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Author Topic:   Something Else to Talk About...

Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS posted 07-03-99 03:11 PM ET
In a oh-so-obvious attempt to change the subject, I present to you, THE V4 README.TXT. Well, the new stuff section at least.
ADDITIONS\ENHANCEMENTS
� Check out the new landmark: the Manifold Nexus, a ruined remnant of an extensive alien complex with a mysterious relationship to the Planet itself. The faction possessing the Nexus inside its territory enjoys an improved relationship with Planet (+1 on the Social Engineering scale).
� You can now see AI player's social engineering settings.
� Wheelmouse support implemented for most listboxes and when picking production choices.
FIXES
� Singularity reactors now have 40 HP, so they are balanced in psi combat.
� The AI no longer can use missiles beyond their designated range.
� You can no longer use long-range fire via right-click when out of range of the target.
� Automated formers no longer build bunkers prior to having the required technology.
� The Self-Aware Colony now correctly halves maintenance.
� The Space Elevator now correctly doubles mineral production when building satellites.
� Units should no longer switch their home bases automatically.
� The game no longer locks up when all players choose factions in a MP scenario that aren't present and END OF TURN is selected.
� Airdropped transports no longer leave cargo behind.
� You can no longer switch the AI's governor settings from the F4 screen.
� If you zoom to a base from the F4 Base Operations screen, when you return to the F4 screen you can now use the PgUp and PgDn hotkeys to scroll the window.
� Loading a map in the scenario editor after generating one now updates the minimap.
jkm
firaxis games
JAMstillAM posted 07-03-99 03:21 PM ET
Jeff,
In an obvious attempt to keep the subject changed, I ask:
If you PB the Manifold Nexus, does Planet swallow you up?
Exactly, how will the Space Elevator work "correctly"? Will it double the mineral output of the base for making orbitals AND cause the eco-damage to go out of control. Or, is that fixed. Was that supposed to be a feature or a bug, when it did that before? Version2, it think. I can logically see it either way.
JAMiAM
Darkstar posted 07-03-99 03:23 PM ET
Thanks for the bone Jeff.
You guys got a lot of bugs, it looks like...
WHEELMOUSE SUPPORT! Yeah! Once you get use to those things, its hard to go back...
-Darkstar
(Looking forward to upgrading to V4..)
MichaeltheGreat posted 07-03-99 03:34 PM ET
Thanks for the info Jeff - I bet you didn't have all this in mind for the fourth of July barbecue, did you? (supposed to be a joke, but infantry humor is sometimes hard to understand for normal humans)
I've said everything I've had to say on the old subject, so I'll let it drop and hope that cooler heads will return on all sides.
I have a question for you that I haven't been able to find an answer for: Is there a way to create specific elevations and mountain shapes in the SE without hacking the map? I'm trying to create some multiplayer scenarios where players get cloned starting positions so that no one starts with any geographic advantage.
Failing a direct solution to that - is there any info I can get, here or by email, about the format of the map file, so I can manually hack it to make the layouts I want. I have no problem executing any standard non-disclosure agreement you guys might have, and if you want, I could provide you with some very interesting and innovative multiplayer scenarios that you could make available as downloads from this or the Firaxis sites.
evil_conquerer posted 07-03-99 03:48 PM ET
Thank you so much for this desperately-wanted update. This is the kind of thing that should happen at least once a month. Preferably, you could post it in the "messages from Firaxis" section, where it really belongs, as well as the Game section, where everybody will see it. Hopefully, regular updates will keep the CWAL factor (Can't Wait Any Longer) at bay. You've been diligent in responding to questions elsewhere in the forum, as in Darkstar's thread, but any updates that are considered important should probably be posted in a separate thread to ensure that everybody sees it. Thx
Krushala posted 07-03-99 05:52 PM ET
I like the fact that SE settings of ai factions can be viewed. But I still think it should be in datalink infiltration. That doesn't seem to coincide with a manifold nexus theme. But datalink infiltration is already too powerful as it is.
