[Baron Munchausen]

You could make the deathstar. Just put the hull in the VehicleSize.txt file and give it "Standard Ship Movement" as one of its abilities like it was an engine. It will be able to move as much as you give it without engines.

The "Prestige Object" idea hits on a missing element in the game. Sure, other races ought to be impressed if you are obviously more technologically advanced than they are. But even if they are currently, we don't KNOW if they are. There needs to be a "reputation" rating of some sort that gives a clue about how the AIs regard you. For that matter, give it to all of the AIs in the diplomatic screen so we know how each of our AI competitors is currently regarded by the galactic community. It could be based on perceived technological advancement, combat prowess, and also diplomatic finesse. So, a race that keeps up good treaties with everyone could have a good rating and be seen as 'friendly' even if they aren't hugely powerful. But as the 'Prestige Object' idea suggests, other races ought to feel something like "awe" of races which can produce artifacts which obviously require very advanced technology. They also ought to feel anger and fear at races which genocidally slaughter or conquer and enslave others. Since 'sophistication' and 'threat level' and 'diplomatic skill' are seperate things, maybe there need to be seperate Ratings for each of them. But, we need SOME additional clues about the way the AI perceives us beyond this "mood" thing.



[This message has been edited by Baron Munchausen (edited 23 January 2001).]