Single Forum Newbie Seeks Others For Serious Multiplayer Relationship I Mean Game

[Sabrdrak]

Uh, hey, everyone! I'm sort of offish with the introductions and I may even not be posting in the right board, but this is my best shot!

Mostly, I have traversed the wide scape of These Here Internets and found a collective group of Civilization players to be a rare sight indeed (this breed of player I would expect to find travelling in packs!). Hopefully, having finally come to know of the Apolyton Forums, I have found what I am looking for.

I've been a long time Civ fan, every since I was a little kid and learned to use the computer. Civilization was one of my first games and they've been a healthy hobby over time - a series I continually find myself with a returning interest in. My most recent grasp has been upon Civilization 4. Merrily, did I set up everything, patch and enjoy the single player mode. After my first game of roughly 18 hours' length, I turned to the new multiplayer option of online internet games (through GameSpy, I believe?).

Nifty! It's always been difficult to find opponents, but now there was a method for it such as this! Surely the game was about to reveal an entire new dimension of possibilities! But, to my dismay, I find that roughly 90% of all games that aren't private to begin with, have titles stuffed with words like "BLAZING" and "QUICK" and "NO NOOBZZZ". Crestfallen, I began my final search to see if somewhere out there, there might be others who might, like myself, relish in the patient progression of a world over time, meticulously crafting one's political plannings, military motions and economic endeavours! One who seeks others who might enjoy savouring each turn and holding conversation beyond the boundaries of "HAY UR TURN WTF HURY UP" after only 8 seconds into the simultaneous play turn.

(If this is entertaining at all, I am pleased - because I'm trying to be as whimsical as possible here and it's rather late, heh.)

Should you be interested, please reply here!

My favorite games are of substantial length, on moderate to low difficulty [Chieftain/Warlord] where players are involved (because I feel that the players should dominate over the AI, since player tactics are so much more interesting and fun) and a bit higher versus the computer [Prince]. I tend to play on lower difficulties because I enjoy having more of a sense of control - it's my spare time - it should make me feel good! But, I do occasionally like to grapple with the AI on Emperor difficulty, which I tend to win maybe 1/4 games.

Thanks and great to meet you all!

(Sorry that it's a bit long-winded!)

[trev]

We have a good group of Aussie players for what you describe, and also a group of diplo players, I would post in diplo threads if I was you, and HOTW whatever threads, they are players who like long involved games, Aussie thread if you like, but not best time slot for you. Usually play with direct ip, so need icq or msn to chat with players for setting up games, also can try RAH thread games if you like, help you to get to know other players

[Sabrdrak]

That'd be cool.

I also JUST found out about and learn how to utilize the PitBoss mode, so I really think that's the ideal that I'm looking for! Three of us started playing together and opened a new IRC channel on apolyton.net - #c4pitboss.

It seems like most of the population at the site enjoy forum-dwelling and aren't too much into the live chat that's up on IRC. It's kind of a bummer for someone like me who has odd hours and doesn't know exactly when the next chance for some time to play will be. When I get a chance, I like to be able to pick up something with someone and just get started - PitBoss mode plus IRC makes that really ideal.

I really appreciate the reply, too, and I'll look into that, but I'm sure to have many questions, so that's why I stress having IRC available. I run Trillian so ICQ/MSN is viable for me. I can voicechat as well. But, yes, more information would be most helpful.

Also, I'm really new to the site, so I don't know most of the terms. What are diplo players and HOTW?

[OzzyKP]

A diplogame is explained here:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=150698

Diplogames are champagne and opera to duel game's beer and tractor pull.

Looking through the threads you'll find countless definitions of diplogames. In summary a diplogames comes down to this: A long term Civ MP game with 5-9 players who try to resolve problems by diplomacy. Managing your civ is not enough. You try to play a 'leader' thus roleplaying and storytelling in a diplogame is as important as gaming skills. An eloquent speaker who uses tact can get the same work done as the no.1 in the game, if he speaks up.

The Diplomacy takes place in the form of negotiations, treaties, special alliances, pacts and in the end...WAR. To keep track of historic events players will be required to post their view on events on a public forum. Everyone is free how to write his own posts it can be funny, formal, boring...anything is allowed as long as your message gets through. Just read through the diplogame threads located at the end of this FAQ for examples.