I thought they fixed space elevator with patch 3. I no longer get massive ecodamage from orbital facilities. Does this mean I will get massive ecodamage from building satellites again? At least there is a reason for building self aware colony now.
Krushala posted 07-03-99 05:53 PM ET
I think I misread that SE setting thing. I thought that was under the same paragraph as manifold nexus. Does this mean SE settings can be viewed with datalink infiltration?
Zardoz posted 07-03-99 06:39 PM ET
Thanks for the update ot patch 4. Hope we can actually install it soon.
yin26 posted 07-03-99 07:10 PM ET
This is a great update, Jeff. I look forward to trying it out. And once the Apolyton list is out, I'm going to challenge a few of the pretenders to a PBEM game.
Anybody feel like breaking in v4.0 by getting utterly humiliated by the forces of Yin?
MichaeltheGreat posted 07-03-99 07:19 PM ET
Yin - you've always got a great sense of humor - the farces of Yin, I'm up for any challenge. MtG
MikeH II posted 07-03-99 08:10 PM ET
Jeff, you are so smooth. Nice subtle way of giving nearly everyone what they want.
MikeH
Ps Yes, I may be drunk but I'm still always right.
OldWarrior_42 posted 07-03-99 09:48 PM ET
One thing to ask...Jeff..shouldnt this info also be posted on Firaxis' official game site. I see nothing posted there at all. And maybe other sites that serve up AC stuff such as Apolyton etc...could be told about the post also and include it on their site as well.
laurens posted 07-04-99 01:14 AM ET
Certain bugs that I thought were missed out on Jeff's mail:
1) The upgrade screen from the workshop, when units ought to get their turns cancelled out.
2) With or without right-click, the unlimited artillery/ship bombardment should be corrected.
3) Limitations to changing social engineering models in the same turn instead of an 'upheaval refund'.
4) No unlimted missile range, AND PLANET BUSTERS range.
5) If possible, try to get the pressure dome to be seen from the game screen itself, instead of having to go to the base screen.
6) Similarly, eco-damage for all bases ought to be shown from one of the big screens (such as F3,F4 or F6) instead of performing routine checks on individual cities.
7) If only it is possible to load MP-games conveniently - without having to "save and exit" for one game and then go about running the setup to load the second.
-- Finally, if you or Firaxis will be able to express your view on whether renouncing of pacts through the commlink window during sunspot activity would be considered as a bug or feature of the game.
Kf6 posted 07-04-99 05:55 AM ET
WAIT! There's other bugs to fix: in hotseat games it should notify ALL players of events (such as "diedre has begun building the Space Elevator secret project!) and not just one person, also all battle results are played at the end of only one person's turn. Also in hotseat even if you don't have it set for Iron Man mode it does NOT autosave in hotseat so you must save regularly, I'm sure this was a mistake and not intentional. Thanks!
OldWarrior_42 posted 07-04-99 05:59 AM ET
Kf6...too late ..if those are all the bugs they fixed then they left out alot and yours aint gettin done until maybe smacx or y or z... Sorry dude .
Krushala posted 07-04-99 04:45 PM ET
It's too late for patch 4 but we still have smacx. I would like to see the right click drop unit bug fixed. But we don't have a spokesman here lack we did for patch 4 with yin.
aceplayer posted 07-04-99 04:50 PM ET
I think we should all appreciate how Firaxis has always made its new versions upward compatable. So our old sav files always work on the new versions.
congrats
Krushala posted 07-04-99 05:13 PM ET
I thought version 1 didn't work with version 3. I remember finishing a game before I downloaded it.
Alexnm posted 07-05-99 12:31 AM ET
I hope they have adjusted the datalinks to this new features and informations. In version 3.0, the information shown by the datalinks was not right, in some cases. I know we players can do it by ourselves, but it would be soooo much easy to have it fixed with version 4.0.
P.S. sorry the awful English. I am very sleepy .
