My Ideas for next GCII expansion. Includes camapign plot idea

Ok, before you read this, you must understand that the plot below is original, Ok? I'm not so sure about the other ideas that are more generic, but tell me what you think!

(Note: This post may be a bit long for some of you, so bear with me here)

New plot:

The Terrans and the newly reformed Altarian Republic (Netro Mancer comes out of exile), and start looking for new planets to colonize. They come across a new civilization, the Tanortai Federation. Lets put it like this, the Tanortai are very intelligent dragons. They are not Humaniod. After sending a fleet to meet the Terrans and Altarians, The Terran Alliance and the Altarian Republic learn that the Tanortai have a new type of drive system, which the Terrans call Quantum-Bridge drive. It can allow ships to travel short distances in extremely short times. Where as a standard Hyperdrive would take a week to go to one star system, Quantum-Bridge would take an hour. The main down side is that each jump forces the drive to go into a recharge period. The longer the jump, the longer the recharge time. A ship could be recharging for months if it goes for enough. This allowed the Tanortai to expand in "steps". Despite its limitations Terran officers knew that Quantum-Bridge drive (QB) could be used for deadly hit-and-run attacks (warp one place, attack, warp somewhere else so they can't catch you). The Alliance and Republic exchange drive techs, and a diplomatic friendship begins. The Altarians are especially delighted at having these new friends around, because the Altarians and Tanortai have similar viewpoints on ethics and society (Both lean toward good and have techy societies), the Terrans are glad that have a new ally. For some time, the Tanortai help the Altarians liberte their worlds from the Drengin, who are still busy with the Korath (now called the Korath Consortium). However, instead of capturing worlds, some Tanortai actually build planets! This allowed them to literally build their empire. With this, the Tanortai create military outposts to help with the attacks.

Then the unthinkable happens. The Tanortai have reported that their technology to Hyperdrive has been stolen by an old ememy of the Tanortai, the Kolian Hegemony. This obscenely vile civilization, whose populations look like a mix between crabs and beetles, has captured a Hyperdrive equipped Tanortai ship, and has begun to use the tech in their own vessels. They then began to attack Tanortai and Altarian ships. The allies are quick to launch counter-attacks on the Kolians. They then learn that the Drengin Empire had forged a secret alliance with the Kolians, but did not share Hyperdrive. The allies also learn that the Kolians are building weapons that can tear chunks off of planets, killing the population, and create many new asteriod fields. This process can destroy the planet if it is small enough, though. Meanwhile, the Thalans decide that this is the year that the Terrans will destroy the galaxy, and also decide that the only way to stop the Terrans is to destroy them. Now, the galaxy faces yet another war. Each faction has powerful abilities. Who will win?

New Features that should be in the expansion:

Of course, the Tanortai and the Kolians!

Tanortai Federation Super Ability: Super Builder: Has factory bonuses and can build a ship to create a whole new planet (like Genesis, the higher the quality, the more expensive)

Kolian Hegemony Super Ability: Super Destroyer: Can build a huge ship that fires a projectile to tear off a chunk of a planet, killing everyone on the surface. Creates many asteriod fields. Destroys the planet if the class is below 8. The ship is used up when it fires.

Ship repair bays: Move ships into these and they will repair quickly.

Stellar cites: These hold many people and their populations should be able to grow. You can put shipyards and other modules on.

Quantum-Bridge drive: Read the plot story.

A Campaign: I didn't write all that up there for nothing!

Race trade goods: Each civilization starts the game holding monopolies on three unique trade goods. They can choose how much can be sold at one time. Selling more of the goods will make everybody friendlier with your civ, but you won't make as much money. If you don't make the products widely availible, you can make a lot more money, but you won't be as popular with the other civs.

Add the epic generator, I was looking forward to that in Dark Avatar.  

Add voice acting, it would be neat to hear the other leaders talk. Have animations of them talking too.

