This is just a quick hack on Into the Void. If you use a hex editor to open
the savegame file which is typically named something like savegame1.gam in the
pie\itv\savegame directory, you should be able to do a quick text search for
the name you entered when you started the game. All you have to do is count
back 8 characters (16 of the hex numbers in the left pane, typically) which
should reduce your offset by 8. Then enter the following sequence: F0 A2 9A
3B. This will give your character 999,990,000 credits to play with. You want
to spend it fast, because if the number gets over 999,999,999 it will go
negative on you. In any case, save the file after the edit (you did make a
backup copy in another directory, just in case, right?) and load the savegame.
You should be able to do some serious damage at this point, as you will be
able to build anything your little heart desires.
1.) Always develop your Agricultural technology as rapidly as possible, and be
sure your Farms are fully stocked at all times. It is important to have as
many citizens as possible, both for working on projects and for taxing.
2.) If you pay attention, you can tell which planets are suitable for
colonization without an Investigate Planet mission. The earth-like blue
planets, the orange Mars-type planets and the grey moon-type planets can all
be colonized easily with a low level of technology.
3.) Espionage missions like Sabotage Structure and Incite Revolt are the
easiest way to take over planets. Instead of assembling hundreds of troops to
take over a planet in a military assault, send a small ship with four or five
colonists, then concentrate all your Espionage missions on that planet. One
successful mission will often empty your opponent's Military Base, leaving the
planet defenseless.
4.) If one of your planets is going to be taken over by the enemy, "strip
mine" that planet by destroying all of the buildings on it except for your
Farm and Military Base. This way your opponent must waste all his resources to
obtain the planet, and then will have to rebuild all the structures from
scratch.
5.) Think of your fleets as one big ship. If you build specific types of ships
(one with all armor, one with all weapons, one with good sensors and a FTL
drive), and combine them into one fleet, it is far more efficient, since a
single FTL drive and sensor are effective for the whole fleet.
6.) The ships at the front of your fleet will take more hits from enemy fire
than the ones towards the back. Place your most heavily armored ships in the
front to withstand attack and place your more valuable colonist ships at the
back.
7.) Research is absolutely vital to a winning strategy. While it is expensive
and time-consuming to develop new technology, such technology is of great
worth later in the game. While all technologies are eventually needed,
concentrate on Agriculture, ship hulls and weapons at first, then develop
Espionage and Research technologies. You should always have one Research
building devoted to developing the next level of Research technology, or you
risk falling behind in your race to the stars.
Hint: Invest your money in Spaceward Ho 4.0 instead of Into the Void if you are
looking for an intro-level sci-fi strategy game.
Hint: If you have to beat this game, then make sure your intelligence buildings
are fully staffed. The computer players are very fond of sending in their own
spies to create rebellions or blow up your facilities.
Hint: Group your ships into fleets of at least four or five vessels if you
expect them to blow up anything before you grow old.
Hint: As soon as enemy ships come snooping about your world, make sure your
military base is fully staffed to make invasions as difficult as possible.