Krushala posted 09-06-99 08:58 PM ET
patch 4 woohoo, manifold nexus thingy
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Author	Topic: Something Else to Talk About...
Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS	posted 07-03-99 03:11 PM ET In a oh-so-obvious attempt to change the subject, I present to you, THE V4 README.TXT. Well, the new stuff section at least. ADDITIONS\ENHANCEMENTS � Check out the new landmark: the Manifold Nexus, a ruined remnant of an extensive alien complex with a mysterious relationship to the Planet itself. The faction possessing the Nexus inside its territory enjoys an improved relationship with Planet (+1 on the Social Engineering scale). � You can now see AI player's social engineering settings. � Wheelmouse support implemented for most listboxes and when picking production choices. FIXES � Singularity reactors now have 40 HP, so they are balanced in psi combat. � The AI no longer can use missiles beyond their designated range. � You can no longer use long-range fire via right-click when out of range of the target. � Automated formers no longer build bunkers prior to having the required technology. � The Self-Aware Colony now correctly halves maintenance. � The Space Elevator now correctly doubles mineral production when building satellites. � Units should no longer switch their home bases automatically. � The game no longer locks up when all players choose factions in a MP scenario that aren't present and END OF TURN is selected. � Airdropped transports no longer leave cargo behind. � You can no longer switch the AI's governor settings from the F4 screen. � If you zoom to a base from the F4 Base Operations screen, when you return to the F4 screen you can now use the PgUp and PgDn hotkeys to scroll the window. � Loading a map in the scenario editor after generating one now updates the minimap. jkm firaxis games
JAMstillAM	posted 07-03-99 03:21 PM ET Jeff, In an obvious attempt to keep the subject changed, I ask: If you PB the Manifold Nexus, does Planet swallow you up? Exactly, how will the Space Elevator work "correctly"? Will it double the mineral output of the base for making orbitals AND cause the eco-damage to go out of control. Or, is that fixed. Was that supposed to be a feature or a bug, when it did that before? Version2, it think. I can logically see it either way. JAMiAM
Darkstar	posted 07-03-99 03:23 PM ET Thanks for the bone Jeff. You guys got a lot of bugs, it looks like... WHEELMOUSE SUPPORT! Yeah! Once you get use to those things, its hard to go back... -Darkstar (Looking forward to upgrading to V4..)
MichaeltheGreat	posted 07-03-99 03:34 PM ET Thanks for the info Jeff - I bet you didn't have all this in mind for the fourth of July barbecue, did you? (supposed to be a joke, but infantry humor is sometimes hard to understand for normal humans) I've said everything I've had to say on the old subject, so I'll let it drop and hope that cooler heads will return on all sides. I have a question for you that I haven't been able to find an answer for: Is there a way to create specific elevations and mountain shapes in the SE without hacking the map? I'm trying to create some multiplayer scenarios where players get cloned starting positions so that no one starts with any geographic advantage. Failing a direct solution to that - is there any info I can get, here or by email, about the format of the map file, so I can manually hack it to make the layouts I want. I have no problem executing any standard non-disclosure agreement you guys might have, and if you want, I could provide you with some very interesting and innovative multiplayer scenarios that you could make available as downloads from this or the Firaxis sites.
evil_conquerer	posted 07-03-99 03:48 PM ET Thank you so much for this desperately-wanted update. This is the kind of thing that should happen at least once a month. Preferably, you could post it in the "messages from Firaxis" section, where it really belongs, as well as the Game section, where everybody will see it. Hopefully, regular updates will keep the CWAL factor (Can't Wait Any Longer) at bay. You've been diligent in responding to questions elsewhere in the forum, as in Darkstar's thread, but any updates that are considered important should probably be posted in a separate thread to ensure that everybody sees it. Thx
Krushala	posted 07-03-99 05:52 PM ET I like the fact that SE settings of ai factions can be viewed. But I still think it should be in datalink infiltration. That doesn't seem to coincide with a manifold nexus theme. But datalink infiltration is already too powerful as it is. I thought they fixed space elevator with patch 3. I no longer get massive ecodamage from orbital facilities. Does this mean I will get massive ecodamage from building satellites again? At least there is a reason for building self aware colony now.
