I really want to have fun with this game, but I just can't really understand the mechanics, micro and macro planning, the interface, unit design.....

Is there any starter guide for dummies ?

Plus, vanilla vs AC ?

EDIT: The title should be "UNfriendly".

If you're willing to watch some video about the game, Youtuber Quil18 has some very good videos that explain the mechanics very well. His videos are how I learned.

Vanilla is recommended just because of the simpler factions. Crossfire, even without the progenitor factions can be a bit more complicated. Even veteran players like to play vanilla games at least every now and then (I know I do).

You can also start playing games with the "governors" (were they called that?) on. It helps with micromanagement. You also have units designed automatically with new discoveries, and there are only a few times when you can get better units by tinkering in the workshop, you will learn to recognize them after a few games.

I am not sure Vel's Guides are for dummies but they are considered to be THE guides for SMAC / SMAX, and to me they where very informative.

You can finde "Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri: Strategy Guide by JChamberlin / Velociryx" 5.2 final at "gamefaqs.com" and "Vel's SMAX Guide v4.0 (final) by Velociryx" at "weplayciv.com".

http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/96102-sid-meiers-alpha-centauri/faqs/2480

http://weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?48-Vel-s-SMAX-Guide
http://www.weplayciv.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=7

Hope that helps,

Oga23

EDIT: Turns out that I can post external links, so I inserted them.

http://weplayciv.com/forums/showthread.php?48-Vel-s-SMAX-Guide

I recommend Vel's guide, myself. Skim through it for the simple stuff, go muddle through a game or two on lower difficulty, then go look at it again. It'll make a lot more sense.

I would assume you've played another of the Civilization series. I would recommend Civ 3.