09-03-2000 23:27									#1
	First Time Faction Creation: The Hybrids Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Hi, folks. I'm a long time player of AC and AX, and thought I would get into faction creation. I wanted to add some spice to the game, but when I went around various sites looking at previous player-created factions, I discovered that most of them were inspired by other works--Star Trek, Star Wars, Dune, etc.--rather than being faithful to the idea of the original game. So I wanted to create factions that could easily take their place alongside the original factions.

My first attempt at this, which is currently at Version 2.3 for me, is a faction I call the Hybrids. Led by a leader in exoeugenics (the superior breeding of extraterrestrial life), the goal of the Hybrids is to create a superior society by cross-breeding humans with aliens. The eventual hybrids will contain the best qualities of both species.

Currently the stats for the faction are as follows:

+1 Talent (in line with the eugenics program)
+1 Morale (they are making the "master race," so to speak)
-1 Growth (All reproduction activities are controlled)
-1 Industry (Industrial production is subordinate to the breeding program)
Free Tech: Biogenetics. This seemed a natural.
Psi Combat Bonus: 30%. This was to inspire players to create units that use Psi Combat, something I felt was neglected in the game.
Cannot Choose Wealth.


The original version of the Hybrids was much too strong. Although it had more minuses, I originally had a +1 Planet and a +2 Morale (instead of +1). They also had a free mindworm. This faction could run rampant, I discovered, because the planet bonus and the psi-combat bonus allowed them to capture and create killer mindworms pretty easily.

This most recent version gets rid of a morale level and the planet bonus, which makes them much more reasonable in the early game. What I would have really liked would be to have given them the ability to put psi combat in human units early on, but couldn't really see any way of achieving that without really monkeywrenching things.

I've been playtesting it for some time now, playing the faction and playing against it. It is not a pushover faction, but I think it is reasonably balanced.

I would be more than happy to send the text file to anybody who would like it; they just have to e-mail me at mark.pitcavage@worldnet.att.net. I'd also be happy to upload it here if people are interested.

However, I have only used the editor that comes with SMAX. As a result, I have had to use the Drones graphics, etc. I don't mind this, but really would like to give the faction at least a different color. Could anybody tell me how to do this? Also, is there any guidance anywhere on creating different faction graphic sets? I'd like to eventually have a "fully new" faction.

Any advice would be appreciated--thanks, folks.

	10-03-2000 02:35									#2
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

More critizm for the Star Wars mod huh? Well, it's a mod, not new factions. It doesn't destroy the feel of the game, but is inteded to make the game feel more Star Warsish!

On topic, the faction seems to be balanced well. Both industry and growth penalties hit hard, which justifies the 30% PSI (although that is a bit much... anything over 25% is major)

I *think* you can change colors near the bottom of system.txt, but I really don't recomend that!

As for creating your own graphics... everything is pretty cut/paste except the cities and symbols. Those you will likely have to make yourself.

	10-03-2000 04:46									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

No I'm afraid I have to agree with Pitman here. And go a bit further.

Jasonian... I have to admit that I really didn't like what your modpack did to the Planet. Now, whenever I play as the Jedi Knight Council against the Evil Galactic Empire, they always shortcircuit my Transcend victory by their new Blow Up The Entire Planet And Everything On It victory. The only way we can stop this is by capturing their capital city, which is impossible as it's a large semi-completed space station hanging somewhere in orbit with about 500 ODPs built into its surface.

The units and cities looked different, too, and frankly reminded me of something from that sci-fi film that very few people have ever heard about or watched, Star Wars. I am certain that this shocking result is purely a matter of accident, and that you will review your SMAC modpack thoroughly in future to prevent it from even hinting at this genre, which I am sure you did not intend.

Sorry about this bout of stupidity. I'm supposed to be doing an essay and this is my steam valve.

------------------
"In all creation, there can be no task more onerous or tedious than that of playing God." - Stephen Fry, 'The Liar'.

	11-03-2000 01:35									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

*grumble*

All I have to say is this: expect a Blow Up The Planet And Everything On It victory to be in the final version of the mod.