Civ3 PBEM Rules (version 1.0)

 

 

Welcome to the Civ3 PBEM Rules 1.0.

Below are described in detail the rules - plus recommendations and information - that apply to all games using the Civ3 PBEM Rules 1.0.

 

Updates and new versions of the rules will be publicly announced when and if available in the appropriate sites and forums and will be automatically apply over the previous rules unless specified differently to the games that use the Civ3 PBEM Rules.

 

Author: Keygen (costas_games@yahoo.com)

Site: http://www.geocities.com/costas_games

Date: February 2003

 

 

Disclaimer: You may freely distribute this file as long as its content remains unchanged. If you are interested in publishing or modifying its content please contact the author. Commercial use of the content or part of it is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the author.

 

 

Contents

 

A. Rules

  1. General

  2. Players

  3. Moderators

  4. Creators

B. Recommendations

C. Information

D. Cheating

E. Penalty

 

 

A: Rules

 

The purpose of the following rules is to aid people experience and enjoy their play time as efficiently as it takes and with the less possible problems. For that purpose a moderator must be used to administer & enforce the rules appropriately.

 

***ATTENTION*** Players and moderators that use PBEM Rules in a game accept to comply with all the rules described below unless differently specified and agreed by all participants in the game before it is started or during its process. Any special rule or exception must be known to all participants, current or future.

 

1. General

(Apply to all)

 

Commitment

When someone joins a game commits to finish that game unless a serious reason arises. If you are not sure that you can commit yourself then DO NOT JOIN! A withdrawal can cause problems to the other players from short delays and diplomatic cancellations to long immobilization and balance turn over.

 

However a permanent replacement - player or moderator - has the right to test the position offered for up to 5 turns before a permanent decision is made. After the expiration of that period a choice between permanent continuation or withdrawal must be drawn. Either choice is respected.

 

Cheating

Cheating is not permitted in any form. If someone is caught cheating will be permanently banned from the game and will be charged with the label of the cheater. For more details refer to the Cheating section.

 

Confidentiality

Critical information passed between players and/or moderators that might hurt the credibility and the dignity of the sender is considered confidential and should not in any case been publicized or made known to other people without the consent of the sender.

 

Temporary substitute

When a player is absent should be temporary substituted. His turn(s) will be either played by the moderator or his permanent substitute. However if there is no permanent substitute or for any reason he can’t sub and if the period of absence is going to be more than 3 days then a temporary substitute should be assigned and everyone should be informed about. Note that the substitute, temporary or permanent, player or moderator has to manage the civilization subbing according to the interest of the subbed player and not in any case and purposely benefit another participant.

 

A player cannot be temporary subbed by another player in the game unless it is a team game and he is his team mate.

 

Moderators should assign temporary or permanent substitutes as well.

A moderator cannot be temporary substituted by a player who is playing in the game.

 

Permanent substitute

Each player and moderator can optionally assign a permanent substitute for each PBEM game he is playing into (recommended). The same player can be assigned in all the games as long as he does not participate in the specific game(s). The permanent substitute will be used to temporary sub a player while on vacation, sickness or absence for other reasons. It is preferable that each player assigns two or more permanent substitutes in case the primary one can't sub or there are many games to be carried out and should be shared into two or more substitutes.

 

Withdrawal

If a player must withdraw from a game for any reason he must informs the moderator of the game. Also he must find a permanent replacement and play the turns according to the rules until is replaced. If a moderator withdraws then he must inform all players and find a permanent replacement before he leaves.

 

Passwords

If turns are password protected and an administrator password is set then the latter must be sent to the moderator of the game. To avoid any unpleasant surprise that password can be sent to a third party (recommended), for example the creator of the game if he/she does not participate or moderates or a regular and reputed player. Additionally all player’s passwords must be sent to the moderator if any so he can apply the 24-hour rule without having to set a new password for the offender.