Really improve ship battles. Right now, a two-person fighter looks huge next to a capital ship. Improve ship scaleing so that everythings looks the right size (20-person ships should be puny compared to 2000-person ships). When using free cam during fights, it zooms in and out really slowly, change it so you can zoom in quickly and get in the action (and take really good screenshots )
Also, program ships so that their lasers face forward when shooting. Right now, they fire backwards when your ship is flying away. Another good idea is that when you zoom in close to a ship (with improved cam controls) you should hear a sound effect when it goes by.

Carriers: These have hanger modules onboard so that they can deploy fighter drones

Tactical combat: It is impossible for actual tactical to occur, since battles occur in three dimensions. You could just select a ship(s) from that list on the bottom left corner of the battle screen, and order into formations, and order them to attack certain ships. You should also be able to order a retreat.

Ship damage: Currently, ship damage is just electricity and smoke. During fights, pieces should be torn off. After the fight you would see holes and missing parts. Those parts would reappear over time (when the ship repairs)

Multiplayer: You know about that! 

Make the good alignment have really good bonuses so its worth taking all those losses when you're colonizing planets.

Add different diplomacy options: Like 'do this or face war'. This you could use to keep people out of your civ's borders (those darn minor races, always hunting for resources in my turf ) You could also use it to explain why you went to war with another civ (You know, alliances, Super Organizers).

Remove the ability to build constructors for minor races. Right now, the fly around stealing resources and building starbases to expand their range. They shouldn't be able to do that or move around the entire map, being minor races.

Bump up the population growth rate. In Dread Lords version 1.0, growth rate went up fast, and made the game fun, then the updates and Dark Avatar came, and now population growth rate sucks. So, when setting up a new games, add a "base population growth chooser. The options would be like Dread Lords 1.0, which is fast, Dark Avatar, which is slow, and another option which is something in between.

Lastly, add some of the features from DA into DL, like asteriods and the enhanced graphics. Since Dark Avatar, I've had a hard time enjoying Dread Lords, because it didn't have what Dark Avatar has. So Galciv 2 developers, do everyone a favor!

Thanks for reading this. I appriciate it. Really. People, (including you Kryo), tell me what you think!
14,748 views 26 replies
Reply #1 Top
Forgot to add a couple things

Admiralty skill: Build an improvement to increase the skills of your fleet commanders. Better commanders mean more damage done to your enemies.

Enhanced Land Combat: Make it 3D (so you can look around and zoom), and more intense!

Advanced Starport: These build a ship in half the time that is usually required, but have high maintenence costs.

Surface-to-space weapons: These improvements fire at enemy ships that are attacking orbiting ship.

Well, thats all for now. Tell me what you think about these, and tell me some of yours too!  

Etrius
Reply #2 Top
Hey uh, MarcusCadriff, you said you would read it
Reply #3 Top
I like your ideas. I would like to also see:

The addition of more random events and ethic choices

The addition of stellar terrain (black holes,nebulas, ect.)

More realistic interstellar distances

The addition of more types of stars (neutron stars, black dwarfs, white dwarfs,ect.)

Each star can have more than five planets around them (I suggest a max of nine or ten)

More types of planets (Volcanic, Tropical, ect.)

The ability to colonize moons

The ability to build orbital defenses

Each major race should have one unique building

Reply #4 Top
Wow...Great Ideas! It would be great to see mega events like a civil war in the most powerful Civ
Reply #5 Top
One more idea: Alternate universes, The Thalan came from an alternate universe, so you should be able to go to that universe if you have the right tech that is.

Anyway, I like your ideas Iso the wise!

Etrius
Reply #6 Top
I dunno the alternate Universe thing just creates a 'New Game' which is pointless.
Maaaaybe you could send explorer teams to this universe and they might bring stuff back, if they ever do that is... *cackles*
Reply #7 Top
I dunno the alternate Universe thing just creates a 'New Game' which is pointless.


