*creaks open coffin* Any up for a game of SMAX?

Cmr.Bob · October 31, 2002, 12:14

Hello, hello, peoples. I am the Commodore, at least, I was before I lost me old password and old e-mail address. I've played and finished two SMAX games, and played also a SMAC game that just dribbled out. But now I have a brand spankin new e-mail, DSL conection, and have at last found my old cd.

I would like to play a nice transendi-level PBEM with three others, upon the map of Planet...perhaps the first 20 turns in IP, then rest by mail, or maybe just start by mail.

Anyone up for a game?

Chaos Theory · November 1, 2002, 15:18

Sure, I've played a few MP games and many SP games. I've
been meaning to become involved in a few PBEM games.

[edit]

By the way, I have a T1-quality connection and enough
time to at least play out 20 turns IP.

Kirov · November 1, 2002, 18:47

Ok, I'd like to play, tho I would not able to play IP.

Hercules · November 1, 2002, 22:53

I'll play pbem but can't play IP yet. For me Smac or Smax is fine. Can you set up the game. Many advise that 4 person 3 AI game is best in terms of turnaround

Cmr.Bob · November 1, 2002, 23:08

Okay, we've got 4 people. What (non-Alien, of course) fraction do you chaps want to be? I'll pick last.

IP is a bit of a bear, indeed, so it'll be okay to begin via e-mail.

Kirov · November 2, 2002, 01:16

I'm not sure yet, so I will choose third. Remember tho that three factions should have their files modified:

- Cyborgs don't have their Spoils of War ability
- Drones don't have increased chance of taking over a revolted base
- Angels should be modified due to the +4 PROBE bug (+4 PROBE equals 0, so after getting these Covert Ops facilities Angels are seriously handicaped).

As for AI's, disallow Alien factions, it's sure.

Chaos Theory · November 2, 2002, 01:28

I'll try the pirates. Any jank tricks you want to disallow?

Hendrik · November 2, 2002, 02:37

Hey guys! I would like to participate in any kind of game, I am available for IP play or PBEM. I would like to play as the Morganites, and we should use standard tourny rules

Hercules · November 2, 2002, 20:27

I'll go for Angels

Kirov · November 2, 2002, 20:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Hercules
I'll go for Angels

As I wrote, it would be better for you if we change Angels' +2 PROBE factor to +1 PROBE. If you really want, we can compensate, but I personally think Angels are so good faction than it's not required.

Cmr.Bob · November 2, 2002, 22:35

Glurk, someone have the moddified files? As I said, I've not been here for a long, long time. If we nerf the Angels starting probe, give 'em a small boon too. Kirov, do you want to be either the Borgs or the Drones? I don't, so we can ignore their problems if you don't want them.

Rules will be fairly standard:
• Communications - none till contact, obtain commlink, or build Empath Guild
• Total freedom in Design Workshop (upgrades anytime, during turn or on-field,
• Retro-engineering - OK, except for using the probe rover chassis before discovering Doc. Mobility
• SE switches "quickies" forbidden - (obviously you can experiment to see what effect various SE choices have, but cannot change, play moves, then change back in the same turn)
• Council notification - immediate broadcast to all players (Post in the thread and e-mail to all immediately by player who has called elections, citing candidates and votes. After each player's turn, post in the thread the running totals)
• Stockpiling in Qs anytime - OK
• Crawlers Upgrade anytime - OK
• Probe actions: Must choose vendetta option when probing other players, rebuke if a pactmate (OK to probe teammate at any time)
• Using the AI - Cannot use the AI to bribe on council votes nor to demand withdrawal of units
• Cannot use the right click feature for multiple drop moves to extend range (ie limited to 8 tiles unless owning the Space Elevator SP)
• Cannot use the 'set waypoint' feature for automatic worm hunting/lifecycle enhancements
• Must 'Accept' or 'Decline' an offered Pact or Treaty that the other player has indicated 'Accepted' before exiting the diplo box and playing the turn (i.e. no accepting pending treaties/pacts *after* declaring vendetta in the same turn )
• Cannot use the F4 feature (or the bases feature of the F2 screen) to change an infiltrated faction's workers to specialists

*Allied victory is disallowed, except with AI. This is a bit non-standard, but I think it will be a neat new spice to add to the mix. Pacts can, of course, be made, but only one human may win.

