Galactic Imperator

[saljutin]

You are not Galactic Penetrator, but you can be Galactic Imperator

[Chris]

saljutin, I can not use it due to high stress of family friendliness of my games, but the general idea is very good

[saljutin]

I thought so...but hey Evony made big player base by using such sexual ads

[Sunchaser]

"Ugly, mean, merciless. If you are, we have a job for you."

[Chris]

Tests almost finished, within 2 days we will start beta (unless something goes wrong). Looking for some final feedback (and the promo text, still not decided on one...)

[Chris]

Beta started, from now on it is playable and reasonably stable.
Thanks for testing!

Now I have dilemma, what to do with gfx? Originally, I planned to replace them shortly with something "normal", but in the meantime I got a really lot of "these are cute" feedback. But I also get some "the pictures are obviously to be replaced" comments. Now, what to do...

[jannesiera]

Now I have dilemma, what to do with gfx? Originally, I planned to replace them shortly with something "normal", but in the meantime I got a really lot of "these are cute" feedback. But I also get some "the pictures are obviously to be replaced" comments. Now, what to do...

I say leave them there for now and replace them when you have a really good graphical artist who can layout your whole game.

[Chris]

I will stick with these green aliens permanently. The banner really stands out. Now, I want to replace everything possible layout wise while maintaining the "cute green alien" syndrome First, I need to decide on shape and basic colours, then I will look for a decent artist to redo everything except aliens.

So far I made these:
http://galacticimperator.com/test/layout/homepage3.png
http://galacticimperator.com/test/layout/homepage4.png

What do you think?

[jannesiera]

It's not really my taste, but it's hard to give constructive criticism because I don't really know what you are going for.

[Chris]

It's not really my taste, but it's hard to give constructive criticism because I don't really know what you are going for.

This is a space empire building game. Clickable things are blue (register is red), backgroud is black, layout is grayish, decorative (pictures) is green.
What I'm going for is to make as many players to register as possible and then make them stick in a long term, obvious

In short, space building BBG fans see it, fall in love immediately, register without hesitation and play for months/years without regrets

[Xavier]

I will stick with these green aliens permanently. The banner really stands out. Now, I want to replace everything possible layout wise while maintaining the "cute green alien" syndrome First, I need to decide on shape and basic colours, then I will look for a decent artist to redo everything except aliens.

So far I made these:
http://galacticimperator.com/test/layout/homepage3.png
http://galacticimperator.com/test/layout/homepage4.png

What do you think?

I'd stick with the grey background. And maybe delete the "remove account" button.

[Chris]

I'd stick with the grey background.

The central image background or interface background (or both)?

And maybe delete the "remove account" button.

Why?

[Xavier]

Central image background. As for the button, it's encouraging undecided people to remove their account IMO.

[Chris]

Update
OK, I think I got the final layout (inside the game, the front page still undecided). Something different than planned, but quite reasonable (still the most gorgeous among all my games )

The regular round starts within 4 days. If you have any drastic suggestions related to gameplay, it is the last chance to speak up

[Chris]

First Regular Round started!
The game is considered fully playable.
This round will last for 60 days. Try to reach the most score within that time limit and compete to get into everlasting score table!

Good, now 60 days of relative peace for me and time to start next game

[dbest]

Good, now 60 days of relative peace for me and time to start next game

What? Another game? Wow, u are on a mission? Whats the number of the games you intend to make? The next one, post-nuclear world....

[Chris]

Good, now 60 days of relative peace for me and time to start next game

What? Another game? Wow, u are on a mission? Whats the number of the games you intend to make? The next one, post-nuclear world....

What do you mean by "another game"? When I was a kid I was making up to 2 games a day during summer vacations Making 1 in many, many months is not to be called excessive at all


Update
A new version released. Among all changes there are planets! Yes! Now you don't need to live in a void cold space but you can inhabit a warm, cozy vulcanic planet!

The planets are mostly social thing, and a bit strategic thing. Each planet is inhabited collectively by many players (there are like 7 colonizable planets in the game right now). Attacking players from other planets is slighlty easier (allowed use of environmental damaging weapons). In future I plan to make planetary elections and governments made of players inhabiting the planet.

[jannesiera]

The planets are mostly social thing, and a bit strategic thing. Each planet is inhabited collectively by many players (there are like 7 colonizable planets in the game right now). Attacking players from other planets is slighlty easier (allowed use of environmental damaging weapons). In future I plan to make planetary elections and governments made of players inhabiting the planet.

Ah, that's very cool. Splitting players up so each player has more influence and more chance to be elected. Governments and elections are always fun in browser games but not easy to organize in a proper way.

[saljutin]

Chris...what If I am lonewolf player and I dont want to join community? Will this have any effect on my "position" on game ranks. E.g. are there any minuses if I dont join that?

[raestlyn]

This is from lone player point of view; there is no minuses in the game at the moment for being lone player besides that you will get attacked a bit more often. Joining a Faction can prevent your faction members from attacking you.

[Chris]

You can be as lone as you want, but you have to live on a planet Space is just too cold and there are no local malls to do shopping You could select a planet with environmental hazards (like raestlyn did, sitting on the farthest planet with his planetary shields researched so the population could survive ), less chance of it being crowded.

At the moment the are no disadvantages for lonewolfs (althrough gift exchange is recommended, but this don't require much interaction). It might change later when alliance wars will be done. But I doubt it will be to great extend.

[Chris]

Update
Nukes! Premise is simple, you can make a very limited number of strong attacks each day. Allows attacking otherwise much stronger opponents and crush them (it is OK in this game since this is a very low casuality type of game, even if hundrerds or thousands pick on you you can still do fairy well). To my surprise players love this option extremely much Should have done something like that earlier.

Senate is almost ready and should be released within days. There is Imperial Senate (one), Planetary Senates (per planet) and Planetary Governments (per planet). I wonder how it turns out...