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Author Topic:   Blind research?

PrinceBimz posted 04-20-99 11:55 PM ET
How do most of you guys play with research? Do you play with Blind Reseach on or off?
Schoop posted 04-21-99 12:42 AM ET
Personally, I change from game to game. The Blind Research system emphasizes the different uber-strategies--Explore Discover Build Conquer. Not using it allows the player to advance exactly how they want to, meaning you get that crucial tech when you want it.
Plato90s posted 04-21-99 01:05 AM ET
If you read the tech screen and tech tree carefully, even Blind Research can be guided.
First, by looking at the science screen [F2], you can tell by looking at the color of the research accumulation graph which research area you are currently pursuing. Each of the 4 areas have a different color.
By consulting the tech tree of the technology you have already, you can generally guess which tech you will get.
Keep in mind that under Blind Research, you are not allowed to research two techs in the same field consequetively. If you are currently researching in Discover, your next tech can not be in the Discover area. So after research starts, you should consult the tech tree to see which of the other 3 fields you want to go to.
If you choose two fields, the next tech researched will be in the 2nd field which will lead to greater research in the first field. For example, if you choose Discover and Conquer and are currently researching Discover. After you get a Discover tech, the AI will choose an conquer tech preferentially if it will lead to another discover tech.
There is still a high degree of uncertainly because when you are in the mid-level of the game [30-70% tech development], there are multiple techs in the same field which you may get. But if you direct Blind Research with care, you can still get where you want to go.
Personally, I try to make a beeline for Self-Aware Machines [Defense Pod tech] once I get Advanced Spaceflight. Usually other factions have Spaceflight tech by then, and the idea of someone holding a Planetbuster when I don't have any defense pods make me nervous.
The Panther posted 04-21-99 08:18 AM ET
Blind research? Da. It makes much more fun.
Phreak posted 04-21-99 12:39 PM ET
I like to go blind myself...(No, not from THAT! >;O ). It's whatever makes the game funner for you. I like blind because in "uncomplicates" part of the game. I don't have to worry about exactly which tech will benefir me the most. I get what I get.
Frank Moore posted 04-21-99 01:03 PM ET
I also use blind exclusively, I think it makes the game more challenging and less predictable.
S_Carton_Esq posted 04-21-99 08:35 PM ET
I use non-blind research exclusively, since one of the things I enjoy most about this type of game is having to make strategic decisions about what technology path to take. If I research this goal, then I will be able make that base facility which will speed up my research further, but on the other hand the Spartans have been making menacing movements along the borders, so perhaps I'd better pursue a technology that gives me better weaponry, etc. Trying to balance all of these concerns sucessfully is what makes the game fun for me, and this sort of strategic thinking is the area where the AI (and all AIs, really) performs abysmaly. The game is "harder" with blind research, in the same sense that it is "harder" if you fully automate all of your formers and let the governer control all of your bases: You have to put up with the consequences of all of mindless things the computer does. On the other hand, automating these things does make the game go a lot more quickly, and that might be an overriding factor for people who are less enthralled by strategic planning than myself.
Nell_Smith posted 04-21-99 08:43 PM ET
I'd agree with S_Carton on this: blind research, while adding an element of random interest to the game, is quite a pain when you find you desperately need a certain tech in order to progress (say, you need Hab Complexes or Recreation Commons) and you have to research several unwanted techs in order to get it. I do use blind research occasionally, just because it's kind of fun, but for serious play I never use it. In terms of realism, also, I feel that researchers would be able to build on previous discoveries and move on to specific related future goals by using what they've learned, as they do in real life. The discovery of the structure of the atom didn't immediately allow the construction of particle accelerators, but it certainly made scientists aware that such a thing would eventually become possible if they directed their research efforts towards it.
And as far as the AI research efforts go, I reckon they're VERY specific... the Spartans always go for the military techs, Morgan always goes for the economic ones, and so on, so why shouldn't the player also be able to point his hard-working scientists in the right direction!
