PC Answers 1998 January/PC Answers Issue 49 Cover CD January 1998.iso/Leisure/PaxImp/README.TXT

Text File | 1997-08-11 | 20KB | 495 lines

PAX IMPERIA
EMINENT DOMAIN

Overview:
The goal of Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain is nothing short of
total domination and the complete destruction of all the
enemy forces. Your species will be competing on a galactic
scale for limited resources. Only skillful management of
each of the gameÆs critical components will lead to
victory.

Select Single Player Game from the opening menu, select New
Game from the next menu.  The Species Select Screen
appears.  (Note: The demo version only allows the user to
select one species from the eight pre-designed.  The full
version will also allow a user to design a custom species).

Species Selection:
Each of the Species in the tubes comes with a predetermined
set of attributes, tendencies, tolerances and aptitudes
which give it unique advantages (and disadvantages) within
the game.  The KarÆTsoran species has been selected for the
demo.


KarÆTsoran:
Incredible economists the Kar-Tsoran manage worlds very
effectively, maximizing resources and developing rapidly.
Below you will find a comparison of the KarÆTsoran species
with the human species:

                        KarÆTsoran        Human
Atmospheres                    One            One
Physical                    None            None
Cultural                    2            None
Research Characteristic            5            6
Reproduction Characteristic        5            6
Construction Characteristic        10            6
Espionage Characteristic        5            6
Finance Characteristic            10            6
Temperature Pref./Tolerance        Cold/High        Very Cold/High
Weapons Research Level            Low            Normal
Shielding Research Level        Low            Normal
Ship Research Level            Low            High
Colonial Research Level            High            Normal
Space Research Level            Normal        Normal

After you have selected the KarÆTsoran species you will
enter the Game Setup Screen.


Game Setup Screen:

You will need to make a few more adjustments before you can
begin the game:

Number of Stars:    5 (full version will allow up to 80)

Computer Opponents:    1 (full version will up to 15)

Difficulty:        1 (full version will allow player to
               adjust the difficulty level)

Selecting Fleet:    2 different fleets are available
              (full version will have 16)

Selecting Flag:    Scroll through the available flags

Name Your Domain:    Type the name of your empire


When you have made all of the necessary adjustments, press
the START button in the lower, left corner of the screen.
(Note: changing the number of stars, opponents, or
difficulty level will not effect the demo.)

You will now enter the Control Room.  You will be able to
access all areas of the game from this screen.

Sector Display (F2 button):
The Sector Display is accessed by double-clicking on the
large central view screen. This interface allows you to
examine individual planets and control Fleet movement,
either within the Sector or through wormholes (which
connect Sectors).  (Note: Only 5 sectors are available in
the demo version, the full version allows players to
colonize up to 80 different sectors.)

Research (F3 button):
The Research screen controls which projects your Species is
currently working to develop in the five integral areas:
Weapons, Shielding, Ship, Colonial, and Space. The sliding
scale for each allows you to control the percentage of
Research points allocated to each area. You can toggle
between Theoretical and Developed systems to see how each
area is progressing, and also highlight any one item to get
a brief description.  (Note: Limited research is available
in the demo version.)

Fleet Command (F4 button):
The Fleet Command window lets you inspect each Fleet and
ship. Ships can easily be transferred from one Fleet to
another, and upgraded with new technology as it becomes
available. You can also assign projects to your Shipyards
from this screen.

Domestic Policy (F5 button):
The Domestic Policy screen allows you to compare economic
information on all the planets which you have discovered,
using filters and different pertinent data to prioritize
the list. You can also make economic adjustments to your
larger economy through this screen.

Foreign Affairs (F6 button):
The Foreign Affairs screen lets you control the nature of
your contact with other Species, instigating trade,
treaties and espionage. (Note: Trades and treaties are not
available in the demo version.)

Planetary Surface (F7 button):
The Planetary Surface window lets you view each individual
planet and study the current state of the planetÆs economy,
controlling the production of new technologies as they are
researched.

