Announcement

**Mart** · January 23, 2004, 06:46

T_ras, as you propose we can start the game with two AI's. Moderator would be good, he/she might fix the map and setup paswords. And most of us agree to it. Present settings (still in decision making, and waiting aproval):

Code:

SMAC game, version release 4.0

Factions:

Gaia's Stepdaughters	BinTravkin
Human Hive		T_ras
University of Planet	Themonger
Morgan Industries	Shawnmmcc
Spartan Federation	AI
The Lord's Believers	AI
Peacekeeping Forces	Mart7x5
______________________________________
Preference.BinTravkin.T_ras..Themonger.Shawnmmcc.Mart	|	Settings

Map size	H	H	?	L-H	L-H	|	Huge
Ocean		30--70	?	50-70	50-70	50-70	|	50-70
Erosion		Weak	?	Aver	Aver	Weak	|	Aver-Weak(2:2)
Life		Abund.	?	Aver	Aver	Aver	|	Average
Clouds		Dense	?	Aver	Aver	Dense	|	Aver-Dense(2:2)
Difficulty	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	|	Transcend

Transcend	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Conquest	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Diplomatic	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Economic	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Cooperative	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Do or Die	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
Flexible start	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Tech stag	Yes	?	?	?	No	|	?(1:1)
Spoils of war	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	|	No
Blind research	No	?	No	No	No	|	No
Intense riv	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
No survey	No	?	?	?	Yes	|	?(1:1)
No scatter	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
No rnd events	No	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Time Warp	No	No	No	No	No	|	No
Iron man	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
Rand person	Yes	?	?	?	No	|	?(1:1)
Rand social	Yes	?	?	?	No	|	?(1:1)

CMN		Yes	Mightbe	Yes	Yes	Mightbe	|	Yes

**Mart** · January 23, 2004, 07:22

BinTravkin, very good points on settings. I think i may change my votes for Life and Spoils of war, as it effects Gaians and Hive factions.
Good point on randomize personality and social agendas, i'll chenge that.
As for the map - what do you think about playing on the Huge map of the planet - as it is in the released game? It is of course well known, but i think it is good map. All starting locations are fair. Maybe only Isle of Deianira is a bit chalanging, but last single game i play is started intentionally there on transced difficulty and i'm winning

, though i think AI is always easier to defeat, so when playing multiplayer that would give someone hard time.

**Mr. Harley** · January 23, 2004, 08:30

Mark me down to Huge, I love really big maps. mart7x5, I tried emailing one of the veterans I know, I suspect he'll make an interesting map. I have two backups if he doesn't get back to me tonight. Large standard map is good, the only problem is that we all know where the really hot spots are, though the CMN can offset that by giving the AI the Jungle - Jungle Spartans can be really rough. I would enjoy a CMN custom Huge map with more land mass, the reason being that there's a bug generating Huge maps and you typically get extra water anyway.

I vote for enhanced AI, with some independent formers andtechs, some extra units and base facilities. That way the AI as a chance to keep up. Maybe even the AI factions allied or pacted, it makes them tougher nuts. Let the CMN tweak them, including agneda, a good one will make them more fun. Tech stagnation will make the game take WAY too long, a huge map slows research anyway.

It looks like Spoils of War will be on, tjpigj most PBEM keep it turned off, the same for restart though I could go with Travkin's eloquent request.

**t_ras** · January 23, 2004, 09:12

i think tech stagnation is not so good. from my expirince this games are too long any way.
i also dont think random agendas are so good. it is better when we all know what every one gets and it is esier to personalize your faction leader.
huge map of planet is fine if needed.
you allso need to think twice about ocean coverage, but ill take any think. i work for the long run so for me is better to be far from the rest....

**Mr. Harley** · January 23, 2004, 10:18

You are talking to the masochist choosing Morgan - he loves to turtle.

