Skyblade, SMAC isn't a space 4X. It's Civ on a different planet with a hard science-fiction bend. If you go in expecting Master of Orion, GalCiv, or Space Empires, you're going to be disappointed because that's not what it's supposed to be.

Lots of brilliant sci-fi fiction is bound to one single planet and that's what SMAC is.

Quote Originally Posted by Skyblade View Post
We're a spacefaring race that never leaves our new homeworld. Which is kind of depressing, and nowhere near as awesome.
There is an in-lore explanation for this, and it's a very good one.