Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Chiron News Network => Topic started by: Petek on February 08, 2013, 10:57:22 PM

Title: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Petek on February 08, 2013, 10:57:22 PM

Slitherine is developing a new space-based 4X game: Pandora: First Contact (http://www.slitherine.com/games/PandoraPC). Initial impression is that it resembles SMAC (unit workshop, for example). You currently can sign up for an open beta.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on February 08, 2013, 11:41:17 PM

It looks like CIV 5 with a mod thrown on top.... I'm interested :2c:

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Lord Avalon on February 09, 2013, 02:28:48 AM

"... looks like CIV 5 ... "

Is that damning with faint praise?

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: sisko on February 09, 2013, 12:25:17 PM

anyone got the open beta?

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Zoid on February 09, 2013, 05:23:39 PM

I would say that despite it looking like Civ V I am interested. :)

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on February 09, 2013, 09:57:10 PM

Quote from: Lord Avalon on February 09, 2013, 02:28:48 AM

"... looks like CIV 5 ... "

Is that damning with faint praise?

Maybe... It looks like someone threw a mod on top of CIV 5. I will let community decided if thats good or bad.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Matt the Czar on February 11, 2013, 06:30:44 AM

signed up. if i make it i will reveiw the beta






yay 42 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Unorthodox on February 11, 2013, 06:10:37 PM

Quote from: testdummy653 on February 08, 2013, 11:41:17 PM

It looks like CIV 5 with a mod thrown on top.... I'm interested :2c:

Squares, not hex.  I'd say it looks closer to Civ IV, have seen many graphics mods for that with similar appearances. 

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on February 11, 2013, 07:12:18 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on February 11, 2013, 06:10:37 PM

Quote from: testdummy653 on February 08, 2013, 11:41:17 PM

It looks like CIV 5 with a mod thrown on top.... I'm interested :2c:

Squares, not hex.  I'd say it looks closer to Civ IV, have seen many graphics mods for that with similar appearances.

Didn't even noticed that its squares... Good call

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: thorn on February 26, 2013, 09:13:57 PM

A beta preview (http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2013/02/pandora-first-contact-beta-preview/) is up at Space Sector!

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: sisko on February 27, 2013, 12:24:56 PM

thank you for the link, thorn. ;b;

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on February 27, 2013, 01:13:20 PM

So it is a Alpha Centauri copy-cat!!!

Note: they use hexagons!

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: sisko on February 27, 2013, 01:19:23 PM

Quote from: testdummy653 on February 27, 2013, 01:13:20 PM

So it is a Alpha Centauri copy-cat!!!

Note: they use hexagons!

..without raise/lower terrain, rainfall patterns and automation.
also with a new production model which seems to require more micromanagement.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on February 27, 2013, 01:23:32 PM

Quote from: sisko on February 27, 2013, 01:19:23 PM

..without raise/lower terrain, rainfall patterns and automation.
also with a new production model which seems to require more micromanagement.

What i always wanted... more micromanagement in my strategy games. ;lol

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Unorthodox on February 27, 2013, 03:49:15 PM

Quote from: testdummy653 on February 27, 2013, 01:13:20 PM

So it is a Alpha Centauri copy-cat!!!

Note: they use hexagons!

Yeah, those are very different than the previous screenshots.  That could be good or bad.  Changing from square to hex mid developement seems a little odd, but the company has previously built a hex based game, so maybe they were just more comfortable with that.   

Economically, its sounding more similar to Warlock:Master of the Arcane than to CIV at the moment, and that could work well for a sci fi setting.  All comes down to execution, really. 

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on February 27, 2013, 05:37:42 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on February 27, 2013, 03:49:15 PM

Quote from: testdummy653 on February 27, 2013, 01:13:20 PM

So it is a Alpha Centauri copy-cat!!!

Note: they use hexagons!

Yeah, those are very different than the previous screenshots.  That could be good or bad.  Changing from square to hex mid developement seems a little odd, but the company has previously built a hex based game, so maybe they were just more comfortable with that.   

