Fast Paced PBEM

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 09:03

I'd like to start a game of between 3 and 5 players with the intent of keeping up a good pace. I'd like to play at LEAST 3 turns a day. If anyone is sick of waiting days for their next turn, sign up. Only sign up if your serious. I know stuff can happen, so a missed day is acceptable. But seeing as how long a game of ACAX takes anyways, taking a turn every 2 or 3 days is somewhat intolerable. I am in a one on one game with wgabrie and we played out about 25 turns in under 3 hours. I had a blast. Who else is in?

I'd like to play either 'strait'
No Stockpile Insertions
No Crawler Upgrades
No Glitch Usage

or 'flavored'
Allows everything allowed by tourney rules.

I don't really care, as long as I can get a few turns a day in.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 09:06

I'm reading up on using TCP/IP for the first few dozen turns to get it all kicked off, then as lag becomes a problem switching to PBEM.
Also started working on a few map ideas. Discussion for type of map can happen in here as well, though I'd like to start within the week.

Minute Mirage · November 29, 2003, 09:41

I'm interested in a fast paced game as well, although I will be quite busy with exams until Dec. 18th. This means that TCP/IP will be out of the question for me until then, although I could still play PBEM. I'd say that 4 players would be the optimum number for the game. This would be a more interesting game diplomatically than with 3 players, and it would be faster than a five player game.

I'm able to play quite reliably between 15 and 21 GMT, although at the moment I can play PBEM turns between 9 and 21 GMT, since I don't have any lectures. If we really wish to get more than 1 turn per day, we should find a time when everyone can be online. Seeing as most people are from the North America here, I understand that you might prefer to have all the players from there.

I have to say that there's only one faction that I know how to play -- the University. I've been meaning to learn the other factions as well, but I haven't had time for that yet. Therefore, unless duplicate factions are allowed, I'm ready to give this game a pass if someone else wants the Uni.

Regarding the rules, I'd prefer to allow crawler upgrading. Otherwise, any reasonable ruleset should be fine by me. Also, I prefer directed research and SMAX.

Fosse · November 29, 2003, 09:48

You can count me in. I can handle at least two turns on weekdays (one in the morning and one or more in the evening), and no less than one on weekends.

To keep the pace the way you want it I would suggest 3 or 4 players maximum.

Also, I don't have SMAX, so if that's the route you want to go I'll politely bow out. And I agree with MM about any reasonable ruleset.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 10:09

Is regular AC ok with you Minute? Be sure and post what game SMAX or SMAC when you post your intrest. I prefer Univ by far, but i'll play something else.

Minute Mirage · November 29, 2003, 10:16

Quote:

Originally posted by AgentSubversion
Is regular AC ok with you Minute? Be sure and post what game SMAX or SMAC when you post your intrest. I prefer Univ by far, but i'll play something else.

I'm OK with regular SMAC. By the way, will a CMN set up the game? If yes, it is possible to set up duplicate factions, of even for all the players to play the same faction.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 10:19

I dunno, I'm learning as I go. Right now actually.
I'm sure well get a CMN though, as is proper. Unless we just set up a random map and have ppl enter their own passwords when they get their first turn. Seems how it works to me, according to the docs i'm reading. I don't think we should have duplicate factions anyway. I'll go for another builder faction, or maybe I'll learn the drones.
Who's up for a warm up H2H right now?

Fosse · November 29, 2003, 10:37

I've been playing lots of builders lately... so I'll try the Hive out for once.

Just waiting for the last player then.....

*waits and checks forum twenty seconds later*

Still waiting...

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 10:42

Haha
I'm doing the same thing

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 11:02

Idea:
Lets use the apolyton irc server to idle in, so we know who is on and who isn't. Then there won't be any guesswork as to where the turn is at. No need to chat, but we can look and say to ourselves, "The others are all online! I'll stick around and hopefully a few turns can get run."
Any concerns?

Minute Mirage · November 29, 2003, 11:07

I don't have IRC, and in any case I won't be continuosly online, at least before 15 GMT. Instead, I'll go online for just a moment every now and then to check my mail.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 11:11

This webpage has an IRC applet. Not a good excuse, you can just click on chat and put in a nick. They were kind enough to set up all we could need.
You DO sound like a member of the PuT Democracy Team.
(Low blow, couldn't help it)

Minute Mirage · November 29, 2003, 11:17

You can still see who's online by the light bulbs, so I don't really know why the chat room is necessary. In any case, I won't be online too much on weekdays between 5 and 15 GMT because I'll have to pay for the time spent online then. Hopefully I'll get ADSL soon, and this will change.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 11:21

I see a lot of turns missed because ppl come on, check and leave for a few hours. Can we set up a place where a list of people involved is avalable?
Gotta idea....

