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Author Topic:   A guide to SMAC: The Planet

Brother Greg posted 11-13-98 12:12 AM ET
This, brothers and sisters, is to be the repository for all of the knowledge we have compiled about SMAC. Whether it be through magazines, web sites, or the hallowed forums themselves, if it has been stated somewhere, I want to see it here. However, try not to duplicate TOO much of the FAQ or the story. =)
Each "topic" I will prefix with the title: "A guide to SMAC: [topic name]" for easy reference. If you feel the lack of a topic, feel free to start it. Just try and stick to the same naming conventions...
Hopefully this should be a comprehensive guide to all of the "verified" knowledge that we have. A good guide for newbies, and a good reference for the vets amongst us. Please quote all sources. Note that some information may be old, and out of date, esp from the old forums. Feel free to add any verified facts, no matter how old they may be...
Also note that I don't see this as a place to debate the merits of the knowledge. Please start a new thread if that is your wish. Otherwise, people may have to wade through hundreds of lines to discover something. =)
So, to start off the "Planet" topic:
Native Life
-----------
Native life will appear in SMAC in the form of Mind Worms and Xenofungus amongst others. Mind worms may be tamed, but not too sure about Xenofungus. Changes to the environment via terraforming may cause Xenofungus to multiply. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum)
Mind worms, as the name suggests, have a form of mind control (called Psi). (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum, and the Gallery - Design your own Unit)
The planet itself is sentient in some way. My guess is that it may even be linked in with the ascent to transcendance. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum)
Habitat
-------
In it's natural state, the habitat of Chiron is hostile to human life, and the decision to use terraforming or not, and in what degree will be a major factor in the game. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum)
Terraforming
------------
The course of rivers may be changed, and terrain may be raised or lowered (yes, you can raise or destroy a mountain). This will change the environment of surrounding terrain, such as raising or lowering rainfall, temperature, and possibly minerals (don't ask me how though). This will cause changes to the resources produced by a city. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum)
SnowFire posted 11-13-98 01:22 AM ET
Area is ranked on three things: rockiness, fertility, and something else (help? someone?). You can only devote a sqare to either food or minerals or (something else? maybe energy production?), so the goal is to turn every square into either perfect farmland or pure ore-filled mountain. Of course this is easier said than done.
BoomBoom posted 11-13-98 08:01 AM ET
You can also create landbridges across the sea, or remove them, for whatever strategic need. i wonder if that will affect the world weather pattern? I could imagine that if you build a landbridge through the gulfstream in the atlantic, that the weather pattern would change drastically. I can also see how creating a landbridge would eat away a massive amounts of resources.
MikeH II posted 11-13-98 09:23 AM ET
I remember there was an outcry about being able to raise/lower land before you could divert a river has anyone got any new info about that?
I still think you should be able to divert a river before you can raise a mountain.
jsorense posted 11-13-98 02:18 PM ET
Native Life:
There have been two other lifeforms mentioned:
Guncotton trees (in Brian Reynold's Preliminary Colonization Report)
Isles of Life(?) something living in the sea (from L`Despot's last interview with Brian Reynolds and Mike Ely)
DJ RRebel posted 11-13-98 02:33 PM ET
Don't forget people, that teraforming probably won't come into effect until at least half way into the game !!! Plus it will come at a huge expense of waisting you settlers' (or whatever they'll be called) time !!!
I'm really curious how they'lll do the river thing, because all you have to do is divert a river mid-way, and the bottom half will be completely different .. or the river could end up filling in an area of low land !!!
Plus ... don't forget the global warming effect !!! Apparently the seas could rise during the game !!!
I'm guessing each piece of terrain will be coded with its elevation !!! I hope we have access to that number !!!
DHE_X2 posted 11-13-98 11:27 PM ET
There are two newly mentioned lifeforms, Chiron locusts, and isles of the deep, both of which can carry mindworms over diistances, acting as transports.
this info was gathered off of gamespot.
Mortis posted 11-13-98 11:37 PM ET
SnowFire - The third thing is elevation.
Yo_Yo_Yo_Hey posted 11-14-98 12:27 AM ET
Special Terrain--
There are several terrain features which improve some stats in the terrain. From my knowledge, the 2 I can remember are the Garland Crater, & the Uranium Flats. I know one of the FIRAXISians mentioned another one somewhere.
YYYH
BKK the Mentat posted 11-14-98 03:02 PM ET
Here is all avalible data on the Alpha Centauri system.( thank you Brian Reynolds!!)
