Tweet
Succession games are a FANTASTIC way to learn about the game together, teaching each other how to play the game better and learning strategy and gameplay simultaneously as well. I learned a lot of my civ3 strategy from playing with some pretty good people in Succeession games ...
... and thus I think it's the way to go with Civ4.
Some history, for those who don't know these (skip to the end if you do!):
Succession Games
A succession game is a very simple style of multiplayer game. Instead of each person playing a separate civ, they are all playing the SAME civ, in single-player mode. Each player plays a set amount of turns (20,5, whatever) and then passes the game to the next player, to be played whenever he or she has the time, hopefully within a day or so.
When any given player has the save, he or she may play however desired, so long as the player doesn't intentionally sabotage the game for others. IE, you don't have to be warlike if the previous player was warlike; but you should honor treaties made by the other player at least so far as you don't irreperably damage your civ's reputation, unless you all agree to not worry about such things. Building cities, choosing techs, things like that are chosen entirely by the current save player; however, it is expected and beneficial to discuss these things together, as it's much easier to work together to a common goal than to be changing around from one goal to the next every ten turns.
Typically, a save is held for 20 turns in the early game, and then the duration gets shorter for later stages of the game, as you can get a lot more done in the later game in fewer turns, and the turns take a lot longer.
Choosing a Map
In Civ3, succession games worked well with large to huge maps. Huge maps worked spectacularly, in fact, because that meant a lot of civs out there, and each player to some extent could get what they wanted... the only problem being huge maps have VERY long turn times later in the game.
In Civ4, who knows?
Turn Reporting
No turn reporting is mandatory, but the game is a lot more constructive and interesting with it. Turn reports vary a lot from extremely roleplayish to descriptive to basic "attacked the greeks, oops, lost badly ..." The turn report is where you discuss what went well, what went wrong, what your basic strategy was, and where you can hash out with the others in the game what happens next. It can also be fun. Pics are helpful, especially so people don't have to load the save themselves ... but not mandatory, of course.
This Game
In this game, I suggest:
* A "large" world size (one higher than whatever is standard)
* I chose Rome for the civ, because it's an easy one to play, probably, with a fairly early UU and simple playstyle, from my guess. That's up for discussion of course.
* Default options, unless we choose to adjust some for convenience.
Who's interested? You don't necessarily have to play every time you come up in the turn cycle; as long as we have 3-4 people at minimum in the turn cycle it's fine. I'd start the game on 10/24 assuming my copy is available (EBGames 
) but if it's not someone else can Feel free to sign up if you're a post-10/24 release date, just notate when you'll be able to play so we know not to include you in the rotation at start Also please anyone feel free to kibitz.
BETA TESTERS GLADLY ACCEPTED AND DESIRED We value your advice quite a bit given your experience with the game ... and of course your play
1. Snoopy369
2. Rubychaser (late Nov?)
3. Conmcb
4. TheDarkside
5. Ennet (nov)
6. Ninot
7. Edgar Newt
8. Chrisius Maximus
9. Vmxa1 ?
10. Grandpa Troll
11. JohnSJ
12.
... and thus I think it's the way to go with Civ4.
Some history, for those who don't know these (skip to the end if you do!):
Succession Games
A succession game is a very simple style of multiplayer game. Instead of each person playing a separate civ, they are all playing the SAME civ, in single-player mode. Each player plays a set amount of turns (20,5, whatever) and then passes the game to the next player, to be played whenever he or she has the time, hopefully within a day or so.
When any given player has the save, he or she may play however desired, so long as the player doesn't intentionally sabotage the game for others. IE, you don't have to be warlike if the previous player was warlike; but you should honor treaties made by the other player at least so far as you don't irreperably damage your civ's reputation, unless you all agree to not worry about such things. Building cities, choosing techs, things like that are chosen entirely by the current save player; however, it is expected and beneficial to discuss these things together, as it's much easier to work together to a common goal than to be changing around from one goal to the next every ten turns.
Typically, a save is held for 20 turns in the early game, and then the duration gets shorter for later stages of the game, as you can get a lot more done in the later game in fewer turns, and the turns take a lot longer.
Choosing a Map
In Civ3, succession games worked well with large to huge maps. Huge maps worked spectacularly, in fact, because that meant a lot of civs out there, and each player to some extent could get what they wanted... the only problem being huge maps have VERY long turn times later in the game.
In Civ4, who knows?
Turn Reporting
No turn reporting is mandatory, but the game is a lot more constructive and interesting with it.
Turn reports vary a lot from extremely roleplayish to descriptive to basic "attacked the greeks, oops, lost badly ..." The turn report is where you discuss what went well, what went wrong, what your basic strategy was, and where you can hash out with the others in the game what happens next. It can also be fun. Pics are helpful, especially so people don't have to load the save themselves ... but not mandatory, of course.This Game
In this game, I suggest:
* A "large" world size (one higher than whatever is standard)
* I chose Rome for the civ, because it's an easy one to play, probably, with a fairly early UU and simple playstyle, from my guess. That's up for discussion of course.
* Default options, unless we choose to adjust some for convenience.
Who's interested?
You don't necessarily have to play every time you come up in the turn cycle; as long as we have 3-4 people at minimum in the turn cycle it's fine. I'd start the game on 10/24 assuming my copy is available (EBGames ) but if it's not someone else can Feel free to sign up if you're a post-10/24 release date, just notate when you'll be able to play so we know not to include you in the rotation at start Also please anyone feel free to kibitz. BETA TESTERS GLADLY ACCEPTED AND DESIRED
We value your advice quite a bit given your experience with the game ... and of course your play 1. Snoopy369
2. Rubychaser (late Nov?)
3. Conmcb
4. TheDarkside
5. Ennet (nov)
6. Ninot
7. Edgar Newt
8. Chrisius Maximus
9. Vmxa1 ?
10. Grandpa Troll
11. JohnSJ
12.
Comment