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Author Topic:   Territorial Waters

carlos posted 11-06-98 12:03 PM ET
Something that really caught my eye in the screenshots was that there are only borders on land. It's strange that they're absent because of the obvious economical value of sea in SMAC (underwater bases,kelp farms, etc.). If two factions can agree on their mutual borders on land why not on sea. Since there is eventually a sort of global council of factions, the factions should be able to agree on a global system of territorial waters (for instance 2 or 3 squares from land). The existence of territorial waters also gives you some warning of coming invasions (which seems reasonable, since it's logical that there's some sort of coastguard present)
Finally the existence of seaborders is more esthetical, since at least in the current screenshots the path of the borders are abruptly cut off each time they hit water. Which is especially ugly on thin stretches of land.
You could say that territorial waters take the dynamics out of seatravel, but since you can always build some sort of submarine or stealth units this problem can be overcome.
Titan posted 11-06-98 12:09 PM ET
I agree that there could be territorial waters, but in civ games, water have always been a way to get to an ennemy without passing through the territory of another civilization, so you dont offend them. Thus the territorial waters should be very small.
Fenris posted 11-06-98 12:19 PM ET
I also agree that territorial waters should be small. If the territory is too large you run into the problem of creating 'land-locked' nations/factions, due to the fact that they are unable to move out from their territory. This wouldn't happen if the faction was against the open ocean, but in a tight isthmus it might lock the player in as effectively as land.
RyanR posted 11-07-98 02:56 AM ET
This could possibly be neutralized by being the Peacekeepers and being at peace/allied with everyone!
DJ RRebel posted 11-07-98 03:08 AM ET
Yes .. I completely agree .. a sea borderwould be good .. but only one map position from land would be my vote .. just enough .. also ... don't forget the underwater bases in SMAC ... I wonder how they will be implemented !!!
I gather they will have to be smaller then their land counterparts !!!
I'm hoping that the resourse area on land is like in Civ2 with 2 squares out of the city ... but only one under sea .. that would be more realistic !!!
Your idea on voting in council is an excellent one though !!! I think if we had to vote on things like that though things would get too complicated ... what happens if someone violates it .... does everyone have to declare war on them ???
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Author	Topic: Territorial Waters
carlos	posted 11-06-98 12:03 PM ET Something that really caught my eye in the screenshots was that there are only borders on land. It's strange that they're absent because of the obvious economical value of sea in SMAC (underwater bases,kelp farms, etc.). If two factions can agree on their mutual borders on land why not on sea. Since there is eventually a sort of global council of factions, the factions should be able to agree on a global system of territorial waters (for instance 2 or 3 squares from land). The existence of territorial waters also gives you some warning of coming invasions (which seems reasonable, since it's logical that there's some sort of coastguard present) Finally the existence of seaborders is more esthetical, since at least in the current screenshots the path of the borders are abruptly cut off each time they hit water. Which is especially ugly on thin stretches of land. You could say that territorial waters take the dynamics out of seatravel, but since you can always build some sort of submarine or stealth units this problem can be overcome.
Titan	posted 11-06-98 12:09 PM ET I agree that there could be territorial waters, but in civ games, water have always been a way to get to an ennemy without passing through the territory of another civilization, so you dont offend them. Thus the territorial waters should be very small.
Fenris	posted 11-06-98 12:19 PM ET I also agree that territorial waters should be small. If the territory is too large you run into the problem of creating 'land-locked' nations/factions, due to the fact that they are unable to move out from their territory. This wouldn't happen if the faction was against the open ocean, but in a tight isthmus it might lock the player in as effectively as land.
RyanR	posted 11-07-98 02:56 AM ET This could possibly be neutralized by being the Peacekeepers and being at peace/allied with everyone!
DJ RRebel	posted 11-07-98 03:08 AM ET Yes .. I completely agree .. a sea borderwould be good .. but only one map position from land would be my vote .. just enough .. also ... don't forget the underwater bases in SMAC ... I wonder how they will be implemented !!! I gather they will have to be smaller then their land counterparts !!! I'm hoping that the resourse area on land is like in Civ2 with 2 squares out of the city ... but only one under sea .. that would be more realistic !!! Your idea on voting in council is an excellent one though !!! I think if we had to vote on things like that though things would get too complicated ... what happens if someone violates it .... does everyone have to declare war on them ???