Hello everyone,
Here's a new update for you. I hope everyone did enjoy the first part of the storyline being released. I wrote it not only as a storyline just for this game, but also as a piece of story what should make people think about certain things. In other words: It has some mirrors against the current world. If you'd wish to give feedback, that's still possible in the comments here.
Combat Prototype
In other news, you might have noticed a very early screenshot of the combat prototype being released. The Combat Prototype is a little game, which pits 2 identical fleets against eachother, and lets the commander with the best tactics win. That's at least planned for the first public version. The GUI will be like this in that version, which is very simplistic. Anyways, work on that is almost done (getting it to draw properly was a pain in the ass!). I'm hoping to have a public release ready really really soon. And that version will be fully playable.
What about the Empire Prototype
Currently, a concept document is written for the Empire Prototype. The Empire Prototype will be big. The universe can be as big as your computer's memory can hold, and gameplay will revolve not only around the standard 4X areas (exploration, resources/economy, conquest, diplomacy) but also around balancing the needs of your society. Every system will have it's own culture, which has it's own specific needs. Compare this to the times of ancient greece:
Each system belongs to a cultural group. Cultural groups which are under the hegemony of a dominant culture are called 'Minor Cultures'. You can't wield full power of these minor cultures. The dominant culture in an empire is called a 'Major Culture', and this will be the only territory which you fully control.
If a revolt or war takes place, which is always between 2 major cultures (if a minor culture revolts, it turns into a major culture), all minor cultures in the warzone pick the side which is most similar to them. And you get to fight.
There's also a nifty feature: If a rebellion occurs, you get to pick between joining the rebellion, or the loyalists. This means that in a rebellion, you always have to conquer your empire back. But you can pick which part you'll conquer.
This is one of the few major game mechanics in the Empire Prototype, and later the final game. Expect more to be released soon.
Let us know your thoughts, comments and suggestions here, through the forums on this profile or through email ( raaj dot moretti at gmail dt com ).
Till the next time!
-- Roberto
