New SMACX game: Free For All

[mmontgomery]

I would like to propose a new SMACX game: Free for All. The conditions are:

Alien Crossfire
4 Players
No AI players
No Aliens
No Pirates

No diplomacy until in game contact
Normal tech trading.
No pacts, either formal or informal. Every faction for themselves. Any trades of technology, energy, etc. should be to mutual benefit. Gifts are allowed with the expectation of a return benefit, such as I give you this technology now in exchange for your giving me the next technology you research.

Preference.. | Settings

Map size | Large
Ocean | 50-70%
Erosion | Average
Life | Average
Clouds | Dense
Difficulty | Transcend

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

I would like the game pace to be fairly quick, 1-2 turns per day, so I would prefer that people join the game who have regular access to email, and even when they travel, can maintain access to the game, so that we can proceed through the holidays.

If there are 3 players that would like to join this game, and someone willing to moderate, please post. I will give the other 3 players their choice of factions, and then take my favorite faction from those remaining. Just so there are no surprises, my favorite factions are University, Consciousness, Gaia, Hive, and Morgan, not necessarily in that order. I will pick one of these factions remaining, once the other 3 players have taken their choice.

When you post, please also post your time zone. I think for smoothest play, the game should proceed in order of descending GMT. I am in GMT-6.

Thank you for your interest!

[t_ras]

I would come in, but expect me (and most of the players) for 2-3 turns a week.
I'm GMT +2
Why spoils of war of?

[waab]

1-2 turns per day is no problem, some days over christmas will be hard. Will only be gone for one day so shouldn't kill the game.

If I might join I will play as the Free Drones.

GMT +1

[mmontgomery]

Originally posted by t_ras
I would come in, but expect me (and most of the players) for 2-3 turns a week.
I'm GMT +2
Why spoils of war of?

The idea is that if most players can check for their turn twice per day (morning and evening), and if the turns are in decreasing GMT, it is probable that the game will progress at a rate of 1-2 turns per day.

So all I am really wanting is for people who are interested enough that most days they can check and play once in the morning and once at night.

As for holidays, the main thing I am wanting to avoid is a complete shutdown from December 20 to January 3. I understand if people have commitments that keep them from the game for a day or two, but hopefully not a week or 10 days.

Spoils of war off is to avoid taking away the advantage of the Cyber Con. It also avoids a trick where you take over a base, then give it back, then take it over again, stealing a tech each time. If you want the tech, just isolate an enemy base and use probes to steal techs.

Drones sound fine to me. Waab, you are more than welcome to join the game.

t_ras, if you can check the game daily most days, then you are welcome to join as well.

Thanks for responding!

[waab]

Originally posted by mmontgomery
So all I am really wanting is for people who are interested enough that most days they can check and play once in the morning and once at night.

I can't check in the morning during monday - friday. I start working 06:30, it is hard enough to get up as it is now.

Originally posted by mmontgomery
Drones sound fine to me. Waab, you are more than welcome to join the game.

Let me know when we start, just have SMAC installed now, so I need to reinstall SMACX

[bdanv]

Originally posted by mmontgomery
I would like the game pace to be fairly quick, 1-2 turns per day, so I would prefer that people join the game who have regular access to email, and even when they travel, can maintain access to the game, so that we can proceed through the holidays.

You know me. Can I join?

[mmontgomery]

Bdanv, of course you can join. Just post your choice of faction and your time zone.

waab, you have the Free Drones reserved.

t_ras, do you want the 4th slot? If so, post your choice of faction and time zone.


Is there a moderator willing to set up the game?

[bdanv]

Originally posted by mmontgomery
Bdanv, of course you can join. Just post your choice of faction and your time zone.

Angels / GMT+2

[Mart]

Originally posted by mmontgomery
Is there a moderator willing to set up the game?

Yes.

I can start the map, since settings are decided.

[mmontgomery]

We will use the standard multiplayer SMAC rules. I will copy them over from another thread to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

There are a couple of extra rules I would like to consider, and get feedback from potential players for this game.

1. No attrocities, unless prohibition is repealed by council vote. The rationale here is that normally anyone using attrocities is punished by the AI factions. But since there are no AI factions, I would like to prohibit attrocities unless the council votes to repeal the ban on attrocities.

2. In my games, I have found copters to be way too powerful. I saw in another game they made a rule that copters cannot attack cities. How would you feel about adopting that rule, or having a rule limiting copters to one attack per turn, or just banning copters altogether? Or do other people have good solutions to keep copters from ruling the game once they become available?

[bdanv]

1. I agree: no atrocities
2. I vote for no choppers attacking bases.

[waab]

1, agree
2, why not remove them totally? No use at all?

[mmontgomery]

Originally posted by mmontgomery
t_ras, do you want the 4th slot? If so, post your choice of faction and time zone.

Since we have not heard from t_ras, does anyone else want the 4th slot in this game?

The first person to post their faction preference and time zone gets it. I would really like to get this game started.

[Heniu]

I would gladly join, but I'm not 100% sure if my internet access will work during Christmas. I had some problems a few weeks ago and I'm afraid it might (but it shouldn't) happen again. If it isn't a problem
for you and other players - I can play.

[mmontgomery]

Heniu, go ahead and post your faction preference and time zone, and let's give it a try.

Also, if you have a position on the copter issue, please give your input.

[Heniu]

OK, I choose Spartans and my GMT is +1. I vote for no attrocities and no choppers (not at all or at least not attacking bases).

I think we can begin.

[bdanv]

Then, if Monty agrees, I think we should ban copters from this game!

[waab]

I vote yes for atrocities but no copters

[mmontgomery]

OK, attrocities are banned unless the prohibition is lifted by council vote.

Copters are banned.

I will take Cybernetic Consciousness. I am GMT-6.

Mart7x5, can you go ahead and set up the game?

The final setup and turn order is:

1. bdanv - Angels

2. Heniu - Spartans

3. waab - Free Drones

4. mmontgomery - Cybernetic Consciousness

[Mart]

yes, this weekend. You can pm your preferred passwords to me.

[bdanv]

Password sent to Mart by PM

[Mart]

It is late, and I do not have everything done.
The game should be completed within 24 hours, on Monday evening my time.

[Mart]

Game launched here

Hopefully everything should be ok. first save sent to bdanv.