Scoring fixes/suggestions

from Stardock Forums
First, I will start off by saying that I am by no means an expert on how scores are computed. But I have noticed that some scores at lower levels and smaller maps are better than my scores at much harder levels and larger maps.

I believe a score should reflect the challenge to the player to some degree. I do not think any beginner scores should exceed say 1,000 points. What I am saying is there should be point caps for difficulty level and size of the galaxy. With bigger maps and harder difficulties receiving
larger caps.

I have no clue how scores are calculated presently, but I have a good knowledge of the game and playing a medium map on crippling level is fairly challenging and my scores have been around 10,000. Playing at lower levels has not been challenging and should not yield a higher score merely because a player manipulates something(population?) to boost it up.

Moreover, any scoring system that does not reward playing at challenging levels will make players lose interest in the game. How much fun can it be for a good player to win games on low levels on a tiny map?

Regardless of how scoring is done I will continue to play maps that I find challenging because scoring, while an added fun component, is obviously secondary to enjoyment of the game.
166 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I would have thought everyone got this memorised by now ;)

I agree that difficulty should be rewarded more, Zoshan. However, the Metaverse seems to be accorded a very low priority by Stardock at the moment.

Scoring principles

Difficulty Level
The base score is based on the intelligence of the various computer players. This makes up the vast majority of the score. There is a slight bonus for playing as the opposite alignment as most of the players for most of the game. It looks at each turn and then looks at how much you are different each turn. But it's a relatively small adustment.

Galaxy Size
There is a moderate adjustment based on galaxy size. But not much. Gigantic galaxy vs. tiny will be about a 3 to 1 difference in scores if all variables are the same.

Population
Population is looked at but its value decreases as the game progresses. It is Population P / Turns N ^2. You're actually better off having a pretty good population earlier than having a huge population later and sitting on it. You're not penalized for having long games though, you simply don't get additional points at a certain point. That said, population is a relatively minor part of the scoring. It also takes into account what percentage of the total galactic population you have that turn. That is, your score is then modified by 100% - your percent of the population. So if you have 90% of the galactic population, you're only going to get 10% of the population score that turn.

Technology
What percentage of the technology tree you have acheived and how fast you get it are added in. A fairly modest bonus but it's still lookeda t.

Economics, Trade Goods, Wonders, etc
These other things are looked at and a few points added. They won't make that big of a difference (on a 15,000 point score they may add a few hundred points total).

Victory Condition
Then the victory condition is looked at. The score is multiplied by it. Conquest = 10. Alliance =9. Culture = 8. Technology Victory = 7 (bear in mind that this is partially made up for by having a higher percent of the tech tree completed bonus).

Notes
You're best scoring scenario is to win but not win too quickly. The system is designed to appeal to the mass majority of players, not the top 10 players. As a result, we want to create a system that rewards people for playing the game as it was designed to be played. That means your best bang for the buck will be games that are medium in length. You get serious diminishing returns. Sitting on 90% of the galaxy for turn after turn is not going to net you more points. You're not penalized either but you're not rewarded for having a huge population if you've got the game wrapped up. On the other hand, win the game in say year 3 due to some specific strategy won't net very good scores because you haven't had time to build up other parts to get multiplied by.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for the info on HOW scores are calculated. But my main point is there should be caps on smaller and easier maps so that points are awarded to reward more effort. The greater the challenge-the higher the score.
Simple concept and one that seems to be a common sense concept.

Ray gets my gold star for working in a positive way on these forums. :) May the White Council always prosper.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Every serious player agrees with you, Zoshan. However, Stardock does not, and they make the rules. :notsure:

I think there's zero chance of any changes being made to scoring for a while, at least until after the expansion pack comes out.