Atmospheric conditions - what impact do they have?

God Emperor · #1 January 7th, 2001, 06:34 AM

Am playing the demo currently which does not have much of a description of what impact atmospheric conditions have and why you might want to modify them using the facility that comes from Planet Utilisation.
My planets that have unpleasant atmospheric conditions do not seem that different from those with optimal conditions. I did build an atmospheric facility in one game on a planet which after about 15 turns gave me a message that it was complete and could not be modified further. I wasnt able to determine that any thing had changed.
Whats the story guys? Are these things worth researching, or do that just fill in the gap before planetary value improvement?
Many thanks in advance.....

pathfinder · #2 January 7th, 2001, 06:37 AM

In my current game, upping conditions has given me more population (I think), which translates to work getting done faster. I also have used converting atmosphere, which will give you quite a few more facility slots per planet converted.

[This message has been edited by pathfinder (edited 07 January 2001).]

Daynarr · #3 January 7th, 2001, 06:44 AM

quote:
Originally posted by God Emperor:
Am playing the demo currently which does not have much of a description of what impact atmospheric conditions have and why you might want to modify them using the facility that comes from Planet Utilisation.
My planets that have unpleasant atmospheric conditions do not seem that different from those with optimal conditions. I did build an atmospheric facility in one game on a planet which after about 15 turns gave me a message that it was complete and could not be modified further. I wasnt able to determine that any thing had changed.
Whats the story guys? Are these things worth researching, or do that just fill in the gap before planetary value improvement?
Many thanks in advance.....

Depends on the size of the planet. Better condition, better population reproduction. For small and tiny planets this is not important, but for large and huge ones this is. Optimal planets give you about 10% bonus in reproduction and they can increase your empire's population fast.

Jubala · #4 January 7th, 2001, 06:44 PM

Am I the only one who finds it strange that it's faster to change the atmosphere of a planet than the conditions?

Kagetora · #5 January 7th, 2001, 11:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jubala:
Am I the only one who finds it strange that it's faster to change the atmosphere of a planet than the conditions?

No not really the bad conditions are most often due to shifting tectonic plates or severe weather conditions these would be harder to fix than just seeding the atmosphere at least in theory.<G>

Jubala · #6 January 8th, 2001, 06:39 AM

I beg to differ. To change a planets atmosphere you would most likey have to change the entire ecosystem. Just removing the gas you don't like (Methane) and inserting the gas you like (Oxygen) won't cut it as the planet ecosystem (plants and animals) will most likely reverse it. You'd have to introduce "your" plants and animals to replace the indigenous ones. Besides, changing the atmosphere should improve the conditions slightly as well. I sure as hell would think the conditions where better if I could breathe.

General Hawkwing · #7 January 8th, 2001, 05:31 PM

While not sure about changing the atmosphere and its affect on reproduction rate (not size limit), I do know that converting the climate will increase the reproduction rate on the planet.

To enter the debate on ease of changing atmosphere versus climate. Changing the atmosphere (exchanging gases) does not require reseeding of the flora or fauna. You are using tech/mech to change it and these machines would be run as long as necessary after the initial change to prevent any change back. What would you choose to reseed with? Being bound to one planet we tend to view space colonization within these limited terms of reseeding, using native earth species. However, why would 2 planets in 2 different systems have the same life forms just because they have the same atmosphere. There are 3 planet types also to consider. How would mean temp, gravitaion, humidity, etc affect the flora/fauna? No reseeding could not be viewed as necessary for changing atmosphere.

Now changing climate takes more than just exchanging gases, in fact it does not require changing gases at all. You are dealing with weather, (such as prevailing winds, temp and humidity), landscape (mountains, tec plates) and other planetary forces. Changing gases could effect climate, look at NASA and their thoughts of changing Mar's climate by loading the atmosphere with "Greenhouse Gases".

[This message has been edited by General Hawkwing (edited 08 January 2001).]

Kagetora · #8 January 8th, 2001, 05:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jubala:
I beg to differ. To change a planets atmosphere you would most likey have to change the entire ecosystem. Just removing the gas you don't like (Methane) and inserting the gas you like (Oxygen) won't cut it as the planet ecosystem (plants and animals) will most likely reverse it. You'd have to introduce "your" plants and animals to replace the indigenous ones. Besides, changing the atmosphere should improve the conditions slightly as well. I sure as hell would think the conditions where better if I could breathe.

No if you seeded the atmosphere enough to charge the makeup of it significantly there wouldn't be any plants or animals to change it back they would most likely all die perhaps a few really hardy species might live but they would adapt to the change not force a change back.

Nyx · #9 January 8th, 2001, 08:07 PM

My biggest question is why do all races find the same living conditions favorable? I can't imagine that someone used to the radiation and storms of a gas giant would be climate controlling a world to cause "optimal" conditions for some crystalline race from ice worlds with no atmosphere at all.

I'd like to see the conditions get the same treatment that atmosphere got with a few selections. Them my climate tweaks would make a world someone else might hate.

------------------
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Jubala · #10 January 8th, 2001, 10:01 PM

Anyone ever seen a planet with harsh or deadly conditions?

Well, no matter which of the methods described here is used to changed a planets atmosphere, you'll get the tree-huggers after you.