**Themonger** · January 23, 2004, 12:40

Originally posted by binTravkin
These are my votes:

SPOILS OF WAR -> For low tech factions (especially BELIEVERS & HIVE) its the best chance to
win a war!

are you kiding? What do you think probe teams are for?? Why give some one like the Believers such a huge advantage, being able to have +2 probe from the start (which means there probes hardly ever loose), and stealing techs on conquering bases?!?!?!

I want to switch my faction to believers if spoils of war and tech stagnation is on. (seriously)

**Mart** · January 23, 2004, 18:58

Do or Die - I think it is good to have it on "No". Once eliminated and restarted, it is very difficult for the faction to regain strength, but it is still in the game, and that makes the game, at least for me, more interesting.

Tech Stagnation - I think that for any pbem, and especially on huge map here having it on "No" is good, and will speed up the game. It seems like we are scattered on various parts of the globe, so fast turns rotation might be more difficult, so let's make gameplay faster if we can.

Spoils of War - I decided to stay with my original vote.

How about "No Survey", we have still (1:1). T_ras you might help to solve some issues where we have 2:2 result.

Current settings(i put also Themonger Tech stag on No, this is what i understand is your vote here...)

Code:

SMAC game, version release 4.0

Factions:

Gaia's Stepdaughters	BinTravkin
Human Hive		T_ras
University of Planet	Themonger
Morgan Industries	Shawnmmcc
Spartan Federation	AI
The Lord's Believers	AI
Peacekeeping Forces	Mart7x5
______________________________________
Preference.BinTravkin.T_ras..Themonger.Shawnmmcc.Mart	|	Settings

Map size	H	H	?	H	H	|	Huge
Ocean		30--70	?	50-70	50-70	50-70	|	50-70
Erosion		Weak	?	Aver	Aver	Weak	|	Aver-Weak(2:2)
Life		Abund.	?	Aver	Aver	Abund.	|	Aver-Abund(2:2)
Clouds		Dense	?	Aver	Aver	Dense	|	Aver-Dense(2:2)
Difficulty	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	|	Transcend

Transcend	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Conquest	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Diplomatic	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Economic	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Cooperative	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Do or Die	No	?	?	(Yes?)	No	|	No
Flexible start	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Tech stag	Yes	No	No	No	No	|	No
Spoils of war	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	|	No
Blind research	No	?	No	No	No	|	No
Intense riv	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
No survey	No	?	?	?	Yes	|	?(1:1)
No scatter	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
No rnd events	No	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Time Warp	No	No	No	No	No	|	No
Iron man	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
Rand person	Yes	No	?	?	Yes	|	Yes
Rand social	Yes	No	?	?	Yes	|	Yes

CMN		Yes	Mightbe	Yes	Yes	Mightbe	|	Yes

**t_ras** · January 23, 2004, 21:08

no survey - NO, i think seeing the map would be more realistic.
al the map seetings- average

**Mart** · January 24, 2004, 02:06

Thank you for your opinion! Last chance to cast missing votes to possibly change the settings in their current form. We have some "hot" preferences

and it is good there is odd number of us, five.

As for me we are good to go

Code:

SMAC game, version release 4.0

Factions:

Gaia's Stepdaughters	BinTravkin
Human Hive		T_ras
University of Planet	Themonger
Morgan Industries	Shawnmmcc
Spartan Federation	AI
The Lord's Believers	AI
Peacekeeping Forces	Mart7x5
______________________________________
Preference.BinTravkin.T_ras..Themonger.Shawnmmcc.Mart	|	Settings

Map size	H	H	?	H	H	|	Huge
Ocean		30--70	50-70	50-70	50-70	50-70	|	50-70
Erosion		Weak	Aver	Aver	Aver	Weak	|	Aver
Life		Abund.	Aver	Aver	Aver	Abund.	|	Aver
Clouds		Dense	Aver	Aver	Aver	Dense	|	Aver
Difficulty	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	Transc.	|	Transcend

