[PBEM]Civ4 Succession Game #1: Rome

[vmxa1]

Just a thought, but with much more than 6 players the game will be very slow for everyone.

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by vmxa1
Just a thought, but with much more than 6 players the game will be very slow for everyone.

Well if you have a lot of time you can play more. I just dont want to get into one of these games where the turn order is fixed, the players are limited and when your turn is up people expect you to play, invariabaly when that happens is the night I have to help kids with homework or I have to cart them off to soccer, boy scouts, science olympiad, or D&D or whatever they are doing.

Thats why I prefer a more casual game. If the turn is up and I can play, Ill play

[snoopy369]

Yeah ... Succession games don't bog down due to number of players, they actually go FASTER due to more players - just anyone who's available and hasn't had a turn recently plays the game when it's up.

[conmcb25]

Ya much better that way

[Ennet]

Cheers Need to decide on a difficulty setting too. Not the hardest as this is will be a learning game to at least almost everyone, but neither too easy, that would ruin all the fun. Some mid difficulty level perhaps?

[snoopy369]

I'd like to start on something around monarch? Something hard enough to be a challenge, but yes not too hard. (I have no idea what the difficulty levels are called, haven't stumbled across that yet)

[conmcb25]

I read somewhere to plan on playing at one level lower than what you played on in CIV III due to the improvements in the AI.

Maybe it was Solvers first preview so my guess is Monarch would be the highest we should attempt right now, if it goes well, we up the ante next game.

[Grandpa Troll]

If you need another Ill add myself


pre ordered game not sure when Ill have it though

[Grandpa Troll]

Re: Civ4 Succession Game #1: Rome

Originally posted by snoopy369
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.
12.

Oh sorry you already had me in there

[John-SJ]

Hi, I'd like a spot in the succession. Haven't played in Succession Games since Civ II, this'll be great!

[TheDarkside]

Hey I just wanna confirm I'm ready! I will be picking up the game today and this evening will be ready to play.

Should we post our e-mail addresses here now?
Are we just going to play in the order we are listed?

[snoopy369]

Okay, let's start this sometime Saturday, I'll do so ... maybe in an hour or two

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by TheDarkside
Hey I just wanna confirm I'm ready! I will be picking up the game today and this evening will be ready to play.

Should we post our e-mail addresses here now?
Are we just going to play in the order we are listed?

E-mail not necessary, we'll post the save here (using the upload feature, assuming it's not too huge of a file).

[snoopy369]

Settings:
Continents
Large (1 over normal)
Temperate
Medium Sea Level
Rome - Ceasar
Noble (it's challenging, but not too challenging)
Normal speed

[snoopy369]

Starting location is pretty good ... a cow, a clam, and gold, all within range... We'll settle right here.