How has DEFCON changed?

[Feud]

I started thinking about this after something that xander said in a different thread, and I was curious how DEFCON has changed since the beta phase (and tournament). I wasn't a part of the beta, I came in a few days after it was released (cd shipped all the way to America for less cost then you could buy it in stores when it went retail in North America), and I didn't really get too into it until a few months later.

So beta people, what are your thought on how DEFCON has changed? Is it better, worse, or just different?

[tllotpfkamvpe]

[R.Reagan]

it got much better, more people (and still new coming), whiteboard and dedicated server. and its still fun to find good tactics and strategies (still miscalculating the naval combat range of bombers)

[NeoThermic]

Where do we start? I think the changelog is a decent idea, seeing as the alpha/beta NDA has well and truly expired:

From all the unit changes:

Code: Select all

- Unit Changes
    - Fixed a bug with Bombers and Fighters which would cause them to fly in a
        straight line without running out of fuel
    - Bomber nuke launches no longer show up on enemy screens (unless on Radar)
        (bombers are now the only unit that can launch a nuke without the
        launch being detected)
    - Ground based Radar range has been decreased
    - Battleships can no longer shoot down Nukes
    - Nukes can no longer be retargetted after launch
    - Fixed an issue which would cause Nukes to get stuck flying around the top
        of the world
    - Various issues with Bomber behaviour have been fixed
    - Subs will no longer automatically target enemy fleets which have visible
        carriers in them. This will stop Subs essentially commiting suicide
    - Small tweaks to unit pathfinding to help prevent needless backtracking
    - An issue causing Bombers to get stuck in the air has been fixed

Interested in more from the log?

NeoThermic

[Feud]

A couple of those seem to have not been as fixed as they thought they were. But, that is pretty neat about nuke retargeting and battleships shooting down nukes.

[All American Mobster]

more people (and still new coming),

I tell this game to everyone i know. Its my favorite game, and i cant stop writing nuclear symbols on items (Ex. whiteboards, hand, paper...) and imagining if i was in a nuclear war. Actually, tomorrows superhero day at my high school (Im a junior) and im going to put on my shirt 'I am a European Superpower, who owns nukes.'

I guess im helping the DEFCON population



-$tanley

[ynbniar]

seeing as the alpha/beta NDA has well and truly expired:

Any idea if fleet nuking was considered during testing or is it a tactic that evolved after release

[Ace Rimmer]

I would guess after it was released.

And yes, we're all very interested.

[xander]

seeing as the alpha/beta NDA has well and truly expired:

Any idea if fleet nuking was considered during testing or is it a tactic that evolved after release :?:

My recollection is that it developed a couple months after Defcon was released.

As to this:

Code: Select all

Fixed an issue which would cause Nukes to get stuck flying around the top
        of the world

It still happens. I reported it, but got no response from anyone else. :(

xander

[martin]

seeing as the alpha/beta NDA has well and truly expired:

Any idea if fleet nuking was considered during testing or is it a tactic that evolved after release

My recollection is that it developed a couple months after Defcon was released.

xander

not entirely true, I accidentally nuked some AI fleets once to great success - but considered it a waste of nukes and forgot al about it

I'd say the thing that has changed the most is tactics, for example in the tournament I did quite well - my turtle only being taken down by the combined nuclear forces of the rest of the entire world at once; nowadays most people can easily break a turtle; I guess because people are used to the ideas of searching for silos and targeting bomber waves/ICBM waves properly.

EDIT:: Make that "most people can break my turtle"

[All American Mobster]

wait, one question my friend had on DEFCON, why dont the nukes go under? Meaning, why do the nukes travel up and then down, instead of down, and up to its target?



-$tanley

[Feud]

why do the nukes travel up and then down, instead of down, and up to its target?

Because missile technology is far more advanced and practical then tunneling technology.

[MikeTheWookiee]

I believe the ultimate reason is that it looks prettier. Anything else is just bluster from pseudo-intellectuals trying to sound clever.

[Hyperion]

why do the nukes travel up and then down, instead of down, and up to its target?

Because missile technology is far more advanced and practical then tunneling technology.

Classic.

You need to borrow JESUS' avatar sometime, it's pure comedy and perfect for when he makes a joke

[All American Mobster]

Yea, it does look cool, but i think that a lot more nukes would penetrate the air defense systems if they did go from the top and from the bottom. Wouldnt it?



-$tanley