Fleet Command

What if...?

from Sins Forums

This is something that I have been looking for for ages. Is it possible to make it so that the AI controls you're research, base building and fleet construction?

 

I'm considering making a mod in which you are the Fleet Commander - nothing more, nothing less. You have no control over what the scientists are researching, nor do you build trading posts and such. That is up to the government and the bureaucrats/emperor/whatever (we'll assume Govt). The Government funds the production of you're fleet, and therefore prioritises whether to give you a few more ships or to build a repair platform, and so on.

This frees you up to focus on the defence of your governments territory. You don't need to worry about building new ships, but at the same time you cannot always rely on the government to see that there is a threat. You may believe war is inevitable, but the government doesn't - therefore you have to make do with what you have.

 

I feel that this is a better approach to this kind of game. Modern commanders don't have the luxury of being able to order new ships/forces to be developed, nor making R&D focus on certain fields. They have to play with the cards they are dealt. If that means what they percieve as an underpowered fleet defending a large territory, then thats what you have to do until the Government/AI develops new techs and builds you new ships to command.

 

Now that I'm done ranting, I can get back to my question - those of you in the community with the knowledge, do you think this is possible/easy to do? Basicly its just enabling the AI to take control of the domestic chores while you focus on killing the enemy with what the domestics provide. Possible do you think?

modding
3,455 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Is it possible in the way you're talking about, at least in Sins? No, not really.

Dawn of Victory's attempted to take this sort of model however..it's more of a military simulator than an empire-building one. You still do research, but much of the ship requisitioning at least in the early game is done passively through reassigned planetary defense forces. It's not exactly what you want, but it's as close as you'll get, I suspect.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Really? I would have thought it wouldn't be to hard...all you'd be doing is implimenting parts of the AI. But then again, I don't know enough about Sins...

Thats a shame, I think my train of thought is quite a cool idea. It'd be cool if a developer made games more like that. Or if they made something like this idea that I posted on another forum (http://forums.filefront.com/st-a2-rants-raves/365443-rts-what-if.html) its not spam or advertising or anything, just a few thoughts I posted an hour ago or so.

If you do read it, do you see what I mean/agree with me?
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
I wonder if you missed the point of the game? You know - the 4x part???
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
I get that, but that's not really what I'm talking about is it?

I'm not saying the game itself should have been like what I've posted - I'm talking about making a mod to change the game (if people so desire) to be like my idea.

A game mod isn't exactly like the game...I mean, what would be the point? I'm just thinking that if someone was after a RTS game with tactical fleet simulator qualities as well, this would be a cool way of doing it...
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
But you are talking about a fundamental change in game engine design.
Didn't M003 try to do what you are suggesting - I didn't give it that much attantion as it was very complicated and the general consensus seemed to be it was a crap game unworthy of the original.
I understand that you want to change it, but you are talking about changing something that is intrinsically bound into the game design. I wasn't aware the game was THAT modable.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
I don't know if it is. To be fair I doubt it would work the way that I'd want it. Its quite different, as you said.

Ideally a fully dedicated game (a well made game and engine) would be the only way to fully realise the scope of what I'd perfer...and it would appear there are very few who think my idea is a good one... : (

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
I actually like the idea.

Though it'd probably require a game of it's own.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
Well I'd play it, just because its different. Although having to convince a Senate that yes, we are at war and we need ships and troops would get tiring. You think our generals like kissing politician ass? Anyways, it'd be annoying and in my opinion, a lot of games would be lost by chance, like the Senate not giving you that one extra ship, and spending that money on a sewer project in their district just so they can get re-elected :( sob.......
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
Such a design would MAKE you focus on strategy, no matter what, although this could give the computer players too great an advantage...
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
It sounds like a very intriguing idea but probable would be hard to code in.