Listen, that alternative universe would be for a mission or two. You would steal tech from the Thalans, build a portal, and then send the Tanortai (being dragons, they can survive things humaniods can't) to wreck the Thalan Empire at its heart. This universe would be weird, throwing randomness that would make you rethink your plans, like planets and ships zapping around the map, disappearing and reappearing somewhere else!  Just a thought. Glad you like the ideas!

Etrius
Reply #8 Top
Alternative universe: You have a portal where you can constantly check Empires in both universe (essentially having to manage two empires, one part being in your home universe, the other being in the alternative universe.)
Because the laws of physics would be different in this universe:
- Events like planet explosions could be very random and a little common, due to "instabilities" in a planet's core which, over time, becomes more unstable overtime (possible same with "suns"?).
- Erratic "black holes": Black holes that appear randomly for a few turns. Each turn, planets and solar systems move nearer to the black hole. If a sun gets taken into the black hole, the whole solar system is either sucked into the black hole, or intense gravity flings them out into other solar systems (which, depending how far from the sun, could reduce it's PQ or make in inhospitable), or into planets (destroying planets).

- Due to this extremities in the alternate universe, after a couple of techs, you can build very small, very expensive 'enviro-stations' where populations can live. You can research different techs to improve this living structures by constructors. Because theres aren't planets, moral could be harder to keep up... (Okay, not very detailed)

- Anomalies could provide new elements to improve your buildings.
- The portal can be destroyed. If so, you are stuck in the alternate universe, cut of from home. It will be very expensive and take years to build,and you cannot simple "buy" it.

Reply #9 Top
there are some good ideas here, here are some that i like:

The addition of more types of stars (neutron stars, black dwarfs, white dwarfs,ect.)

Each star can have more than five planets around them (I suggest a max of nine or ten)

More types of planets (Volcanic, Tropical, ect.)

The ability to colonize moons

The ability to build orbital defenses

Each major race should have one unique building

Carriers: These have hanger modules onboard so that they can deploy fighter drones

Surface-to-space weapons: These improvements fire at enemy ships that are attacking orbiting ship.

Enhanced Land Combat: Make it 3D (so you can look around and zoom), and more intense!

Ship repair bays: Move ships into these and they will repair quickly.

can build a ship to create a whole new planet (like Genesis, the higher the quality, the more expensive) this would be a really cool thing, have a tech similer to the spore tech exept anyone can research this

Add the epic generator!!

Make the good alignment have really good bonuses so its worth taking all those losses when you're colonizing planets

Bump up the population growth rate

Ship damage: Currently, ship damage is just electricity and smoke. During fights, pieces should be torn off. After the fight you would see holes and missing parts. Those parts would reappear over time (when the ship repairs)

Add different diplomacy options: Like 'do this or face war'

The addition of more random events and ethic choices


and as for your comment about puting DA stuff in DL, if they did then why would anyone buy DA??
Reply #10 Top
Alternative universe: You have a portal where you can constantly check Empires in both universe (essentially having to manage two empires, one part being in your home universe, the other being in the alternative universe.)
Because the laws of physics would be different in this universe:
- Events like planet explosions could be very random and a little common, due to "instabilities" in a planet's core which, over time, becomes more unstable overtime (possible same with "suns"?).
- Erratic "black holes": Black holes that appear randomly for a few turns. Each turn, planets and solar systems move nearer to the black hole. If a sun gets taken into the black hole, the whole solar system is either sucked into the black hole, or intense gravity flings them out into other solar systems (which, depending how far from the sun, could reduce it's PQ or make in inhospitable), or into planets (destroying planets).

- Due to this extremities in the alternate universe, after a couple of techs, you can build very small, very expensive 'enviro-stations' where populations can live. You can research different techs to improve this living structures by constructors. Because theres aren't planets, moral could be harder to keep up... (Okay, not very detailed)

- Anomalies could provide new elements to improve your buildings.
- The portal can be destroyed. If so, you are stuck in the alternate universe, cut of from home. It will be very expensive and take years to build,and you cannot simple "buy" it.


