Killing Scouts

[brandonjm8]

whats the "norm" for game speed from what you guys have played online?
is this something thats only gonna last 3 hours or 3 days or 3 weeks?
i know they will be different im asking which one is more abundant, im used to playing on marathon.

[rah]

we usually play normal speed. If you can last 3-5 hours and no one is lollygagging, you can make it to turn 250 or so, and by then, you usually know who's going to win. You definately know who's lost

[Ming]

Game spy games are different then what we usually play. They take more of the "pinball" approach to MP, playing at fast/lightening speed. But unless you are playing with a group of people you know, most of their games don't last long. Some people will try "risky" things to get an advantage, and if they fail, they just drop out of the game. Once somebody looks like they have a big lead, the rest usually disappear quickly.

That's why I like our games... In most cases, people stick around until near or actual death, even if they are far behind. Now granted, the ole I've had too much to drink and I can't see straight line also comes up

[brandonjm8]

Game spy games are different then what we usually play. They take more of the "pinball" approach to MP, playing at fast/lightening speed. But unless you are playing with a group of people you know, most of their games don't last long. Some people will try "risky" things to get an advantage, and if they fail, they just drop out of the game. Once somebody looks like they have a big lead, the rest usually disappear quickly.

That's why I like our games... In most cases, people stick around until near or actual death, even if they are far behind. Now granted, the ole I've had too much to drink and I can't see straight line also comes up

id be more inclined to playing with you guys then, i wont play quick speed setting, i hardly ever play normal anymore, i like marathon too much, lol. i might in the future look to get into a marathon or epic MP game soon tho.

[Ming]

We usually only play normal speed games. Marathon and epic make for a real slow MP game

[brandonjm8]

We usually only play normal speed games. Marathon and epic make for a real slow MP game

but a more realistic experience, you may have more turns but you have less to act with what you built, makes it harder at times ya know,

[rah]

Maybe, but since our games are one sitting and done, it's best not to have too many turns that consist of move your explorer and hit enter.

[Theben]

Epic games in MP are slooooww, nevermind marathon. Remember you've got 3-7 people trying todecide what's best for their empire, and trying to deduce the other players which is a lot harder than figuring out the AI.

[rah]

That too. But at least if you're playing with experienced players, they usually already know what's best for their empire. But they will spend a little extra time deducing what neighbors are up to. A few spies never hurt there.

[brandonjm8]

i like the longer games,

[Ming]

i like the longer games,

Fine enough for SP games... those are meant for personal enjoyment.

MP games are a different matter. At Gamespy, they like to play at the fastest speed possible... but for our IP games, normal seems quick enough. At least you can get some good units in a single night, which wouldn't be possible at marathon or epic. I would probably pass out playing either of those speeds as the game moved late into the evening

[rah]

Yeah, since you have passed out a few times at normal speed.

[brandonjm8]

Fine enough for SP games... those are meant for personal enjoyment.

MP games are a different matter. At Gamespy, they like to play at the fastest speed possible... but for our IP games, normal seems quick enough. At least you can get some good units in a single night, which wouldn't be possible at marathon or epic. I would probably pass out playing either of those speeds as the game moved late into the evening

playing a marathon mp game will take a week or two, my games take about a week anyways. i know theres people like me, your not one of them but thats ok, if i play MP it'll probably be with someone who likes the slower speeds too.

[Ming]

The problem with that is finding people who are willing to stick it out for multiple gaming sessions. If you are only playing with one other player, and a bunch of AI's, it might be easier. But if you have a bunch of human players, it might be easy to get them to commit up front for multiple sessions, but in reality they may all of a sudden "not be available" for multiple sessions. With our typical one night stands, even if you get some bad breaks/luck, or crappy starting position, or aggressive neighbors, the torcher is over when the evening ends. People are willing to stick it out till the end of the night, even if they are lossing badly. That might not be the case over multiple sessions with multiple people.

While I'm sure you could find a group of dedicated people, it's harder than you think.

The Diplo games are a classic way to get past that trouble. It's far less agressive, and people play so they can tell the stories in threads. The trick isn't to blow people away early.

Plus, with a larger group of people, it's harder to get everybody to agree with the rules... which is one of the reason why we pretty much play the same rules every time in our Friday and Saturday night games. People know the rules (mostly), show up and we start, instead of arguing for a long time on what we are going to play

[rah]

Yeah, for the Diplo games there are entire threads to discuss rules. Generally we don't have that issue but we have had a few occasions where not everyone was on the same page when it comes to the rules set and the outcome is usually pissed off players. Which is quite regrettable since it's only a game, and I apologize to anyone that may have taken offense.