I'm actually glad this thread has been kick-started - because when my computer broke, the randoms went with it! 8O
...It's not a total loss though, I had an old backup and have been slowly resurrecting the randoms. You have NO idea how useful my list of randoms on the previous pages have been!
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The way people are treating Splinter Colonies ISN'T how I originally intended it - it's a completely different idea, in fact.
I intended Splinter Colonies to be a system that broke away from your Empire - they would essentially be like another minor race. After a certain amount of time, the system would eventually show up in the Diplomacy screen, but it ould take a LOT of hard work to get them to join you again.
The idea of having "Lost Colonies" could be added as a new random event - it would be very easy to create a "back story" for these Lost Colonies - ALL of the random event messages have been written in the spirit of Trek - they don't just simply say "x has happened, resulting in y", they have a proper message, with the system governor begging for help, or Klingon curses, or technobabble, and so on. That's the main reason why they have taken so long to write. (Ignoring the computer problems i'm always suffering from!

)
I could quite easily write a message for this. How about:
Lost Colonies (You encounter a system inhabited by your own people. Overjoyed at finally making contact, the system decides to join your mighty Empire)
Federation
Centuries ago, when we first looked to the stars, a group of pioneers left their homes in search of a new place to call their home. Stories have long been told of their struggle for survival and search for paradise, but nothing has been heard from them since. Until now, many believed the stories were nothing but old wives' tales. Our scout vessel in system _____ detected humanoid life, and established first contact. To the astonishment of the crew, the inhabitants were found to be human! They met our crew with open arms, and are looking to a new future within our great Federation.
Klingons
All warriors have heard the ancient stories of when Kahless fought the tyrant Molor. Kahless taught us that true Glory and Honour can only be gained in battle against enemies of the Empire. But some cowards did not believe in the teachings, and fled to the Stars. At long last, our Imperial Navy has found these cowards in system _____, and after our warriors defeated their leaders in honourable combat, the peope submitted to the glory of the Empire. Break out the Blood Wine! Our ancient brothers are feasting with us once again!
Romulans
It has been said that long ago, during the epic journey of our ancestors, our technology failed us, and a great number of our brothers were left behind. During a mission deep into enemy territory, the Tal Shiar confirmed that an unknown colony of Romulans was present in system _____. We have annexed the Territory and claim it in the name of Romulous.
Cardassians
We are a resourceful people. In the time when the weak Detapa council ruled our people, they lost track of many of our brothers, who were left to fend for themselves deep in space. After many centuries, a military scout restablished contact with some survivors of this time. They have survived well and found a Planet rich in resources in system _____. Cardassia smiles on our lost brothers.
Dominion
The Founders are truly wonderous! The Universe if full of a great many wonders, and now we have discovered another of their precious gifts. A lost colony was found in system _____. Our lost brothers have been welcomed into the servitude of our great Dominion.
What do people think?
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As for the Delta Quadrant not being in the game, Malvoisin, it's gonna be in Supremacy.
MStrobel has already set up the map so it is split into four Quadrants - all that is needed is for the programming to be set in place so that the races appear in the correct places.
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I love the idea of having "goody huts" in the game. They wouldn't be something that I would need to write proper messages for, (Unless people want me to) would be truly random, and as people have said, would give more use to the lower-tech Surveyors and Scouts. It would also mean players would be more inclined to send a ship to explore EVERY sector of space.
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It doesn't matter that Mike only wants to program 10-15 randoms - if he uses XML, more can easily be programmed in later if people want more. (:mrgreen:)
Obviously it is up to SirPustekuchen how many he includes - and which ones.