Transcend	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Conquest	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Diplomatic	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Economic	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Cooperative	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Do or Die	No	?	?	(Yes?)	No	|	No
Flexible start	Yes	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Tech stag	Yes	No	No	No	No	|	No
Spoils of war	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	|	No
Blind research	No	?	No	No	No	|	No
Intense riv	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
No survey	No	No	?	?	Yes	|	No
No scatter	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
No rnd events	No	?	Yes	Yes	Yes	|	Yes
Time Warp	No	No	No	No	No	|	No
Iron man	No	?	?	?	No	|	No
Rand person	Yes	No	?	?	Yes	|	Yes
Rand social	Yes	No	?	?	Yes	|	Yes

CMN		Yes	Mightbe	Yes	Yes	Mightbe	|	Yes

**Mart** · January 24, 2004, 02:20

What is SMAC version 5.0? is it the SMAC from planetary pack?

Maybe some additional data, some background story? Will we play just regular storyline, nothing more than what intro movie in SMAC offered or we will add something to it? That might enhance roleplaying, and fun from the game, though i'm ok with standard Peacekeepers mission.

Some name for our game? that might come out with the story if we add some.

Some general rules, in the thread "turns of 5-alive" i have seen some extensive general rules of game by Googlie. Do you think we also could use some rules like that?

**binTravkin** · January 24, 2004, 05:59

There is small problem with me if game is goin to start sooner than 26.01.04 - I wont be able to do my turn until monday evening.

Hope it doesnt hurt you all!

If does,switch myfac to Believers

so Im not playin the 1st turn,but the 5th..

I dont want any1 to wait 4 me!

If sometimes you realise Im sayin stupid things -> Ive never played SMAC PBEM, but a lots of IPX & TCP/IP, so there might be some things different from my expierence

As for probes & BELIEVERS (as themonger wrote) I believe it is easier to sneak a probe past border patrols, sensors&scouts in PBEM game, cause U can try diferent paths,but it is NOT so easy to steal when playin in huge map - ur borders rarely are close to enemies & if does there is much sensors and at least some fast units in border cities to quickly show up & rain some bullets on ur probes & they dont need much to die..

Heard something about planet map - at 1 point it would be interestin to play original scenario,but maybe there is some1 who have played very much on Chiron,so better take some unknown map

Wont have iNet access till monday afternoon so dont wonder havin no reply from me

**Mart** · January 24, 2004, 09:16

If we are to find moderator for the game, it would be excellent to start as soon as on monday. Anyway it is already like two days from now.

About trying various paths in order to achieve Probe Team success - i thought about some rules prohibiting us from multiple turn loading. when trying numerous times enough you could probably win a battle with unit with strength 1 against unit with strength 10, but after doing reloads for 6 hours i would probably gone mad. And also i do not think this kind of play was intended by game designers. That is why i like games where you actually do in your turn only orders issuing - no movements, no actual action and chance rolls, like Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. If someone played that game or know it, will understand my point.

---------------------

Checking "Do or Die" as "No" will allow us to have more fun from play and less to be concerned about being eliminated. I wouldn't be afraid of other players on Planet's map because they might know the map better. I would go for quality game rather than crude will to win, but of course i'm peacekeeping.........

For winning i play some of my single player games, but in multiplayer roleplaying is much more important for me

**t_ras** · January 24, 2004, 11:26

INPORTANT! - there are rules for PBEM in top of forum - READ THEM!! no multiple loading, n probing factions that you dont have vendeta with adn many more. again- READ THEM.

OK- LETS BEGIN PLAYING!!

if you dont post till tumorrow that you have CMN, ill find one.

**Mart** · January 24, 2004, 11:53

Maybe a note to the future CMN, if you could fix "Freshwater Sea" on the map, i would be greatful. I like this landmark, and random generator rarely places it in proper way, often there is no "Fresh... sea"
---------------------
T_ras, I do not know on this forum anyone whom I could ask for being CMN, so you please go forward with finding one, and also Shawnmmcc wrote some time ago that was already looking for someone to moderate.

**Mr. Harley** · January 24, 2004, 12:20

Been off again a couple of days, I'll try my backup moderator.

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