Looking for a non-serious SMAX/SMAC PBEM game...

Sankis · March 8, 2004, 18:10

Since my last few trys to join a game have failed, I decided to start one. I know very little of organizing a game, but i'd really like a not-too-serious game with some roleplaying preferred. Custom factions are allowed as long as they are fairly balanced. No aliens preferred. I'd also like to play as pirates, but if I cannot get enough perople for a SMAX game then Gaians in a SMAC game.

I don't have any real preferences map-wise asides from it being large(ish) and having plenty of water (50-70?)

Please post if interested.

binTravkin · March 8, 2004, 21:27

There will be hopefully more posts in answer of your call, but I wanted to invite you to "peace in our time" game.
It is a peaceful game where you as novice player will be able to watch at least industrial, research and diplomatical strategies of veterans.
We need 1 player at the moment - If youre interested, post there ASAP and you will be taken in!

Go to the thread named:
New Multiplayer Game - Peace in Our Time

Barinthus · March 8, 2004, 22:06

Sankis, if you don't mind having more than one PBEMs, I'm interested in your game.

I'm definitely up for SMAX but can settle for SMAC and I'm flexible too.

GeoModder · March 8, 2004, 23:02

Ok, instead of organizing one, I'll just participate then.

I like SMACX, with a custom seafaction (the one I posted in the 'Newbies PBEM' thread).
These are the settings I made for the seafaction I like to use:
^+2 POLICE and +1 PROBE: {Loyal citizens of a distinct culture}
^-2 GROWTH: {Accidents for the unattentive in a hostile environment and birth control}
^{May not use Free Market economic choice.}
^Free Deep Pressure Hull ability with discovery of necessary technology.
^Terraform Bonus: {Drowning your opponents is an option}
^Bases need Hab Complex to exceed size 4: {Small bases difficult to discover}
^Enhancements may be built in ocean and trench squares with the discovery of Advanced Ecological Engineering: {Trained for life at sea}
^Bonus mineral from ocean shelf squares: {Culture and technology adapted for the ocean}

ATM I'm thinking of giving a free seaformer to start with.
I'm testing it a bit, and they are rather slow on transcend level

I don't think it's an 'overpowering' one compared to the traditional factions. But might be a bit of an unexpected nuisance when the necessary techs are researched

Btw, I tried to make the faction as invisible as reasonably possible, thus don't be surprised that the smaller bases just don't appear

I prefer smaller maps, but I'm willing to try for a 'large' sized map (44x90) (no volunteers for a 'normal' map?

)
Sankis, since you propose a more ocean based map, I think more then 1 seafaction is a good idea. Can you find yourself in this?

How many players do you want? And is anyone interested for being the CMN?

Sankis · March 8, 2004, 23:58

I'm all for more then one Sea Faction, will make the game more interesting.

Thanks for the offer, binTravkin but i'm going to decline. I have a more combat oriented frame of mind and wouldn't work too well for me.

As for players? I don't mind, really. Minimal CPU players would be preferred though

GeoModder · March 9, 2004, 15:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Sankis
As for players? I don't mind, really. Minimal CPU players would be preferred though

CPU players?

Ok, can I convince you for a 'normal' sized map?

Or not?

binTravkin · March 9, 2004, 16:42

CPU = AI = machine = non-human

Sankis · March 9, 2004, 16:43

Eh. don't know why I typed CPU players, but I meant the AI. You have to have 7 in a game, don't you?

And how big is a normal map compared to say, the map of chiron(not huge)?

GeoModder · March 9, 2004, 20:47

Quote:

Originally posted by binTravkin
CPU = AI = machine = non-human

Thanks, BinTravkin, but the confusion was about that I'm a CPU member in the ACDG, not about what CPU meant in AI. I thought Sankin prefered members of my team in his game.

Sankin:

7 faction ingame yes, so you want as much human players as possible. So far, you, me and perhaps DataAeolus as well. Keep in mind that the more human players their are, the longer the game will take.

About map sizes:
tiny: 24x48, small: 32x64, normal: 40x80, large 44x90 and huge: 64x128. Custom sizes are possible in SMACX.
The normal map of Chiron is 40x80, thus the same size as 'normal'. It's about 3200 tiles. Large size, for example, doesn't sound much bigger, but has already nearly 4000 tiles. I always divide by 20 to have a rough idea how many bases can be founded on the map in ideal circumstances. 3200 eg. 160 bases, 4000 already 200.

Sankis · March 9, 2004, 23:06

Its Sankis!

Also, i'm fine with a Normal sized map. I was under the impression they are alot smaller then that. One more map related thing though; i -really- want a map that has continents in it, along with some small islands if possible.

If anyone else is interested in playing, please reply with the faction you'd like and any settings you prefer.

DataAeolus: please reply if you are still interested in playing

GeoModder · March 10, 2004, 12:08

Try making a new thread with asking a CMN, extra players, and what we agreed upon so far.

I once made a normal sized ocean map with 10-11% land, and the rest a 'relief' of island groups, shelfs, oceans and deep trench 'highways'. I don't know if this still exists somewhere (only one continent though, sort of Pangealike).

