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RAMjb
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Hey there. I'm RAMjb, spanish, 32 y.o.

Just stumbled upon this game a couple days ago doing some random searches on google (is what I do when I'm bored, lol). I found a reference about BC 3000 as published by take two. I remember that game; well, in fact what I recall is all the bad stuff said about it, and that it was said to be one of the worst things ever released. But I always loved the concept and the idea behind the game. One of my first computer games ever was old good Elite, for Amstrad CPC. I played it as a kid and was stunned about how deep could a game be (and even more stunned nowadays knowing how limited was hardware at the time). BC3000 always seemed the same to me: a free universe to fall into and do as you wish as a warship commander.

So I kept reading about the old BC3000, reasons why it mostly failed, and looked for what happened to the mind behind the original project. And here I was surprised to see that the game was still alive and kicking, and highly updated.

So I kept looking and found a couple good references about UC, how good (and intimidating) it is... and for the first time in years I purchased a software product without really knowing what it was or how good/bad it could be. You guys don't know me, but for me to do that...is higly unlikely (too much garbage being sold in the gaming market nowadays).

And, so, here I am. Purchased UC: Collectors Edition v2. And I'm scared as hell now. No, seriously, I am.

I've played and mastered most simulators you can think of, starting from old Spitfire 40 for Amstrad CPC, down to the ultra-complicated and realistic DCS:Black Shark (where you have to go through an intensive training just to switch the chopper on and take off), going all the way through Aces High or IL2(and iterations) on the way. And even with all that behind me, this game scares the heck outta me. Seems simply -too much-. When I saw a tutorial (a tutorial!) of 97 pages I already was with a puzzled face and an absolute "you're kiddin' me" feeling inside me.

At the same time, and more so after doing part of the tutorial, I've found exactly what I hoped for. If I ever wanted to be a commander of a spaceship with all the things it involved, this is it. Star trek on steroids (and much much more lethal, for the looks of it). So at the same time I'm scared by its scope, I'm loving it. But I'm scared by the scope of the game. Seems simply TOO big, and me too ignorant to know exactly what to do at a given moment, hehehehe.

I'm sure that you're absolutely tired of newbies asking already answered questions, that's why I'm going to proceed now and start searching for tips all around this forums...but I can't help but ask a question that really has me wondering now. In fact two. Now that I think of it, three ;).

1- Is there really no way to speed the game up?. Not important so far, but I'm sure I'll sooner or later I'll find some moments where there's nothing to do waiting for an upgrade/repair/whatever thing to happen and nothing to do in my hands...

2- First non-tutorial game I opened I created a Terran diplomat in Roam. Figured that a non-combat character with just one chaste to worry about would be just fine to give the first steps around into the game's universe. But, honestly, I don't know what I'm expected to do as such. Tips? ideas?.

3- Other that the ACM included in the game are there any more for other chastes?.

That's all for now. Hey, you can't expect a noob to say hello without dropping a couple questions, right? ;). Off I go now to look for information and tips for other things I have in my mind right now ;).

So, hello...great to be here...and what a nice game this seems to be! :)

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Hey there. I'm RAMjb, spanish, 32 y.o.

Just stumbled upon this game a couple days ago doing some random searches on google (is what I do when I'm bored, lol). I found a reference about BC 3000 as published by take two. I remember that game; well, in fact what I recall is all the bad stuff said about it, and that it was said to be one of the worst things ever released. But I always loved the concept and the idea behind the game. One of my first computer games ever was old good Elite, for Amstrad CPC. I played it as a kid and was stunned about how deep could a game be (and even more stunned nowadays knowing how limited was hardware at the time). BC3000 always seemed the same to me: a free universe to fall into and do as you wish as a warship commander.

So I kept reading about the old BC3000, reasons why it mostly failed, and looked for what happened to the mind behind the original project. And here I was surprised to see that the game was still alive and kicking, and highly updated.

So I kept looking and found a couple good references about UC, how good (and intimidating) it is... and for the first time in years I purchased a software product without really knowing what it was or how good/bad it could be. You guys don't know me, but for me to do that...is higly unlikely (too much garbage being sold in the gaming market nowadays).

And, so, here I am. Purchased UC: Collectors Edition v2. And I'm scared as hell now. No, seriously, I am.

I've played and mastered most simulators you can think of, starting from old Spitfire 40 for Amstrad CPC, down to the ultra-complicated and realistic DCS:Black Shark (where you have to go through an intensive training just to switch the chopper on and take off), going all the way through Aces High or IL2(and iterations) on the way. And even with all that behind me, this game scares the heck outta me. Seems simply -too much-. When I saw a tutorial (a tutorial!) of 97 pages I already was with a puzzled face and an absolute "you're kiddin' me" feeling inside me.

At the same time, and more so after doing part of the tutorial, I've found exactly what I hoped for. If I ever wanted to be a commander of a spaceship with all the things it involved, this is it. Star trek on steroids (and much much more lethal, for the looks of it). So at the same time I'm scared by its scope, I'm loving it. But I'm scared by the scope of the game. Seems simply TOO big, and me too ignorant to know exactly what to do at a given moment, hehehehe.

I'm sure that you're absolutely tired of newbies asking already answered questions, that's why I'm going to proceed now and start searching for tips all around this forums...but I can't help but ask a question that really has me wondering now. In fact two. Now that I think of it, three ;).

1- Is there really no way to speed the game up?. Not important so far, but I'm sure I'll sooner or later I'll find some moments where there's nothing to do waiting for an upgrade/repair/whatever thing to happen and nothing to do in my hands...