Those are some good ideas for the alternate universe.

and as for your comment about puting DA stuff in DL, if they did then why would anyone buy DA??


I didn't mean putting everything into it, though.  

Etrius
Reply #11 Top
I love this idea of the Alternate Universe.

Entering the Alternate Universe whould dangerous. I think a good idea whould be that a ship has a 35% chance of being destroyed as it enters the Alternate Univerese.

A good idea for the Alternate Univerese could be that a ship could speed, sensor range or ship range could temperarily increse or decrese due to the Alternate Univerese's unstable nature.

Another good idea for the Alternate Universe that time may often travels backwards.

I think the only way that you should be able to enter the Alternate Universe is to disrupt the Space-Time Continum. The Thalans would already know how to do this but the other races whould have to learn how to.

The Space-Time Continum Disrupter Portal Generator whould be your only way to travel between the Universe and Alternate Universe. The Portal's tech requirements whould be near the end of the tech tree and whould take years to research. The Thalans whould be the only race to already have these technologies at the start of the game.

Tech requirements for Space-Time Disruptor Portal Generator:
1.Space-Time Disruption
2.Space-Time Portal Creation
3.Space-Time Portal Stablization
4.Space-Time Portal Construction
5.Space-Time Drive System

Space-Time Disruption whould be your first step in getting to the Alternate Universe.

After you learn how to disrupt the Space-Time Continum, you could then learn how to create Space-Time Portals.

The Portals whould start unstable so you would need to learn how stablize them.

After the Portals are stablized, you can then start constructing them.

Finaly you could then develop a drive system to travel through the Portal and into the Alternate Universe.
Reply #12 Top
Carriers, tactical combat, and multiplayer have been discussed to death, see the forum stickies. For my part, I don't see the point of carriers and would actively oppose the inclusion of tactical combat and multiplayer. A number of your other ideas seem better suited to a sequel than an expansion considering that they are radical changes to gameplay that would require an enormous quantity of work. I never play the campaign, so that's not a big deal to me one way or the other.

At the end of the day about the only thing on that list I support is the inclusion of an epic generator, if it's possible at all. I fear that it may not be, in practical terms.
Reply #13 Top
I've come up with a few more ideas.

No limit on max trade routes.

The United Planets should be somewhat improved.

More issues.
1.Galactic Trade Federation-Permenitly increases max trade routes by 35.
2.Galactic Trade Commision-Permenitly increases trade income by 50%.
3.Tourist Promotion Program-Permenitly increases tourist income by 40%.
4.Monopoly Prohibition-Permently prevents any player from not sharing a trade good with at least one other empire.

The empire that has the most influence should pick what comes up.

Military and Civilian population should be seperated.

Play aganist up to 15 other empires

Have even larger maps
Reply #14 Top
No limit on max trade routes.

The United Planets should be somewhat improved.

More issues.
1.Galactic Trade Federation-Permenitly increases max trade routes by 35.
2.Galactic Trade Commision-Permenitly increases trade income by 50%.
3.Tourist Promotion Program-Permenitly increases tourist income by 40%.
4.Monopoly Prohibition-Permently prevents any player from not sharing a trade good with at least one other empire.

The empire that has the most influence should pick what comes up.

Military and Civilian population should be seperated.

Play aganist up to 15 other empires

Have even larger maps


YEAH!

BTW, Iso, what do you think about my ideas about the Tanortai and Kolians??
Reply #15 Top
I like the idea of having new races. I also like the fact that they are not humanoid. The game already has enough humanoid races.I would like to play the campaign and see how it works out. I've completed the Dread Lords campaign but not the Dark Avatar campaign.

What about a tech that would let you clean up toxic planets? That way you could repair planets that have been toxified by the Korath (or any one with the Super Annilator ability.)