 

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2. Players

(Apply to players)

 

Turn dispatch

Each turn must be sent besides the next player to the moderator as well if any.

 

Email subject

All emails referring to a specific game should contain the name of the game in its subject.

Emails that include the turn must refer to the game's name and the turn number in their subject to be easily recognized (e.g. Game x Turn y).

Players and moderators involved in many games have a hard time to recognize a game that doesn't contain the game name in the subject or find a specific turn if there is no turn number in the subject of the email.

 

Thread posting

When someone plays and sends the turn to the next player should post a notification in the respected thread.

This apply to the moderators as well when nexting.

Example: Turn x sent to Player y

 

Email notification

If for a reason someone cannot post in the thread about turn sending then an email notification that the turn has been played and sent to the next player must be routed to all players and the moderator.

Example: Game x Turn y sent to Player z

 

Note that the correct way is to post in the thread and this solution should be used only if there is no way to reach the thread or if the connection is very poor.

 

24-hour rule

Each player has to play a turn within 24 hours starting from the moment the previous player sends it.

 

If a player fails to comply for no reason then he will be nexted.

If he can't play for a reason and if he informs the moderator of the game before the time limit expires then he can have another 24 hours. After 48 hours with or without reason the player will be nexted. If there is a very serious reason, e.g. the turn is in a very critical point and the player cannot play for a good reason and if all players agree then the turn can be further held.

 

Subsequent exceeding of this rule would be subject for permanent replacement.

 

Flames

Any differences that might arise between two or more participants should be kept in private. Posting flames in a thread could cause the frustration of the other participants. The opinion of the moderator on the matter can be asked as well.

 

Public accusations

Public accusations regarding cheating or any other form should be avoided. The moderator of the game should be asked to investigate the event and express his opinion in private instead. Optionally a third party that does not participate in the game, preferably an experienced and respectable person could be asked to ensure a fair judgment (recommended).

 

Public calls

Persistent public calls to the rest neutral player(s), to move against other player(s) in any form, should be avoided. It can lead to the justified frustration of the defensive player(s). However non-persistent calls to neutral player(s) or calls to allies in the spirit of diplomacy and role-playing can be freely made. Private emails are not under any restriction.

 

Orphan civilizations

Civilizations that are orphans, caused by the disappearance of its leader and need a replacement should not get attacked while in the process of finding a permanent or temporary replacement. Note that a moderator is always considered as a temporary replacement/substitute so this rule would apply only in a permanent or temporary absence of a moderator, when the traditional nexting is taking place.

 

Suicides

Players should not suicide their civilization in order to end their presence in a game. If for any reason the player wants to get off the game then the choice of a permanent replacement should be preferred. There are lot of newer players that would possibly like to give it a try. This is essential for a player who has taken control of a civilization for few turns only. However in special occasions like having lost almost all of his cities he can evacuate the remaining to allow allied forces have them.

 

By the term suicide is meant to cause your elimination by all means with the only purpose to get off the game.

 

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3. Moderators

(Apply to moderators)

 

Role

The purpose of the existence of the moderator is to observe and maintain the correct progress of the game by enforcing when needed the rules - PBEM rules or special rules.

 

His primary role is the maintaining of the turn flow and speed and the handling of an orphan civilization where the player has disappeared until a permanent replacement is found, without affecting the turn flow.

 

His secondary role is to retain the game clean and fair for all and the appropriate relations and actions between the players and towards the community itself.

 

Ethics

Moderators are obliged to keep a neutral attitude toward the game and the players participating when ever the rules do not prompt otherwise. Therefore they cannot flame, promote flame or hate, influence negatively in any form another player or the relations between the players or with the community, encourage any player(s) taking any action against other player(s) in game terms or trigger any event among participants in interpersonal terms, affect regard between players and pass any information related with a participant to another participant or person.

 

Moderators must be as objective as possible avoiding taking place according to personal sympathy or dislike.

