Hotseat Play

sogard · #1 December 18th, 2000, 11:42 PM

I have been playing SPACE EMPIRES IV (SE4) in hotseat play for the past couple of weeks. My experience with hostseat play in SE4 has been most enjoyalbe. It is so good that I very much look forward to the enabling of tcp/ip internet play as that will expand the ease to find another human to play against. At present, I have only played SE4 with two human players (in a large universe with the max number of AI players) and that has been very good. I love the fact that one can use the tactical combat features in SE4 fully in hotseat play. The game has worked perfectly with no problems noted -- just hours of fascinating game play.

If you have not tried SE4 in hotseat play, I urge you to give it a go -- if you are a serious strategy gamer, that is. The fact that you know that there is another human controlled race out there really adds to the thrill factor.

AJC · #2 December 19th, 2000, 02:51 AM

I Totally agree with you. SE4 Hotseat games are really interesting to play.

Instar · #3 December 19th, 2000, 03:34 AM

I gotta love hotseat. Its awesome. I like to play with someone else, we can work together(they couldnt compete with me otherwise!)

Puke · #4 December 19th, 2000, 03:42 AM

speaking of working together, it would be cool to do a team mode game (i think someone mentioned this on another thread.. if they are reading this, did you win?) against the AI on highest settings with a couple of the custom mods from our modder heros out there.

I enjoy collaborative efforts more than all-for-one competition. the every man for himself mode is cool, but fosters alot of paranoia. while thats good, it can also get old. it would be nice to even play a 2 on 2 pbem game (or other team based format) where you have at least one race that you can trust with your open flank. time to send out an email to the pbem crew!

sogard · #5 December 19th, 2000, 05:45 AM

In the two games that I have played hotseat and now with my third, they have not been collaborative. There is something about knowing that somewhere out in that vast universe, there is another intelligence lurking which will try to take me down in the most devilish manner possible that really spices up the game. The number of strategies and options provided by SPACE EMPIRES IV (SE4) makes it unlikely that one would tire any time soon with the game.

We play with the maxiumum number of AI players so the demands of not only planning on how to deal with the other human player merges with the requirements to deal with all the AI players.

So far, in all the hotseat games, the human players have started at opposite ends of the galaxy map. Anyone else seen anything different?

sogard · #6 December 19th, 2000, 05:45 AM

In the two games that I have played hotseat and now with my third, they have not been collaborative. There is something about knowing that somewhere out in that vast universe, there is another intelligence lurking which will try to take me down in the most devilish manner possible that really spices up the game. The number of strategies and options provided by SPACE EMPIRES IV (SE4) makes it unlikely that one would tire any time soon with the game.

We play with the maxiumum number of AI players so the demands of not only planning on how to deal with the other human player merges with the requirements to deal with all the AI players.

So far, in all the hotseat games, the human players have started at opposite ends of the galaxy map. Anyone else seen anything different?

sogard · #7 December 19th, 2000, 05:45 AM

In the two games that I have played hotseat and now with my third, they have not been collaborative. There is something about knowing that somewhere out in that vast universe, there is another intelligence lurking which will try to take me down in the most devilish manner possible that really spices up the game. The number of strategies and options provided by SPACE EMPIRES IV (SE4) makes it unlikely that one would tire any time soon with the game.

We play with the maxiumum number of AI players so the demands of not only planning on how to deal with the other human player merges with the requirements to deal with all the AI players.

So far, in all the hotseat games, the human players have started at opposite ends of the galaxy map. Anyone else seen anything different?

greghacke · #8 December 19th, 2000, 06:30 AM

different? One race - Gas/Oxygen the other Ice/CO2, 3 planets, evenly distributed, can start in same, good resources, all players equal starting planets, lots of AI, lots of neutrals, set them on really tough and teamed.

I had 2 planets in one system, fairly central location SHARING the sector with the other human. felt like a major case of Blockade, as the 19 AIs slowly moved in on us. yes, i have to say we lost.

The AI did do the 1-2 ship max per attack, but we'd get 2 of one empire one turn, 2 of another the next, etc. eventually, we were hit EVERY turn in at least 3 places by different empires!

sogard · #9 December 20th, 2000, 12:54 AM

The following was posted today on the "What's New" page of Malfador Machinations:

12/19/00 - SE4 Patch 2 Available
The second patch for Space Empires IV will be available here on 12/20/00. This patch includes all previous patches. It includes numerous bug fixes plus the all new Combat Replay viewer. Much like a vcr, the Combat Replay will allow you to watch combats that are reported in your Log Window. See the manual pages for complete details.

We've added a link on our site to the Global 100 lists. If you like SE4, please take the time to vote for it!

In other news, Malfador Machinations is going on a much-needed vacation. We'll be closed down from December 20th through January 4th. You can still order the game through Shrapnel Games and visit their forums to talk with other players. We will not be answering any emails during this time. As soon as we're back, we'll continue work on the next patch, the Map Editor, and the Multiplayer enhancements!

Hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!

sogard · #10 December 20th, 2000, 11:54 PM

Now that the new patch is out, I am wondering if the new patch will screw up my current hotseat game if I install it. Does anyone know the answer to this and has anyone else tried to resume a saved game after installing the patch?

Hope someone has some experience with this. The patch info says that you should back up any data files -- what about saved game files?