Well all, you can flame me after I am done, but here it is
In my opion, the game stinks. Ok, now my opservasions. I have played every 2x,3x and 4x space sims that have been released. Since oohhhhh back in 90, this one is not fun to play, yes I know that things are limited but, played a game, small galaxy, NO other players. After a long while, which unless you want to explore as fast as possible, which in this game I did. my 10th system I was greated by 20 pirate corsairs, and at least 100 light frigates, during the battle, groups of light frigates numbering 10 or so would warp in. Now I don't mind that, other than they were out producing my 10 shipyards by a factor of 100 at least. That is to say, for every 10 I produced, they produced 100, at least tha is my estamate.
So, I quit that game, today I started a new game, small galaxy, one opponent, high resoruces, no maraders, easy setting,(this is a joke, the easy setting, have seen no difference in anything between easy and normal.), I decided to allow the game to play for 10 mins so I would have some resources to play with, improved my planet to the max on all advances, had it ringed with 3rd generation guass cannons, had one capital ship, 25 light frigates and 5 LRM frigates.
The force that came out of warp numbered over 75 frigates alone, 10 capital ships with 10 bomber sqauds, 10 LRM ships as well.
Well, after 5 mins there was NO way I was going to win this battle. so guit again
Yes, I do know this is a beta, but quite honestly GC2's beta was much better as well as GC1 which I particapated in the beta's.
I am dissappointed with the aggressivness of the oponites even in easy setting, the lack of balance via the AI, and quite honestly the slow speed in which your home planet is able to ramp up. I had researched the max on gauss cannons, LRM frigates, Lasar improvement as well as every upgrade you could do to a planet and STILL got my ass wiped.
In my opion, if the game mechanics remain as is, I will cancel my order. There are already too many games out there that simulate the same type of battle, but I feel with better balance to the gamer that does NOT LIKE to be forced into exploring, colonizing, etc, which this game seems to bent on doing no matter what you do otherwise.
I am not happy nor exicted with this game one bit. As for all you who are, oh well.

Glenn A Nicholson