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Author Topic:   Prototype units

Zanatar posted 04-12-99 10:40 AM ET
Ok I`m confused. In the General Preferences for the game, there is an option to turn on something called :"Design Units Automatically".
I assume, that what does does, is each time you gain a new tech where you can now build a new type of unit (weither it be weapon, armor etc..) that having this pref on will allow the game to make this unit for you. (this is when you get the pop up screen asking you if you want to see the new units created due to the new tech.
Now, my question is.. (assuming your not playing as the Spartans, where the cost of prototype units are free) , Are these units,
created automatically by the game when a new tech is discovered, Prototype units?
Does that mean that I am automatically paying extra energy credits when I discover a new tech, because these units are prototype units? If not, when would one use the prototype unit.
I`m just gernerally confused on this topic.
Please help.

iak posted 04-12-99 11:43 AM ET
Note that it's _Design_ Units Automatically. It only means that it's designed, not built. So they are just generally available for you to build, and if you don't want to build that prototype, don't. They aren't built automatically when the tech is discovered.
The "prototype" means that there's some new tech (like a new kind of weapon) involved in the design and you haven't built that before, so building the first one will be more expensive because of inexperience etc. After you've built it, you know how to do it and it'll just cost the normal amount. There's an explanation in the manual, I think. So when you wish to make use of that new tech, build the prototype first, then you can e.g. upgrade existing units to use the new tech without building brand new units (provided you have the energy to do so).
Zanatar posted 04-12-99 01:15 PM ET
Ok, I`ve re-read that portion of the manual.
It`s a little clearer.
So what your saying is, that the moment
a new tech is created, and the prefs that is set means that the design is simple created and nothing else. So it would only become a prototype once I start to build it. Correct?
When would I actually use the ProtoType radio button? As sometimes it appears on the design screen, where I can click on Prototype. Wouldn`t I just build it, and it would become automatically a prototype? Or do I actually have to hit the prototype button.
Heh.. sorry guys, don`t mean to sound like a confused person. I`m getting the hang of it though. I love this game.
iak posted 04-13-99 08:51 AM ET
Yes, you are correct in that if automatic unit design is allowed, then the only effect is that the game combines the new tech with old unit designs to produce a new unit design.
I don't have the game here, so I don't remember the design screen, but you can just build the prototype unit just as a normal unit and if you build it in a base with Skunkworks facility, then it won't cost any extra. After all, the only distinction is that the prototype unit is the first unit with the new tech that you build.
I don't remember a prototype-button and I don't remember having used it. There's possibly at least one button the name of which I don't remember, I'll have to check that out. I'll get back to that.
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Author	Topic: Prototype units
Zanatar	posted 04-12-99 10:40 AM ET Ok I`m confused. In the General Preferences for the game, there is an option to turn on something called :"Design Units Automatically". I assume, that what does does, is each time you gain a new tech where you can now build a new type of unit (weither it be weapon, armor etc..) that having this pref on will allow the game to make this unit for you. (this is when you get the pop up screen asking you if you want to see the new units created due to the new tech. Now, my question is.. (assuming your not playing as the Spartans, where the cost of prototype units are free) , Are these units, created automatically by the game when a new tech is discovered, Prototype units? Does that mean that I am automatically paying extra energy credits when I discover a new tech, because these units are prototype units? If not, when would one use the prototype unit. I`m just gernerally confused on this topic. Please help.
iak	posted 04-12-99 11:43 AM ET Note that it's _Design_ Units Automatically. It only means that it's designed, not built. So they are just generally available for you to build, and if you don't want to build that prototype, don't. They aren't built automatically when the tech is discovered. The "prototype" means that there's some new tech (like a new kind of weapon) involved in the design and you haven't built that before, so building the first one will be more expensive because of inexperience etc. After you've built it, you know how to do it and it'll just cost the normal amount. There's an explanation in the manual, I think. So when you wish to make use of that new tech, build the prototype first, then you can e.g. upgrade existing units to use the new tech without building brand new units (provided you have the energy to do so).
Zanatar	posted 04-12-99 01:15 PM ET Ok, I`ve re-read that portion of the manual. It`s a little clearer. So what your saying is, that the moment a new tech is created, and the prefs that is set means that the design is simple created and nothing else. So it would only become a prototype once I start to build it. Correct? When would I actually use the ProtoType radio button? As sometimes it appears on the design screen, where I can click on Prototype. Wouldn`t I just build it, and it would become automatically a prototype? Or do I actually have to hit the prototype button. Heh.. sorry guys, don`t mean to sound like a confused person. I`m getting the hang of it though. I love this game.
iak	posted 04-13-99 08:51 AM ET Yes, you are correct in that if automatic unit design is allowed, then the only effect is that the game combines the new tech with old unit designs to produce a new unit design. I don't have the game here, so I don't remember the design screen, but you can just build the prototype unit just as a normal unit and if you build it in a base with Skunkworks facility, then it won't cost any extra. After all, the only distinction is that the prototype unit is the first unit with the new tech that you build. I don't remember a prototype-button and I don't remember having used it. There's possibly at least one button the name of which I don't remember, I'll have to check that out. I'll get back to that.