XP, and then install the game there and it runs smoother as well.
As someone pointed out, there is a known bug in the game that was never fixed (i.e. as the map gets bigger, game gets slower).
Hopefully GOG manages to figure out a way to resuscitate this title in the near future.
The biggest feature/add-in I'd love to see is a frigging ZOOM FEATURE. O0
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on November 22, 2014, 11:29:01 PM
The biggest feature/add-in I'd love to see is a frigging ZOOM FEATURE. O0
this comment and your Bloom County picture speaks volumes. :coolsmiley:
Quote from: endfire79 on November 22, 2014, 10:26:26 PM
I've noticed it has some graphical problems on this latest rig I run (Win 7, larger 1080p screen); i.e. herky jerky mouse pointer. I noticed it played better on lower resolutions (as I had on my older laptop with Win 7). Alternatively, I can use VMWare Player or Oracle VirtualBox to run an image of Windows XP, and then install the game there and it runs smoother as well.
As someone pointed out, there is a known bug in the game that was never fixed (i.e. as the map gets bigger, game gets slower).
Hopefully GOG manages to figure out a way to resuscitate this title in the near future.
A fair few people have had issues with jerky mouse cursors, especially if they're running the game on OS's higher than XP. Of those folks who've had issues, a good number of them have had luck using the MPR++ program created by Flocke over the AFC forums.
All you have to do is register an account and request access (thread is here (http://www.armadafleetcommand.com/onscreen/botf/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=2720)). MPR++ also has the bonus of "prettifying" a lot of the ships. :)
Quote from: Martok on November 23, 2014, 12:31:34 PM
Quote from: endfire79 on November 22, 2014, 10:26:26 PM
I've noticed it has some graphical problems on this latest rig I run (Win 7, larger 1080p screen); i.e. herky jerky mouse pointer. I noticed it played better on lower resolutions (as I had on my older laptop with Win 7). Alternatively, I can use VMWare Player or Oracle VirtualBox to run an image of Windows XP, and then install the game there and it runs smoother as well.
As someone pointed out, there is a known bug in the game that was never fixed (i.e. as the map gets bigger, game gets slower).
Hopefully GOG manages to figure out a way to resuscitate this title in the near future.
A fair few people have had issues with jerky mouse cursors, especially if they're running the game on OS's higher than XP. Of those folks who've had issues, a good number of them have had luck using the MPR++ program created by Flocke over the AFC forums.
All you have to do is register an account and request access (thread is here (http://www.armadafleetcommand.com/onscreen/botf/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=2720)). MPR++ also has the bonus of "prettifying" a lot of the ships. :)
Hey thanks Martok! I'll check this out. Playing BOTF again just made start re-watching DS9 Season 4 today, good stuff.
Quote from: Martok on November 23, 2014, 12:31:34 PM
A fair few people have had issues with jerky mouse cursors, especially if they're running the game on OS's higher than XP. Of those folks who've had issues, a good number of them have had luck using the MPR++ program created by Flocke over the AFC forums.
All you have to do is register an account and request access (thread is here (http://www.armadafleetcommand.com/onscreen/botf/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=2720)). MPR++ also has the bonus of "prettifying" a lot of the ships. :)
There should be a Nobel Prize for people like Flocke!
Quote from: endfire79 on November 22, 2014, 10:26:26 PM
As someone pointed out, there is a known bug in the game that was never fixed (i.e. as the map gets bigger, game gets slower).
BOTF always had a runaway memory leak. The game interface would start bogging down noticeably after awhile. I used to save & reload quite often, years ago, when it noticeably passed my RAM limit and started relying heavily on virtual memory while getting slowly worse. It may take longer these days, since we have a
lot more RAM nowadays compared to what we had when it came out. But it's still there IIRC.
^ Too true, unfortunately. Despite the best efforts of the modders and "code-masters" (a tiny handful of folks who've been able to dig a little deeper into the game's files), that damn memory-leak bug just won't go away.
Quote from: endfire79 on November 23, 2014, 01:56:20 PM
Playing BOTF again just made start re-watching DS9 Season 4 today, good stuff.
Good stuff indeed! It runs a very close second (behind TNG) as my favorite Trek series. O0
Quote from: Martok on November 25, 2014, 02:28:08 PM
Good stuff indeed! It runs a very close second (behind TNG) as my favorite Trek series. O0
Madness! Everyone knows it's #1 TOS, #2 DS9, #3 TNG! ::)
Its all good, the more varied the merrier. I can find TNG on BluRay, but it looks like ds9 is still on DVD. I had problems with my old ds9 DVDs (skipping etc). Will try to watch via Netflix.
I dont think the source code was ever released, with that and good profiler (glow code), some devs might identify some of the mem leaks. I don't see it happening though (legal issues and IP).
I liked Voyager, myself. But DS9 is the only ST series I've gone back and watched from beginning to end multiple times.
And Enterprise wasn't bad, though I wanted to hate it so much it took me years before I finally watched all of it (last year or earlier this year).
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on November 25, 2014, 05:08:06 PM
I liked Voyager, myself. But DS9 is the only ST series I've gone back and watched from beginning to end multiple times.
And Enterprise wasn't bad, though I wanted to hate it so much it took me years before I finally watched all of it (last year or earlier this year).
Funny, I hated Enterprise when it came out and stopped watching after half of the first season. I recently started watching it again and it doesn't seem as bad. I still think it's not what happened pre-TOS but compared to Jar Jar Abrams crappy movies it ain't that bad. Yet.
The final episode of Enterprise was utter, total shit and the worst possible way to end the series.
I didn't even bother watching Enterprise when it was on the air initially. The first episodes of Season 1 are difficult to get through but once the show hits its stride later that season, the rest is very enjoyable.
Scott Bakula did an interview about the job and said something about how when they offered him a Star Trek gig, he initially said no, he wasn't going to follow in the footsteps of those that had done it. When they told him HE would be on the ship that started it all, he leapt at the chance. And I think strangely enough he was there to support another actor friend of his for an audition, and they ended up giving it to Bakula instead.
My fav is DS9 and the only one i have on dvd...love the others too but didn't wath Enterprise till the end....missed many episodes.
Quote from: endfire79 on November 25, 2014, 05:02:38 PM
I dont think the source code was ever released, with that and good profiler (glow code), some devs might identify some of the mem leaks. I don't see it happening though (legal issues and IP).
Also true, unfortunately.
And legal issues aside, I have a feeling getting hands on the source code might be impossible in any case, as I'm not sure anyone even still has it. A few of the folks at the AFC forums have tried contacting the original dev team, a couple of whom actually responded...and who said they no longer have it in their possession (not surprisingly). One has to wonder if the source code still exists in its entirety anywhere...