On a side note have you ever played Galactic Civilizations One?
Reply #17 Top
How about the possibility of allowing Minor races to join your empire, without being conquered, so your empire would get some sort of bonus due to some special trait that the minor race possesses. But if you have to conquer the minor race you get nothing due to you have just killed most of their population.

I like most of these ideas.
Reply #18 Top
These ideas are probably too radical of changes for an expansion.
How about having the United Planets more like the UN in Civilization IV? That is, civilizations elect a secretary general every so often, and the secretary general chooses resolutions to vote on.
Reply #19 Top
No limit on max trade routes? Then why bother researching advanced trade? That +10 trade bonus? Gimme a break, not worth the time and effort.

Alternate Universes? I've got enough on my mind dealing with one empire, much less two. Maybe have a couple of alternate universe missions in Campaign mode with some new laws of physics involved, then include a new gameplay option for Sandbox mode.

Carriers, Tactical Combat, Multiplayer. . . oh look, Mister Ed is dead, let's hit him with baseball bats.

Adding DA features to DL? And using the DL population model in DA? Ummmm. . . no? Remember that DA was rebalanced to incorporate the changes from DL: part of the reason population expansion was reduced was so people would make more use of asteroids and such. . .

Basically, I agree with those who say, "Nice ideas, not gonna happen," and add the thought, "make your own darn game or learn to mod." I also add the thought, "Maybe you should play Master of Orion 2, it's got a lot of the features you describe: artificial planets, stellar converters, etc."

I know I sound snide, perhaps unfairly so. Do you want to know where you lost me? Space dragons. Just. . . no. Pet peeve of mine. I'm sorry, but space dragons just awaken every cheese detector in my body, kind of like cybernetic elves with artificial limbs limited to 18/00 strength for "game balancing purposes". . .

Hang on, some guys in white coats are here to drag this ranting lunatic away. . . gets carted off
Reply #20 Top
No limit on max trade routes? Then why bother researching advanced trade? That +10 trade bonus? Gimme a break, not worth the time and effort.

You still would have to research trade, advanced trade, ect. to get more trade routes.





Reply #21 Top
To themocaw:

Look, these are just ideas, okay? Besides, lots of people like them (except you).

If Frogboy puts these ideas in the next GCII expansion, I'll laugh at you and spit in your face.

I may sound snotty, but you were snide
Reply #22 Top
To themocaw:

Look, these are just ideas, okay? Besides, lots of people like them (except you).

If Frogboy puts these ideas in the next GCII expansion, I'll laugh at you and spit in your face.

I may sound snotty, but you were snide


Good come back!

Anyway, how do you like this? These are my ideas for the two new super abilities.

Super Builder:
Social Production Bonus +60
Military Production Bonus +30
Allows the construction of Planet Construction Ships, cost 1000bc
Planet construcion cost:
Class 1 40000bc
Class 2 50000bc
Class 3 60000bc
Class 4 65000bc
Class 5 70000bc
Class 6 80000bc
Class 7 90000bc
Class 8 100000bc
Class 9 115000bc
Class 10 130000bc
Class 11 145000bc
Class 12 155000bc
Class 13 170000bc
Class 14 185000bc
Class 15 195000bc
Class 16 210000bc
Class 17 230000bc
Class 18 250000bc
Class 19 270000bc
Class 20 300000bc
Class 21 345000bc
Class 22 370000bc
Class 23 420000bc
Class 24 480000bc
Class 25 540000bc
Class 26 650000bc

Super Destroyer:
Military Production Bonus +10
Weapons Bonus +50
Allows the construction of Planet Destroyer Ships, cost 4000bc


Reply #23 Top
Anyway, how do you like this? These are my ideas for the two new super abilities.

