> Why do you have to explain everything about the aliens?
I do not think one necessarily has to explain everything, but if their background story is more plausible,
then the whole game wins in more detail.
> Not to mention that the AI play doesn't suggest a hive mind either.
I think the AI is a bit suboptimal right now, but on the other hand, a hive mind concept could be
interesting - it would give the whole aliens a more BORG like feeling
(Star Trek)
Doesnt necessarily have to be a "hive mother" commanding, but it could be a good integrated
communication among the more intelligent aliens, and this could impact the gameplay
in that these aliens behave better than very "offensive" and stupid aliens, whose only
aim would be to rush forward and kill enemies without thinking much. You know... the
typical strong alien beasts.
> At one point I even considered the possibility that the aliens were waging their own war (nothing to
> do with us) and Earth simply 'got in the way'.
I think this is problematic because, if they have a war, why would they send units over to Earth, and
why would they try to start another war? I think it is much better if the aliens are evil and want to
expand into new territories.
> Perhaps the aliens were visiting to see which side we were on?
Visiting, or visiting-and-killing-people? ;-)
> (Maybe it never occurred to them we were on neither side?)
Interesting idea but I think it would rather distract from the main focus of the game - human vs alien.
Whether the aliens fight other aliens, is not necessarily that interesting in the first place. (It could
be interesting maybe lateron, when different aliens are "discovered", which even fight against
both humans and other "earlier" aliens, but I think the main plot should always be
humans vs aliens)
> Or maybe they were puzzled by the fact we were so difficult to communicate with?
Come on ... they are supposed to be smart. They should not be puzzled, they should lay
down different strategies and follow up on that.