How about a new title? Naval Clash?

If the land factions are separated on their continents, they almost have to pass by us to have access to their enemies on another continent.

Barinthus · March 10, 2004, 13:01

Yes I'm still interested

. I'd like either Data Angels or CyCon.

Maki, welcome, nice to have a fellow dragon fan aboard.

Rubin · March 10, 2004, 16:29

This sounds interesting--though a little confusing. However, given a fast pace of turns and an acceptable set of rules I'd be interested in joining as the University. I really like the idea of roleplaying.

What is the current status on the setup?

Edit:
Preferred settings:

Planet size: Large (or maybe standard); (I agree with Sankis on the continents & islands issue)
Ocean coverage: 50-70% of surface
Erosive forces: Weak
Native lifeforms: Average (or maybe abundant if no 'green' human players are present)
Cloud Cover: Average

Difficulty: Transcend
Version: SMACX v2.0

Game Rules:
All victory conditions on
No Tech Stagnation
No Spoils of War
Maybe Blind Research if we emphasize on heavy roleplaying elements!
(Indifferent on intense rivalry)
Plenty of Unity Pods
No Unity Survey
No Random Events
No Time Warp, Iron Man and random faction leader personalities and agendas.

Miscellaneous issues:
The CMN should enable Probe Cruisers for any AI's present by the discovery of Doctrine: Initiative.
Custom factions are fine.
House Rules should be decided upon before the game starts (they depend on the final setup).

Mart · March 10, 2004, 17:11

i can CMN

Flubber · March 10, 2004, 18:20

Not to butt in but here goes anyway---

Seven player games RARELY get completed. I also believe that the average time it takes to get a year completed doubles for every player you add.

I have been on this board for a few years and have not completed a 7 player game in that time despite several attempts. IN that same time, the vast majority of 4 player games completed and I even had one 5 player game complete ( but that was exceptional in that 2 of the players were so fast that the turn often went through them in a matter of a few hours)

My advice, is to keep it at 4 players . . . With that number, the turn goes astray less often and you might actually make some good progress. MY other piece of advice is to prompt people when there is no action for a day or too. You will have some unavoidable delays when people are busy or away and thats just part of things . . . But the delays where an email goes astray can be weeks if the players don't post turn notifications and check the turn thread.

GeoModder · March 10, 2004, 21:16

Wow, rush hour suddenly...

Ok, welcome Rubin, I think I can find myself in your preferences, except for the map size. Personally I prefer 'normal' (standard) for my first PBEM

Mart7x5: Thanks, my email in case you don't have it already:

xxxGeoModder@hotmail.comxxx (without the double xxx, off course)

Factions:
Sankis: Pirates
GeoModder: Atlants (I'll send it over when Email addresses are in)
DataAeolus: Data Angels or CyCon
Rubin: University

Flubber: Thanks for the advice, I think I prefer to follow it.

My suggestions for the AI factions:

Gaians
Peacekeepers
Morganites

- I like abundant native life, but it's not an important issue for me.
- Why not, instead of Probe Cruisers, Probe Foils this time? AI can build more of them, and it's less likely players (us) will temporary overlook them just because they are AI.

Sankis · March 11, 2004, 00:03

Quote:

Originally posted by GeoModder
How about a new title? Naval Clash?

If the land factions are separated on their continents, they almost have to pass by us to have access to their enemies on another continent.

Yeah, that sounds cool. We can decide on a set-up when we get more players, but that does sound kinda cool. I'll make the new thread tomarrow, and hopefully can get this thing organized over the weekend.

Mart · March 11, 2004, 02:37

Sankis,
Your CMN will organize game thread

Current settings, as I gathered them. Please post if you wish to change anything or add new information

EDITED

Code:

Naval Clash
SMAX game ver 2.0

Factions:

Pirates		GMT-5	Sankis
CyCon		GMT-8	DataAeolus 
Atlants		GMT+1	GeoModder
University	GMT+1	Rubin

Suggested:
Gaians			AI
Peacekeepers		AI
Morganites or Hive	AI

Sankis can overrule these as initiator of the game

______________________________________
Preference..Sankis  GeoModder DataAe.	Rubin	|Settings

Map size	N-L	S-N	H?	N	|	Standard
Ocean		50-70	50-70	50-70	50-70	|	50-70
Erosion		We-Av	Weak	Weak	Weak	|	Weak	
Life		Aver	Ave-Ab.	Ave-Ab.	Aver	|	Aver
Clouds		Aver	Aver	Aver	Aver	|	Aver
Difficulty	Thi-Tra	Thi-Tra	Thi-Tra	Transc.	|	Transc.