 

Exceptions

Moderators are not permitted to play in the specific game they moderate. Exceptions for an extended temporarily playing can be done under special circumstances like no permanent replacement has been found for some time or the civilization is in a very disadvantageous position and the moderator is an experienced and reputable player and can successfully lead it to a more advanced position. Any use of knowledge that has been acquired during moderating cannot be used against another player or pass it to another one, and its use to benefit the civilization the moderator runs should be avoided if possible.

 

Turn speed & flow

Moderator's primary obligation is to retain continuing turn flow and acceptable turn speed. This can be done by enforcing the 24-hour rule when a player hasn’t played the turn within the specified period (24 hours). Moderators enforce the 24-hour rule by using the method of nexting described below.

 

Nexting

When a player exceeds the 24-hour rule the moderator has to next him. He/She opens the player's turn, plays it and sends it to the next player.

 

When the moderator next a player, all queued actions (building queues & queued unit moves) should be respected unless he judges differently for a serious reason. Any diplomatic offers should be declined unless specified differently from the player or judge that can benefit the player nexted. The rest are up to the moderator’s taste. However he is not permitted to start a war with another civilization unless specified differently from the player.

 

A notification must be posted within the thread. It must specify the turn number and the player to whom it has been sent to, followed by the player who has been nexted and the word "nexted" after him.

Example: Turn x sent to Player y (Player z nexted)

 

In case that a player haven't played the turn and is reaching the time limit the moderator should resend the turn to him followed by an email warning to all participants that the turn has been resent to the specific player (e.g. Turn x re-sent to Player y). The reason for resending the turn is the case that the player hasn’t received it. The reason for the warning email is to inform everyone that a player is subject of getting nexted and that the turn has been resent from the moderator therefore a slight delay might occur.

 

If the nexted player does play and send his turn after he is nexted and if the next player in order hasn’t played his turn yet then the latter should play the turn sent from the previous player and not the moderator.

 

Permanent replacements

If a player resigns or disappears a permanent replacement must be found. This originally must be done by the resigned player but if for any reason isn’t done then the moderator must find one. It is recommended that a newer player with the list games in progress is chosen rather than the first who applies. Reliability should also be considered a positive qualification. Players that have a history of irresponsibility and tend to withdraw often should be avoided.

 

Note that a player is considered missing and must be permanently replaced after 3 weeks of absence without notification. Within that period and until a permanent replacement is found a temporary substitute can be used.

 

Cheating check

Moderators should periodically check the turns for possible cheats. If an accusation is made then a detailed study of the turns must be made. And if someone is caught cheating and is 100% confirmed then this event must be publicly announced and the cheater been replaced.

 

Fight resolving

Moderators must prevent players from publicly flame each other. Public flames can frustrate the other participants. Moderators must prompt them to solve their differences in private and can volunteer to help them out to resolve the difference.

 

Thread posting & updating

The moderator is responsible for posting the related thread in the forum. Player list, rules, exceptions, settings, related threads or any additional information should be added in the first post of the thread for easy and fast reference. When the thread riches the 150 posts limits - set by the Apolyton owners - a new one must be started and linked with the old one. The above can be done by another person if agreed.

 

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4. Creators

(Apply to creators)

 

The creator is responsible for setting and starting the game. He/She can be the moderator of the game, a participant or a third party not participating in the game at all.

 

He/She collects all the information needed like the preferences of the participants and assigns any special rule or exception or uses any special setting or mod. The above can be predefined or determined during the preferences gathering process but must be known to all participants, current or future either by been posted in a thread (recommended) or sent by email. Predefined rules, exceptions or settings are “de facto” pre-accepted by the players that join the game while the ones determined afterwards can be settled and agreed upon by the participants. In any case someone that doesn’t like a rule or setting can decline joining the game. Simply as that :-)

 

He/She may search for participants as well if needed.

