Starbase Orion - (by Chimera Software) - Universal App

[DaviddesJ]

It just seems to me that a multiplayer game would take too long. I don't like to play games where I have to move more than about once per day, and it seems like a game at that rate would take several months.

The main problem that makes AI opponents "uninteresting" to me is the "crossover" effect---early in the game, they are way stronger than you, because of your handicaps, and you are left mostly hoping they are too stupid to wipe you out, while later in the game, once you catch up with them in strength, there is no chance they will present any challenge and it's only a matter of time until you get so much stronger than them that it's trivial to wipe them out.

[KittyMac]

Originally Posted by DaviddesJ

It just seems to me that a multiplayer game would take too long. I don't like to play games where I have to move more than about once per day, and it seems like a game at that rate would take several months.

You'd be better off asking some of the MP players on the SO forum, but games I see range all over the scale from 1-2 a day, to 10+ a day.

SO is built for MP, its not just tacked on; between turn compression (i.e. auto-continuing idle turns where you don't have anything to do) and the recently added swizzle to game order placement ( in a 1v1 MP game you place two turns worth of orders each time you play your turn, cutting down the back and forth and making the game go twice as fast ), SO really stretches those fews turns as far as it can.

Originally Posted by DaviddesJ

The main problem that makes AI opponents "uninteresting" to me is the "crossover" effect---early in the game, they are way stronger than you, because of your handicaps, and you are left mostly hoping they are too stupid to wipe you out, while later in the game, once you catch up with them in strength, there is no chance they will present any challenge and it's only a matter of time until you get so much stronger than them that it's trivial to wipe them out.

All I can suggest is that you give it a try again If I read correctly you already own it, so give it a whirl next time you're bored. If you garner specific feedback about your AI games under v1.1, send me a PM with your thoughts. As I said, there is always room for improvement.

[bloodyparrot]

I am impressed with the developer's support and pursuit of improvement on this project.
As a big fan of MOO2, I am tipping towards making this purchase. It would be tied for the most expensive game I have bought for my iThing (the engrossing and sometimes frustrating King of Dragon Pass).
A few questions:
Is diplomacy in this game handled like it is in MOO2?
Are there special officer characters that can be recruited?
Is there a planned update for the new iPad3 retina display?

[KittyMac]

Originally Posted by bloodyparrot

Are there special officer characters that can be recruited?

Colony and ship leaders are entering production now, so these will make it into Starbase Orion in the near future. No specific date yet.

Originally Posted by bloodyparrot

Is diplomacy in this game handled like it is in MOO2?

Not yet, but I am scoping it out and planning to add complex diplomacy after leaders are done.

Right now you can have pre-set teams, either mixed human and AI teams or all humans vs all AI, or everyone on their own as a free-for-all.

Originally Posted by bloodyparrot

Is there a planned update for the new iPad3 retina display?

Yes! Actually, I am sending the first beta of v1.1.2 with full iPad3 support to my testing group right now.

Aiming to get it submitted to Apple by the end of the week, which means it will be live to download sometime end of next week.

[bloodyparrot]

Originally Posted by KittyMac

Yes! Actually, I am sending the first beta of v1.1.2 with full iPad3 support to my testing group right now.

Aiming to get it submitted to Apple by the end of the week, which means it will be live to download sometime end of next week.

Outstanding! Thanks for the zippy response, too.
playing these types of games on a lil' Touch seems a bit too restrictive but when I get an iPad I do think you got a customer here.

[Dave in the basement]

Does anyone have any general strategy tips for a new player that is having trouble establishing a foothold? Must-have techs to grab, or avoid? Planets to always colonize, or shipbuilding ideas?

I am loving the game, but get trounced once the enemy fleet comes rolling in.

Thanks in advance of course!

Dave

[KittyMac]

I started collecting some "pro tips" from the more active SO players a couple of days ago. Some of these may help you to get started.

General Tips

• Exploration is dangerous, scout unexplored star systems using inexpensive frigates.
• Unescorted colony and troop ships are easily destroyed by combat ships in the same system.
• High food production will free up farmers to be used for other task.
• Armor modifications are a cheap way to improve a ship's combat longevity.
• Having more ships than your command points allow for will incur maintenance costs.
• Make custom build focuses to reduce micro management of planets
• Be prepared! Maintain a large fleet that uses up your available command points.
• Espionage can be an effective tool to supplement your research pool.
• Sabotage can hurt an enemy's ability to deploy ships.
• If you cannot save a planet from being captured, evacuate your colonists before it becomes blockaded.
• You can scrap buildings for Galactic Credits, which is especially useful if the planet may soon be captured.
• Usually you only need one Agent Training Camp in your empire.
• Be careful trying to build everything, as maintenance costs could bankrupt a young empire.
• If you discover a space monster early in the game, try to retreat.
• Always review your ship general settings before combat.

Multiplayer Tips

• Custom races are the most competitive option for multiplayer matches.
• When coordinating attacks with an ally, use current and future star dates as guides to make sure you arrive on time.
• Use "Skip Idle Turns" to speed up the pace of multiplayer games.
• Smart use of custom build order can speed up games when used with "skip idle turns"
• Skip idle turns will stop as soon as your empire detects an incoming fleet, providing you a chance to react.
• If an incoming enemy fleet can get to your planet in a single turn, then you won't have time to react so plan ahead.

[GodSon]

Thanks for the protips as well as such a solid game. I recently picked this up based on a TA users suggestion, and Starbase Orion is easily one of my favorite iOS games thanks the vast amount of overall freedom, content, near endless customization, a constant challenge, and endless replayabily thats truly never the same game. A great pickup indeed.

[VanderLegion]

Originally Posted by Dave in the basement

Does anyone have any general strategy tips for a new player that is having trouble establishing a foothold? Must-have techs to grab, or avoid? Planets to always colonize, or shipbuilding ideas?

I am loving the game, but get trounced once the enemy fleet comes rolling in.

Thanks in advance of course!

Dave

In addition to the tips KittyMac posted there, if you head over to the official forums there's numerous threads on strategies etc.

[Dave in the basement]

Thanks very much for the pro-tips, KittyMac! And thanks for the idea of heading over to the official forums, VanderLegion. I'll definitely check them out.

Much appreciated!