Mailbag Questions!

I wouldn't call it aggravating, I'd call it boring.

My first problem is: it's slow and, early on, its expensive. The orbital factory has a high expense, add the orbital fabber or astreus on top of that and the expense of fighting over multiple planets rather than just one gets high.

My second problem is: It takes WAY too much micro to begin the multi-planet play. You need to build the orbital factory, build an orbital fabber or astreus, then send it to the other planet, then order it to either land or build a teleporter. If you make a telly, you have to build a telly on the main world too, THEN YOU HAVE TO LINK IT. That is WAY too many clicks IMO. A unit cannon where you can easily waypoint/aim the factory when you build it and anything you launch or build out of it gets sent there for the entire life of the cannon would be a lot simpler, a lot easier, and way less aggravating. It'd generally make the experience more accessible. That can't be a bad thing.

My third problem is: It's boring, especially compared to single-planet play. I have no desire to play PA right now because of how much I dislike the implementation of multi-planet play, and the vast majority of players seem to be OBSESSED with the huge 5-scale, 5+ planet systems.

Problem four: IMO, Two planets is enough, any more is silly, and at that rate I'd much rather play on a single scale-3 planet with rare metal. This is an issue with the game's level of customization with the maps and what players expect to get out of PA. If people expect to get epic multi-planet play, they are going to try to get it obviously because the tools are there. The issue is.. it's not complete, and it isn't implemented very well. Unless something serious changes once PA hits 1.0, critics are going to slam PA for how pointless the multi-planet stuff and planet smashing stuff really is. I would like to point out that this is shaped mostly by my subjective opinion on the matter.

Objectively, the problem lies in accessibility. Multi-planet play is like the selling point of PA. I've introduced a number of people to PA, they bought it, but they VERY QUICKLY felt cheated out of their money once they realized the massive problems with the implementation of multi-planet play.

Most of this could be solved just by making multiple planet play more accessible. Cheap unit cannon can do that.

I don't think the unit cannon alone can solve these issues but I agree that there need to be some changes to make multi-planet play work better.
Both changes to balance/new units as well as (and maybe most importantly) features/improvements to the UI that help with this.

Actual Question
If Mike(AI guy is on) can he explain the specifics of the neural nets? I am making my own letter recognition one right now and it would be cool to hear more about the one in PA


Not So Serious Question
When will you guys patch in the fix to the anchors? The one that makes them fire sandworms.

Fixed that for ya.

http://gdcvault.com/play/1015667/Off-the-Beaten-Path-Non

http://soriandev.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/gdc-2012.html

http://soriandev.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/neural-nets-in-more-detail.html

What I would like to know is if there is a chance for implementing a voice client to the game or support to programs for it (like teamspeak)? Isn't any of the companies that distribute this kind of service interested in working together with uber to integrate their program into PA? IMO It would really help those team games.

Stop! Who would develop the Game of Strategy must answer me these questions three, ere the positive net profit he see.
WHAT is your name!?
WHAT is your quest!?
WHAT is your favourite colour!?

How complete is the UI?

Fixed that for ya... also it leave it open for the Uber's come back question... "PTE or Stable?"

Is there any word on setting up some sort of mechanism such that modders can discuss additional hooks with devs and find out if they may one day get implemented, or if they are just barking up the wrong tree? It would be helpful to be able to take a guess at things now so that we don't put a lot of work in for something that might never happen.

God! I got no answers! :<