GalCiv IV is a BIG game. The way it is designed today (Beta 0.77), I would only ever play at the fastest speed. Even in very fast mode, I'm still next-turning quite regularly so it isn't like the game is going too fast. Since it takes multiple hours to finish a galactic year, I have a day job, and updates are published regularly, I haven't come close to finishing a game yet. Part of it is me still learning the mechanics, but only part. Just keep this in mind as you work on your marketing strategy.
At the micro level, I think the pace is good right now. The Beta does a much better job of introducing barbarians. I assume minor races will be fleshed out as the Beta progresses. The one thing I would change is that control points are very few and far between. Others have suggested that doubling them would not be game-breaking. I have two additional proposals:
- Create an executive order to buy them. A 50-turn recharge rate would be fine.
- Award an additional control point every 10 ideology points you have earned. That would give you an incentive to accumulate them even if it is for ideologies you aren't interested in.
Regarding barbarians, how about an event to reveal or disclose their location to other races? Other races seem to tell you about them, though not necessarily their location. That could also lead to missions where you could be rewarded for wiping them out. I know there is a "kill 3 pirates" mission but the solution to that is to just farm them, not eliminate them. I assume other races have events and missions too, not just the players. This might read like a tangent, but I think it would help pacing by giving the player more important things to do early-game other than land-grab.