2- First non-tutorial game I opened I created a Terran diplomat in Roam. Figured that a non-combat character with just one chaste to worry about would be just fine to give the first steps around into the game's universe. But, honestly, I don't know what I'm expected to do as such. Tips? ideas?.

3- Other that the ACM included in the game are there any more for other chastes?.

That's all for now. Hey, you can't expect a noob to say hello without dropping a couple questions, right? ;). Off I go now to look for information and tips for other things I have in my mind right now ;).

So, hello...great to be here...and what a nice game this seems to be! :)

1 Nope, its stuck in real time.

2 You can do whatever the heck you want about it. That is the entire idea behind roam, he gives you the tools you do whatever you feel like doing. If you are part of the Terran military and want to stick to the role, then you would be obliged to escort it.

3 They're all for the TER/MIL castes, but there are also fighter ACMs.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey guys, just got back from some days out, thanks for the welcome :).

2 You can do whatever the heck you want about it. That is the entire idea behind roam, he gives you the tools you do whatever you feel like doing. If you are part of the Terran military and want to stick to the role, then you would be obliged to escort it.

Well, thing is, that I'm not a Ter/Mil commander in that save. I'm a Terran Diplomat...and don't know exactly what's expected on me if I want to, as you say, stick to the role (something that I'm very much inclined to...if I knew what to do ;)).

I mean, as part of the military, or as an assasin, etc, is pretty much clear which are your goals...but as a diplomat?...no idea, that's why I'm asking for tips ;)

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Hey guys, just got back from some days out, thanks for the welcome :).

2 You can do whatever the heck you want about it. That is the entire idea behind roam, he gives you the tools you do whatever you feel like doing. If you are part of the Terran military and want to stick to the role, then you would be obliged to escort it.

Well, thing is, that I'm not a Ter/Mil commander in that save. I'm a Terran Diplomat...and don't know exactly what's expected on me if I want to, as you say, stick to the role (something that I'm very much inclined to...if I knew what to do ;)).

I mean, as part of the military, or as an assasin, etc, is pretty much clear which are your goals...but as a diplomat?...no idea, that's why I'm asking for tips ;)

Ah well you can always roleplay by going to neutral/friendly sectors that your on diplomatic missions. If you need money you'll be forced to trade or mine unless you can find a stray cargo pod.

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1- Is there really no way to speed the game up?. Not important so far, but I'm sure I'll sooner or later I'll find some moments where there's nothing to do waiting for an upgrade/repair/whatever thing to happen and nothing to do in my hands...

2- First non-tutorial game I opened I created a Terran diplomat in Roam. Figured that a non-combat character with just one chaste to worry about would be just fine to give the first steps around into the game's universe. But, honestly, I don't know what I'm expected to do as such. Tips? ideas?.

3- Other that the ACM included in the game are there any more for other chastes?.

That's all for now. Hey, you can't expect a noob to say hello without dropping a couple questions, right? ;). Off I go now to look for information and tips for other things I have in my mind right now ;).

So, hello...great to be here...and what a nice game this seems to be! :)

Welcome to the game and the forums jb! You'll find that you can get too deep into the game sometimes and won't get up to even go to the bathroom...hehe.

To answer your questions like ppl before me have,

1) Time can't be sped up. However, if your repairs aren't critical, you can always start the repairs in the space station and then undock, leaving them to finished (thats of course if you have systems engineers) while your in space. That way you have the parts already replaced, and just need them to be fixed. Saves time and cash.

2) Universal Combat is a sandbox space sim for the most part (although you can be a marine and use land vehicles). It's basically up to your imagination what you wan't to do. Some people like start out small and some others like to move up to cruisers and carriers (like me :D) If you wan't to be given a role, I'd recommend doing some of the ACM missions. (Some of the missions can be extremely difficult, especially the marine careers) So its just up to you. Although, i recommend doing it in a carrier or cruiser. You can control multiple assets and have goodies to use :)

3) Nope. The number of chastes is always the same. I do wish there was some way to customize that portion of the game ><

Also, if you want to find more tips and etc, i'd recommend you browse through the forums. I've spent hours browsing thorugh the UC forums, and have found some interesting stuff.

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1) Time can't be sped up. However, if your repairs aren't critical, you can always start the repairs in the space station and then undock, leaving them to finished (thats of course if you have systems engineers) while your in space. That way you have the parts already replaced, and just need them to be fixed. Saves time and cash.

didn't know this. Thanks! nice to know! :).

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm newish to the game too. I learned 99% of what I know about it just by reading the game manuals and hints included. I know they're lengthy but there is a LOT to this sim.

I see some other folks answered a few of your questions already but I'd like to put in my 2 cents if I may.

1: As stated earlier by Nwah (cool name btw, Morrowind reference?) you can't speed up game time, but I've found that reading or doing housework between hyperjumps and repairs is a good way to pass the time. Besides, the more time you have invested in your crew and making a name for yourself in your player caste, the easier it is to role play.

2: I've never played a Diplomat before so I don't really know what's expected of them, but as it says in one of the start screens, you're only limited by your imagination. Diplomats might just take a little bit more imagination than other castes.

You'll definitely need to mine though as Nwah said. If you need any help figuring that out feel free to ask.

Most of all, don't be intimidated by the scope of the game world or the menus. It just takes time to learn.

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If you want to play as a diplomat or other harmless caste, trading is your only option. Avoiding raiders while playing a harmless caste (e.g. diplomat, trader etc) and such is a whole game all by itself.

Amen to that. After some trial and error you'll develop tactics to avoid hostile castes but it's tricky. That's what I love about this game. It's not for your average shoot-em-up gamer.

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