Krushala	posted 07-03-99 05:53 PM ET I think I misread that SE setting thing. I thought that was under the same paragraph as manifold nexus. Does this mean SE settings can be viewed with datalink infiltration?
Zardoz	posted 07-03-99 06:39 PM ET Thanks for the update ot patch 4. Hope we can actually install it soon.
yin26	posted 07-03-99 07:10 PM ET This is a great update, Jeff. I look forward to trying it out. And once the Apolyton list is out, I'm going to challenge a few of the pretenders to a PBEM game. Anybody feel like breaking in v4.0 by getting utterly humiliated by the forces of Yin?
MichaeltheGreat	posted 07-03-99 07:19 PM ET Yin - you've always got a great sense of humor - the farces of Yin, I'm up for any challenge. MtG
MikeH II	posted 07-03-99 08:10 PM ET Jeff, you are so smooth. Nice subtle way of giving nearly everyone what they want. MikeH Ps Yes, I may be drunk but I'm still always right.
OldWarrior_42	posted 07-03-99 09:48 PM ET One thing to ask...Jeff..shouldnt this info also be posted on Firaxis' official game site. I see nothing posted there at all. And maybe other sites that serve up AC stuff such as Apolyton etc...could be told about the post also and include it on their site as well.
laurens	posted 07-04-99 01:14 AM ET Certain bugs that I thought were missed out on Jeff's mail: 1) The upgrade screen from the workshop, when units ought to get their turns cancelled out. 2) With or without right-click, the unlimited artillery/ship bombardment should be corrected. 3) Limitations to changing social engineering models in the same turn instead of an 'upheaval refund'. 4) No unlimted missile range, AND PLANET BUSTERS range. 5) If possible, try to get the pressure dome to be seen from the game screen itself, instead of having to go to the base screen. 6) Similarly, eco-damage for all bases ought to be shown from one of the big screens (such as F3,F4 or F6) instead of performing routine checks on individual cities. 7) If only it is possible to load MP-games conveniently - without having to "save and exit" for one game and then go about running the setup to load the second. -- Finally, if you or Firaxis will be able to express your view on whether renouncing of pacts through the commlink window during sunspot activity would be considered as a bug or feature of the game.
Kf6	posted 07-04-99 05:55 AM ET WAIT! There's other bugs to fix: in hotseat games it should notify ALL players of events (such as "diedre has begun building the Space Elevator secret project!) and not just one person, also all battle results are played at the end of only one person's turn. Also in hotseat even if you don't have it set for Iron Man mode it does NOT autosave in hotseat so you must save regularly, I'm sure this was a mistake and not intentional. Thanks!
OldWarrior_42	posted 07-04-99 05:59 AM ET Kf6...too late ..if those are all the bugs they fixed then they left out alot and yours aint gettin done until maybe smacx or y or z... Sorry dude .
Krushala	posted 07-04-99 04:45 PM ET It's too late for patch 4 but we still have smacx. I would like to see the right click drop unit bug fixed. But we don't have a spokesman here lack we did for patch 4 with yin.
aceplayer	posted 07-04-99 04:50 PM ET I think we should all appreciate how Firaxis has always made its new versions upward compatable. So our old sav files always work on the new versions. congrats
Krushala	posted 07-04-99 05:13 PM ET I thought version 1 didn't work with version 3. I remember finishing a game before I downloaded it.
Alexnm	posted 07-05-99 12:31 AM ET I hope they have adjusted the datalinks to this new features and informations. In version 3.0, the information shown by the datalinks was not right, in some cases. I know we players can do it by ourselves, but it would be soooo much easy to have it fixed with version 4.0. P.S. sorry the awful English. I am very sleepy .
Krushala	posted 09-06-99 08:58 PM ET patch 4 woohoo, manifold nexus thingy