Play of game...

I've played both beta 1 and 2 many times, and have some general comments

Some of the posts I've seen seem to miss several key points of the game, that later in the game pirates (marauders) do attack everywhere, not just your systems, but your opponents. I think it happens when you reach a point in your development where you encourage disruptions in other economies. Your opponents, imho, have already reached that phase and the baddy's are after me. Most of the times you can build up your planets defenses to ward them off. I have been surprised to find destroyed systems late in the game, and know, without a doubt, that it's because marauders were there before me and wiped out one of my opponents strongholds.

On another matter, I have seen posters indicate that they can win easily after a few hours of play. Not my experience. I've played for over 6 hours and still lost.

Things I like about beta 2 over 1 >

Limiting your military fleet size means you need to manage your forces better, and not merely win because you outnumber your opponents fleet size -- which I saw in beta 1. I like the point system for frigate/cruiser breakdowns versus capital ships too.

I like the page break system between empire, combat and artifacts.

Overall all, I like the interplay with economy, combat improvement needs, etc., and I enjoy occasionally actually taking part in a battle. For the most part however, I take a fleet commander point of view and seldom get involved, instead looking at statistical relevance of fleet size and make up before I enter into battle, and watching my ships strengths and weaknesses as the battle develops. The game shows real promise.

Things I don't like...

The time to play the game is far too slow. It takes 'forever' to get a fleet 3 or 4 jump planets away, and the antimatter build up time is too slow... I guess that's the operative expression -- too slow. Even a small galaxy developed against 3 or 4 opponents required over 10 hours of play once the pirates started taking on my planets too. And sending aid was just too slow. If I wanted to change anything it would be distance travel time would decrease. I can't imagine playing a large galaxy game structure -- I just don't have that much free time in my life for this kind of game play.

Those are the key points as I see them so far.

Ulsio

I imagine the tactical AI will be improved somewhat before the release version.

As for the game taking too long, if they get rid of the present sequential travel between stars (A-B-C-D-E-F) in favor of 'any star to any star' (A-F), it will cut down the game duration.

Also, if you limit the number of planets on the map in the setup, you can speed up your games a bit.

culture is fixed, they have said that the TARGETING AI is perfect, and the rest has been improved.

I really used to like how objects would cast shadows in Homeworld 2. I hope Sins has at least that level of shadow dynamics.

I also am still hoping Sins has some sort of 'System Lord' status for any players that hold an entire star system (or more). They should get small bonuses on reduced pirate/insurgent attacks (in that system), as well as reduced black market purchase costs.

Of course, those players should also get a 'System Lord' icon next to their player name. This way, other players will know who has entire star systems and who doesn't. This would make some interesting diplomacy between 'System Lords', as well as let other players know who to gain up on.

I was thinking over the whole fleet/logistic/tactical point system versus upkeep system today. Does anybody else think that the upkeep system is probably the better way to go? It would dispense with the whole artificial point system.

Right now, I dislike the idea that I can't build more than so many certain type structures around a planet. I could have tons of resources to do so, but I am not allowed to do so because....well, just because!

I think the only problem with the original beta 1 upkeep system was that it capped out at 75%. It should have been able to go over 100%. Maybe even give deficit governments some kind of political penalty.

I know that the upkeep system will mean some people will concentrate their purchases and stack a key system with defensive structures. But that also means that they will have a huge resource drain concerning that one system and will be less financially capable in the offensive or in defending other areas.

Anyway, what do you Ironclad guys think about this?

P.S. Looks like the newest patch will get rid of the last second strike craft super speed landing dash...thanks!

The only real problem I forsee is the fact that resource intake isn't a steady ongoing process, except for credits -- minerals / crystals tend to come in "chunks" in late game, as refinery ships return to "base". Thus it'd be difficult to accurately gauge your mineral / crystal surplus.

This game has the potential to be the Master Of Orion 3 that we all imagined, but never received, the Pax Imperia 2 that fell far short of expectations, the epic space empire game that I have been seeking for 10+ years. But potential is what all these games start with. Can Sins truly evolve enough to turn potential into reality? I hope so, but as the game stands now (yes I know it's a BETA), it falls short in many areas. I will try to bring up points that others have not.