PLANETS OF ALPHA CENTAURI A
===========================
Solar Constant Sol Alpha CentauiA Ratio
Mass Kg 1.99E+30 2.15E+30 1.08
Luminosity W 3.89E+26 5.63E+26 1.45
Radius m 6.96E+08 7.59E+08 1.09
Planetery constants Earth Planet /Ratio
Chiron(Alpha Centauri A II)
Mass kg 5.98E+24 1.10E+25 1.84
Equateral radius m 6.38E+06 7.54E+06 1.18
Distance from star m 1.50E+11 1.60E+11 1.07
Axial tilt degrees 23.45 2.00 0.09
Surface area m2 5.10E+14 7.18E+14 1.41
Standard gravity m-s2 9.81 12.85 1.31
Escape velociy m-s1 11184 13947 1.25
Density kg m3 5519 6150 1.11
Size of sun degrees 0.27 0.27 1.02
Year our days 365.3 388.6 1.06
Year local days 365.3 532.0 1.46
Day hours 24.00 17.53 0.73
Mountin height m 10626 8112 0.76
Horizen distance m 5051 5493 1.09
Ocean tide (Sun) m 0.12 0.12 0.94
Ocean tide (moon 1) m 0.27 0.18 0.67
Ocean tide (moon 2) m 0.11
Ocean tide (both)m 0.39 0.41 1.05
Atmoshere
Total pressure Pa 101325 176020 1.74
Nitrogen Pa 79125 160000 2.02
Oxygen Pa 21228 15000 0.71
Argon Pa 942 1000 1.06
Carbon dioxide Pa 30 20 0.67
Nitrogen 78.09% 90.90% 1.16
Oxygen 20.95% 8.52% 0.41
Argon 0.93% 0.57% 0.61
Carbon dioxide 0.03% 0.01% 0.4
Surface density Kg-m3 1.22 2.06 1.68
"Flammibility" mmol KJ-1 7.17 2.87 0.40
Effective temp. K 253 261 1.03
Greenhouse effect K +36 +32 0.90
Surface temp. K 288 293 1.01
Surface temp. C 15.4 19.7 1.28
Solar constant Wm-2 1383 1750 1.27
Moon #1 (Nessus) The Moon Nessus
Mass kg 7.35E+22 6.50E+21 0.09
Radius m 1.74E+06 8.00E+05 0.46
Dist. from planet m 3.84E+08 2.00E+08 0.52
Surface area m2 3.80E+13 8.04E+12 0.21
Mean gravity m-s2 1.62 0.68 0.42
Density Kg-m3 3342 3031 0.91
Synodic month our days 29.5 7.7 0.26
Synodic month local days 29.5 10.6 0.36
Syn. months/year 12.4 50.2 4.05
Angular radius degrees 0.26 0.23 0.88
Moon #2(Pholus) The Moon Pholus
Mass Kg 7.35E+22 5.20E+20 0.01
Radius m 1.74E+06 3.50E+05 0.20
Dist. from planet m 3.84E+08 1.00E+08 0.26
Surface area m2 3.80E+13 1.54E+12 0.04
Mean gravity m-s2 1.62 0.28 0.17
Density Kgm-3 3342 2895 0.87
Synodic month our days 29.5 2.7 0.09
Synodic month local days 29.5 3.7 0.13
Syn. months/yr 12.39 143.76 11.60
Angular radius degrees 0.26 0.20 0.77
Eutryon(Mercurian planet) Earth Eutryon Ratio
Mass Kg 5.98E+24 5.16E+23 0.09
Equat. radius m 6.38E+06 2.82E+06 0.44
Dist. from star m 1.50E+11 7.06E+10 0.47
Surface area m-2 5.10E+14 9.98E+13 0.20
Standard gravity m-s2 9.81 4.33 0.44
Escape velocity M-s1 11184 4942 0.44
Density Kg-m3 5519 5503 1.00
Size of sun degrees 0.27 0.62 2.31
Year our days 365.3 113.8 0.31
Year local days 365.3 SYNCRONUS
Horizen distance m 5051 3357 0.66
Surf.temprature K 288 438 1.52
Surf.temprature C 15.4 165.3 10.71
Solar constant W m-2 1383 8999 6.51
I'll type up more after lunch.
SnowFire posted 11-14-98 03:15 PM ET
You are correct Mortis. Tiles are ranked on elevation as well.
Don't forget Planetologist Del Cotter's report on the possible colonization of AC, in the "Brian Renylod's Data on AC, please?" thread.