Super Builder:
Social Production Bonus +60
Military Production Bonus +30
Allows the construction of Planet Construction Ships, cost 1000bc
Planet construcion cost:
Class 1 40000bc
Class 2 50000bc
Class 3 60000bc
Class 4 65000bc
Class 5 70000bc
Class 6 80000bc
Class 7 90000bc
Class 8 100000bc
Class 9 115000bc
Class 10 130000bc
Class 11 145000bc
Class 12 155000bc
Class 13 170000bc
Class 14 185000bc
Class 15 195000bc
Class 16 210000bc
Class 17 230000bc
Class 18 250000bc
Class 19 270000bc
Class 20 300000bc
Class 21 345000bc
Class 22 370000bc
Class 23 420000bc
Class 24 480000bc
Class 25 540000bc
Class 26 650000bc

Super Destroyer:
Military Production Bonus +10
Weapons Bonus +50
Allows the construction of Planet Destroyer Ships, cost 4000bc


Hmmm, that is a good idea for costs for planets.

Iso, you are an idea machine!  

I also have a idea: Enhanced star gates. You would sent two ships that build stargates (constructor or some other new ship design) and build two star gates to quickly transport ships across the map. No matter how far, it would take one or two turns to get there. This would be good for emergencies such as when another civ invades you, you could get your ships to that hot spot quickly.

Etrius
Reply #24 Top
To themocaw:

Look, these are just ideas, okay? Besides, lots of people like them (except you).

If Frogboy puts these ideas in the next GCII expansion, I'll laugh at you and spit in your face.

I may sound snotty, but you were snide


Getting feisty, now, are we?

Yes, I was snide. I was extremely snide. I was so extremely snide because obvious fanboyish sets me off, especially oblivious narcissistic fanboyism, which I define as "imagining that the game developers were looking for someone just like me to tell them exactly what to do with their franchise." Was I over the line? Probably, and if the forum mods decide I need some time to cool off, I'll accept anything they give me. But the fact remains, I don't like your ideas, and more importantly, I get the feeling you didn't even bother checking to see if the ideas you posted were already being discussed.

1. Tactical Combat.
2. Multiplayer
3. Carriers

Three issues that Stardock have said are not going to happen ever, no way, no how, stop asking, go and take a look at the stickies.

Secondly, your plot. Frogboy has stated that the outline of the future plot has already been determined. They're based on stories he wrote a long-arse time ago, based on what happened to the Precursors, the split between the Dread Lords and the Arnor over the issue of time. So in other words, I don't see your plot on space dragons with magic space drives occuring any time soon. Indications are that the plot of the third game will revolve around the mystery of the Thalans claiming to be trying to "stop humans" from something they are about to do, and the fate of the Earth Fleet that was left behind in the alternate world.

As for the other issues, like using DL mechanics in DA settings, alternate universes, unlimited trade routes, etc. etc. I think I already said why I didn't like those, even if they were said rather bluntly.

So in other words, this more about fantasizing about the "Space 4X game I wish I had," and less about actual changes that could be incorporated into a GCII expansion. You haven't followed any of the discussion of what the developers are already planning for the future of the franchise, or you don't care, and that just annoys me beyond what is logically reasonable and sets me off into long rants like this one.

Anyway, internets, serious business, I've said my piece, if you would like to continue discussing this with your scintillating intellect, let's take it to notes or PMs so we don't clutter up the boards with our spirited discussion.

P.S.: If by some weird twist of fate Stardock does use your ideas, and I look up from making snow angels with Satan in hell because and you do laugh at me and spit in my face, I'm going to drop a nuclear bomb on you, which makes about as much sense from an internet perspective, Mister E-Tough-Guy.
Reply #25 Top

P.S.: If by some weird twist of fate Stardock does use your ideas, and I look up from making snow angels with Satan in hell because and you do laugh at me and spit in my face, I'm going to drop a nuclear bomb on you, which makes about as much sense from an internet perspective, Mister E-Tough-Guy.


That's a little harsh.