I re-did the tech timeline for Starfire 2nd Edition. If that is heresy for you, well, just close this message and take a walk outside and get a few deep breaths of fresh spring air.
I've felt for a while that the tech fluff made for a nice intro to the game system, but was a bit unrealistic and didn't give players enough chance to learn the tactics of each development - it's like they were all suddenly available and it's a bit overwhelming for a new player. Only urgent necessity brings huge funding streams to the military, so to refit and/or create new classes is not quite as optimistic as presented in the 2nd Ed. chronology. I feel this is more realistic as well as makes for better game play.All offensive and defensive systems are now in a logical progression of responding to a technological state, and create a pendulum of tech development that corresponds to ship design.
My intent at this point is to slow the rate of development down chronologically so it is a bit more like a year or two between developments, possibly several years for a major breakthru. This will make the pace a bit more like...Sailing - Steam - Ironclads - Predreadnoughts - dreadnoughts - WWI - WWII - Modern era, altho it won't mirror that exactly, of course.
With this slower rate of developments, I plan to play out significant battles with new ship designs in a new chronology.
If you are interested in seeing what I've done, just PM me your contact info. Would welcome healthy critique!
Best, Ale