Ship Design (F8 button):
Each of the ships your Species is capable of building can
be viewed from the Ship Design screen, allowing you to make
modifications as new technology becomes available.  (Note:
Limited research in the demo version limits the types of
ships that can be designed).

Options (F9 button):
Adjust the volume of the game.  (Note: you cannot save a
game in the demo version.)


Controlling the Interface:
Understanding and properly controlling each of the menu
screens is a complicated task, but balancing all of the
gameÆs aspects is, of course, the key to success. The
following short sections look at each screen in detail, and
also point to how the gameÆs components work together to
form the complex Universe of Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain.

Sector View:
At its most basic, the Sector View is used to examine the
planets in each system where you have explored, and also to
move your Fleet between the planets in each individual
Sector, and into the Universe beyond.

Planet Types:
Each planet in the Pax Imperia universe is rated with
regard to your SpeciesÆ ability to inhabit it, based on the
planetÆs atmosphere and temperature.

Planets are rated either Poor, Mediocre or Optimum, and,
though any planet can be claimed as part of your domain,
the rating is a good general barometer of the planetÆs
potential productivity.

As your level of technology increases, your Species will be
better able to inhabit Poor planets, but Mediocre and
Optimum worlds generally have a more favorable impact on
your economy.

Notice that clicking on the star in the center of any solar
system brings up a list of all the planets in that system
in the left-hand column, allowing you to quickly identify
prime targets for Colonization.

Wormholes:
Wormholes provide the only means of moving your Fleet from
one Sector to another. Each trip through a wormhole is
considered one ôJump,ö and ships have different Jump ranges
based on the ship type and current level of technology. To
explore beyond the range of your specific ship type, youÆll
have to Colonize planets (or build Refueling Stations)
along your route.


Fleet Movement:
Moving your Fleet from one area to another is as simple as
selecting the Fleet with the mouse(left button), and
clicking on its destination(right button): a planet or
wormhole.

To Attack or Interdict with a Fleet is the same process as
moving the Fleet. Simply click the Attack or Interdict
button and then click on your target.

Colonization:
The act of Colonizing a planet adds it to your universal
domain. Then, as the planetÆs population begins to grow, it
begins to contribute to your domainÆs Research and
Construction capabilities.

Colonizing a planet requires that you have a ship in orbit
which has colonization potential. Colonization units come
in a wide variety, and the more technologically advanced
units are required to Colonize worlds that fall far outside
your SpeciesÆ Atmosphere and Temperature preferences.

Once youÆve selected the Colonize Planet option from the
Sector View screen, your flag is affixed to the world.
YouÆll find that, in the Planet View mode, you can toggle
between all the worlds in your domain by using the scroll
bar bearing the planetÆs name.

Orbitals:
Orbitals are constructions in space that you may build near
Colonized planets. There are several varieties such as
Shipyards and Defensive Systems.

As new technology becomes available, highlighting a
Colonized planet in the Sector View presents any current
options for building Orbitals.

The Orbital Shipyard is the easiest type of Orbital to
construct from a technology standpoint, but completion
takes awhile. As soon as you have several planets in your
domain, beginning construction of another Shipyard is
usually prudent. Later in the game, Orbital defensive
systems can play an integral part in protecting your
planets from your competitors.  (Note: Limited research
restricts the total number of orbital that can be built on
the demo version.)

Universe View: An Eye on Expansion:
As part of the Sector View screen, and central to the Main
Control screen, the Universe View provides a map of the
star systems available for exploration. Notice that each
unexplored system is denoted by a small five-pointed star.
Once each system is explored, its Universe View icon
becomes a small node, connected to other explored star
systems by a thin blue line.

Moving from one star system to the next is accomplished by
selecting one of your Fleets, and then clicking on the Move
Fleet button. By positioning the cursor which appears on a
Wormhole, you direct your ship to enter the hole in the
space-time continuum, and travel to the adjacent star
system.

Each ship in your Fleet has a range of movement derived
from its particular engine type, and thus expanding your
domain must be done in an even, methodical manner.