 

He/She launches the game, puts the players in the correct order, assigns to them the correct civilization and leader name, adjusts the settings and the rules, saves and sends the turn to the first player in order unless he is the first player so he/she plays it instead.

 

Any alteration or modification of the game files or saves before or after is started, that might give additional benefits to another player without the knowledge and acceptance of all participants is strictly forbidden and is considered as a cheat regardless if the creator participates, moderates or none of the above in the game.

 

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B: Recommendations

 

Reference settings

Generally PBEM games are very slow in resolving and a typical game may take more than 2 years for completion. However some settings can increase or reduce the total amount of time needed to finish a game.

 

Total number of participants

The rule is simple: The fewer participants the less time for completion. If role-playing and diplomacy are important then a 6-player game is recommended. It can combine a relatively fair speed and great diplomacy. If speed is what’s important then a 4-player or less - even a 2-player - game is recommended. Usually turn resolutions at these player numbers are pretty fast and can end in half or even less time than an typical 6-player game. An 8-player game should be avoided unless a 3 year period for completion is not scary :-) These games tend to break pretty often and take ages to finish if not die in the process. The main reason for that is the weakness of most of the players and moderators to efficiently follow up with all turns in time in an extended period of time.

 

Map size

Another factor that can affect speed in long term is the size of the map. The smaller the map is the faster the game will end. Small maps force players to meet earlier and fight for land, and end up to total wars. Therefore these games have high chances to end by conquest or domination rather than Space Race or other peaceful means. For a long diplomatic 6-player game a large or even huge map is recommended. For faster games up to 6 players a standard or small map is recommended. Sometimes a large map can have relatively fast resolutions as well.

 

Acceleration

Modifications that accelerate the progress of the game or part of it (e.g. the start) can be used for faster resolution. Modifications of that type can be found in the Apolyton Directory, Apolyton Civ3-Files forum, Civilization III Fanatic’s Center Civilization III Downloads Collection or Civilization III Fanatic’s Center Civ3 - Creation & Customization forum.

 

Modifications

Non-tested custom mods that modify original files and use extended modifications should be avoided because unexpected and unresolved errors might arise later and prevent the players from continuing.

 

Time zone order

The players in a PBEM game are recommended that they are sorted according to their time zone for faster turn cycles. For example in a 3-player game you could have an American, a European and an Australian sorted that way or in the reverse order. Mixing time zones can cause significant delays in case some players have limited or specific time they can play their turns. That should be taken in account when replacing players.

 

Time format

Time should be reported according to the international format (day/month/year) in the international spirit and avoid misunderstandings.

 

Moderating tips

Moderating a game can be sometimes pretty hard. The players depend on the moderator to keep the game going and resolve any difference that might arise between them. Frequent tracking of the game progress must be done so that the game doesn’t stick. Balance must be kept when players confront each other in somewhat high tone. There might be times that you might come in a dilemma. Consulting another, experienced moderator or player can be quite helpful. Generally make sure you know the rules well. They will guide you successfully in the most cases.

 

Always keep a record with past turns of all players. The more turns you store in your mailbox the better it is. You might be prompt by a participant to investigate a player for cheating. If you don’t have past turns, neither any other participant you will have hard time to figure out if there is a cheat issue. Or you might have to next somebody who is at war with someone else. It could help you make the right moves if you open previous turns of his and study his tactics.

 

Avoid unnecessary openings of participants’ turns. In case you have to next somebody who is at war with someone else and have to conduct operations against that other player, any knowledge of his army and its location might influence your moves and unfairly favour the “nexted” player over the other.

 

Another essential chapter is the “nexting” process. Each turn is unique and requires different handling. When lot of moves and critical decisions are involved it becomes a hard story. Generally keep track of riots, barbarians or air units in flight. Always respect building queues or queued unit moves unless you judge that there is a serious reason to act differently. Don’t ever start a war unless it is absolutely necessary or instructed to by the player. If you are uncertain of the situation or benefit, diplomatic proposals should be declined and the proposing party be notified for the reason so he/she can renegotiate next turn. If you start building something in a city, get an in-game message or conduct diplomacy it would be a good idea to send an email to the “nexted” player indicating them.

