03-29-2011, 08:48 PM
The delayed feedback thing is important. But I do *love* the idea of having a split system, where certain actions take place immediately. If PBM is to enter the platform spaces of the modern era (web, facebook, iPhone), then we need to enable certain levels of activity at all times, particularly communication.
But even in traditional PBM, there are levels of delayed feedback. One of the hallmarks of Empyrean Challenge's production system is that everything you can build takes 4 game turns to move through your factories, during which your factories must continue to consume energy and raw materials, and your workers must continue to eat and get paid. Want to switch to something else? Gotta retool those production lines, first! Got a new technology? It will take at least 4 turns before you see the results of your scientific research hit the field.
Far Horizons, on the other hand, has a one-turn production cycle, with the option to do multi-turn work on large expensive ships. (Which, per my understanding, is too risky. Just put the production into "economic units" and wait until your pool is big enough to buy the ship in one turn.)
In the old computer game Master of Orion 2, you can switch production and research at the drop of a hat with no penalty. Not so in Civilization, where retooling carries significant penalties and careful planning is rewarded.
I remember this old school wargame put out by SPI called "global war" (wwii), in which any of the major powers could endeavor to build "the bomb", but at such a long lead time that the game could easily end before completion.
But even in traditional PBM, there are levels of delayed feedback. One of the hallmarks of Empyrean Challenge's production system is that everything you can build takes 4 game turns to move through your factories, during which your factories must continue to consume energy and raw materials, and your workers must continue to eat and get paid. Want to switch to something else? Gotta retool those production lines, first! Got a new technology? It will take at least 4 turns before you see the results of your scientific research hit the field.
Far Horizons, on the other hand, has a one-turn production cycle, with the option to do multi-turn work on large expensive ships. (Which, per my understanding, is too risky. Just put the production into "economic units" and wait until your pool is big enough to buy the ship in one turn.)
In the old computer game Master of Orion 2, you can switch production and research at the drop of a hat with no penalty. Not so in Civilization, where retooling carries significant penalties and careful planning is rewarded.
I remember this old school wargame put out by SPI called "global war" (wwii), in which any of the major powers could endeavor to build "the bomb", but at such a long lead time that the game could easily end before completion.