Defense:
- Others have stated that there needs to be more defensive options - I agree. One suggestion is to incorporate the ability to have all space structures upgradeable with weapons. I imagine a game where I click on a research center or mining facility and there are 3 buttons where I can choose to build missile launcher or Laser torrents, or flak guns. You can limit it so that each structure can only have one of the three - or may be no limit at all. I can imagine a spectacular space battle where all the structures are shooting at the approaching fleet of ships in a desperate attempt to defend the colony long enough for reinforcements to show up. I also think this approach is realistic.

Fleets:
Fleets need a lot of work. I can win this game with only light frigates and one cap ship. So what can we do? Certain cruiser class ships should have AOE bonuses to those in the same fleet (+10 defense, +10 movement, +10 Attack) make them stack with diminishing returns. This would make combat more interesting because you would want to take out these 'support' and 'command' cruisers first to disorganize your opponent's fleet. This is a middle of the road suggestion to those who want bonuses for positioning fleets in a certain way relative to their opponents fleet - an idea I like but doubt will be considered due to the limitations the devs want to put on micro management. Again I also think this is realistic in terms of space warfare. I also like the previous recommendation to be able to target sub-systems of cap ships. Many other suggestions have been made and I agree with most of them, fleet battles need help, a 3D plane would help as well, nothing beats a HomeWorld battle in true 3D.
- When selecting multiple ships, please provide the summary of how many of what ships and at what health they are at in the middle picture viewer. PLEASE!!! I know there is a way to make it pop up as a card but it's a pain.

Tech Suggestion:
In my time of play I did not see an engine upgrade that would increase movement across your fleet, I think this is must have tech and that there should be several levels of it.

Diplomacy:
This is a Beta and I am just going to assume that it gets better. To give any constructive criticism in this area would take more time than I have. It needs to be completely redone.

AI:
The AI is both really good and really bad. Focus targeting is a must, focus targeting on CAP ships is a must. Playing on FLAGSHIPS where when your mother ship is destroyed you lose (perhaps only meant for Multi-Player) the AI need to know not to send that ship out solo to get wasted.....it should be protected at all costs.


Nit Pick:
The flashing lights on ships are timed at the EXACT same time, very unrealistic and annoying - please make it random.

Possible Bug or Game play issue:
When conquering an asteroid in the heart of a foreign empire the second I bombard it to zero it gets recolonized, is this because of their influence?

I am sure I have more but they escape me as of now. Please don't let this came fall from the top shelf like so many other games of its kind. I don't care if the release gets pushed back to summer of 2008 - JUST MAKE IT RIGHT.

I understand your point here. I guess it all depends on how powerful the defensive torrents are. I envisioned a system where they could not hold off an attacking fleet but they could significantly delay it so a defensive fleet could come to the rescue. I really think this would be an interesting feature. You could also add some technologies specific to this capability. Looking at real life situations, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (research center) has modest defensive weapon capabilities, enough to hold out until the national guard responded. I bet they could implement this in a fair and balanced way.

About your shields comment:
Are you saying that when a ship is under fire by one target it takes more damage than when it is under fire by multiple targets (on a % basis), given that the ship has shields? So a ship being fired upon by 3 ships would have reduction of 20% while a ship being fired upon by 10 ships would have a 40% reduction in damage (for example)? How does that work?

Oh, I hope Ironclad plans on letting us use our own MP3s for the music if we want.

Just wanted to say I really like the distance from Capital Planet income loss concept.

It will help prevent a bigger opponent from steamrolling over everybody. Victory will balanced between diplomacy, economy, strategy and tactics...not just economy.

Hey, if Pirates are now a faction (sorta), does this mean they get capital ships?

Bombers Bug

Bombers set to fire within weapons range , sometimes can sit still and fire on a target which makes it more effective.

Guass Platform Icons

Guass Icons are too big imo , theres alot of cluttering when you put them together.

Hey, will it be possible to get custom faction icons (like you put an icon in a folder and it appears on the icon list)?