First run through modification thoughts.

[VoidStalker]

I got one tech to work properly, seems that I just needed to put the tech into this format: tech_tech_name and then the command works (for a single tech I tried it out on, but not the one in the above image), so the entire console command would be {research_technology} and then {tech_what_ever}. It seems that most folks are not up on the console commands, so perhaps I should do a quick little thread on what I am doing with them at the start of my games. I'll start getting some images together and post them by noon pdox time, 7am my time.

 

[VoidStalker]

Ok, so I'm trying to make my images 800X600 and in jpeg format, and this is what that looks like...

This is just the starting galaxy view from my game, and if the image works as is, then I'll be posting several more that show step by step how I use the console to modify my display to avoid clutter and clicking on something that just isn't clickable, lol.

Now here is the same start, after the cleanup commands have been used.

Everyone has their own preferences, and mine are for as clutterless as possible right now. Who can say what next month will bring.

 

[VoidStalker]

Below is the opening screen, with all the clutter, but at this resolution, I cannot even see the asteroid belts in my home system.

I then used the background and asteroids commands, and got a much simplified system screen.

Note: I don't think I really need to do this now, and I really like the graphics, but I also don't want to get distracted by stuff that is only there for looking at.

Some questions.
Can everyone see these images clearly, and is there any difference between the top image and the later three? The reason I ask is that I see them all fine, and all the same size, but others may not have the same result, so perhaps a screen shot from other folks could help me see what is going on, and help me correct any mistakes I am making.

 

[VoidStalker]

So, the latest news is that I'm starting to have a considerable bit of fun, and thus I am learning some things about the game! I'm making screenshots of all the planetary districts and buildings now, and plan to then move onto doing the same for {Decisions} {Edicts} and {policies}, and then going into the actual population stats and trying to figure things out, and then I'll be ready to attempt to get a handle on what all the other buttons mean, like crime and unemployment, and stability and such!

That being said, I'm starting to get an idea of just how much of the game I have only now just started to touch upon, and contact with the other residents of the depths of the void has been extremely limited, thus diplomacy has not really been something to deal with so far. I've seen border friction, insults, territorial claims and even some trade deals and defensive pacts offered, but I'm still waiting to see what all I've yet to encounter. I have so far learned how to build/move ships around, and am getting a bit into the upgraded starbases and their buildings/modules, although I've not really done anything with their defense forces, anyone have any advice for what to build with these?

I'm almost always missing something in the initial setup, and only catching my mistake months/years later, and end up restarting because of this, lol.

 

[Zenopath]

The game is pretty complicated, i agree, ultimately though, there is a bit of a sandbox vibe to it.

Making mistakes doesnt mean you have to start over again, you could just keep going and try to fix mistakes in progress.

As to the thing with star bases, there are, in the base game, 4 basic uses for starbases.

1) ship construction centers, which you would want to have shipyards, crewquarters, and fleet academy.
2) trade hubs, which collect trade resources, with a range based on number of trade modules, which you can upgrade with offworld trading company for a free trade bonus, you need these to collect silver rings, which is the icon for trade
3) bastions, which use guns/missles/hanger bays to do 2 things, protect choke points from alien attacks and prevent piracy. If you toggle the trade view map mode, the 2 arrow icon bottom right, where you see red skulls, you need to put a bastion nearby. The protection range of bastion is equal to number of combat modules, so 2,4, or 6. Hangers provide more anti pirate value but are weaker against enemy ai. Need to research strike craft to unlock hangers.
4) Naval outposts, increase your naval capacity, each naval outpost module gives 4 points of naval capacity, can be placed anywhere, but I tend to put them over inhabited planets since exact placement doesnt matter. Can be upgraded with naval logistics office to provide 6 naval capacity per module.