Starlords3k is a space operaesque strategy game set in a galactic empire. Players start out as minor nobles with two star systems, and then slowly increase in power through acquiring other star systems, building up their economies, making trade deals, vassalizing each other, and going to war.
Recently, a new game has started: game "Luxuria Avaritiam Optimum". I thought I'd demonstrate what goes on in this game by posting some screen shots and giving some after action reports as the game progresses.
Joining a new game:
We're given a list of star systems to choose as our homeworld, obviously with randomly generated names. I decide Yanavo is a good choice, and "Yanavo Commune" has a better sound to it than, say, "Kukdip Collective." Victory path is important: what we choose here determines how we get victory points. Picking "Expansionist" means I must take control of star systems to get victory points. Lord's trait is a special modifier of some kind; "Negotiator" means I get a +50 bonus when negotiating with independent systems. I picked that because Expansionist also gives a 20% bonus to negotiating with independents, and I wanted to see if the bonuses stacked and if it would be useful at all. Technologies is where you pick a starting level in certain technologies. We're allowed to pick 10 points worth, and I picked Archeology, Shields, Construction, Science, and Craftsmanship.
We start with two star systems, in this case Yanavo, the homeworld, and Lopaz, a less built-up colony. The systems with the red circle with the bird in it are systems that we are currently not allowed to go to by the empire. These systems might open up as the game progresses. The grey systems with the question marks are unexplored. The inverted triangles signify fleets of mine that have not yet moved. The tan shield with the red dot is my randomly generated realm insignia, which we will change. The lines between systems are starlanes -- standard SF fare.
On the right, you can see that Yanavo has an assortment of ships and resources already at start. Colony fleets are just freighters with different modules aboard, which are pre-fabricated buildings that you can deploy to build that building faster than building it from scratch. Workers and Nanobits are, along with Credits, the main resources of the game. Synate is a type of ore, which, along with other ores, can be converted into nanobits at a refinery.
First things first. We must change our insignia into something more befitting our revolutionary commune, by clicking on the wrench in the upper right.
A proper insignia is important. I choose something that hopefully suggests Jaunty, Futuristic Crusaders Against Imperialist Galactic Hegemony, rather than God Damned Dirty Space Hippy Pushovers.
Next, we should explore the unexplored systems. Unexplored systems must be explored by a scout before regular ships can go there. Luckily, we start with scouts at both of our systems, so it's just a matter of moving them there.
We move a scout to Mitirt, which immediately comes under our control -- unowned systems become yours when you move onto them. Mitirt is now part of our empire, though empty. Also, it appears that some raiders have made their home there. They have 3 freighters and 5 fighters. If we don't destroy them, they will attack our ships and lower the income and morale of the system.
We move warships there and attack, easily defeating the weak force of raiders. We then get a popup window:
We get a free diplomat, along with 3 captured freighters full of ore. (This, by the way, is a standard event that happens to everyone at the beginning of the game.)
We also move a scout to Erine, which turns out to be a colony in rebellion. I didn't take a screen shot, but we moved a fleet there and captured the rebel colony, gaining a decently built up colony.
The mighty Yanavo Commune, as it currently stands.
Notice that we have more unexplored systems nearby. We can't explore them yet, because it takes 10 hours for the jumpdrives on the scouts to recharge. Also, there is something new: the green system is a star held by the trade guild, where we can buy and sell things.
So what do you think? Is this the humble beginnings of a galaxy-wide worker's paradise? Or will the revolution fail, like so many revolutions before it?