Coelocanth

Aye, agreed. The only way I can see that type of model working is if the initial outlay for the game is at or close to the present day cost of a game at release. And that's what I've referring to when I say I'd not pay a subscription. The initial outlay is what I'll pay, but I won't pay more and more per month to keep playing the game. I can see subscription fees for a multiplayer game (MMOs and the like, maybe even to access on-line play for this type of game if it's popular enough), b

If you mean you just start with a subscription at x dollars per month and that gets you the base game, and subsequent updates/new content/whatever comes with the further x dollars a month (In other words, the base game only costs a month's worth of subscription fees); if that's the general idea, then yeah I can see that being cheaper for the base game only. Of course, that type of model is one I'd avoid, so it would be even cheaper for me, as my outlay would be zero dollars. And if the

I'm not a pirate and I'm not lying when I say I would not pay a subscription for a game. I like playing games. I find it relaxing, but it's not so important to me that I'd be willing to pay monthly fees of any kind for a game. If it comes to the point where games require that, I'll stop playing new games and stick with the ones I already own. If you don't believe that, well, it doesn't make any difference to me what you believe. But I will not pay a subscription fee for games.

[quote]On a related but different issue, later in the game, when there are lots of refinery ships and trade ships running about, it is often very difficult to select a planet in order to give a fleet move order. This can be a big problem if one needs to order the fleets to respond IMMEDIATELY to an invasion of siege craft somewhere. Is there any way to avoid this? Is it possible to turn off the animations for the little economy ships?[/quote] You can

[quote]This was exactly my point. You can't treat software the same way. I DIDN'T say it doesn't harm anyone, read my post completely please. I said it's NOT the same as stealing. It's still wrong, and we need to redefine this new kind of 'wrong', somehow(sadly I have no ideas as to how...) . calling it flatout stealing just makes people ignore the other valid arguments behind anti-piracy(the most substantial of which is that you can't use the 'magic copy machine' on the devs ) .[/quote] <b

My first time with a game of this type as well. I actually found the tutorials only helpful to a point. After having played for a bit, I can see they'd be useful for someone that's seen this type of game before, but for the complete noob, they can be confusing (you're getting a lot of info but not really shown how it all interacts with each other). That being said, I just jumped in on a small random map 1v1 against the AI (normal). Got my butt handed to me, but I learned a lot from that

Yeah, I know it's usually copy protection in that situation, but it's all I could think of to suggest for the guy. Seems really weird it won't load onto his rig. Maybe he has a bad DVD?

I'd double think that graphics card as well. If you're into gaming, you should look at something better. The 8500 is not a good gaming card.

Should be in your game box.

Maybe your drive doesn't like the Sins DVD. I've heard of that happening with various games. Have you tried a firmware update for it?

I think Hollow Man meant: are you sure you own a DVD-ROM drive and not a [B]CD-ROM[/B]. Maybe your drive is dead/dying? As HM suggested, maybe try another DVD/CD to make sure it's working. There should be no issues with Sins and XP. I have it running on my XP rig and it's beautiful.

[quote]This is a very helpful and encouraging thread, but I have my doubts.I'm learning very slowly and also thinking this may not be the game for me, though I've done other RTS's. I'm more interested in exploration of a large map, not combat.What bothers me is that the reviews said it was a slow-paced game, and I see empiresbeing bullt in ten minutes. The ships and researches take only seconds on the slowest setings--it's a click-fest. The advice here says build a cap ship right away--doesn't m

Good luck with that. I said the same thing to myself and still ended up playing until 2 AM or later. My wife thinks I've lost my mind. ;p

I'm still learning the ins and outs of the game, and am still familiarizing myself with the TEC so far, but this sounds pretty damned powerful. What sort of fleet composition are we talking about here? Do you choose or is it random? This sounds like it could easily be an 'I win' button.

Zyrxil, awesome work. Thanks for putting this up where we can all leach off your hard work ;) Great resource for a new player like me.

You need a Protev Colony Frigate (TEC), Missionary Vessel (Advent), or Jikara Navigator (Vasari)

Patch is up.

W00t! Updated. Looking forward to tonight and trying out a big map.

When you load your game and get to the screen where it shows the different teams (you and however many AI players there are), the last button in each team row is the AI difficulty. Explanation is on pages 10 & 11 of the manual.

Ah, I see. Yes, I noticed that in my last game (scuttled the offending tradeport to fix it).

[quote]Now that you mention it. Intimidation, harassment, and verbal abuse is a very real thing in every game forum. You often see people scared to death to make a comment.[/quote] Indeed, so perhaps you've a good point on that.

[quote]Silence through terror, intimidation, paranoia and/or fear is far different than silence through contentment. That's a poor comparison.A poor comparison to what? You are vague.The statement was "The vocal minority often represent the silent majority". If you are saying this statement is false then I am saying you lack knowledge of history.[/quote] I didn't say it. All I was responding to is your assertion that comparing the populations ruled by dictators and tyrants in

Me, an expert? No, not even close. No one would agree to that! I'm new to RTS games and have been kicked around by the AI more than once (and that's not on the hardest setting). Anyway, basically what I was trying to imply, you spelled out much more eloquently.

Silence through terror, intimidation, paranoia and/or fear is far different than silence through contentment. That's a poor comparison.

1Tiberius1, my understanding from the wiki is it works slightly differently in that your longest trade route determines the income level of *all* your trade ports, not just the ones on the route itself.