Tau Ceti still start up these things, BTW?

Hendrik · November 2, 2002, 22:41

Tau Ceti is still CMNing several games, not sure if he is willing to CMN another.

Kirov · November 2, 2002, 22:42

I thought it' possible to play old factions. I have seriously considered one of those. And we are to choose only new factions, I can play virtually any of them 'cept Cult (let's be frank, Cha Dawn sucks on MP...)

And yes, Tau Ceti's the man we should contact with.

Chaos Theory · November 3, 2002, 08:59

"Cannot use the 'set waypoint' feature for automatic worm hunting/lifecycle enhancements"

Does this have a buggy effect or just allow a player to
not have to manually move worms?

Cmr.Bob · November 3, 2002, 10:23

Chaos: Yes to the later.

Kirov: Yes, by all means, we're fine with playing the old fractions. I myself will do either the Spartans or the University. You can pick first though.

Kirov · November 3, 2002, 11:36

OK, I'll take cyborgs. Please replace your own cyborg file with attached here. I have added TECHSTEAL ability, which is listed in the game, but not in faction file. Don't forget to make backup, tho.

Kirov · November 3, 2002, 11:40

Here's the angels file I've modified on my own. I propose to reduce +2 PROBE to +1 PROBE, but cancelling the -1 POLICE penalty (it's almost irrelevant, since it's the same as 0 POLICE, but no nerve stapling, and running FM you will have the same -5 POLICE factor).

If everyone agrees with my modification (I'm open to discussion), download this file after making a backup.

Kirov · November 3, 2002, 11:46

Here's drones file. They didn't really have a bigger chance for taking over a revolted base. Now they have. Make a backup.

Chaos Theory · November 3, 2002, 18:36

So what's the big deal about setting mind worms to trawl through fungus automatically? It just saves the player a little hassle.

Hercules · November 3, 2002, 21:10

Even though I know there are problems I prefer to leave Datangels settings as they are.

Hercules · November 3, 2002, 21:13

I am playing Datangels elsewhere and I don't want to have different settings.

Kirov · November 3, 2002, 21:20

Herc, as you wish, I just tried to be helpful. You will suffer a serious penalty once you get those Covert Ops facilities.

Chaos theory, if you set patrol order to your MW's, they will automatically get Demon Boil status. However, you can normally set them a "go to" route.

Hendrik · November 3, 2002, 22:19

So is there still space for another player (me)? This might put it past the four player mark, but I check my email several times a day, and if we do the first 60 turns IP then it will help get the game moving.

If this isn't ok just say so, or perhaps some of the players here would be interested in starting another game?

Drogue · November 3, 2002, 22:30

id be intersted in starting another game.. but 6 is too much for 1 game IMHO.

Kirov · November 4, 2002, 00:01

Hendrik, to be frank, I'm engaged at now in a game with 7 players, and it's pretty to long to be seriously played, so let this game be played by 4 and along with Drogue start another game. I'm up to join, so there's 3 of us. But I can't play IP...

Drogue, please start a new thread to avoid spamming here. If don't want a player unable to play IP, please notify me.

Kirov · November 4, 2002, 00:03

oh, and my email is walterschellenberg@yahoo.ca

Chaos Theory · November 4, 2002, 04:37

So there IS a buggy effect with giving those orders to mindworms. Then I have no problem with banning it.

Cmr.Bob · November 4, 2002, 11:05

Okay, my mail is commodore160@yahoo.com, and I've chosen the Spartans, unless you want them Kirov, in which case I'll take the UN.

Chaos Theory · November 4, 2002, 17:01

Whatever I have listed for an email address, use bblaha@umr.edu since it gets checked more frequently.

Hercules · November 4, 2002, 21:46

My email address is cathal.mullaghan@ntlworld.com. still choosing Data Angels