News for Maelstrom Mod, August 2012

Highlights (Release 9)

Models
- imported Dreadnought models from rebellion for original races
- imported Titan models from rebellion for original races

Sounds
- changed Dreadnoughts voices for original races
- changed Titan voices voices for original races

Effects
- increased size of Titan explosions

Overall balance adjustments
- delayed Titan creation times
- reduced Dreadnought production rates

Replicators balance adjustments
- For research centers and research complexes -> reduced 'research cost decrease' and 'research upgrade rate'
- for culture research -> reduced the 'antimatter restored in culture' for all cultural research
- for all population research-> reduce population caps by half
- increased tradeport (Cybernetic factory) access research by one level
- crystal and metal extraction rates for Level 1 & Level 2 research, reduced from 10% to 5% per stage
- frigates with antimatter converters -> reduced 'Damage To AntiMatter'
- for Replicators fixed continuous replicate problem with Darkstar Cruiser ,Thunderbolt frigate and Dominion Cruiser
- reduced the base Trade Income Rate of tradeports (25%)
- carrier cruiser maximum command point reduced from 5 to 4
- reduced bomber fire power by 20%
- reduced fighter fire power by 20%

TA balance adjustments
- adjusted anitmodule firing range
- reduced the base Trade Income Rate of tradeports (50%)
- reduced the maximum Cargo Capacity for tradeships (50%)
- carrier cruiser maximum command points reduced from 3 to 2
- reduced defense platform fire power and range
- reduced bomber fire power by 25%
- reduced fighter fire power by 25%

Norlamin balance adjustments
- for Norlamin heavy cruiser now automatically fires 'megalaser'
- adjusted anitmodule firing range
- reduced the maximum Cargo Capacity for tradeshipd (50%)
- reduced defense platform fire power and range
- reduced levels (from 4 to 2) on "Massive Screens", shield research
- carrier cruiser maximum command points reduced from 3 to 2
- reduced bomber fire power by 20%
- reduced fighter fire power by 20%
- research cost reduction (adjusted from 10% to 7.5%) for 4th, 5th and 6th order sciences

Planets balance adjustments
- decreased population cap for Fractured planet
- decreased population cap for Ring World
- decreased population cap for Diasporian World
- decreased population cap for Ice Giant
- decreased population cap for Terra Nova
- decreased population cap for Paradise World
- decreased population cap for Utopian World
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Aura World
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Engima World
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Mineral World
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Mining World
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Frigian World
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Rock Giant
- reduced extraction rates on asteroids for Toxic World
- reduced civilian slot counts for Dyson Sphere

Other
- changed name of TA capitals and voices for: Thunderbolt -> Nemisis, Galactica -> Invictus
- created Maelstrom manual
- updated credits: game startup, website, etc

Thanks to all those who contributed by giving feedback and sharing ideas.
On a final note the port for Maelstrom to Rebellion is now underway.