Is it possible to have short game that you can finish in an afternoon?

[peppergomez]

Just bought the base game (no DLCs) this weekend and spent 3 days playing it. I created moderate sized galaxies and either 4 - 8 other races.

Each game goes on forever and no events in it thus far seem to be dramatically significant such that they could end a game/destroy or conquer a race.

I enjoyed what I played but I would like to set it so I can play shorter, more decisive games, unless of them lasting for ages without truly significant/game-changing events taking place.

My next game will take place in a very small galaxy, maybe with 2 or 3 other races. Will that accomplish what I'm looking for here?

Thanks!

[rosariodoamaral]

I´m afraid one of the changes brought by the 2.0 update was a slower pacing of the game. This is by design.

If the main factor on your decision is game speed, I would suggest you to revert to 1.91 and give it a whirl.

Be advised, however: 1.91 is NOT compatible with Apocalypse or Distant Stars, neither is compatible with most mods.

Edit:

Even so, if you intend to finish a game in one afternoon, you will probbaly need to play on a small/medium galaxy, and spend most of the game in the fastest speed.

[ArcticISAF]

There are many mods that will definitely help accelerate the game immensely. Xnadu (spelling) might be able to recommend some good ones if he spots this thread. I remember him saying something about condensing the game down to 2250 or so.

Other than mods (that can affect nearly everything, speed, influence, etc), you can try scaling the tech/tradition rate, small galaxy, earlier and easier crisis, etc. Would make the game much shorter.

[Chastity the Celibate]

Set midgame start to 2230 and endgame to 2260, tech/unity level to x.1 (need Extended Map Sliders mod to do that), and get the mod Gummy’s Faster Gameplay and Faster Start: More Starting Resources.

Galaxy size Medium or Small should do. Also War in Heaven 100% and Midgame Horde 100% are good for spicing up the game if you have the respective DLCs.

[【Ｎｉｃｅ Ｈｉｓｓ】]

Yes.

Small galaxy, crank up tech speeds.

[ArcticISAF]

Originally posted by xnadu27:

Set midgame start to 2230 and endgame to 2260, tech/unity level to x.1 (need Extended Map Sliders mod to do that), and get the mod Gummy’s Faster Gameplay and Faster Start: More Starting Resources.

Galaxy size Medium or Small should do. Also War in Heaven 100% and Midgame Horde 100% are good for spicing up the game if you have the respective DLCs.

Nice recommendations

[Army Pea]

I’ve been playing my recent games with tech costs at .50 and it feels so much closer to the pace 1.9 had as you will always have something to uncover , unlock or research instead of waiting for your influence and minerals to build up for an outpost.

Definitely recommend if you enjoy a more brisk game of Stellaris

[Chastity the Celibate]

Originally posted by Army Pea:

I’ve been playing my recent games with tech costs at .50 and it feels so much closer to the pace 1.9 had as you will always have something to uncover , unlock or research instead of waiting for your influence and minerals to build up for an outpost.

Definitely recommend if you enjoy a more brisk game of Stellaris

I nornally use mods to turn it to x.1 LOL, x.5 too slow

When I first play 2.0 I turned it to x10 because I thought it was x10 speed Lol

[RodHull]

Originally posted by Ham Slamo:

Yes.

Small galaxy, crank up tech speeds.

This

One of the major strengths of stellaris is it allows high levels of customisation, both in game options and with the 100s of mod available.

[peppergomez]

Thanks, folks

PS I mainly play offline (decided to not get internet in my place since I'm always online during the work day), and AFAIK, Steam workshop mods won't work without an internet connection, right?

I can have a look at nexusmods.com to see if Stellaris is supported there.