Diplogames should center around Politics. While most games turn into lessons in game mechanics, with super growth strategy formulas, and trade bug manipulation equations, the Diplogame relies on human interaction, through diplomacy, politics, even out and out propaganda.

HOTW stands for History of the World. Since diplogames are high drama and end up being excellent stories we give the games a title. There have been many diplogames played and they often will line up into series' like History of the World or Tales from the Diplomatic Front. To get an idea of what its all about just read through this thread:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=148492

If its something you'd be interested in getting involved in, then speak up here:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=151546

Welcome to the forum.

[Sabrdrak]

That is very, very cool. Exactly what I'm looking for.

Heh, I'd actually be intimidated by the notion since I'd want to give such an operatic sense of the game that much more time. It's like writing a book, you simply don't skimp here and there - you keep it interesting the whole way through.

Yeah. Hm.

And I appreciate the warm welcome. I'll definitely be looking into that in the near future. For now, I have a pitboss game going that's got my attention, but I'll definitely be subscribing to some forums and follow diplo games so I know how to go about it once I get into one.

[OzzyKP]

The good part though is that unlike simply writing a book, you are writing a collaborative book with half a dozen other people. So if you skimp a week the other people will keep the story going. Some weeks I write more than others. But yea, its pretty much the only MP I enjoy anymore.

Anyways, state your interest here so we can have a good list going: http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...hreadid=151546

[DeyReepher]

Have you checked out the Ladder when it comes to MP? We have an active community of multi-players that play Free for Alls and Team Games. I'm a big fan of the team games and especially of the middle era starts. I've got the same name on Gamespy, so come check us out.

[OmnipotentTrout]

We're starting a new History of the World game (HOTW7).

Post in the HOTW7 Set up thread if you're interrested.
You don't need msn and all the rest, just check out the forum on the pre-scheduled play times, and away from RL we go

- Omni

[Sabrdrak]

Originally posted by DeyReepher
Have you checked out the Ladder when it comes to MP? We have an active community of multi-players that play Free for Alls and Team Games. I'm a big fan of the team games and especially of the middle era starts. I've got the same name on Gamespy, so come check us out.

I would, but I'm not so worried about Ladder, it seems like too much commitment. I don't have much control over when my free time is available to me and I prefer a long-lasting game over a couple months as opposed to speeding through games (I'm sure other players will be in more of a hurry than me)

I've really fallen for Pitboss games, though, so if any of the ladder games have a dedicated server, I'd definitely look into it.

[Sabrdrak]

Originally posted by OmnipotentTrout
We're starting a new History of the World game (HOTW7).

Post in the HOTW7 Set up thread if you're interrested.
You don't need msn and all the rest, just check out the forum on the pre-scheduled play times, and away from RL we go

- Omni

Thanks. I'll look at that. I'm apprehensive about playing officially in a HOTW game, though, because I'm sure there's previous plot that I'd have to learn and follow into. For now, I'm going to get used to Pitbossing, but I may post my name up on the thread for consideration into future games once I'm a little more attuned to the community's atmosphere.

[LzPrst]

HOTW7 hasnt started yet and thus has no plot.
the plot(s) begins after the first session (hotw7 hasnt even gotten all players down yet so you have plenty of time to join in) when discussions and arguments about settling, land rights, cultural conflicts and the like spring into being from the competition among the players.

imo the best way to learn is just to jump right in. of course, if you have any questions be free to ask us as we would gladly provide you with any information you require to join us. come. turn to the dark side

[OzzyKP]

Think of it like Final Fantasy. It is a big series with multiple chapters, but each game starts anew and doesn't continue the plot or characters or anything from previous versions.

So HOTW7 is a brand new game - its fresh snow. You can make the plot up from the beginning.

[OmnipotentTrout]

You should sign up, only four spaces left in HOTW7

[Sabrdrak]

Gotcha, but what about scheduling? I may not be able to log on at a specific time each day/week to progress the game. Is there pitbossing?

[OzzyKP]

Its not pitboss, its a live game. Everyone gets online at the same time each week for like 3-4 hours.