Economically, its sounding more similar to Warlock:Master of the Arcane than to CIV at the moment, and that could work well for a sci fi setting.  All comes down to execution, really.

Also they are still in beta, thing can change maybe they will added automation.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Mako on March 05, 2013, 08:10:19 AM

Review of Beta here:

http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2013/02/pandora-first-contact-beta-preview/ (http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2013/02/pandora-first-contact-beta-preview/)

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on March 05, 2013, 12:14:06 PM

Quote from: Mako on March 05, 2013, 08:10:19 AM

Review of Beta here:

http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2013/02/pandora-first-contact-beta-preview/ (http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2013/02/pandora-first-contact-beta-preview/)

 :D... We already have this link about ten post up.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Earthmichael on April 21, 2013, 12:39:18 AM

Is anyone on this board in the beta?

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Green1 on April 21, 2013, 05:01:14 PM

Nothing wrong with hex games. I cut my teeth on Panzer General.

Civ 5 was not that bad, either. It just was not as awesome as Beyond the Sword.

(unrelated) Warlock looks good and I may get, but I have a feeling Age of Wonders 3 is going to own both W:MotA AND Fallen Enchantress.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Unorthodox on April 22, 2013, 12:02:23 PM

Warlock is OK, not great.  Though, there's been some major updates I haven't tried that might even push it to 'good'. 

It suffers from one particular predominant strategy:  Get one strong unit and slap as many enchantments on it as you can.  Much like most the nations in Dominion.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: testdummy653 on April 22, 2013, 02:42:17 PM

FYI: There is a youtube video. Its a beta preview trailer. Uno, they mentioned that they switch from squares to hex.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy_URt8s_RI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy_URt8s_RI)

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2013, 01:18:55 AM

Quote from: Earthmichael on April 21, 2013, 12:39:18 AM

Is anyone on this board in the beta?

Maniac and bdanv are listed in the "Pandora Beta Group" membergroup - I haven't been told if that means they're in the beta or what, though you're supposed to be to be admitted...

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Unorthodox on April 25, 2013, 01:57:17 AM

If they are I'm sure there's an NDA associated with it. 

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2013, 02:11:01 AM

Probably even if they're not.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Earthmichael on April 25, 2013, 03:19:44 AM

Quote from: BUncle on April 25, 2013, 01:18:55 AM

Quote from: Earthmichael on April 21, 2013, 12:39:18 AM

Is anyone on this board in the beta?

Maniac and bdanv are listed in the "Pandora Beta Group" membergroup - I haven't been told if that means they're in the beta or what, though you're supposed to be to be admitted...

I am not in the  beta group at this point.  I would like to be...

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 25, 2013, 03:47:50 AM

You'd be a prime candidate, I would think.

PM sisko and ask for his help/what he can tell you...

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: nadia911 on May 30, 2013, 10:47:10 PM

I have been selected for the beta test

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 30, 2013, 10:49:36 PM

PM sisko and make sure he knows you're in the beta, please.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Earthmichael on June 01, 2013, 04:59:07 AM

I was selected for the Pandora Beta test yesterday.

I have not been able to find one shred of documentation about Pandora beyond the readme file.  I can't believe they expect us to playtest a game as complex as this without any documentation as to how things are supposed to work.  How are playtesters supposed to give meaningful feedback if we don't know what is normal behavior and what is a bug???

For example, I cannot find a command for terraformers to build roads.  Is that a bug, or is there some tech to be researched first?  Does a city work all of the 6 hexagons surrounding it from the start, or does the population factor in?  What happens when a city grows?  Do units have any kind of support cost?  What determines how strong units will be in battle? 

If anyone happens to know where one can find some Pandora documentation, that would be nice.  Otherwise, this may be one of my shortest beta tests ever, since I have no intention of playtesting a game without knowing how it is supposed to work.

Title: Re: New Space 4X Game
Post by: Geo on June 01, 2013, 10:54:36 AM

Maybe that's the introduction test, to see if you have what it takes to be a tester?   :D