Actually thats how all Moo patches were, even in the olden days of 1&2. The problem is that that kind of patching resualts in a very large download especially if you have to download the exe or a large data file.

MoM... that was an incredible game... except for the AI (or rather AD for Artificial Dumbness) that ruined the whole thing.

If someone could just come out with the exact same MoM game with just some updated graphics and a challenging AI, I'd be the first person to grab it off the store shelves.

also note that I simply asked WHY the "patch" needed to be handled that way vs a direct download (like GalCiv bonus packs.) I did not say i didnt know how or couldnt figure it out. The MOO boys jumped to that conclusion as any question what so ever about Moo3 gets their panties in a bunch. A few posters on the board did explain why it was done that way (not a real patch-duh) and that was fine by me...question answered.
However, I even got a thinly veiled insult on this board on the subject. Either a Moo3 forever fan or a computer snob who looks down on anybody that doesnt have his perceived level of expertise. (You know, for every computer whiz, theres a guy who is an expert in another field...most likely a subject that the so called computer expert is CLUELESS in.) A lot of us in this hobby and on this board know alot about computers and a lot of us have these rigs simply to PLAY games and goof off as well as to stay in touch with the world via the internet. Millions drive cars; a precious few know much about how they work.
anyway, time to move on. case close/game over/zip up your fly.
Cheers.

Re: Starships Unlimited (Wrath of Dog asked)

I never played the retail game Andrew designed, having bought the shareware game and feeling pretty burned when he not just abandoned development for it, but refused to make any sort of upgrade path for those of us who paid his way into getting a chance to work on the retail version. So, my comments are based purely on the shareware (but from reviews of the retail, they're still very similar, mainly changed in graphics and UI).

It's very similar to GalCiv actually, Brad and Andrew could probably get together and share beers and game design philosophies for hours (they're probably long lost twins based on similar penchants for responding to emails/posts and fan suggestions). Micromanagement is kept to a bare minimum and he found a nice way to give the game a focus on relatively small numbers of ships and still feel epic. It differs in that it's always real-time, but plays and even feels like a turn based game since you can adjust the flow of time and pause and give orders, the best implementation of this that I've seen. Also, unlike GalCiv, you do design your starships (and even planets) with a very varied and mostly balanced system that makes you make very tough strategic decisions. The AI was good, although not GalCiv good, and if the game had any weakness it was the option to let the player control each battle tactically which would let you win some very lopsided battles through your, rather than the pilot's, skill. OTOH, if you've found planetary conquest dry in GalCiv, you would love the system that SU uses.

The short answer is that Andrew Ewanchnya did more with 2.7MB of shareware than most game designers do with hundreds of MB and 3D graphics, FMV, etc.

Thnx for the reply monkey (albiet lat eas i was out of town last week). I was lookign at SU (reatil) seemed a good idea. I agree seems that developers are really missing the point when Andy and brad can make great games without 10 billion dollar budgets. Great gameplay is not about snazzy graphics its top notch gameplay. To be frank; few game shave that now; back in the "good ol days" a basement monkey" (like me) could make half decent piece of software, now it seems like a room full of monkeys is making them. LOL

I may check out SU wheniget tired of GC (suuure LOL)

dawg

Well, the MOO3 discussion boards are quite the haven for flamers and other unpleasant types. Discussion there turns bad quickly and easily.

However, I will say that the data patch was a simple matter of copying a couple of files into a directory, and the zip file, IIRC, came with a readme file that explained how to do this quick and simple procedure.

So, the reason there was not an install is most likely because the patch was such a simple affair that there didn't need to be an install. Installing the MOO3 patch is roughly equal to, or less, time and work intensive than installing a GalCiv mod, i.e. it probably took you significantly more time to hop on the MOO3 boards and complain than it would to copy the patch files.

I think the reason everyone jumped down your throat is because they perceived your complaint (if such it was) to be whiny and unecessary. There are a lot of people on the MOO3 board who basically live to attack the game, tear down the developers, and insult the people who enjoy the game. I think your comment flared the tempers of people who perceived your comment as yet another attack on the developers / game, coming right on the heels of the patch. Given the clamoring and complaining about MOO3's need for a patch that's gone on there the past few weeks, I can see how a comment of "what, no install?" right after the first patch comes out could seem ungrateful and unecessarily b*tchy.

This is not an attempt to justify the other forumites' behavior, however. I read your post and the responses that followed. I thought your comment was maybe a bit impolite, but the hostile responses much more so.

That said, I think the community at GalCiv is much more polite and well-behaved. It's actually a pleasure to read the material here most of the time.

~SDC~

I say again. It was a simple QUESTION. The only impolite copmment I made was AFTER a few jumped on me...thats when I said you cant even aske a question on the board. Beleive me , if my intent was to flame I could have and would have given them fodder for a thousand posts.
besides, I got my answer as to why it could be downloaded as it wasnt even a real patch (to quote Austine Powers: "I thank you") and there really is no need to discuss the point further. its is all so tedious and boring.
I wholeheartedly agree that this forum (with only a few exceptions) is well mannered and very helpful. Even my pal Bobo would agree.
Cheers

"I wholeheartedly agree that this forum (with only a few exceptions) is well mannered and very helpful. Even my pal Bobo would agree."

Until someone wants to complain about the IGMoO boards.

~SDC~

I understand it was just a simple question, I was just saying that it probably got misinterpreted as a complaint by many, and that's why they all jumped on you. Like I say, tempers run high over there.

~SDC~

@wampyre:
the people on this board are a lot nicer cuz the game is not directly-competitive

in all online-multiplayer games, u get those dicks that go arround trying to cause trouble so they can get a good laugh (i've done this too, it can be really funny sometimes lol)

but here its just friendly sharing of info and tidbits of advice with each other

dgswensen: got ya. Cheers.
Feschuk: ageed. Cheers.
Phaedyme: thats why I rarely visit Moo3 anymore. Best bet is not to stir up crap over here either. My bad.Cheers.
Bobo: stop putting food in your underwear.