 

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C: Information

 

Patches

Players must have the Civilization III Play the World expansion and the same patch installed in order to play PBEM games. The latest patch is recommended as it resolves several bugs and usually adds new features. Currently the latest patch for the expansion is 1.14f. While you read this a new patch might be available as Firaxis is working in a new patch. Check the official Civilization III website or Infogrames for new patch releases and more information. Patch 1.14f for Civilization III Play the World has been released for Windows in the following languages: English (North America | United Kingdom), French, German & Italian. The Spanish and the Portuguese versions as well the Macintosh port of the expansion are pending.

 

Categories

Standard: Standard games where default rules are enabled. Recommended for role-playing and diplomacy funs and for micromanagement freaks.

Deathmatch: War games where each has to eliminate all his opponents. Recommended for warmongers and faster resolutions.

Team: Standard or deathmatch games where players are divided into teams and compete and win as teams. Recommended for team spirit funs.

Special: Games with special rules, settings and/or modifications that belong to any of the above categories. Recommended for players that are looking for something different.

 

How to start a PBEM game

The description below is for Windows users.

 

1. Insert the CD-ROM disk into the CD-ROM drive. If auto play is disabled or not supported run the game by clicking on the game's shortcut or by manually running the "Civilization3X.exe" file located in the \CIV3PTW folder within your Civilization III installation path.

2. You may skip the introduction by pressing the space key on your keyboard or any mouse button.

3. Double click on the Multiplayer link.

4. If you have never entered the multiplayer screen before you will be prompt to enter a nickname for multiplayer use. Type a name of your choice.

5. If you are online click on the Location button so that the button underneath changes from Internet to Local Games.

6. Click on the Host button.

7. Under the Game Settings and Game Type select Play By Email.

8. Under the Game Settings select a Game Mode. Select Standard for a typical game, Scenario for use of a scenario and Load Game to load an existing game. Note that clicking on the game mode combo box and selecting any mode will force the game type to switch to Turnless. So select the game mode first and the game type after. This is an issue to the 1.14f update.

9. Under the Game Settings and Turn Timer select None. This is essential otherwise you will be forced to play your turn within time restrictions.

10. The rest of the settings (World Size, Barbarian Activity, Land Mass, Water Coverage, Climate, Temperature, Age and Difficulty) under the Game Settings are the same as in a single player game. Water Coverage refers to the corresponding to the Landmass and Water Coverage thumbnails in the Choose Your World screen that appears when you start a new game in a single player game.

11. If you want to limit your game in Turns or Victory Points terms click on the Game Limits button on the lower left corner and set the desirable number(s). If 0 then the defaults limits will be set.

12. Under the Player Setup and Players select an open slot and click on the Add Human Player option. Enter the desirable Name and optionally the Formal, Noun, Adjective and Title to customize your tribe. Afterwards choose a gender, Male or Female. Repeat this process for all the players that are going to participate. If you wish you can add AI opponents by clicking on the Computer option instead of Add Human Player option in an open slot. Note that in a standard game mode you can choose up to 8 players in total. By default the host uses the nickname entered the first time the multiplayer screen was launched. To change that click on the Rename button under the Player Setup and enter the name you wish.

13. Under the Player Setup and Civilizations select an available civilization for each player you set if you wish specific civilizations and not random. Note that a specific civilization can be assigned to only one player.

14. Under the Game Rules you may select which ones will apply or not. They are the same as in a single player game.

15. Have a last look at all the settings you have entered so far to ensure that everything is correct and in their place and when done click on the Launch button.

16. Enter a password for Administration. That will be used in case a password protected player drops the game without notice for access. If left blank no password for administration will be set. It is recommended that you set a password however.