Transcend	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Diplomatic	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Economic	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Cooperative	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Do or Die	No	No	No	Yes	|	No	
Flexible start	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Tech stag	No	No	No	No	|	No	
Spoils of war	No	No	No	No	|	No
Blind research	No	No	Yes	No	|	No
Intense riv	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	|	Yes
No survey	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
No scatter	No	No	No	No	|	No
No rnd events	No	No	No	Yes	|	No
Time Warp	No	No	No	No	|	No
Iron man	No	No	No	No	|	No
Rand person	No	No	No	No	|	No
Rand social	No	No	No	No	|	No

AI			Gaia		Gaia	|	Gaians	
AI			Peace		Peace	|	Peacekeepers	
AI			Morgan		Hive	|	?

GeoModder, you may send the faction file to me. Do you have maybe graphics too? Should it be the Pirates files if no graphics for Atlants?
xxmarcin777@hotmail.com

Rubin · March 11, 2004, 04:27

It seems we have 4 players. We should decide on a turn order for optimal turn pace.

Reviewing the setup I suggest we use a standard sized map. Standard native lifeforms. Do or die on. Flexible start on. No blind research. No intense rivalry. DEFINITELY NO UNITY SURVEY!!! No iron man.

Probe foils may become available along with probe cruisers. I haven't tried this regarding the AI factions. I can setup the alphax.txt file and send it to mart7x5.

Let's take the Hive instead of the Morganites for the AI.

You can contact me at Rubin_Datalinks AT hotmail DOT com. I'll present a set of preferred House Rules for us to decide upon.

mart7x5, can you use the upload feature here at Apolyton for the custom faction files?

Mart · March 11, 2004, 07:23

I have attached files succesfully before, so i guess i can upload some new.
I think of scenario with new faction files and alphax.txt

GeoModder · March 11, 2004, 15:43

My game preferences then:

Map size Small-Normal
Ocean 50-70
Erosion Weak
Life Average-abundant
Clouds Average
Difficulty Thinker-Transcend

Transcend Yes
Diplomatic Yes
Economic Yes
Cooperative Yes
Do or Die No, but just for tryout
Flexible start Yes
Tech stag No
Spoils of war No
Blind research No
Intense riv Yes
No survey Yes
No scatter No
No rnd events No
Time Warp No
Iron man No
Rand person No
Rand social No

Mart, a mail address please so I can send over the 'Atlants' faction (or send a mail to mine)

Edit:

O yes, for the turn placement, I'm GMT+1, so I suppose ppl in the west better after me, ppl in the east before me and ppl in the south I must toss

Sankis · March 11, 2004, 16:10

My game prefs:

Map size: Normal - Large
Ocean: 50-70
Erosion: Weak - Average
Life: Average
Clouds: Average
Difficulty: Thinker - Transcend

Transcend: Yes
Diplomatic: Yes
Economic: Yes
Cooperative: Yes
Do or Die: No
Flexible start: Yes
Tech stag: No
Spoils of war: No
Blind research: No
Intense riv: Yes
No survey: Yes
No scatter: No
No rnd events: No
Time Warp: No
Iron man: No
Rand person: No
Rand social: No

My timezone is EST ( -5 GMT)

I'm usually online, and would be able to do a turn from 3 pm - 11 pm on weekdays, 10 am - 11 pm on weekends.

Mart · March 11, 2004, 16:39

Preferences edited above

Please email or pm to me your preffered paswords

Still waiting for DataAelous to post settings and chosen faction

Rubin, you can email your alphax.txt when you have it ready - my email is in the post with the table...

Rubin · March 11, 2004, 17:27

Files sent to mart7x5.

GeoModder · March 11, 2004, 18:08

Atlants files + password sended as well (to Mart).

This is starting to roll

Barinthus · March 11, 2004, 23:37

Map size Bigger, the better
Ocean 50-70
Erosion Weak
Life Average-abundant
Clouds Average
Difficulty Thinker-Transcend

Transcend Yes
Diplomatic Yes
Economic Yes
Cooperative Yes
Do or Die No, No
Flexible start Yes
Tech stag No
Spoils of war No
Blind research Yes
Intense riv Yes
No survey Yes
No scatter No
No rnd events No
Time Warp No
Iron man No
Rand person No
Rand social No

Faction: CyCon

I'm PST which I believe is GMT -8 I check apolyton at least three times - in the morning, in the afternoon after lunch, and in the evening but I can't really play until around 6pm my time unless over weekend due to being at work.

Mart · March 12, 2004, 03:39

Thank you for all the files and information.

I can set the players' order based on GMT, is this what all of you wish? In that case, what is your time zone, Rubin? --> i found it already, please disregard

Settings seem to be finally decided, but please about map size, write more specific choices. I think of Standard or Large. All of you appear flexible about it, but maybe a bit too much flexible

I will need some time to see the data, if all goes well game will be ready during the weekend

Mart · March 12, 2004, 03:47

I added votes for three additional factions, so please see that too...

Barinthus · March 12, 2004, 13:19

Just to clarify - this PBEM will use a modified txt?

Rubin · March 12, 2004, 13:39

Quote:

Originally posted by DataAeolus
Just to clarify - this PBEM will use a modified txt?

Yes, the alphax.txt file; but you will not need to do anything as the information is hard-coded in the save-file.

The custom faction needs to be intalled though, but it will not interfere with other PBEMs.