Slitherine

Hello! First of all, let me start off by saying that I love this game and kudos to the developers for creating something that makes me feel like I'm playing SMAC again. Thank you!

Here are some suggestions that I think will make the game just a bit better:

Auto-Explore option: I know the maps aren't too big, but having an auto-explore option for units would be a great addition, especially for sea-borne units.

More world generation types: There are only 3 and they get dull very, very quickly. It basically comes down to one continent, a few medium continents or islands. Expand on this! Have mixtures of all three. I don't really have any ideas for what would be good, but I think you guys would do great by looking into it.

Map features: Alien Crossfire for Alpha Centauri added Monoliths (Or was it Obelisks?) that your units could explore. I'm not suggesting you add the same exact thing, but something along those lines that adds interaction and risk/reward would be awesome! Overall more map features (not terrain types, but that wouldn't be a bad idea either).

More to come, too early in the morning to keep typing though haha.

Oh, sorry to double post, but another idea I was planning on mention. I cant imagine it would be too extremely hard to do, but it would add an extreme amount of flavor:

Have AI units draw their names from a random table/list. Instead of seeing every single faction use "Colonial Troopers", have their names be random (maybe even have faction specific ones).

Like you ClaytonRISING, I think that Pandora version 1.1.2, is off to a great start and that is why I didn't hesitate to support the developers by buying it. But also at the same time, I think there is a lot of room for improvement and I sincerely hope that improvements are made. Modeling a game as a continuation of the now famed SMAC\SMAX is not an easy task. Because SMAC\SMAX conceptually was way ahead of its time, though the graphics were its shortcoming and needed much improvement.

With Pandora, it would seem to be the reverse -- The graphics are nicely done, but conceptually a lot of the depth is missing or at present, just not there.

The two previous game based statements speaks volumes, because SMAC\SMAX was a big hit not because of its graphics, but because of the concepts and its depth of play. So, I would hope that the Pandora DEV's have solid plans to expand the game to include not just similar concepts as SMAC\SMAX but also, the depth of gameplay that would take Pandora to a higher level than its predecessor.

So, I have high hopes ..... But we shall see what happens.

ClaytonRISING wrote: Auto-Explore option: I know the maps aren't too big, but having an auto-explore option for units would be a great addition, especially for sea-borne units.

Auto-Explore is a feature that I think belongs in the game not just for convenience, but also as a conceptual compliment. These factions are explorers and therefore, would have and need a means to explore their new homeland. It kind of plays to the theme, faction pods are scattered across the planet and they explore the planet for resources, meeting and possibly aligning with other factions as they develop their presence. (Exploration - Discovery - Diplomacy - Alliances and in the worst case, WAR!)

ClaytonRISING wrote: More world generation types: There are only 3 and they get dull very, very quickly. It basically comes down to one continent, a few medium continents or islands. Expand on this! Have mixtures of all three. I don't really have any ideas for what would be good, but I think you guys would do great by looking into it.

Yeah, the round continents are getting old fast, to the point where its totally predictable. What's the use of having an ocean if there's no point in exploring it. Factions cannot build any structures on water and therefore are guaranteed to be land-based. This is a much needed area of improvement!!!

ClaytonRISING wrote: Map features: Alien Crossfire for Alpha Centauri added Monoliths (Or was it Obelisks?) that your units could explore. I'm not suggesting you add the same exact thing, but something along those lines that adds interaction and risk/reward would be awesome! Overall more map features (not terrain types, but that wouldn't be a bad idea either).

In additions to what ClaytonRISING is stating here, I think that adverse weather conditions are another feature that adds to the overall Unpredictability of the games course. This is where exploration, surveys and city placement becomes critical, because you have to be careful where you do things. As it stands now, the only unpredictable element is how aggressive the aliens become -- And if the aliens are HOSTILE, then why is the planet itself so DOCILE?

The planet needs to be hostile in and of itself, independent of how the lifeforms react to its new inhabitants.

*******
So, as stated, there is much that would help this game to rival its predecessors, and again, I have high hopes that it will ... but we will see what happens.

SMAC\SMAX were great, great classics which pushed the conceptual boundaries to the limit and added unparalleled depth of gameplay. And in spite of its extremely lacking graphics, was able to secure many fans and awards across the board.
"That is a tough act to follow!"

Best regards guys!!!

I have some additional suggestions:

- I would like to select the faction color
- The changes in the advanced startup settings should be saved
- Ctrl + N for a quick restart with old settings ( better start location )

All great suggestions I'd like to add:

- Snap to combat feature. When I am being attacked often combat occurs and I don't even see it! Please have the map center to wherever a battle takes place.
- +10 on save advance startup settings!
- Show other faction color territories on mini map. It would be nice to see their territory in a solid color rather than small dots I can barely see.
- More factions, six is not enough and on a large or huge map there is too much room and you don't get the feeling of a land rush.
- Yes, we need better maps. Continents needs to be larger and we need islands scattered about. No need to go on the ocean because nothing is out there.
- Alpine or impassable feature. I would like a feature that units cannot pass (except for air).
- Does combat have to be to the death? I would like a feature where units can breakoff attack or retreat before being eliminated. In addition, combat can be have no effect or stalemate.