I'm sorry you feel that way, it's difficult to argue against someone’s feelings, especially when so graciously expressed. I probably haven't been playing as long as you, but I can understand getting burned out. I would hope that you keep an open mind about DA, it looks to me that there will be *lots* of new content there. Anyway, we'll keep the forums warm in case you do return.

Some of the recent changes may have reduced game play options to some extant, but I for one am in the middle of a gigantic, abundant all, suicidal game where I have 290 out of 450 planets and I really am still in doubt about ultimate victory. At this point only the Yor and Thalan are left and I'm at war with the Yor, which I'm pretty sure I'll be able to conquer, but the Thalan have most of the military resources and I can't even scratch the paint on their ships. After playing this same game for three straight weeks now, I still can't wait to get home from work and get in an evening of play.

But the main reason I responded to this post was because I couldn't resist telling a short story that's related to the title of this thread. Please forgive the off topic digression.

In the early 90's I designed PC's for NEC and was invited to the first PCISIG conference sponsored by Intel in New York in I think it was 1992.

Intel had scheduled for the main speaker to be Doug Adams and had provided autographed copies of “So long and thanks for all the fish” to the about 300 attendees. So anyway when it came time for Mr. Adams to speak he got up before this conference whose attendees were all representatives of either Intel or major companies that produced Intel based PC’s, and went on and on about how he loved his Mac. It was one of the funniest things I ever saw in my life.

I was going to make an offensive remark like, "don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out," but I agree with a large part of your sentiment.

If you read any of Brad's journals just before the DA announcement, he seems to agree with some of your sentiment as well.

I think that the galaxy needs an active criminal element. Another post discussed setting up a letter of Marquis system to establish pirates against other empires. The aspect I like is that if pirates make too much money, they give you the bird and work against you as well.

I'd also like to see separatist/terrorist movements establish themselves on class 4 or less planets or asteroids with huge defense and soldier bonuses so they are difficult to eliminate. Low morale is not really necessary for a group of asshats to become separatists or terrorists. High overall morale can do the same thing to religious fundamentalists that believe god has been lost in civilization. Low morale can make people closer to their government as is seen in the good old USA.

Fighting crime at home and trying to expand the empire would keep things very interesting. Maybe toss in alliances between and against pirate groups that form... lots of room for improvement.

The point is that Stardock knows it and they strive to perfect the game. Galactic Civilizations 2 isn't going down in history as a contender like Imperium Galactica 2 or others. Instead of Dear John letters, you should push for what you want because Stardock is the closest thing to a republic that gamers have.

I understand what the OP was getting at. I myself have put the game down for a couple of weeks now, and reverted back to SimCity4 just to get a break. GC2 was however one of the most addictive games I have ever played on the PC and I do look forward to the expansion, regardless of the content, as it would enhance the replay value. I think that at some point, onomastikon will install this game again, if not for anything else, at least for the nostalgia of playing an awesome game  

I want MP also but I like Stardock's quest for a perfect SP game.

MP can make a game great but it also signals the death of development. MP is a crutch for developers more often than not. At least when MP arrives for GC2, everyone will know that Stardock moved mountains for the single player so MP will be a nice bonus instead of an excuse.

I agree, that the supreme SP exprience is needed. I think if they continue to add content and features that'll be good. Certainly the forums have given them plenty of ideas.

Curious... Why do you think MP means the death of development?

The problem with MP is that it can make it difficult to add new features to the game. If the proposed feature is perceived to be even slightly unbalancing in MP, then the vocal masses will often scream bloody murder. When it comes to a SP game, balance is less of an issue.

A good example is the mega-event feature in DA. Brad has admitted upfront they will be grossly unfair. Sure, you can disable them, but there are more subtle things in the game which can't be disabled once they're added. If they have to be absolutely 100% fair, then that ties the hands of the developers somewhat.

well when you buy a game you know it woun't be interesting forever things keep you going like mods.
but one day thats it, you don't play anymore its sad, even sader when you leave the forums but you know it will happern one day.

I hope you had fun wile it lasted, all the best alx

Wheeloffire, buddy, I don't think I can handle your avatar anymore... it's really starting to freak me out. My coworkers are beginning to think I am losing it because I keep laughing uncontrollably, every time I see that damn smiley face... quit it!  

Me either  

as I can said... I haven't really sit down and play a complete now, but occasionally I think of some funny approaches or thing for experiment, I open it up and try once I can find time to do so. I still believe to get rid of such a good game may be a waste, why not just temporary put it behind your back, and wait for the DA to come out, meanwhile, maybe sometime you may think of some funny approaches which you can try to apply in your gaming. that is the Galciv2 for me now while I wait for the DA to come.

Eh, no game keeps one interested forever. And no (sp) game, especially one that doesn't rely on reflex, keeps one challenged forever.

Troll. Strategy games have a much longer lifespan than any stupid twitch game.

Are you still playing Pitfall? No? Wonder why?

Twitch games--or reflex games, as you call them--are primarily for tubs of lard that can't play actual sports.

Keep it up Jasamcarl. Hopefully your digs will eventually get you kicked off this site.

We can but hope, and it'd be no great loss. So far I've seen him post nothing but insults/trolling comments of the poorest quality, frankly a dog could do better.

And reinstating what wheel said: Brains > OMGREFLEX. If you don't understand why mentally challinging games last longer than contests of who's the l33test with the mouse, then frankly you've failed life.

And to the OP: o/

Good to see some people do enjoy these forums, and have fun whatever you play next.