Poll: First Expansion Name (Answer: The Zenith Remnant)

[x4000]

You know, Zenith it is.  That's an easy rename, it sounds better when you say it (I always feel like I'm lisping when I say "Zinth" anyway, even though I don't have a lisp).  And that makes AI War: The Zenith even better sounding.

Of course, with a name like that, what on earth would I ever call the next expansion?  Maybe "The Zenith Faction" is best after all.

[darke]

Does remind me of a comment I read in an article a few years back about an music writer for films. The directors would come to him and say things like "I need a bit of music that sounds just like <insert piece of classical music here>" to which he'd reply "Why not just use <piece of classical music> then?".

I figure if a word fits, there's no real point not using it unless there's some other overriding factor to use something else (such as wanting to (tm)(r), etc it ).

EDIT: Thread... moving... too... fast. Need to read newest posts before posting.

[x4000]

This is a good point!

[ldlework]

Of course, with a name like that, what on earth would I ever call the next expansion?  Maybe "The Zenith Faction" is best after all.

Doesn't seem Remnant makes much sense at all anymore with the advancement of your descriptions of the Zenith.

edit: Just noticed that it is actually winning o.O

[x4000]

Of course, with a name like that, what on earth would I ever call the next expansion?  Maybe "The Zenith Faction" is best after all.

Doesn't seem Remnant makes much sense at all anymore with the advancement of your descriptions of the Zenith.

Well, there is suspicion that these Zinth might be the last of a great empire.  If the name becomes Remnant, then that's what I would do.  I think that Remnant does sound more interesting than Faction, in a lot of ways.  I'm honestly pretty torn, though.  To an extent, the lore will adjust to the name that sounds coolest.

[Revenantus]

I'm still for Remnant, it seems to suggest an advanced civilization that's passed its glory, without implying the excessive levels of 'deadness' that Artifacts does. The Zenith, after all, are still present in the galaxy despite being on their way out.

I'm fairly indifferent to whether it's Zenith or Zinth, though I will point out, perhaps slightly pointlessly, that Zenith sounds like the name that human archaeologists would give to the civilization in the absence of knowing what they were actually called, while Zinth could be a translation of their native language.

[x4000]

I'm still for Remnant, it seems to suggest an advanced civilization that's passed its glory, without implying the excessive levels of 'deadness' that Artifacts does. The Zenith, after all, are still present in the galaxy despite being on their way out.

Good points, all.  I added a new entry up there for "The Zenith Remnant" as well as just plain "Zenith Remnant."  I think I prefer the former.

I'm fairly indifferent to whether it's Zenith or Zinth, though I will point out, perhaps slightly pointlessly, that Zenith sounds like the name that human archaeologists would give to the civilization in the absence of knowing what they were actually called, while Zinth could be a translation of their native language.

Yeah, that was pretty similar to my original line of reasoning, and why I made it Zinth.  It works in sci-fi novels or television, which is why it was never an issue until now, but as the name of a product it is more problematic than the thematic gains are probably worth.

[ldlework]

Then we should come up with the most interesting name right? Then you can create the most interesting lore?

I'd say, you should digress further - at some point in the future closer to expansion development - the actual integration of this third party. What role it plays. Then pick a name for the expansion and lore that suits to hint at - not only the fact that there is a new faction - but its role.

This is why I suggested names like "Zenith Emissaries" (You could lore that the Zenith approach both the AI and the Humans under some terms for trading or something - terms that are real in how the disposition of this faction operates in game), "Zenith Cipher" (In order to unlock Zenith technologies you must spend knowledge and time to "decipher it" (its not just a knowledge-buy-instant-unlock), "Zenith Histories" (The Zenith are not actually a new race you just learn about them via lore and discover their artifacts throughout each map), "Zenith Memorial" (Instead of being a 3rd race, you instead seed the map with a Zenith memorial which is a special planet that has several capturable ships of Zenith creation)

My associated gameplay mechanisms here suck, admittedly, but the point is that figure out what their role is, use a thesuarus to come up with the most interesting word for that role is, and name the expansion "AI War: The Zenith <that>"

[x4000]

That's pretty much what I'd been doing, overall.  But I also want a specific sort of tone and connotation.  Either something about war, or power, or loss, or ancientness, or trade (not as much anymore, it seems too weak and a bit too traditional-4X), etc.  My requirements for the "right" name are many and subtle, and I have not been able to really articulate all of them even to myself.  That's part of what I'm doing, is figuring out what works and what does not.

I don't see the Zenith themselves playing an overhuge role in the expansion, honestly.  Interaction with them is likely to be fairly mechanical, except if they join forces with the player or the AI.  It's not going to be sweeping diplomacy trees or anything, more like just shops in other games.  This is a military game overall, and the diplomatic options added here are not intended to be overly advanced.  It's meant to add/enhance military options, nothing more.

So the real thing being emphasized, then, is not so much the Zenith themselves, but rather their stuff.  Their toys, weapons, the stuff we buy from them and find lying around.  That's the underlying theme of this expansion, although there will be unrelated divergences for variety and gameplay reasons.  A lot of players will get excited about having a third nonhuman faction, and that's cool too, but I think it is not quite the focal point.

I'm actually pretty happy with The Zenith Remnant or Zenith Remnant, that's pretty much heading into home plate for me at this stage...

Anyway, that's it for me tonight!

[Revenantus]

Then we should come up with the most interesting name right? Then you can create the most interesting lore?

Personally, I'd definitely choose Zinth, but nor am I opposed to Zenith if others think it more appropriate.

I'd say, you should digress further - at some point in the future closer to expansion development - the actual integration of this third party. What role it plays. Then pick a name for the expansion and lore that suits to hint at - not only the fact that there is a new faction - but its role.

Perhaps, but do we really want to be so specific about their purpose? Remnant implies their current situation, without restricting what goals the Zinth might have as part of their existence. It'd be unfortunate to commit to a name that's overly restrictive. Essentially, I like that fact that Remnant is so vague.

[RCIX]

The "Zenith Spire" just sounds cool. Infact this is how I've been saying it in my head the whole time.

Shades of stargate atlantis?

[Warnstaff]

I hope you're still accepting name applications: AI War: Ghosts of the Zenith Return. Accurate to the game, not too long (almost) and describes the Golems and the returning Zenith without making them sound like an invasion force.

Also, AI War: Zenith Haunting would be good.

Otherwise, "This Zenith" is good.

[Echo35]

I was actually going to suggest "Zinth Remnant" be "The Zinth Remnant" but you got that already

[x4000]

Ghosts of the Zenith is actually pretty cool, but then I worry people would be expecting ghosts, etc.

Actually, at this stage I'm pretty set on The Zenith Remnant.  I'm going to close the poll, after much debating and suggestions, I'm happy with what has been arrived at.  Thanks everyone!

[CautiousChaos]

AI War:  Attack of the Rapid Enhancements?