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 11:24

Ahhh
Add everyone to your buddy list, great idea!
Works just fine.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 18:53

So, any objections to 3 player?

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 21:31

I started working out a way to better utilize the live play through TCP/IP. I've gotta shell on a T3 we can use, and if all works out we can all log in and connect through TCP/IP at will, as the game will be constantly running. This will allow people to really tweak out their plans while their waiting for a turn to pass on. Email notification of when a turn is run, Maybe even an auto message through AIM, ICQ, ect. It should be relitively simple, I hope. If all works out i'd like to prototype the system in this game. Anyone object or have ideas?
I'd also like to come up with other recruitment ideas, as this is kinda terrible. There really isn't a lotta AC players around. I saw a nice sized group in the SomethingAwful.com forums that are playing a few games.
I'd like to have a few serious tourneys with a tangable victory of some kind. Rules for seeding and faction selection and so on should be decided on for the script.
Either way, I am working on my first map and hope for it to be ready soon. Anyone have ideas about a game that relies heavier on terraforming tecnuiqe? I'd rather not have a worldmap without feature, flat and thusly equally arid.
I really like the detail of the terraforming system, did you guys ever raise channels in rows? I think this method is about as good as it gets for bulk without much eco damage.
I got on a rant, but I've been thinking about SMAC for months and still don't feel I've played a multiplayer game yet.
Well, thoughts and concerns would be neat

C-ya

Fosse · November 29, 2003, 23:24

If you think you can get something working them I'm more than willing to try it out.

As for a blank canvas map, what the heck! I've never really put my formers to a great test before, now seems as good a time as any.

AgentSubversion · November 29, 2003, 23:26

Right ON!
Super Former Shootout!
Try for Transendence Victory only? Would demand more precision....

Fosse · November 30, 2003, 00:07

I'll transcend, alright, while my troops knock down the door of your headquarters.

AgentSubversion · November 30, 2003, 00:14

You'll transend your citizens into my boreholes so I can leave my people as Specialists you mean. Hope you like the heat.

Minute Mirage · November 30, 2003, 08:40

3 players is fine by me, however I'm not sure I'd like a totally featureless map. If you want to go the TCP/IP route, it might be a good idea to get someone to take my place. Like I said, I will be busy for the next three weeks, and I think I would just slow you guys down.

Fosse · November 30, 2003, 10:28

MM, how do you like several continents that are themselves rather featurless?

And what about the landmarks?

Minute Mirage · November 30, 2003, 10:37

Playing without landmarks and/or special resources is fine with me, but I'd like to see at least some variation in the rockiness and moisture of the tiles. That is, I wouldn't like a totally flat arid map.

AgentSubversion · December 2, 2003, 17:30

Maps almost ready. Who is still in?

Minute Mirage · December 2, 2003, 18:09

I'm still in, unless you guys want to play on TCP/IP before Dec 18th.

Fosse · December 2, 2003, 21:24

I'm still for it, and I can wait until the 18th if you're set on the TCP startup, AS.

AgentSubversion · December 2, 2003, 23:18

We can start before hand, but damn. The first 30 or so turns taken care of in a matter of an hour is quite the temptation....
I've decided on the continental idea, with equal landmass features. From there on, it's a suprise. Proper terraforming is going to be really vital here.... mmmmm

Minute Mirage · December 3, 2003, 05:55

Will you upload the map when you've finished, so we can have a look at it too? It might also be a good idea to start looking for a CMN.

TheRedmenace · December 3, 2003, 17:27

Are you guys locked in for 3 players, or have you room for a 4th? I'm pretty interested in getting into a PBEM and the 2 I've been in so far are either on hold or dead altogether.

I'm up for either version of the game.
I'm the Red Menace
msernatinger@hotmail.com
If no one's taken them, I'd like to play the Data Angels for this one. If possible I'd like the CMN to reduce their probe bonus to just +1 to avoid that bug wherein a +4 probe rating works as +0, but I'll play them either way. Thre are ways around that bug.

Let me know.