Comments on: In Praise Of: Alpha Centauri.

By: Adriano861

Adriano861 — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 13:42:58 +0000

In my opinion, the 5 new human factions are bland, but they would have served as great non-state actors – if they have added such a mechanic in SMAC. Meanwhile the 2 alien factions would greatly serve in game lore, as in discovering knowledge about them in the alien ruins, and “doing something about it” in the late game (like choosing to further the goals of one side, which might lead to a war with a faction that has chosen the other side). The idea of new factions in SMAX was great, but I think it was implemented a bit poorly. As for the rest from SMAX (like new projects, facilities, units, especially covert ops options), I love it.

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By: scottdschaffer1980

scottdschaffer1980 — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:13:25 +0000

Also, some of the quotes are magnificent. Since this is a mixed science/gaming blog, this one in particular sticks out:

The popular stereotype of the researcher is that of a skeptic and a pessimist. Nothing could be further from the truth! Scientists must be optimists at heart, in order to block out the incessant chorus of those who say “It cannot be done.”
- Academician Prokhor Zakharov, University Commencement

By: scottdschaffer1980

scottdschaffer1980 — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:05:52 +0000

Alpha Centauri was the game that made me realize the appeal of ‘hard’ science fiction: lightsabers and death stars can be great fun in their own way, but progressing up a tech tree and realizing a good chunk of the amazing theoretical ideas you’re researching might be part of humanity’s future is enough to make you giddy.

By: Ciaran McConville (@Tryzon)

Ciaran McConville (@Tryzon) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:47:04 +0000

I’ve given Alpha Centauri a go, mainly based on your praise for it. My first few hours have told me that yes, it’s a great setting, but also that the interface hasn’t aged especially well. Coming from Civ 4, GalCiv, or the superb UI in Sins of a Solar Empire, Alpha Centauri definitely takes getting used to. I could probably get over this with more time, but it’s always a shame when a game ahead of its time suffers for being made when it was.

By: Patrick O'Connor (@primalKoWT)

Patrick O'Connor (@primalKoWT) — Sat, 10 May 2014 15:48:37 +0000

I loved SMACX (Alien Crossfire), if only for the Free Drones faction. Man, did I put some serious online multiplayer hours in on those games. Had I invested the time into studying medicine? I could be an ace surgeon today. Good game, good game.

By: Tryzon (@Tryzon)

Tryzon (@Tryzon) — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 13:37:47 +0000

An intriguing read. As a more recent 4X convert I’ve only sampled Galactic Civilizations and the like, but have definitely heard praise of MOO2 and other early efforts. I’d really like to hear some detailed thoughts from you about Gal Civ 2, since you don’t appear to have a dedicated post for it yet.

By: Gap

Gap — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 01:07:54 +0000

The aliens at least introduced the concept of genocide to the game, which was mostly missing from the original, planetbusters aside.

By: Gap

Gap — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 01:07:01 +0000

It’s tragic that nothing has really come close to recreating what SMAC achieved. The simplicity of the way it uses the written / spoken word has more weight than anything in Mass Effect with all its graphical flair (which, to be fair, isn’t that brilliant a universe). It also succeeds extraordinarily well in merging gameplay and narrative with simple mechanics – the social engineering system is a masterpiece of design. Frankly, someone could just update the graphics, smooth out the UI, and I’d still buy it many times over.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:30:46 +0000

This is an excellent piece that gets to the heart of what’s so great about Alpha Centauri. The world-building is what makes it.