SMAX PBEM Wanted

jtsisyoda · July 18, 2003, 22:14

Trying to play my first SMAX PBEM. Anyone interested?

Rubin · July 18, 2003, 22:22

I'm interested! I just started my very first PBEM (SMAC). Maybe now I can get a chance to play Aki Zeta-5?

jtsisyoda · July 18, 2003, 23:09

Cool, Rubin... since you're the veteran (I've played zero to your one), how do we do this? If you want Aki, I'll go old school with Zak.

Rubin · July 19, 2003, 04:43

Haha, jtsisyoda

I've checked a bit:

Dreifels site has some hints on how to start a PBEM game.

We should agree on a ruleset, play order (and maybe more) and look for a CMN to set up the game (fair starting conditions, passwords etc.). I believe 4 players are required for optimal gameplay. Remember to post your e-mail.

You can reach me at: Rubin_Datalinks @ Hotmail DOT com

Gufnork · July 19, 2003, 05:48

I'm interested in joining this one as well. I'd like to try Pirates, I need to improve my water play.

jtsisyoda · July 19, 2003, 12:29

Sure thing, Gufnork.

We could go with Dreifels rules if you want.

Another post I saw gave a suggestion of forbidding the underhanded tactic of creating a small undefended base in your territory for the sole purpose of letting it revolt so you can probe it after it belongs to someone else. That was a long sentence but hopefully it makes sense.

I don't know the standard way of finding a CMN. Wait for one to read our post and volunteer?

Play order doesn't matter to me. Random is fine.

How about Transcend/Large/Average everything else? No Aliens?

Reach me at jtscheidt (at) hotmail

Gufnork · July 19, 2003, 13:03

I think I'd prefer standard map in PBEM. Takes too long for things to happen otherwise.

Quote:

I don't know the standard way of finding a CMN. Wait for one to read our post and volunteer?

Worked for me last time. But there are a few people who are usually kind enough to do it if I've understood it correctly. I'm guessing we could ask one of them.

As for rules, take a standard version and say any obvious abuse is illegal, like your example (only works if someone plays the drones though).

jtsisyoda · July 19, 2003, 14:03

Hey, Gufnork, are you going to give us fair warning about how experienced you are, or do we have to find out the hard way?

Standard size is ok with me.
There's a guy on another site waiting for a game. Is it bad manners to post there, referring him to this site?

Rubin · July 19, 2003, 14:05

jtsisyoda, maybe this other guy is also a member here. Check the member list and maybe send a PM?!?

jtsisyoda · July 19, 2003, 14:19

Never mind, he only has SMAC, not SMAX.

H0bbes · July 19, 2003, 18:31

I'd be happy to set up a game for you guys. Let me know when you've figured out the details & the final player line-up.

You can email me on: jcrocombe@aardvark.net.au

Hobbes

Gufnork · July 20, 2003, 08:36

jtsisyoda: Well, I've never played a real MP game (we've never gotten to conflict), the game I play with Rubin is my first PBEM game. I'm very good at SP though, but that's not the same.

H0bbes: Thanks a bundle. The plan worked perfectly, just sit on our arses and they will come.

Zalek · July 20, 2003, 15:28

I would like to join to smax game

Rubin · July 20, 2003, 15:50

It seems we have 4 players:

jtsisyoda - University (jtscheidt @ hotmail DOT com)
Gufnork - Pirates (perhenri @ dd DOT chalmers DOT com)
Rubin - Consciousness (Rubin_Datalinks @ Hotmail DOT com)
Zalek - Hive (zalek @ interia DOT pl)
AI - Deirdre
AI - Santiago
AI - ??? (Roze or Lal?)

H0bbes - CMN (jcrocombe @ aardvark DOT net DOT au)

Zalek, what faction do you prefer?

(Edit: Faction updates including e-mails. FYI.)

Zalek · July 20, 2003, 15:56

Hive, Hive, HIIIIVVVVEEEEEEE

jtsisyoda · July 20, 2003, 17:04

So we just need the two other emails and we're ready to go?

Rubin · July 20, 2003, 17:15

Well, we also need to agree on a ruleset and map settings/game options (the AI factions?).

So far we have: Transcend, Standard Map, Average everything, right? Play order might reflect our different time zones.

When everything is ready we should mail H0bbes. I can try to make a ruleset and send it to you???

jtsisyoda · July 20, 2003, 18:06

We can just go with Dreifels' rules.
http://1st-euro.com/AC/pbemrules.html
If anybody comes up with something better, go ahead and post it. :-)

Time zone order as turn order is a good idea. I'm EST (GMT -5). For people in the same time zone, H0bbes can flip a coin?