Colonizing at least one planet in each system you explore
ensures that ships passing through will be able to refuel,
but the simple act of Colonizing doesnÆt prevent another
Species from coming along behind you and claiming the
planet for its own domain.

A moderate rate of expansion, claiming at least two of the
planets in each system as you explore, helps to ensure that
an enemy doesnÆt disrupt your exploration route.

Planetary Surface:
The Planetary Surface screen is one of the most important
controls in the game, allowing you to monitor a planetÆs
individual economic profile, and direct current projects.

Directing Construction:
As each new Research discovery is made, your population is
directed to construct the advancements that allow you to
expand your universal domain.

Each individual planet is assigned a scheme for
prioritizing construction of each new Research development,
either choosing the quickest available project to complete,
or focusing instead on one of the key areas that further
your universal expansion goals: Population, Construction,
Research, Espionage, or Finance.

Selecting Quickest First in the dialogue box means just
that: As new technologies are Researched, the game
determines which project can be completed fastest, and
begins construction.

By designating one of the other areas of technological
advancement, the planet in question will focus on new
developments within that specific discipline. For example:
Selecting the Construction option means that that
particular planet will concentrate exclusively on
manufacturing new Construction technologies as they become
available through Research.  (Note: Limited technologies
are available in the demo version of the game).

To see the entire list thatÆs in the queue, you can click
on the Extend List button. The displayed list are the
projects that the planet will undertake in order, as
determined by the prioritization indicated in the box above
(Quickest First, Construction, etc.).

If youÆd like to change any of the prioritization profiles,
the lists can be modified from the Game Options control:
Edit Planetary Profiles.

Planetary Economic Profile:
The right-hand side of the Planet Surface view screen shows
the particular planetÆs current state of development,
including not only population and income, but also the
game-specific measurements of Research, Espionage and
Construction that contribute to your domainÆs overall
vitality.

Ship Design and Construction:
Designing and building the space ships that constitute your
Fleet is a relatively straight-forward task, though there
is also some room for creativity.

The straight-forward aspect of Ship Design is the simple
act of upgrading each shipÆs component pieces as new
technology becomes available. This is easily accomplished
by deleting the current design for a certain ship type, and
then using the Design and Auto buttons to configure each
particular class of ship with the newest improvements.

Your own creativity comes into play most often in case-
specific terms. For example, a certain foe displays a
tendency or weakness which youÆd like to take advantage of,
so you configure your weapons systems with that particular
enemy in mind.

Building ships, as opposed to creating your own ship
design, is done from the Fleet Command interface, or by
highlighting a planet with an orbital Shipyard in the
Sector View, and clicking on the Build option.

Ship Types:
The various ship types all serve a specific purpose within
the game, though it will require some technological
advancement before the full potential of each can be
realized.  (Note: Ship types are limited to 3 hulls in the
demo version of the game).

As the game begins, the three types of ships you have
available for construction are the Scout, the Transport and
the Destroyer.

Scouts: Scouts are just that: Short range recon ships that
help you to see whatÆs in the next star system. They can
only make one Wormhole jump before they must return to a
system with a Colonized planet and refuel.

Transports: Transports are the method by which you Colonize
new planets. As fast as you can build Transports, send them
off to explore the next uncharted star system. Make sure at
least one planet in each new system is Colonized, so that
other ships moving through can refuel.

Destroyers: Destroyers are the muscle of your Fleet. Load
them up with the best weapons, and use them to escort
Transports or protect Colonized planets.

Ship Components:
As new technology becomes available for your Fleet,
incorporating the latest advancements via Ship Design or
the Upgrade option in Fleet Command is essential in keeping
your Fleet on par with the competition. (Note: Limited
technology is available in the demo version.)

Drives: Star Drives are for use in travel between star
systems, whereas Tac Drives are the propulsion method used
within a star system (and for combat).

Weapons: Each ship has, at most, four arcs of fire:
Primary, Port, Starboard, and Point. Each of those areas
can be outfitted with its own independent weapons system.
Additionally, the Targeting Computer is considered a part
of this subsystem.

