Well, try Stars! Not the best graphics or sound but heck of a game!

Try? I played it to no end a long time ago. And I would still do if I had a working copy of the game.

Well, I have the game.....(CD serial number and all, just not the box anymore)...

Is it abandoned?

No.

Dull as can be. I like building up worlds and engaging in diplomacy, as well as combat and trade.

Well, there is always Supremacy and the original Reach For The Stars and Emperor of the fading suns and well, a few more that are not abandonware.

Supremacy? Like I said, I like building worlds and diplomacy. There's nothing of either in that. Emperor of the Fading Suns isn't a 4x game, really, but more of an RPG: and I remember it being a very interesting and complex game with even less effective AI than Ascendency.

The original Reach for the Stars: now, there you're onto something. I remember how dreary the remake was, but I've just downloaded the older title, and it has possibilities. Thanks!

Space empires 4. Diplomacy, Building, combat (tactical, strategic), and trade (via trading alliances ...)

3rd part didnt' have too good diplomacy, but it was easier handling of units than in 4th part in my opinion.

5 is going to have 3d combat, beta testing version was already sent out.

Supremacy? Like I said, I like building worlds and diplomacy. There's nothing of either in that. Emperor of the Fading Suns isn't a 4x game, really, but more of an RPG: and I remember it being a very interesting and complex game with even less effective AI than Ascendency.

The original Reach for the Stars: now, there you're onto something. I remember how dreary the remake was, but I've just downloaded the older title, and it has possibilities. Thanks! [/b][/quote]
There is no real diplomacy in Supremacy but there is building of worlds. Plus the graphics are much better that other games of its type of the time.

EFS is very much a 4X game. I don't know why you (anyone) would not see it as such. You start with a planet you do not have under your control, you must fight for it then build fleets and expand to other planets, destroying and capturing enemy. At the same time you have to be careful with diplomacy or get your behind kicked. You already know this so I just can't figure out how it isn't a 4X game. :blink:
Have you tried it with the patches, including perhaps the unsupported ones? (Hyperion and Nova patches)

Anyway, I am glad I told you about RFTS . :-)



Gregor I didn't mention SEIV for other reasons, including that we focus more on abandoware games.

There is no real diplomacy in Supremacy but there is building of worlds. Plus the graphics are much better that other games of its type of the time.

EFS is very much a 4X game. I don't know why you (anyone) would not see it as such.


[/b][/quote]
Because one major part of the fun I find in such games is the making and breaking (or maintaining, if I can win that way) of alliances. It's a reason I enjoy Europa Universalis II so much. If anyone I find is going to automatically be my enemy, then it's a game of exploration, building and conquering, and even in turn-based mode, reminds me all-too-well of those annoying RTS clones I can't stand. :)