Call goes out for a CMN

[Arcainite]

Hello. Some of the players of the Arcainite's Agenda game have declared the game is decided and are starting a new game. We would like to get a CMN for it so that one of us doesn't have to. Waab is, of course, invited to CMN for us. Or Phobos for that matter.
The plan is to play IP for the first 50 turns or so to greatly reduce the time needed for this game. We are seeking 1 more player or 3 more players..so far we have Lazerus, Arcainite, and Thrar signed on to play. Nothing else has been decided yet, but should be discussed here to prevent excess baggage on the Arcainite Agenda thread.
If we want waab to play with us, we'll have to start PBEM and we're not sure if we want to do that yet. If we do use waab, I think we are fine on players, because it will be PBEM with 4 human players. If we start IP though I could conceivably see 6 even though I know most of you poo poo that idea.
I call Roze (Data Angels) again and if we play with just SMAC not SMAX, I would like to try Miriam (Believers). If we play a SMAC game, I have an ex-gf who has never played multiplayer before and wants to try and has only the base game.
Arcainite
Right now I'm good for any time any day except this weekend and the 13th. I'll let you know if this changes.

[Lazerus]

We don't really need a CMN if we're playing IP, though using a custom map would rule out somebody starting on a really small island whereas somebody else gets a huge continent to themself with the monsoon jungle. 6 players even in IP lags it alot, the upkeep phase would send people to sleep and most likely a player would drop every now and again.

Since we'll be playing evening my time (with you being 5hrs behind GMT?) then thur,sat?,sun,wed,thur etc are fine with me

[jtsisyoda]

If you decide to do SMAX IP to 2150, I'll join. In that scenario I'd be the fourth, I think. I've never tried IP, but my connection is fast and reliable. I'm GMT -5, and my weekends are free. If you let me in, the players from the previous game can have their pick of factions, and I'll choose from what's left.

I do think a CMN is a good idea. With 4-6 random start locations, one is bound to be really bad or really good.

[Lazerus]

Ok So we'll play next weekend 16 or 17th around 8pm GMT ?
Gives us abit of time to find somebody willing to edit a map for us aswell.

Welcome aboard Yoda.

What settings shall we use ?
Average rainfall,erosion and worms
standard size map
30-50% water
Do or Die on
All victory conditions on
Directed research on
Spoils of war on or off fine with me

those are the main ones i can think of, anybody want different ?

As for factions I'll play either the Hive or Drones

[jtsisyoda]

I just thought of something. Between my ISP and my own firewall program, IP SMAX might not work for me. I'm not sure how they work, but since I can't transfer files with instant messengers, IP SMAX could be a problem, too. It's probably more hassle than I want, so I'm going to back out of IP. Sorry.

[Thrar]

First, i want to confirm that i'm in. Unfortunately i'm at my parents house this weekend, so i won't be able to play in an IP game before tuesday evening.
About the settings, I'd suggest Spoils of War turned off, since it is a faction bonus for the Cyborgs, and takes away some use for probe teams.
I'm not sure about my faction yet, probably Peacekeepers, Cyborgs, maybe even Gaians or anything else. Pick whatever you want, I'll take one of those that are left then.
And Arc: You really don't want to play Miriam, trust me. YOU REALLY DON'T! I picked her once in an IP game when I was fighting with Phobos all the time - her research sucks so bad, it's not even funny. And just as bad, no research til 2110, and what do you do in those first 10 turns? No formers in a dry starting location means life looks pretty bad for you...

Yoda, you should try out with someone if it works. Apparently, the port for your file transfer is blocked (likely by your firewall), but the game uses a different one (don't as me which though ). Or you could disable your firewall for the game, unless you're using a router then there shouldn't be further problems.

[Lazerus]

Theres some discussion about how miriam is rather flexible and can be used well in the general thread if you are going to play her arc.

So is the game pushed back until Wednesday night now ? (doubt i can get on tuesday)

Yoda whats your msn email or icq number and if you want sometime i'll see if its possible for you to join games.
Nobody checking about hosting as a CMN, the players who i've seen do alot of good work are as CMN's are Hobbes,Googlie and Darsnan if somebody wants to msg one ? We'll need to get the 4th players faction sorted out first though.

[jtsisyoda]

Thrar, my connection is DSL so there is a router.

Lazerus, if you want to help me try it out, pick a time after 1700 GMT Saturday or Sunday. I don't have ICQ but my email is jtscheidt at hotmail dot com and I have msn msgr.

[Thrar]

Wednesday would be fine with me.
I'll play as Morganites then, however I'd still vote for Spoils of War to be turned off.
Tell us if it works when you tried to connect for an IP game, otherwise we'd have to decide whether to start as PBEM, play with 3 players or wait for more.

[Arcainite]

I'm back from vacation

I thought it was just going to be an extended weekend vacation but I ended up taking the whole week! Well, anyway, I'm back now. Wednesday is fine with me as is Saturday or Sunday if I have enough warning. So let's plan for this Wednesday if we can all make it then? What time is good? I can probably be on at any time you european guys but let's get this ball rolling again.

Arcainite
PS- Well, if the research is slow I could always go the military route I guess. Does this mean we're playing SMAC then and not SMAX? I think we're settling on the increased options of SMAX.

[Lazerus]

Game starts 19:00 GMT 20/8/2003 (ok with every1 ?)

Lazerus - Hive
Arcainite - Believers
Thrar - Morgan
4th player - ?

Settings :
Smax
Transcend
All victory conditions on
Co-operative victory on (i assume?)
Spoils of war off
Do or die on
Blind research off
Planet size - Standard
30-50% water (if a player wants pirates then increase)
Average - worms,erosion,cloud cover

Are we playing the IP for a set amount of turns of just a few hours until people want to end it ? turns i'd say around 50-60, that or around 3-4hrs. Leaves something for the pbem

(think i've got a 4th player for us btw)

[rothe]

I'm In

Drones for me or the pirates.

[Lazerus]

still no CMN though so theres gonna be that chance of some1 getting a small island and another player getting a continent to himself with the jungle ...

[Lazerus]

having some timezone problems atm though ... rothe is GMT -7 and will be at work at that time on a wed

[Lazerus]

Well rothe can't play from work (firewall probs) and by the time he finishes it would be a very late start for me and thrar, so it seems we push it back again to a sunday start, again around 7-8pm GMT which is fine for me,thrar and rothe so if you can make it arc then thats set.

Also if you show up soon me and thrar are on if you want to have a free for all ip game just so the meeting wasn't in vain