posted 08-04-99 03:27 PM ET        

I recently purchased a copy of Master of Orion II for the whopping price of $15US. I am tremendously enjoying this "cute" game as it is a lot of fun and runs flawlessly on my system.

I suggest the following boycott. All of you who own MOOII, go out and dust it off and reinstall it. Those of you who don't, go out and buy a copy at the local store or directly from Microprose(I think they charge $20US). We will then inundate this forum with stories about our games, strategies, bugs and the like. Then let's see how quick JKM will change his measure of us.

Let the unwashed masses unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted 08-04-99 04:23 PM ET            

Maybe we should all talk about Civ2. (No jokes that SMAC is Civ2) Or Civ:ToT.

posted 08-04-99 04:58 PM ET            

Er... You have a good point. However, the immediate annoyance value is what I was after. All in all, if it gives them some extra bucks to hire programmers who will make a better game, well I can live with that.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not trying to be vindictive. I'm just trying to give JKM the swift kick in the arse that he so richly deserves.

Now onto the more important subject of the use of the word "SMACophant". I own the rights to that word as I was the one who created it(and also all of the hatemail). Your unauthorized use is in violation of the uncleroggy bylaws Section 4, subparagraph c. As such, if you wish to use the term SMACophant without the repercussions of hearing from my lawyers( the well known firm of Wie, Cheatem & Howe), then you must formally file for written permission. Upon receipt of the aforementioned request, you will be granted authorization number 002. Sorry, you can't have number 001 as that was meritoriously given to my pact-brother Yin in the early days following SMAC release.

posted 08-04-99 09:17 PM ET            

You only think it's a good idea because you know I sent you a copy off MOO!

Actually, it might make you mad if we have too much fun before you get it in the mail.

posted 08-04-99 10:28 PM ET            

Actually I think it's fun because it might put some relevance back into these forums for me. Most people seem to have gone over to ACOL (www.planetsid.com), so I spend time either there or at Apolyton (if you haven't read RC's "FIRAXIANS" on ACOL yet, you really must. Seriously funny sh*t, better than Yin even).

You're right about the mail bit, though. "What's a Psilon? What's an Antarian? What does a <[bunch of technical spaceship talk]> actually do?

posted 08-05-99 12:32 AM ET            

No checks will be accepted. You see, I've already been told what my 2 cents is worth.

Thank you for your request. You have been formally issued SMACophant license #002. Please use this monaker responsibly. Well, at least more responsibly than I have in the past.

Yes, you are right in that the best way to get at them is to ignore them. However, as I said before, I am not trying to be vindictive. I do not wish ill will on JKM or anyone at FX's. In fact, I have had numerous chats with BR and Chris Pine and have always been well received and found them to be genuinely pleasant people. OTOH, a swift kick in the arse for JKM and an apology still sound pretty good.

Seriously though, I think Analyst has it on the money when he calls it hubris. The people at FX's seen to demonstrate that they live in their own world. I don't know, maybe a little success gave them a serious case of inflatohead and they think they have the only recipe for success. BTW, if you want inflatohead license #001 you can have it.

Shining1,

Contrary to JKM's dispersions and this long post, I do not create a social life for myself on the forums. In fact, I usually only visit this forum and Apolyton with any regularity. However, I'll give ACOL a peek as you recommend it.

RE: TI in MOOII. Sorry, I can't answer that as I am getting beaten pretty regularly on the normal level.

Let me know when you get your copy and I'll try to help you get past the 10000 mistakes that I have made.

posted 08-05-99 01:32 AM ET            

In honor of our long-standing as pact brothers, in memory of my fond MOO days, and to join your protest and general enjoy a computer game, I have just ordered MOO2 from Chips and Bits.

$9.99 Yes. You read that right. Forget ordering from Micropose. I have to have this game shipped to Korea and the price STILL came in under $20. Of course, I took the slow mail option, which means I won't have the game for two weeks. (The 4-5 day mail option would have cost $40!).

Once I have the game, I plan to have many great MOO2 discussions with you right here on the SMAC site.

posted 08-05-99 03:02 AM ET            

There's no exact MOO2 equivalent of Transcend Ironman, but there are numerous ways to make Impossible _much_ harder.

1. Play against Tom Holsinger's xenophobic expansionist super-races (manufactured courtesy of the Melting Pot editor).

2. Use the COrion2 editor to beef up the Monsters and the Guardian of Orion to nearly unbeatable strength.

3. Play Pre-warp Feudal, Uncreative, Poor Home World with no positive picks.

4. Or Cybernetic -Food -Production PHW.

5. Daunting combinations of the above.

Incidentally, why don't you all join us over at news.sff.net (in sff.games.antares.moo2.*)? The First Ones have moved out, so there's plenty of room in this galaxy for newcomers.

Folks: if you'd like some strategy hints for MOO2, just ask. I've collected just about everything ever published by the smartest players of all time. None of whom is me, btw.

posted 08-05-99 11:15 AM ET            

Thanks for the good info on MOO. I'll take a look at the site if you promise not to let JKM know. If he finds out that I've visited 4 sites, he will surely feel vindication that I am creating an on-line existence for my pathetic life. Furthermore and god forbid, he might print a followup article.

Seriously though, I'm not kidding when I say that I'm getting beat pretty regularly on the normal level. Perhaps I might want to hold off on picking a fight with super races or tying one of my hands behind my back until I have a better picture of how things play.

Regarding my screen name. I tend to be in agreement with Analyst that I should change it to oxy-moron. Otherwise, feel free to slice it and dice it as you see fit. One word of warning though. Never, and I say again never, call me late for dinner.

posted 08-06-99 12:55 AM ET            

It was bound to happen, but I figure that if my money goes to one group, it might as well go to some others, too.

posted 08-07-99 04:37 AM ET            

Aside from new bells and whistles, I don't expect SMACAX to be significant. New weapons I probably wouldn't use, new armors I wouldn't use, new facilities I wouldn't use, new Secret Projects I wouldn't build, and new Factions to be crushed. Oh, and ACEdit... for a price. But I am sure for some that it will be a nice addition.

Civ3 held some interest, but as it stands... well, I'm keeping in mind that when I buy a product, I am voting and supporting a company.