Other factions... doesn't matter much to me, but just to suggest something-- Drones, Gaians, and Spartans. Going for a balanced mix, but the AI will stink regardless, right?

Gufnork · July 20, 2003, 18:48

As I see it:

Drones = Hive
CyCon = Univ
Cult = Gaia

I don't like to see one of these pairs in a game. Two played by humans is fine, but I think we shouldn't have Drones if we already have Hive. I suggest Morgan instead.

As for rules, I'll accept anything.

My e-mail: perhenri @ dd DOT chalmers DOT com.

Rubin · July 20, 2003, 19:40

I suggest:
Lal, Deirdre, Roze - for balanced play
Santiago, Deirdre, Roze - for a bit more erratic play

I agree with Gufnork in avoiding "pairs", but Nwabudike controls the weakest faction. Let's leave him on the Unity

I recall Dreifels having a few - IMHO - problematic rules. I'll take a look at it and post/mail my suggestion soon.

jtsisyoda · July 20, 2003, 20:35

Good point, but I think Roze AI is just as weak as Morgan AI, especially because i heard Roze had a +4 equals +0 probe bug. How about Lal, Santiago, Deirdre?

Gufnork · July 20, 2003, 20:37

True, Morgan is rather weak in the hands of an AI. I like him since he's so unique, though. I vote for option 2, Santiago, Deirdre and Roze. I want atleast one aggressive faction in the game (Spartans) and I prefer leaving the Governor battle all up to humans (so no Lal).

Edit: Roze tends to do very well when I play with them, even if they are apparently poorly played. Morgan always gets eaten by random neighbour thoug.

Rubin · July 20, 2003, 21:03

Maybe Zalek should decide: Roze or Lal?

We could always replace a few factions with nasty aliens

They don't attend the council sessions and tend to be ...hmm... aggressive, I think.

jtsisyoda · July 20, 2003, 21:11

santiago, deirdre, usurpers? :-)

Rubin · July 20, 2003, 22:04

Dreifels ruleset is fine apart from:

6. Should read: (1) If you perform a probe team action other than to infiltrate against another player with whom you are in a truce, treaty or pact, you must inform the probed player what it was you did and what you stole/sabotaged (notify the victim of your transgression). (2) You must choose the 'declare vendetta/cancel pact' option when you perform the action, unless you have received permission in advance.

8.1-8.4 Should read: (1) You may not upgrade a particular type of unit using the design workshop, and then attack with that unit in the same turn. (2) Upgrading units with the design workshop is allowed at end of turn only. However, supply crawlers upgraded in this fashion can still be used to advance Secret Projects in the same turn. (We can omit part 2 if desired)

9.1-9.3 Should read: (1) You are not permitted to establish contact with another faction prior to having met them in-game or you have the Empath Guild. (2) Player dimplomacy is not permittet during sunspot activity. (We can omit part 2 if desired)

10 I prefer: You are not permitted to make more than one social engineering change per line, per turn (no flip-flop within turn!).

11 Should read: You may use reverse engineering except with the rover chassis from Planetary Networks.

12 delete

13 Add: You may not accept a bribe from another player's AI during council sessions.

14. Add: Renaming allowed if bug is NOT exploited.

Additional rules:

a) You are not permitted to use the 'demand withdrawal' feature against another player.
b) You may not use the F4 screen when infiltrated to change an opponent's workers to specialists.

How about this?

jtsisyoda · July 20, 2003, 23:51

I'm fine with your rule changes/adds, Rubin.

My preferences:

Spoils of War OFF (so the Cyborg ability will mean something)
Tech Stagnation OFF
Look first ON
No Unity Survey OFF (land masses are visible)
Randomize personalities/agendas OFF

For other settings, I have no preference.

Zalek · July 21, 2003, 04:56

Sounds good.

Rubin, you said, that I should choose Roze or Lal. Why? Maybe I don't understand sth, but there are so many factions, that we may choose right order.
I like very much playing Hive - especially after chanings in SMAX.

Rubin · July 21, 2003, 06:00

Sorry Zalek! I wasn't making it clear. Zalek you play the Hive of course! I was refering to the computer controlled AI factions: Deirdre, Santiago and Roze/Lal. Do you prefer Roze or Lal as computer opponent?

Have you got an e-mail for this game? Please post it.

Zalek · July 21, 2003, 12:56

My e-mail is zalek at interia dot pl
Roze or Lal? It doesen't matter for me.

Gufnork · July 21, 2003, 13:15

Gotta love it when the tiebreaker abstains.