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Author	Topic: A guide to SMAC: The Planet
Brother Greg	posted 11-13-98 12:12 AM ET This, brothers and sisters, is to be the repository for all of the knowledge we have compiled about SMAC. Whether it be through magazines, web sites, or the hallowed forums themselves, if it has been stated somewhere, I want to see it here. However, try not to duplicate TOO much of the FAQ or the story. =) Each "topic" I will prefix with the title: "A guide to SMAC: [topic name]" for easy reference. If you feel the lack of a topic, feel free to start it. Just try and stick to the same naming conventions... Hopefully this should be a comprehensive guide to all of the "verified" knowledge that we have. A good guide for newbies, and a good reference for the vets amongst us. Please quote all sources. Note that some information may be old, and out of date, esp from the old forums. Feel free to add any verified facts, no matter how old they may be... Also note that I don't see this as a place to debate the merits of the knowledge. Please start a new thread if that is your wish. Otherwise, people may have to wade through hundreds of lines to discover something. =) So, to start off the "Planet" topic: Native Life ----------- Native life will appear in SMAC in the form of Mind Worms and Xenofungus amongst others. Mind worms may be tamed, but not too sure about Xenofungus. Changes to the environment via terraforming may cause Xenofungus to multiply. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum) Mind worms, as the name suggests, have a form of mind control (called Psi). (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum, and the Gallery - Design your own Unit) The planet itself is sentient in some way. My guess is that it may even be linked in with the ascent to transcendance. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum) Habitat ------- In it's natural state, the habitat of Chiron is hostile to human life, and the decision to use terraforming or not, and in what degree will be a major factor in the game. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum) Terraforming ------------ The course of rivers may be changed, and terrain may be raised or lowered (yes, you can raise or destroy a mountain). This will change the environment of surrounding terrain, such as raising or lowering rainfall, temperature, and possibly minerals (don't ask me how though). This will cause changes to the resources produced by a city. (from posts by Firaxis on the old forum)
SnowFire	posted 11-13-98 01:22 AM ET Area is ranked on three things: rockiness, fertility, and something else (help? someone?). You can only devote a sqare to either food or minerals or (something else? maybe energy production?), so the goal is to turn every square into either perfect farmland or pure ore-filled mountain. Of course this is easier said than done.
BoomBoom	posted 11-13-98 08:01 AM ET You can also create landbridges across the sea, or remove them, for whatever strategic need. i wonder if that will affect the world weather pattern? I could imagine that if you build a landbridge through the gulfstream in the atlantic, that the weather pattern would change drastically. I can also see how creating a landbridge would eat away a massive amounts of resources.
MikeH II	posted 11-13-98 09:23 AM ET I remember there was an outcry about being able to raise/lower land before you could divert a river has anyone got any new info about that? I still think you should be able to divert a river before you can raise a mountain.
jsorense	posted 11-13-98 02:18 PM ET Native Life: There have been two other lifeforms mentioned: Guncotton trees (in Brian Reynold's Preliminary Colonization Report) Isles of Life(?) something living in the sea (from L`Despot's last interview with Brian Reynolds and Mike Ely)
DJ RRebel	posted 11-13-98 02:33 PM ET Don't forget people, that teraforming probably won't come into effect until at least half way into the game !!! Plus it will come at a huge expense of waisting you settlers' (or whatever they'll be called) time !!! I'm really curious how they'lll do the river thing, because all you have to do is divert a river mid-way, and the bottom half will be completely different .. or the river could end up filling in an area of low land !!! Plus ... don't forget the global warming effect !!! Apparently the seas could rise during the game !!! I'm guessing each piece of terrain will be coded with its elevation !!! I hope we have access to that number !!!
DHE_X2	posted 11-13-98 11:27 PM ET There are two newly mentioned lifeforms, Chiron locusts, and isles of the deep, both of which can carry mindworms over diistances, acting as transports. this info was gathered off of gamespot.
Mortis	posted 11-13-98 11:37 PM ET SnowFire - The third thing is elevation.
