Hack78

Planet shield should be ground based (e.g. like Hoth). You have to knock it down before doing damage to the planet as opposed to space based which can be blown up in orbit. Planet is FAR more likely to have the power requirements to project a shield then an orbital structure. Ground based space fighters are also an option based on a similar notion - the defence fighters scramble into orbit shortly after enemy appears in system.

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.

I am playing with 1.05 and it is generally fine.

Or alternatively - they could add an exception to the firewall rather then turning it off. Both allow you to play. One leaves you unprotected. You might want to check that you are on the same subnet to.

From memory they said that the new network code was optional - you could still use the old stack or try the new one based on an option.

Caps come in useful for doing something specific such as the Marza bombardment, or for the fact they can pound a planet without having krosov (or equivilent) reserched/built. But in an early battle, I would rather spend my 3000,400,250 on some LRMs and hoshikos plus a garda or two if there are fighters to deal with... Later on if I had spare resouces then I would look to get one, but only if I also had the resouces to train it up to lvl 3 or 4

For anyone who thinks Advent are weak early - try surviving a illum rush!!! Playing as TEC I find I will generally loose early game UNLESS I can get some hoshikos into the mix

Notice what???

And there is the difference between SP and MP - you can often take a little more time on SP as you often won't be attacked as quickly by the AI as you would by some of the better players online...

I wonder if you missed the point of the game? You know - the 4x part???

I generally host with them off - what IS funny is that the game allows you to bid even if they are defeated/inactive - people don't look at the shattered portrait and heap credits on them for no benefit. I do tend to ally chat to let MY team know they are off....

Umm - no??? :) The noobs kept coming and begging for help??? I did find an interesting way to get an easy win - play a noob 1v1 and then have him quit/surrender after 5 minutes due to a ping of something like 46XXX - shame I didn't get a screen shot.

Assuming your have an Nvidia card - how about the Nvidia website???

Turn on the "Show Cursor" option in the config file :) Otherwise - as previously stated - update your drivers. Also - have you got anything in your system that could be considered "special" or "unique"?

Gees, it is AWFUL nice of you to remember that :) Did you even get a game or two in???

Totally agree with the above comments (especially Droom1's). Being able to host is the best way for me to get a game as quite often there are people waiting for a host to start up a new game. And of course I am not one of the one's to miss out on that last slot :). The trick is to try and balance the teams by looking at the stats (and hoping people don't create a new profile to appear as a noob). e.g. Raging Amish should have someone good against him, not with him as it becomes

I agree that people shouldn't be swearing/being racist etc... Another gripe I have (recently aquired) is that the lobby is for starting a game - not trying to pick people up (she (he???) knows who I am talking about - people who were on yesterday were commenting on it while waiting to start a game). You can't even see WHO you are talking to, let alone where they are etc... so there is no point asking if they are hot/single etc... Just get on and play the game please.

Run away!!!! :) (and build some hoshikos to repair your fleet!!!)

Culture - you need to repell the other guys culture with your own as over time it will make your planets loose loyalty. This means 1) drop in income rates, 2) you loose the planet without them ever directly attacking you...

Would that work??? The game is simulated on every machine - so surely the other machine's would not have that due to different config files if he has hacked his files???

Also - if you are a noob - don't quit just because you are being attacked as: 1) you will not learn - hence you will not get quicker 2) you will get a reputation and no one will want to play with you 3) just because you are getting attacked is not the end of the game - if an ally attacks them on the other side of their empire, they may have to pull back or risk their homeworld being seriously worked. I was being badly worked by an RA fleet in a big 4v4 game, but we took out two a

It took me all of about 10 minutes to download the 1.05 patch off the website. And when I was unable to connect to play MP, anotehr 5 minute after reading the FAQ to get it up and running (and able to host) without even reading The Monk's guide. If people actually spend a few minutes thinking about things instead of instantly throwing their hands up in the air AND/OR being civil if they do actually require help, things would be SO much nicer. Personally I would just delete the thread

no need - go read The Monk's topic. It fully cover everything you need to know

Here's a doozy - the ability to be able to control the AI and MAKE IT COMMIT TO THE MAKE OR BREAK BATTLE ON THE MAP!!! (yes I know there is functionality to "control" the AI, but the AI won't actually do anything unless the odds are overwhelming (in it's favour of course). It just tells me it will do what it can!!!). I was playing an MP game with 5 systems (HUGE 5v5 game) - I had #2 ranked fleet and someone else (call then red) had #3. We were winning the battle for the galaxy we started

I manage to host games from Australia without any issues (sometimes...) Pings may be a little highter, but that is all. The issue seems to be when people are either downloading stuff in the background and/or compressing DVDs etc... I now ask people when I host to make sure they have this stuff turned off. I have noticed it seems to be noobs alot lately - that might be due to the the fact they haven't learned about the lag issues and therefore haven't tackled it by turning down se