My kids have expressed an interest in SE4, but there is just so much complexity that it's a bit overwhelming for them to pickup at a young age. A lot of board games , Monopoly and Clue for two, have released "Jr." versions which are simplified versions of the game geared towards younger players. So while playing around with my Risk Mod I realized we could do something like this in a mod. Here's what I'm thinking:
All planets have room for one facility. Either a Space Yard, a Research Facility, or a Resource Facility.
All planets are the same resource percentage.
Colonization has automatic population.
Simplified tech tree with one general tech branch. As research advances, gradually larger and more capable ships become available.
Simplified ship design with single components that handle all ship abilities. See Risk Mod for example. In addition to simplifieng ship design this also eliminates the need to deal with repairing damaged ships.
No units, including mines and fighters. Ship combat only. Planets are captured by glassing and recolonizing. Modify settings so glassed planets don't lose their value.
Eliminate maintance concerns. Ships cost resources to build, but once they are built, no maintenace.
More advanced ships will be more expensive and take longer to build, but be stronger in combat.
Players will still have choices to make. Build colony ships and expand or war ships and exterminate?
Turn your planets into space yards and build more ships, or generate resources to pay for the ships you are building at other planets. Mine for resources to support more ships, or concentrate on research to get better ships.
No intel.
Trade will generate resources and research, so diplomacy will still be a part of the game. And alling with someone to kick someone else's butt is always an option.
I think this would give kids a taste of the 4X ,sci-fi and strategic aspects of the game, without getting overwhelmed with the dozens or hundreds of decisions that have to be made every turn.
Actually, it wouldn't have to be just be for kids. Could be a nice way to play a quick game when you don't want to get bogged down in micro-managment.
Mod idea: SEIV Junior
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