Defense: Defensive systems consist of the shipÆs Armor and
Shielding, and also any Counter Measures designed to throw
off the targeting attempts of the enemy.


Fleet Command:
The Fleet Command screen allows you to monitor the current
status of the ships in all your Fleets, and also to
properly assemble large Fleets of ships with ease.
Additionally, Fleet Command lets you Build ships at any of
your Shipyards, and also to Upgrade ships with the newest
technologies.

Fleet Composition:
Early in the game, your ôFleetsö are bound to be one or two
ships: Usually a Transport and/or a Scout.

As the game progresses, youÆll begin to switch away from
Colonization mode, and towards constructing ships with the
intention of fighting your opponents, and so large Fleets
of Destroyers and Scouts are not uncommon.

Tailor your ship construction and Fleet composition to suit
the current task at hand. You can ascertain the size of an
enemyÆs Fleet by clicking on it and choosing the Examine
Fleet option from the Sector View screen. This can give you
a good idea if your own Fleet composition is going to
measure up to the challenge.

Upgrading and Scrapping Ships:
In order to Upgrade a specific ship with the current
technology, it must be in the same Sector as a Shipyard or
a ship equipped with a Repair Bay. If this is not the case,
itÆs occasionally easier to scrap a ship than it is to send
it back across the known universe to get the latest Worm
Drive.

Especially in the case of the second or first wave of ships
you send out, following the initial massive Colonization
effort, building newer ships may ultimately be more
efficient than retrofitting older ones.


Research:
Performing Research is the means by which your Species
makes technological advancements, and expands your domain
across the universe. Until an item is Researched, it cannot
be constructed.  (Note: Limited research is available in
the demo

Controlling Research:
Research is performed in each of five critical areas:
Weapons, Shielding, Ship, Colonial, and Space technologies.
(Note: Limited technologies can be researched in the demo
version of the game.)

The five tabbed menus in the upper left-hand corner of the
screen show the current list of projects, both Theoretical
and Developed.

The Theoretical list is the one from which new Research
projects are initiated, and the current project name is
highlighted there. That specific projectÆs progress is
recorded in the five Research discipline boxes along the
right-hand side of the screen.

The list of Developed technologies are those currently
available for Construction on your domainÆs planets.

Ultimately, controlling Research is a relatively passive
endeavor: The slider bars beside each of the ongoing
projects let you manipulate the percentage of your domainÆs
Research points which are being allotted to each specific
area, but itÆs rare that youÆll want to emphasize one area
over another.

Foreign Affairs:
The Foreign Affairs screen lets you communicate with your
computer opponents through the use of Treaties, Trade
agreements and Espionage.  (Note: Treaties and trades are
not functional in the demo version.)

Compare:
One of the more useful features in the game, the Compare
function lets you toggle through graphical representations
of your domainÆs resources, comparing them with your
opponentÆs resources in the same crucial areas.

Espionage:
Perhaps more often than sharing information and resources
with other universal powers, youÆll use the Espionage
functions to try to undermine their accomplishments.

The Steal, Subvert and Sabotage functions are self-
explanatory, each evoking a dialogue box that displays the
information pertinent to the task at hand.

Black Operations:
Black Ops are, in essence, all the nasty Espionage projects
that donÆt fall under the general headings of Steal,
Subvert or Sabotage.

That includes instigating Rebellion, Assassinating
government officials, and even seeking to Topple the
oppositionÆs Empire.


Domestic Policy:
The Domestic Policy screen provides a quick, concise
summary of all the planets in all the star systems which
youÆve explored.

The same information as is included in the Planet Surface
screen is summarized here, allowing you to quickly review
all of the planetsÆ economic numbers, and adjust the CP
Subsidy and Project parameters quickly and efficiently.

The upper left-hand corner of the screen provides an
overview of your domainÆs resources, and also lets you
manipulate the percentage of the maximum amount being spent
in the areas of Research, Espionage and Construction.