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[SeaBee]

There's a lot of enjoyment to be had, definitely. As you've probably read, the missions in the current version are pretty tough (or mislabeled), so be prepared to pause, think, and try new things. Which is a great way to prepare for the broader campaign system when it's released!

We might get a new version as early as the end of the month (or thereabouts), which already sounds spectacular. Given the limited time the dev team has to work on Starfarer, I'm impressed with what's already in the pipe.

[Fikes]

I am really pretty bad at the game. I think the feature I am looking forward to most (in the short term) is the refit menu, that whay I can get some nice information about my weapons.

[Sergius]

I am really pretty bad at the game. I think the feature I am looking forward to most (in the short term) is the refit menu, that whay I can get some nice information about my weapons.

I know how you feel. I actually like the gameplay, I don't care for this kind of difficulty. I'm looking forward to be able to choose my battles so they are a bit more one-sided in my favor (see my Tacticus quote )

[SeaBee]

If you'd like, you can edit the mission files to make things a bit easier. The difficulty is definitely high on them as they are -- the Hornets mission took me almost ten tries! (Getting too aggressive with my flagship usually got me into trouble, despite early success.)

I have no idea how the campaign layer will play out, but I imagine it being like Mount & Blade (so should provide opportunities to engage easier fleets). Setting up our own ships will probably help, too, once we figure out what kind of setup suits our playstyles.

[Majestic7]

Finally got the game. It looks promising. However, adjustable game speed would be nice. I'd like some mode that is between pause and the default speed, where I can watch things unfold.

[alexm]

I am really pretty bad at the game. I think the feature I am looking forward to most (in the short term) is the refit menu, that whay I can get some nice information about my weapons.

I know how you feel. I actually like the gameplay, I don't care for this kind of difficulty. I'm looking forward to be able to choose my battles so they are a bit more one-sided in my favor (see my Tacticus quote )

A difficulty setting that reduces the damage your flagship & fleet take should help with that, too.

Finally got the game. It looks promising. However, adjustable game speed would be nice. I'd like some mode that is between pause and the default speed, where I can watch things unfold.

Hmm... When the next version comes out (soon-ish, ~2 weeks), the pace of combat will be a bit slower due to improved shields.

In general, I can see how the game can be overwhelming when you start, with so many things going on. As you play a bit more, though, it does get much easier to make sense of it all. It's just a question of learning what the things really important things to keep track of are.

[de5me7]

fired up the alpha today i have some feed back.


it doesnt mention minimum spec any where on the Starfarer website so i wasnt sure if it would work on my uni machine.

I can tell you that Starfarer does work, and is stable, if slightly dogged (especially when something explodes or a i zoom in and out) on a machine with the following specs: Celeron 1.7 processor, 768ddr2 Ram, Radeon 9600 256 onboard memory. Visually it looks nice. Given that the similar SPAZ has minimum spec far higher than this im suprised it ran, but then Gratutious Space Battle does just about run on this machine too.

I played the first mission, got my ass handed to me, but that might be because i couldnt work out the controls. Im now going to give the tutorial a run through

[puke]

Looked at the screenshots and the video.  Are the merchant aspects in the game yet, or is it all straight up space combat?  How do you trade and impact the economy?  Can the economic game be played more or less non-violently?

[alexm]

I can tell you that Starfarer does work, and is stable, if slightly dogged (especially when something explodes or a i zoom in and out) on a machine with the following specs: Celeron 1.7 processor, 768ddr2 Ram, Radeon 9600 256 onboard memory. Visually it looks nice. Given that the similar SPAZ has minimum spec far higher than this im suprised it ran, but then Gratutious Space Battle does just about run on this machine too.

Glad to hear it! Yeah, the requirements aren't very steep. The most significant one is really the 1024x768 minimum resolution - so it's not going to play nice with some of the netbooks that have 720 vertical. Edit: I don't want to give the wrong impression, a netbook isn't likely to give you a great experience in any event - but it should certainly run.

You might want to take a look at the manual, too - the tutorial covers piloting basics, but doesn't talk about any fleet strategy yet. And you'll need to figure it out to beat the 2nd mission.

