Why I prefer Space Empries IV...

This should be a sport... I wonder if it's the same person with different logins...

Javaslinger

SEIV is a very good game it’s also much more polished than SEV but having played both SEV will end up a much better game and I feel it is already better. I still play SEIV from time to time and it’s a gem.

As for trolls don’t you have to burn them as chopping them up just multiplys them

I agree, SE5 is not yet as easy to play as SEIV.

There's more clicking and mouse travel involved in SEV because the UI is not yet as streamlined as that on SEIV. Situation awareness is also comparably diminished due to lack of immediate on-screen information/feedback.

Once Aaron gives us FULL mod capabilities to the UI, some of us will be able to contribute much to the game experience. I sincerely hope this can happen soon (I've already got things drawn up in photoshop, and just need the support in hard code and the access in config files)

As for "trolling" I don't believe there's a full understanding of what it constitutes. Trolling requires veiled epithets; the OP was merely giving his own critical opinion -- although perhaps not specific enough to satisfy javaslinger.

I agree that SEIV is great, but as long as Malfador Productions continue to actively work on SEV, I'm more than happy to wait. SEIV took a long time to get to the great state it was left in.

My only disappointment vis a vis IV is that it won't play in windowed mode or scale to larger resolutions. It's getting a little tedious to play on higher resolution computers.

"Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily. "If it /is/ a good morning," he said. "Which I doubt," said he.

I was wondering that myself. So far, I haven't had the slightest clue what he meant...

And I know that graphics don't make a good game, but how is 2D > 3D? Especially for an environment that is naturally in 3 Dimensions, how is 3D worse?

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Watch for my mod - codename: Dimensions - coming by Summer, 2007!

I can't speak for what is meant by "objectivity" but as for the 2D vs 3D question I believe the consensus in that area of criticism is that SE5 is merely a pseudo-3D facade upgrade to SE4.

The hex system is a worthy upgrade, but the 3D graphics is just a prettier version of a 2D abstraction of space. It offers no change to game mechanics because the Z-plane is completely ignored, even in tactical combat. It's merely a visual upgrade rather than a critical mechanics upgrade -- you can replace the current graphics with a 2D isometric view and it will still play the same. That in my opinion makes it not worth the tremendous effort that was put into it.

Ironically I agree that one of my biggest disappoints with SE5 was graphical. The black holes and nebulae in SEIV looked awesome, they were full of colour and interesting to see. The SE5 nebula are a few scattered clouds. Don't get me wrong; this can probably be easily fixed. But currently the graphics kill the mood more than they add to them.

Not that 3D is a total back step so far though; the 3D real time space battles are a huge upgrade over SEIV and I love watching them. Naturally, I'm just talking graphics here; there are other aspects of the game I love, and am disappointed by, such as the lack of Z-axis in tac combat, as mentioned above, while I really like the diplomacy and alliances - abd I'm really looking forward to the day they work in a fun and engaging fasion with the AI.

But as it stands the game just isn't finished enough yet to compare with SEIV.

I think that SEV with the 1.20 patch is getting real
close to being the superior of SE4. The graphics
are so superior it makes the game much more fun to
play. The weakness in SEV right now is the AI as
the other races are too benign and no where near as
aggressive as the earlier SE games. I have no
problems at all at winning even with max bonuses
to the AI players. They don't really explore or
act aggressive. Improve the AI so that the comp
plays more aggressive and you will have a winner.
There also needs some changes in the display such
as too much clutter on the system maps. There is
no need to show ship names on planets if they over-
lap each other and are unreadable. Also did multi
tracking dissapear? I can say I was extremely
frustrated when i got the early version but have
come to enjoy the newer 1.20 version and just hope
to have some decent sized battles when the AI is
fixed. I am the only one so far to build large
crusiers (battlecrusiers) and battleships. I can
easily dominate the other races i come across. Keep
up the updates and good work Malfador, your almost
there!
Tim (plasticpanzers)

Maybe the 3D engine was designed to allow for the introduction of an (optional) Z-plane, either in stock or with modding.

I think the hex system is fantastic too ... and depending on your resolution, you can play in 2D fashion of you like by tilting the display flat and zooming out.

I agree with Terpoma though that the nebulas and black holes in SEIV were spectacular looking, but I think that may have also been relative to the rest of the interface which was rather plain.

SEIV's interface however was great though just because so much information and so many controls were apparent and accessible. Stuff really feels buried in SEV to me. I'm hoping SEV can eventually be streamlined and/or modded to work in a similar fashion.

Yeah SEIV's UI was, by and large, much better. V's UI is just.... ugh. Horrible. If they could find a way to stream line that it would go a long way to making this game better.

I wish I knew what all this talk of a 1.2 patch is about.. I'm on 1.66, dont know about you guys. :\

While I don't necessarily disagree with everything said, I won't do the OP the honor of a response. Fly-by-night "this sucks, I'm never ever gonna ever come back again (until you do what I say)!" posts are lame. I just didn't get all the talk of a 1.2 patch.. wasn't that.. forever ago?

The only things I like more in SEIV is the turn processing times and the ground combat.SEV ground combat was a dreadfull waste of MM's time.I wish there was an option to automate it seperate from the space combat.

i have no prob with the turn times in V. runs pretty fast maybe 10sec for all the ais to process. i can live with that. my only thing with V is the UI. it could be way more intuative and layed out better. having buttons like orders and more orders is ridiculous. and i wish i could look at a planet report and just scroll to the next without having to back out and find. things like having the next planet and next unit on one side of the sreeen and the orders on the other was not a good design. slways having to go back and forth is a pain . but i guess that what keyboard commands are for. over all thou V is a very good and deep game. the more i play the more i like it.

SpaceEmpires.net | Space Empires Wiki

IMO the UI isn't that bad. If you have been playing Space Empires from the first one (i started second, i can't even find 1 and 2 anymore and space empires 3 will never be removed from my comp) i can't say i've played space empires 4 but the UI for SE:V seems fine to me. I don't see how it is confusing or how you have to move your mouse all over the place to do one thing. Perhaps the problem is with the end-user and not the game. I have no problem with it. None at all. And why are we bring old topics back to life?

10 seconds? How many empires are you playing with and how many turns into the game?

ok corb,

take it easy, anybody that has played computer games for any length of time knows a very good UI from a poor one. The UI is not that bad , but it could be alittle more friendly.

i wasn't saying that i'm pro or anything or that everyone sux. i'm just saying you guys might be focusing a little too much on the UI. i mean, it isn't great but it isn't bad. don't get me wrong, i prolly suck at this game.

"Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily. "If it /is/ a good morning," he said. "Which I doubt," said he.