17. Enter a password for the host (first player in order). If left blank no password will be set (not recommended).

18. Close the next dialog box. A) If you are the moderator and you start the game then you should save the turn at this point and send the file to the first player. B) If you are the first player then play your turn and when done click on the Save & Exit and close the dialog box.

19. Give a name and a location and close the dialog box to save the turn in the location and under the name you specified.

20. Exit the game, locate the save file, compress it with an archiver to reduce its size and email it to the next player.

 

How to play a PBEM turn

The description below is for Windows users.

 

1. Launch Civilization III Play the World and click on the Load Game link.

2. Locate the save file and open it.

3. If this is the very first turn you will be prompt to enter a password. Enter a password to protect your turn (recommended) or leave it blank for no password protection at all.

4. Close the next dialog box.

5. Play your turn and when done click on the Save & Exit and close the dialog box.

6. Give a name and a location and close the dialog box to save the turn in the location and under the name you specified.

7. Exit the game, locate the save file, compress it with an archiver to reduce its size and email it to the next player.

 

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D: Cheating

 

A sort note on cheating:

 

Cheating is the most brutal action taken against fellow players!

It is severely condemned by all!

 

What is cheat?

1. Open another player’s turn and intentionally watch it.

 

2. Reload a turn and try different results.

 

3. Utilization of a bug without the knowledge and acceptance of all the participants. You can find update 1.14f, PBEM specific bugs in the “PBEM players, lets report the bugs” thread at Apolyton Civ3-PBEM forum or update 1.14f general bugs in the “PTW 1.14f Bug & Crash Reports” thread at Apolyton Civ3-Play the World forum. If you suspect of a bug that is not reported in the above threads make it known to the rest of the players.

 

4. Modifications that may give additional benefits to a player or reveal sensitive data of another player without the knowledge and acceptance of all participants.

 

5. Alteration of the data of the original – Civ3 or modification - files that may give additional benefits to a player or reveal sensitive data of another player without the knowledge and acceptance of all participants.

 

6. Illegal use of the Civ3 Editor or Civ3 PTW Editor that may give additional benefits to a player or reveal sensitive data of another player without the knowledge and acceptance of all participants.

 

7. Receive information from a third party who doesn't participate in the game (e.g. the moderator).

 

8. Use of a cheat code or a “trainer” program.

 

9. Use of a program to exploit a turn (save file or through memory while running).

 

10. Hacking in any way a turn.

 

What is not cheat?

Generally a replay of a turn is possible under special circumstances such as in the case you made a mistake or forgot something as long as it does not happen in purpose and does not reveal different information in the map whether it is unexplored territory (dark tiles), fog of war (shady tiles), ruins or stealth units of another player. If that is the case then a replay is not allowed. Any move or action that had been taken before the replay must be played exactly as previously had with no change.

 

Common sense must be used.

 

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E: Penalty

 

The penalty for those that break the rules varies from simple reprehension to permanent ban from the game. It is the responsibility of the moderator to warn the transgressor. If the offence is serious the moderator should call a council formed by the rest participants - known as the war council - to decide for his permanent ban and replacement. The final decision will be drawn by the majority of the votes of the participants. The offender and the moderator do not vote. If there is a draw in the votes then the moderator should make the final decision, whether the offender will continue or be banned.

 

To avoid any misunderstanding or vendetta the voting process can be done privately between the participants of the war council and the moderator and the result be announced to the offender after, without having the details mentioned (for or against votes and who voted what). Many thanks go to Frozzy (frozenfire911@mindless.com) for bringing this up.

 

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Note

If you have any question, objection or proposal about the rules please refer to the Civ3 PBEM Rules (version 1.0): Discussion thread at the Apolyton Civ3-PBEM forum.

 

 

| Top | Contents | Rules (General, Players, Moderators, Creator) | Recommendations | Information | Cheating | Penalty |

 

 

Copyright © 2003 Keygen. All rights reserved.