DanQ
Owner, Civilized Communication
Revisit Planet. More than nine years ago, the turn-based strategy game Alpha Centauri and soon after its Alien Crossfire expansion pack was released by publisher Electronic Arts. Developed by Firaxis Games, its community remains strong to this day. Towards recognizing this fact, Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS) presents a special edition of PolyCast (PC) focusing on the game with a panel of individuals well-known for their long-standing involvement in the game's community.
ACS staff member DarkCloud leads this special's panel with Darsnan, Erik "Hydro" Spande and Maniac to discuss the many aspects of AC, commonly referred to as SMAC, from its initial release to the possibilities of a sequel. A PC regular co-host, ACS Chief Owner/Administrator Daniel "DanQ" Quick makes a brief cameo.
Entitled "Focus: Alpha Centauri", its total runtime is an 79m54s -- a ~75% extension in length over current regular PC episodes. The summary of topics is as follows:
- 01m41s | Introductions
Introducing DarkCloud, Darsnan and Hydro. (Maniac joins in later.)
- 04m51s | Style
What is Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, (SMAC); game dislikes; how the co-hosts found SMAC; and an overview of the factions (including Alien Crossfire).
- 21m08s | Gameplay
Darsnan and assisting SMAC's Artificial Intelligence (AI), and generating Playing By Email (PBEM) games and scenarios; upgrading the game's acquatic elements; utilizing the conditioned response of players as an advantage; what to give the A.I. to start a game to help it out; and some key individuals in the SMAC community past and present.
- 39m10s | Fiction
Looking back on Michael Ely's SMAC triology; remembering both the Spartan Chronicles and the Chiron Chronicle; on the writing styles of Alinestra Covelia as seen in the story "Joe"; though its title is not recalled during the recording, Velociryx's Magnum Opus" is what is being referred to, written by Velociryx; the funny "Morgan Spy Tanning Lamps" by Elemental and "Santiago Claus" by Vi Vicdi.
Getting into "The Wizard of Chiron" by Raging Mouse; DarkCloud himself on his first and http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8473]second[/url] "University Saga" and, his most proud work, heading "The Chrion Chronicle" which eventually gave birth to the "Beyond Alpha Centauri" spin-off; The most prolific SMAC fiction writer, Erik 'Hydro' Spande, on his more than thirty published stories; the premiere SMAC story index, the Chiron Archives compiled by Illuminatus (here's one: Mindworm Tales by Googlie; comparing Vel's to the official strategy guide for SMAC.
- 54m31s | Modding
The reknown Network Node factions; using FacEdit and scenarios; the "SMANIAC" MOD by Maniac who himself talks about it; also from Maniac, the "Planetfall" MOD.
- 67m51s | Remarks
Tuning in to PolyCast, the sense of SMAC community and the possibilities of a sequel for the game.
Enjoy:
