Playtest One Discussion

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Tssha:

With research, do we need to mention what we're researching every turn, or just when we start or stop a research project?

Also, thanks for the tip about the communications system. That might be a vital tip and should probably go in the manual somewhere. Though, I suppose I should've figured, but it's the kind of thing that's obvious in hindsight. I thought of interplanetary distances, not in orbit above the Earth.

'Course, I'm sure it doesn't need a communications system to beep.

If we don't spend our research budget by the end of the year, do we lose it?


EDIT: Also, where does the photo package fit in? Do you have to designate it each time? I think I read that it's free to put on satellites and probes, but do you have to research it? Mention including it each time? Or is it just assumed that if you launch a satellite or probe, that it's already included? Of course, there's no point if you don't have a communications system to go with it...just saying...

[Thorgrimm-28]

1) Just mention it if you wish need to change the number of teams, beginning, or ending the research project.

2) Yeah sometimes its the stuff that should be obvious that escapes our notice. I still have to add the mission descriptions to the Annex, and that's why it is missing right now. But I will definitely put that datum in the desc.

No, it doesn't, but without a comm package all you have is a steady beep in orbit, AKA Sputnik. The Russians did it for the propaganda. The US did it for propaganda AND science. Explorer 1 had a small sci package and comm package on it.

3) If you do not spend it, it carries over. But not using it is actually detrimental. Since you are hurting your research program.

4) The Photo Package works just like a comm package, or another science package. You research it the same way. When you wish to add one to the satellite just put that in the order and the GM will assemble the mission in the VAB for you. But ONLY if you have the hardware on hand. So make sure you have the items you want to launch into orbit on hand before the mission heads to the VAB.

If you do not have the HW available the mission will be auto-scrubbed.



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

I have to say, even as disheartening as the failures Mav and I have had, especially for Mav, it makes me feel good as a designer. Since in the real life space race rockets were blowing up, and launches failed on a regular basis. So that tells me the design can recreate history. One important facet of any design attempting to simulate a specific period in time.

So, even with the blow ups, and power failures, we have learned something good!



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Tssha:

Thanks for the clarification. I couldn't find the entry for the Photography Package. I'll just tell my peeps to develop it, then.

Also, my condolences on the realistic failures of your rockets...even though it won't happen to me. Schadenfreude!

[Thorgrimm-28]

As for the Photo package, due to an uneasy feeling... I checked the rules, and guess what!? You found something that I forgot to add! Good catch! I will add it in and send it with your turn tomorrow.

As for no failures, uh huh, wanna make a bet on that?



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Coco146:

Don't know if this is really the right place to ask this but seems better than the other thread, what exactly do you mean by a "permanent colony"? I take it a simple moon base wouldn't count?

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Haegan 2005:

its just another way of saying moon base

[Thorgrimm-28]

What I mean is that you must have a base that can support 6 astronauts indefinitely. That means you need a command center, life support, and living space at the minimum.



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by MrAnderson

Lets hope that the whole low grade product rep for PRC doesn't include rockets...

[Thorgrimm-28]

Lol, well it is up to you whether you launch with a low safety level or not. Mav just got burned by bad luck, a 100 is still a 100, and a Catastrophic Failure.

But if you max out your safety levels with launches and research you should be ok.



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Haegan2005:

I made the decision early on to not launch with a safety percentage under 50% on anything. A 50/50 on a crash and burn is just too tilted towards ouchies for me.

I have been trying to get my percentages higher, up towards 70% or better, but i need prestige as well. So my first launches will be riding the edge so to speak.

Oh yeah, and Mav, the Brits are going to send you some brooms and wheel barrows to help you clean up a wee bit, .

[Thorgrimm-28]

Haegan, even then be careful. My safety on my rocket was pretty high, and I still had a failure. But once your safety reaches max R&D level, you have to launch to improve. So, even though the OIB was a failure, the launch was not and as such my safety will increase on my LEO Rocket. As in real life, information can be learned in failure.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

MrAnderson, I cannot use xlsx format, which is used by excel 07. So can you please save your turns in xls format? Thanks.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Here is another hint for you folks. To send any mission outside of LEO you will need a larger rocket or a Kicker rocket to boost the mission package out of LEO.



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

MrAnderson, thank you for such a timely response.

All Feb turns have been processed and March turns have been sent out.

@Gav, yours has been sent to your home email. If you need me to send it to your work email, just let me know.



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Tssha:

I've just checked my inbox and I don't have my turn yet. Can you check to make sure you didn't get a bounce-back? I just checked my spam folder, it isn't in there.

[Thorgrimm-28]

Thanks for the heads up. I will resend ASAP> So stand by.



Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Gav:

Turn received and done ... ready for another !

[Thorgrimm-28]

Welcome back bud! Was missing that stuffy commie speak you do so well! ;D

The plan, for right now, is one turn a day. So the next one will go out tomorrow, and should arrive in your email box, at the same time, or a bit earlier.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Tssha:

Got it now, thanks for resending!

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by Tssha:

Oh, one more question:

If you schedule a launch, can you still do R&D on the components and improve their reliability up until the launch day? Or are they hermetically sealed by the assembly process, that is, are stuck at their present reliability even though the launch is months away? Can you delay a launch a month to give your R&D guys the chance to fix whatever they screwed up accidentally?

Also, I couldn't find the description of the Direct Ascent Capsule. I mention this because I figure I'm supposed to be looking for these omissions, and this is one I noticed.

[Thorgrimm-28]

NP Bud. You can't turn in a sheet without the new one.

1.) Yes. You can research right up until launch. This is an intro game so safety is not locked down by purchase. In the next game to be designed, it will be.

2.) Good job! Yep, anything missing that you find let me know. Will add the desc.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

Originally posted by MrAnderson:

Exactly how many playtests of this scenario are you planning to do?

[Thorgrimm-28]

Depends on how many are needed to find and eliminate all of the bugs.

Unlike most game designers today, I care about my reputation. And I will not release a buggy piece of crap.

I am not doing this for money, I am doing this to make something folks will enjoy playing. Which, IMO, is far more important than how commercially successful it is.


Cheers, Thor

[Thorgrimm-28]

MrAnderson, you sent me your sheet with the xlsx format again.

I need it in the xls format.


Cheers, Thor