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Author	Topic: Blind research?
PrinceBimz	posted 04-20-99 11:55 PM ET How do most of you guys play with research? Do you play with Blind Reseach on or off?
Schoop	posted 04-21-99 12:42 AM ET Personally, I change from game to game. The Blind Research system emphasizes the different uber-strategies--Explore Discover Build Conquer. Not using it allows the player to advance exactly how they want to, meaning you get that crucial tech when you want it.
Plato90s	posted 04-21-99 01:05 AM ET If you read the tech screen and tech tree carefully, even Blind Research can be guided. First, by looking at the science screen [F2], you can tell by looking at the color of the research accumulation graph which research area you are currently pursuing. Each of the 4 areas have a different color. By consulting the tech tree of the technology you have already, you can generally guess which tech you will get. Keep in mind that under Blind Research, you are not allowed to research two techs in the same field consequetively. If you are currently researching in Discover, your next tech can not be in the Discover area. So after research starts, you should consult the tech tree to see which of the other 3 fields you want to go to. If you choose two fields, the next tech researched will be in the 2nd field which will lead to greater research in the first field. For example, if you choose Discover and Conquer and are currently researching Discover. After you get a Discover tech, the AI will choose an conquer tech preferentially if it will lead to another discover tech. There is still a high degree of uncertainly because when you are in the mid-level of the game [30-70% tech development], there are multiple techs in the same field which you may get. But if you direct Blind Research with care, you can still get where you want to go. Personally, I try to make a beeline for Self-Aware Machines [Defense Pod tech] once I get Advanced Spaceflight. Usually other factions have Spaceflight tech by then, and the idea of someone holding a Planetbuster when I don't have any defense pods make me nervous.
The Panther	posted 04-21-99 08:18 AM ET Blind research? Da. It makes much more fun.
Phreak	posted 04-21-99 12:39 PM ET I like to go blind myself...(No, not from THAT! >;O ). It's whatever makes the game funner for you. I like blind because in "uncomplicates" part of the game. I don't have to worry about exactly which tech will benefir me the most. I get what I get.
Frank Moore	posted 04-21-99 01:03 PM ET I also use blind exclusively, I think it makes the game more challenging and less predictable.
S_Carton_Esq	posted 04-21-99 08:35 PM ET I use non-blind research exclusively, since one of the things I enjoy most about this type of game is having to make strategic decisions about what technology path to take. If I research this goal, then I will be able make that base facility which will speed up my research further, but on the other hand the Spartans have been making menacing movements along the borders, so perhaps I'd better pursue a technology that gives me better weaponry, etc. Trying to balance all of these concerns sucessfully is what makes the game fun for me, and this sort of strategic thinking is the area where the AI (and all AIs, really) performs abysmaly. The game is "harder" with blind research, in the same sense that it is "harder" if you fully automate all of your formers and let the governer control all of your bases: You have to put up with the consequences of all of mindless things the computer does. On the other hand, automating these things does make the game go a lot more quickly, and that might be an overriding factor for people who are less enthralled by strategic planning than myself.
Nell_Smith	posted 04-21-99 08:43 PM ET I'd agree with S_Carton on this: blind research, while adding an element of random interest to the game, is quite a pain when you find you desperately need a certain tech in order to progress (say, you need Hab Complexes or Recreation Commons) and you have to research several unwanted techs in order to get it. I do use blind research occasionally, just because it's kind of fun, but for serious play I never use it. In terms of realism, also, I feel that researchers would be able to build on previous discoveries and move on to specific related future goals by using what they've learned, as they do in real life. The discovery of the structure of the atom didn't immediately allow the construction of particle accelerators, but it certainly made scientists aware that such a thing would eventually become possible if they directed their research efforts towards it. And as far as the AI research efforts go, I reckon they're VERY specific... the Spartans always go for the military techs, Morgan always goes for the economic ones, and so on, so why shouldn't the player also be able to point his hard-working scientists in the right direction!