Gameplay questions

[HectorOfTroy]

Few questions that I have been thinking about:

1. Is combat occurring on a separate map or is it happening in a system map?

2. Will there be a problem of having dozens and dozens ships in combat and then waiting for ages for their combat turns to end (like in MOO2)? Especially since we can get reinforcements in this game.

3. Can we build bases around our planets and bases in deep space between systems? And if we can build them in deep space, can we then have battles around them?

4. Is ground combat turn-based?

That is it for now. Thanks for answers.

[Zaimat]

1. Is combat occurring on a separate map or is it happening in a system map?

The Horizon map (galaxy) is one huge persistent map on all levels. So movement, combat, everything is happening on the same map. There are no artificial restrictions like instanced combat (eg: like in Master of Orion). So combat can technically last for as long as it takes, with ships of any race passing through or reinforcements arriving. I hope that answers your question

2. Will there be a problem of having dozens and dozens ships in combat and then waiting for ages for their combat turns to end (like in MOO2)? Especially since we can get reinforcements in this game.

To be sure in a turn-based tactical game combat can take longer vis-a-vis real-time games by it's nature.

What we have done is you are only in control of one taskforce (maximum 10 ships) at any one time, the rest of your taskforces will manage themselves (you can switch taskforces at will). If other taskforces are in your view you will see them otherwise you will just get their reports.

We are also balancing the game toward the idea that ships are expensive. So a fleetsize of 10 ships is a powerful Armada. Many encounters will typically be with less but more powerful ships.

There is an auto-resolve option when a battle is decided or if you no longer want manual control. We are working hard to make tactical combat fun with lots of choices but also give you the option to more quickly resolve it.

Can we build bases around our planets and bases in deep space between systems? And if we can build them in deep space, can we then have battles around them?

Currently bases can be built on planets (military posts) and ground and orbital defenses around planets. We have not added the functionality to build bases in deep space but it's something we could add given time, it wouldn't be hard to do.

4. Is ground combat turn-based?

It is not. Once troops have successfully landed, ground combat is quickly simulated until the results of the invasion are shown. After which the player if invader (and the winner) can decide what actions to take on the colonists. Like ship combat, coordination is possible with other races on either side in ground combat.