AstroEmpires: Browser multiplayer strategy in space
 

Think Ogame. Here's a screenshot:

http://www.bigblah.net/upload/base.png

For those who want to start out on equal footing with everyone else, sign up on the newly opened (as of May 21 2007) ceti server:

http://ceti.astroempires.com

Specify galaxy C08 as your starting point for some company :)

I'll post up some newbie instructions soon.

Intruiguing. I'll give it a whilr and see how it plays.

EDIT: 50 minutes real-time to build a structure? Man, I'll definitely have to multitask it.

First the most important basics: how to starting building your base.

Your first immediate goal should be to obtain outpost ships and expand your empire. The minimum steps required are:

8 Research Labs with the following technologies:
-- Energy 8;
-- Stellar Drive 4 (prerequisite: Energy 6)
-- Warp Drive 1 (prerequisites: Stellar Drive 4 and Energy 8)
8 Shipyards

But before you rush to build 8 research labs, consider your base capacities. The numbers under "Processing capacity" on your planet information screen refer to how many credits you can burn in one hour for each category. I.e. if your construction capacity is 6, you will take one hour to build a 6-credit structure. Which means getting all required structures will take a long time. Likewise for production (building ships) and research.

Thankfully, there are structures which increase your processing capacities. You get Metal Refineries at the start. Build 3-4 of these first. The processing benefits per refinery is determined by the configuration of your planet, which depends on its type. Rocky and metallic planets get 3 metal, for instance. Also, while multiple structures affect construction and production, research labs are the only structures that increase research capacity.

(To check the structure/unit/tech list and prerequisites, click on the "Tables" link at the top)

Keep an eye on energy and population too. You'll need to build solar or gas plants to power your buildings. Which one you build is again determined by your planet type and position: whichever gives you more benefits (planets in the first column of the system map have the highest solar rating). If solar and gas are both equal, alternate them for efficiency. Population increase is determined by fertility -- planets in the 2nd and 3rd columns have a +1 boost to fertility. There's only one type of structure at this early stage that increases population anyway (urban structures), so build it whenever it's required.

Tip: research Computer to level 2 to unlock Robotic Factories, which give you a +2 production/construction boost. It's up to you where to schedule it.

Lastly, watch out for economy; you can't build and research without money, after all. Certain structures increase economy, such as metal refineries and shipyards. Spaceports give a +2 boost plus an extra interplanetary trading slot every 5 spaceports, so queue up 5 of them overnight. Your credit pool is incremented by your economy amount every hour. Try to balance your economy with your processing capacities so you don't end up hoarding money and unable to spend it, or perpetually strapped for cash.

Sounds interesting, I'll give it a go.

Is there any way to see the various requirements for building structures and researching technologies, or do you pretty much have to rely on experimentation?

I ask because the FAQ assures me I can colonize other planets within a day of beginning, and I'm just not anywhere close--I hate to think what'll happen when my temporary invulnerability wears off.

I mentioned it in my post, but to check the structure/unit/tech list and prerequisites, click on the "Tables" link at the top.

And it's almost impossible to finish your outpost ship within a day. Quickest anyone can manage is a day and a half, really. And that's only if you hit jackpot with your starting planet (rocky moon with 6 fertility, slot 2).

I somehow got invited to a guild. Any of you guys want in? They've given me recruitment ability.

I've been invited to two, but neither has accepted me yet :D

Which did you join?

I joined [UED], we've got 18 members so far.

United Earth Directorate.

Wow, it looks like the whole Ceti server crashed >_<;

EDIT:

Hosnap, never mind.