Ideas for improving the United Planets

I really do think Dark Avatar is a very good game, but think there are a few issues that could use a solid bit of improvement. Spying was one that I (and many others) have mentioned before. The United Planets is another one of them. I’m personally a big fan of working through diplomacy and improving the U.P. would add a lot to a good game.

Currently you are trying to guess how other people are going to vote and you can only buy votes by trading for Influence Points (before the actual U.P. meeting, without knowledge of what is going to be voted on). I would like to see the item up for vote to be posted at least 4 turns in advance. Then I could know if I really want to trade for their Influence Points.

Additionally I’d like an option on the diplomacy screen (or spying, or both) to find out which way they are leaning on an issue (allowing them to lie, based on race and relationship, on the diplomacy screen, but if done through spying, then the info should be correct)

Instead of trading IPs, I’d prefer to trade for their actual vote. For instance, if the upcoming vote were to tax war, the Dregin would never change their vote from no; but if you trade IP and you want them to change their vote to yes, technically they are since the IP they traded you is being used to vote yes.

Something else I’d like to see, the ability to put something up for vote (I understand this is probably more of a pipe dream). Like when the message comes about what will be voted on, each race should have the option to put something up for vote. The following turn every race would get what each other put up for vote and have the option to second the vote (a second being required for it to be put up to vote). Possible items to put up for vote are:
• Trade Embargo on Race X for Y turns (or until all war declaration have been stop by that race)
• Overturning previous, active UP votes
• Banning of "bad" ground tactics like the ones that do massive damage to the planet’s quality.
• Removing Race X from the U.P.
• Reinstated Race X to the U.P.
• Some of the current regular UP items up for vote, like taxing war, protection for all trade routes, etc
4,191 views 5 replies
Reply #1 Top
Well. Let's see here.

I totally agree with the part about knowing the issue and being able to see which way the AI was leaning towards an issue.

I don't like trading the vote. In my opinion, trading IP works fine if you know the issue beforehand. Maybe, though, a Super Manipulator or Super Diplomat could be able to 'suggest' that the Drengin (to use your example) change the vote to yes. The Manipulators manipulate people to do things for them (declare war) Why not UP? And a diplomat could suggest the idea. Maybe a Super Dominator too. All of those super abilities can influence other civilizations, unlike some others.

You know how you sometimes get the 'There are reports the ______ have been exploiting native civilizations'? Someone has to deliver the report. I think that a list should be provided, and you can select which one. Perhaps, this is how it should work:

Five turns before UP: Message says 'The United Planets Council has submitted an inquiry on which issue to debate this meeting. Select one of the following to submit if you wish.

After submissions, the AI chooses between submitted entries and another entry, like the ones used normally.

Four turns before UP: Message sent out about what being debated, and you have the option to discover how an empire is leaning towards an issue.

UP Turn: Chosen issue is put to vote, works as normal.

Another suggestion I have is that you should have access to your 'advisors'. For instance, if you are going to remove a race or trade embargo, you should be able to check on your relations with them, or how much trade you get with them.
Reply #2 Top
Those are some nice ideas, mrudis. I'd certainly like to see them. Unfortunately, I think changes on this scale (and changing the combat system, etc) are beyond the scope of what Stardock has in mind for updates. Still, what you describe is pretty close to how my 'ideal UP'. Of course, getting the AI to take full advantage of this additional flexibility would be a nice piece of work.
Reply #3 Top
I know alot of what I have up there is tough stuff. One thing that should not be too tough is for them to implement early notification of what is going to be voted on, that would be so much more meaningful. Additionally, once the issue is posted, each AI could have a weight of how important this particular vote is (like taxing war for the Dregin would be huge) and either value their IP higher or lower based on that. I think those changes would big a lot of bang for the buck for improving the UP.
Reply #4 Top
LOL ... Influencing other race's votes through diplomacy ...

"These aren't the UP Issues you are looking for ... "

Although I agree that it would be probably VERY simple code wise to give the player advanced notification of what the upcoming issue, what WOULD be horribly complex is teaching the AI what to do with this info. After all if you only give it to the player you are giving them a pretty big advantage. Though I agree all of these ideas would make the game even more delicious. Hey - lets start a campaign for a NEW expansion - one that concentrates on diplomacy and UP issues. Who do I give my money to for this kind of expansion??

Dano
Reply #5 Top
"Hey - lets start a campaign for a NEW expansion - one that concentrates on diplomacy and UP issues. Who do I give my money to for this kind of expansion??"

A competitor of Stardock maybe.