i noticed that my cloaking research allows me to build satellites, Jammer satellites, Shroud satellites.... but they take up planet space to work.

its a small idea, but maybe planets could have a certain section of space proportionate to planet size around the planet for space based structures?

or maybe just rewrite the planet formula to include "slots" for utility or space based structures,

Like each size category gets 1 more slot than the previous. with 1 being the minimum.

Satellites require ground-based structures to control them.. Satellites in real life are never stand-alone vehicles. They always require ground structures such as private companies, space agencies, etc to run and track them..

Of course Satellites require ground based structures.
Really mine fields, Satellites shouldn't be increasing in space the same as defensive items.
But then again this is just a game and Dan wanted it to be easy for people to steal planets.

While I agree with the point that orbital structures (satellites and minefields) shouldn't take up ground space I think it is ridiculous to say that Dan wants planets to be easy to steal.

Even from the most cynical standpoint the most you could say is Dan wants to make money and for that to happen the game would need to be fun and addictive.

Realistically I think Dan wants the game to work so people will continue to play it. I am sure he has a list pages long of things he wants to fix/change/tweak. This may be on the list but it isn't a high priority. If you think about all the changes we suggest that one man (probably with a family and a real job) gets done, it really is amazing.

I #$&*@ and moan about stupid stuff also (the battle calcs being slanted to cheat in the little guys favor), but don't insinuate that Dan wants it to be a game we would enjoy less after all the work he obviously puts into it.

I don't know about you but I've taken two planets!
One planet after hacking and hacking a guy that stole one of mine planet. It didn't take that many hacks but it did take time as I was in the 20's rank at the time. I ended up after two weeks with a much better planet.
I wonder if a critical hack gives the location of your best planet.

well your logic works for me.

i could see it working both ways.

Stop threadjacking. This is about satellites taking up planet space, not hacking and stealing planets.

satellites need buildings to minter them and whatnought. There ya go.

I think it is so you can't have infinite cloaking. I think there was more reason to complain when cloaking was an all or nothing deal. Really though, there is no reason a cloaking satellite would need a ground station. It doesn't really need to communicate data back to the planet. You could have the same argument about orbital minefields. It's a game balance issue really.