Re: Radical Research

I've been playing the game on the mac since version 1.0, so I obviously agree
that it's a great game. The Palm game has gotten me back into playing it on the
desktop, where it remains a wonderful strategy game. I'm really impressed with
the Palm port, I've got to say. It's just as good a game, as long as you don't
hanker for human opponents. The main thing that seems like an absolute must for
future developments is better galaxy navigation on such a small screen. It may
require some kind of innovation, since even taking advantage of a 480x320
screen won't have enough of an effect.

To your questions:

> - What the hell is this option "Dip into saving" ? Can anybody 
> explain to me in simple words ?

It allows you to use some of your savings money for a turn's expenses
(research, terraforming, etc). Normally savings is only used for buying ships.

> - What are the bonuses afforded by the different Radical Research 
> programs ? For example, "increase saving interest rate" or "decrease 
> borrowing rate", by how many ?

No idea. I've never seen this info anywhere.

> - What are the RR programs you prefer ? For me it depends... At the 
> beginning of the game, a program like "improve terraforming" 
> or "better mining" is just great while "biological ship" is just a 
> waste. At the end of the game, it's just the reverse. But I can say 
> my n°1 RR is "improve technology output".

I tend to favor anything that has to do with metal. Getting it, or using it
efficiently. The highest point games are in small, crowded galaxies, where
control of metal is the entire game. Bio ships can save you metal at any stage
in the game. I often use them for sattellites, too. I also try and get mini
tech up in a hurry - it's expensive, but by the end of the game, if you're low
on metal you're screwed, no matter how good you tech is. I also often pay more
attention to cornering the metal than mining it early on. If you can keep your
opponents from mining much while you're building your tech up they won't be too
hard to deal with later.

> The programs I dislike the most are : "decoy ship" (useless except 
> for one thing, the ship is very cheap and it helps me to occupy 
> empty planet to check if the ennemy is coming or not) and "educate 
> battle generals" (never understood how it works).

Decoy Ship is useful to fool allies into thinking you've got big nasty fleets
hanging around. Makes much more sense in the Desktop, networked game with human
opponents. I always cancel it when playing computer opponents.

Educated generals aren't as prone to bad luck. It's not a bad improvment, but
never a high priority for me.


enjoy

-e


	
		
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