Yo_Yo_Yo_Hey	posted 11-14-98 12:27 AM ET Special Terrain-- There are several terrain features which improve some stats in the terrain. From my knowledge, the 2 I can remember are the Garland Crater, & the Uranium Flats. I know one of the FIRAXISians mentioned another one somewhere. YYYH
BKK the Mentat	posted 11-14-98 03:02 PM ET Here is all avalible data on the Alpha Centauri system.( thank you Brian Reynolds!!) PLANETS OF ALPHA CENTAURI A =========================== Solar Constant Sol Alpha CentauiA Ratio Mass Kg 1.99E+30 2.15E+30 1.08 Luminosity W 3.89E+26 5.63E+26 1.45 Radius m 6.96E+08 7.59E+08 1.09 Planetery constants Earth Planet /Ratio Chiron(Alpha Centauri A II) Mass kg 5.98E+24 1.10E+25 1.84 Equateral radius m 6.38E+06 7.54E+06 1.18 Distance from star m 1.50E+11 1.60E+11 1.07 Axial tilt degrees 23.45 2.00 0.09 Surface area m2 5.10E+14 7.18E+14 1.41 Standard gravity m-s2 9.81 12.85 1.31 Escape velociy m-s1 11184 13947 1.25 Density kg m3 5519 6150 1.11 Size of sun degrees 0.27 0.27 1.02 Year our days 365.3 388.6 1.06 Year local days 365.3 532.0 1.46 Day hours 24.00 17.53 0.73 Mountin height m 10626 8112 0.76 Horizen distance m 5051 5493 1.09 Ocean tide (Sun) m 0.12 0.12 0.94 Ocean tide (moon 1) m 0.27 0.18 0.67 Ocean tide (moon 2) m 0.11 Ocean tide (both)m 0.39 0.41 1.05 Atmoshere Total pressure Pa 101325 176020 1.74 Nitrogen Pa 79125 160000 2.02 Oxygen Pa 21228 15000 0.71 Argon Pa 942 1000 1.06 Carbon dioxide Pa 30 20 0.67 Nitrogen 78.09% 90.90% 1.16 Oxygen 20.95% 8.52% 0.41 Argon 0.93% 0.57% 0.61 Carbon dioxide 0.03% 0.01% 0.4 Surface density Kg-m3 1.22 2.06 1.68 "Flammibility" mmol KJ-1 7.17 2.87 0.40 Effective temp. K 253 261 1.03 Greenhouse effect K +36 +32 0.90 Surface temp. K 288 293 1.01 Surface temp. C 15.4 19.7 1.28 Solar constant Wm-2 1383 1750 1.27 Moon #1 (Nessus) The Moon Nessus Mass kg 7.35E+22 6.50E+21 0.09 Radius m 1.74E+06 8.00E+05 0.46 Dist. from planet m 3.84E+08 2.00E+08 0.52 Surface area m2 3.80E+13 8.04E+12 0.21 Mean gravity m-s2 1.62 0.68 0.42 Density Kg-m3 3342 3031 0.91 Synodic month our days 29.5 7.7 0.26 Synodic month local days 29.5 10.6 0.36 Syn. months/year 12.4 50.2 4.05 Angular radius degrees 0.26 0.23 0.88 Moon #2(Pholus) The Moon Pholus Mass Kg 7.35E+22 5.20E+20 0.01 Radius m 1.74E+06 3.50E+05 0.20 Dist. from planet m 3.84E+08 1.00E+08 0.26 Surface area m2 3.80E+13 1.54E+12 0.04 Mean gravity m-s2 1.62 0.28 0.17 Density Kgm-3 3342 2895 0.87 Synodic month our days 29.5 2.7 0.09 Synodic month local days 29.5 3.7 0.13 Syn. months/yr 12.39 143.76 11.60 Angular radius degrees 0.26 0.20 0.77 Eutryon(Mercurian planet) Earth Eutryon Ratio Mass Kg 5.98E+24 5.16E+23 0.09 Equat. radius m 6.38E+06 2.82E+06 0.44 Dist. from star m 1.50E+11 7.06E+10 0.47 Surface area m-2 5.10E+14 9.98E+13 0.20 Standard gravity m-s2 9.81 4.33 0.44 Escape velocity M-s1 11184 4942 0.44 Density Kg-m3 5519 5503 1.00 Size of sun degrees 0.27 0.62 2.31 Year our days 365.3 113.8 0.31 Year local days 365.3 SYNCRONUS Horizen distance m 5051 3357 0.66 Surf.temprature K 288 438 1.52 Surf.temprature C 15.4 165.3 10.71 Solar constant W m-2 1383 8999 6.51 I'll type up more after lunch.
SnowFire	posted 11-14-98 03:15 PM ET You are correct Mortis. Tiles are ranked on elevation as well. Don't forget Planetologist Del Cotter's report on the possible colonization of AC, in the "Brian Renylod's Data on AC, please?" thread.