... I think I plug the manual almost every time I post now. Sorry!

Looked at the screenshots and the video.  Are the merchant aspects in the game yet, or is it all straight up space combat?  How do you trade and impact the economy?

This version of the alpha only has combat missions. There's a post on the blog talking about the roadmap for upcoming features, and you can see where the campaign aspect fits in.

Can the economic game be played more or less non-violently?

To a certain degree, and depending on what you define to be non-violent. If you're fine with others doing the violence for you, the answer will likely be yes Otherwise, especially as your operation gets bigger, various unsavory characters and factions will want a piece - even if they have to slice if off with a military-grade beam weapon. Still, you could probably avoid most combat if you focus on having a fast fleet - though slower ships would be better for hauling cargo, if more vulnerable.

[puke]

Oh, I don't have a philosophical objection to violence, nor do i mind it by-proxy.  But I really enjoy games where the merchant and business management and competition aspects are games in of themselves, not just ways to make money to fund your combat missions.  It would be great if there was enough competition and challenge to make the economic aspects a game in their own right.

Even in a combat focused game, I'd rather manage logistics and hire and equip people to fight on my behalf.  I dont know if I'm alone in this aspect -- certainly Trade Empires didnt sell super well but that might be because of a total lack of violence.  Tactical games with a management component (MW Mercenaries, XCom, Jagged Aliance) all have very faithful followings.

Also, Fantasy Football. is something like this.  you make meaningful high level management decisions in a competative environment, and thats the whole game.  Now if you have actual action gameplay ALSO, thats even better.  Like having a franchise or dynasty management aspect to Madden, or whatever.  Or any of the games I listed above.  Or any 4x game you could name.

Anyway, looking forward to it.  I'll definitly buy it if it delivers on the features you describe.  Hell, I'll probalby buy it before then the next time I have the itch to blow up some spaceships.  but really GSB scratches that itch pretty well.  There needs to be some campaign mode love to be a differentiator.

I guess what my wet fantasy is, would be a game like the X franchise with economics that worked -- but top-down like you have, instead of cockpit view.

sorr for rambling.

[Zangi]

Oh, I don't have a philosophical objection to violence, nor do i mind it by-proxy.  But I really enjoy games where the merchant and business management and competition aspects are games in of themselves, not just ways to make money to fund your combat missions.  It would be great if there was enough competition and challenge to make the economic aspects a game in their own right.

Even in a combat focused game, I'd rather manage logistics and hire and equip people to fight on my behalf.  I dont know if I'm alone in this aspect -- certainly Trade Empires didnt sell super well but that might be because of a total lack of violence.  Tactical games with a management component (MW Mercenaries, XCom, Jagged Aliance) all have very faithful followings.

Also, Fantasy Football. is something like this.  you make meaningful high level management decisions in a competative environment, and thats the whole game.  Now if you have actual action gameplay ALSO, thats even better.  Like having a franchise or dynasty management aspect to Madden, or whatever.  Or any of the games I listed above.  Or any 4x game you could name.

Anyway, looking forward to it.  I'll definitly buy it if it delivers on the features you describe.  Hell, I'll probalby buy it before then the next time I have the itch to blow up some spaceships.  but really GSB scratches that itch pretty well.  There needs to be some campaign mode love to be a differentiator.

I guess what my wet fantasy is, would be a game like the X franchise with economics that worked -- but top-down like you have, instead of cockpit view.

sorr for rambling.

I'd be interested.  If I so choose, I can jump into the business/trade/smuggling world?  With actual competitive trade factions trying to make profits?  Perhaps even dealing with politicians for favors... or leaning on the producers of goods... for advantages?  Well, the trade laws / regulations may effect what approach you'd need to take.

Yea, I'm all for it.

[Mephansteras]

For the record, I love Trade Empires and would happily have more games like it. A game where I can mix trade/management and combat to my own preferences (and have different saves with different mixes) would be awesome!

[Flare]

http://fractalsoftworks.com/2011/06/07/full-steam-ahead/#comments

He quit his day job .

[inteuniso]

He is CRAZY!

[Majestic7]

Well, I wish I had extra money, so I could buy few copies and give them away here for support. Feel free to steal the idea.