Pay to Win! (Not what you might think.)

[Zalthun]

Here's something that should only be able to happen for comic value. I'm quoting some of the things I said in another thread, because I'm that damned proud of them. I've won this game without ever firing a shot at anything but the Pluto Derelict, and while that is something that should be able to happen, it should never be so easy for it to happen every time. I just expand, and ignore the toothless piddling of my friendly neighbors, paying them off as I make kazillions of credits to do so. I see no reason to wage war OR deal with the tactical map when I can just win through being asdfing Microsoft. Thus far, all my games have been similar and have played out something like this...

"The Vux dislike your imperial nature, and you must cease this rapid colonization at once! Humans are ugly!"
"No I shouldn't, because here's a dollar!"
"The Vux have never thought about it quite that way before! Thank you! We like dollars!"
"Good. I'll be planting three more colonies in the unclaimed systems surrounding your home star."
"We, the Vux, will not stand for this! You are still ugly!"
"Did I mention I have the plans to build this pretty telescope you can use to see all three colonies without leaving the comfort of your home? I'll give you the plans to build it, AND I'll throw in this open border agreement so you can go visit my casino on each of the worlds you can see from your balcony! I'll even pay you to build it, and cover air fare in the pay."
"We, the Vux, love you, ugly human! Please continue to conquer the galaxy and form the United Federation of Monopoly! You are most generous!"
"I'll see that the plans ship right away! Emperor PayPatine out!"

None of them ever attack me. I always expand as I see fit. I just give them what they demand, asking for tech in return, and outstrip them in resources to the point where they'd be fools not to join in alliance with me. Again, this should be possible, but not so easy, or common?

[Madbiologist]

I did this as well with my first game. I personally liked it, allowed me to test so many features of the economy system and planetary management. Heck they didn't even tell me to stop.

But the latest patches have upped the AI honk off meter and tolerance to these practices. Though I still think they have a lot of trouble fighting an offensive war. So you can still achieve this just with a little more elbow grease.

Current game, I was to befriend 4 races, then hit a I love you bump and now my allies when to 7. The last 3 don't want anything to do with me... I managed to calm one down... but it taking more than usual. I might have to forcefully pacify the last 2 guys.

Actually read someone is having the opposite problem in the latest patch, he apparently is honking off everyone just by existing. Perhaps a bad placement start, still.... I fully expect the Ai to improvement as the alpha and later the beta will go on. That is why I love alphas, you get to see the funniest things like these.

[Zalthun]

I didn't think about the fact that early on this might have been intentional. Show's what I know!
Never been part of an alpha before.

I do somehow love the idea of more colorful dialogue, letting you choose just how you say what you do.

"We could be trade partners, or I could send my fleet to nuke your little world. What'll it be?" does have a certain ring to it, which would kinda be your argument in the last two guys there.

Also, starting in the middle would put you at a disadvantage if proximity = irk with the AI.

[Zalthun]

The AI was improved today, and it is harder than it was to just diploroll the other factions. This said, in spite of them being stubborn at times, you can prettymuch still pay them off. Nice improvement!

[Martok]

Given the game's alpha state, I expect the AI will be pretty rudimentary for some time yet. Glad they're already working on and improving it, though!

[Slipsilk]

Kitty! ...that does it...I'm putting a Cat in the game. It's too dangerous to go without...I have been convinced.

[Zalthun]

Kitty! ...that does it...I'm putting a Cat in the game. It's too dangerous to go without...I have been convinced.

Astrofelid, to the colonizer!

[Quazil]

It's my understand that the game is at the alpha stage, meaning it is not yet feature complete. e.g. Is the computer AI done?
(This type of stuff is beta-level tweaking after everything is implement.)

[Fairin]

Kitty! ...that does it...I'm putting a Cat in the game. It's too dangerous to go without...I have been convinced.

NO SPACE GAME IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A CAT RACE

remember this simple truth.

wingcommander? check - kilrathi
master of orion? check - Mrrshan
master of orion 2? check Mrrshan again =)
master of orion 3? removed Mrrshan! .. dont let this happen to horizon Slipsilk!

*or adorably cute draconic kittys like myself! >:)*

[Zalthun]

Kitty! ...that does it...I'm putting a Cat in the game. It's too dangerous to go without...I have been convinced.

NO SPACE GAME IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A CAT RACE

remember this simple truth.

wingcommander? check - kilrathi
master of orion? check - Mrrshan
master of orion 2? check Mrrshan again =)
master of orion 3? removed Mrrshan! .. dont let this happen to horizon Slipsilk!

*or adorably cute draconic kittys like myself! >:)*

I liked Annie M's Hrrubans. - http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Hrruban

I also really liked the Hani from the Chanur series of novels.

Oh, and then the...well...I guess this is a true thing. Hell, even my books have a cat race.