Looking for a non-serious SMAX/SMAC PBEM game...

[Sankis]

Since my last few trys to join a game have failed, I decided to start one. I know very little of organizing a game, but i'd really like a not-too-serious game with some roleplaying preferred. Custom factions are allowed as long as they are fairly balanced. No aliens preferred. I'd also like to play as pirates, but if I cannot get enough perople for a SMAX game then Gaians in a SMAC game.

I don't have any real preferences map-wise asides from it being large(ish) and having plenty of water (50-70?)

Please post if interested.

[binTravkin]

There will be hopefully more posts in answer of your call, but I wanted to invite you to "peace in our time" game.
It is a peaceful game where you as novice player will be able to watch at least industrial, research and diplomatical strategies of veterans.
We need 1 player at the moment - If youre interested, post there ASAP and you will be taken in!

Go to the thread named:
New Multiplayer Game - Peace in Our Time

[Barinthus]

Sankis, if you don't mind having more than one PBEMs, I'm interested in your game.

I'm definitely up for SMAX but can settle for SMAC and I'm flexible too.

[GeoModder]

Ok, instead of organizing one, I'll just participate then.

I like SMACX, with a custom seafaction (the one I posted in the 'Newbies PBEM' thread).
These are the settings I made for the seafaction I like to use:
^+2 POLICE and +1 PROBE: {Loyal citizens of a distinct culture}
^-2 GROWTH: {Accidents for the unattentive in a hostile environment and birth control}
^{May not use Free Market economic choice.}
^Free Deep Pressure Hull ability with discovery of necessary technology.
^Terraform Bonus: {Drowning your opponents is an option}
^Bases need Hab Complex to exceed size 4: {Small bases difficult to discover}
^Enhancements may be built in ocean and trench squares with the discovery of Advanced Ecological Engineering: {Trained for life at sea}
^Bonus mineral from ocean shelf squares: {Culture and technology adapted for the ocean}

ATM I'm thinking of giving a free seaformer to start with.
I'm testing it a bit, and they are rather slow on transcend level

I don't think it's an 'overpowering' one compared to the traditional factions. But might be a bit of an unexpected nuisance when the necessary techs are researched

Btw, I tried to make the faction as invisible as reasonably possible, thus don't be surprised that the smaller bases just don't appear

I prefer smaller maps, but I'm willing to try for a 'large' sized map (44x90) (no volunteers for a 'normal' map? )
Sankis, since you propose a more ocean based map, I think more then 1 seafaction is a good idea. Can you find yourself in this?

How many players do you want? And is anyone interested for being the CMN?

[Sankis]

I'm all for more then one Sea Faction, will make the game more interesting.

Thanks for the offer, binTravkin but i'm going to decline. I have a more combat oriented frame of mind and wouldn't work too well for me.

As for players? I don't mind, really. Minimal CPU players would be preferred though

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by Sankis
As for players? I don't mind, really. Minimal CPU players would be preferred though

CPU players?

Ok, can I convince you for a 'normal' sized map?
Or not?

[binTravkin]

CPU = AI = machine = non-human

[Sankis]

Eh. don't know why I typed CPU players, but I meant the AI. You have to have 7 in a game, don't you?

And how big is a normal map compared to say, the map of chiron(not huge)?

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by binTravkin
CPU = AI = machine = non-human

Thanks, BinTravkin, but the confusion was about that I'm a CPU member in the ACDG, not about what CPU meant in AI. I thought Sankin prefered members of my team in his game.

Sankin:

7 faction ingame yes, so you want as much human players as possible. So far, you, me and perhaps DataAeolus as well. Keep in mind that the more human players their are, the longer the game will take.

About map sizes:
tiny: 24x48, small: 32x64, normal: 40x80, large 44x90 and huge: 64x128. Custom sizes are possible in SMACX.
The normal map of Chiron is 40x80, thus the same size as 'normal'. It's about 3200 tiles. Large size, for example, doesn't sound much bigger, but has already nearly 4000 tiles. I always divide by 20 to have a rough idea how many bases can be founded on the map in ideal circumstances. 3200 eg. 160 bases, 4000 already 200.

[Sankis]

Its Sankis!

Also, i'm fine with a Normal sized map. I was under the impression they are alot smaller then that. One more map related thing though; i -really- want a map that has continents in it, along with some small islands if possible.

If anyone else is interested in playing, please reply with the faction you'd like and any settings you prefer.

DataAeolus: please reply if you are still interested in playing

[GeoModder]

Try making a new thread with asking a CMN, extra players, and what we agreed upon so far.

I once made a normal sized ocean map with 10-11% land, and the rest a 'relief' of island groups, shelfs, oceans and deep trench 'highways'. I don't know if this still exists somewhere (only one continent though, sort of Pangealike).

How about a new title? Naval Clash?
If the land factions are separated on their continents, they almost have to pass by us to have access to their enemies on another continent.

[Barinthus]

Yes I'm still interested . I'd like either Data Angels or CyCon.

Maki, welcome, nice to have a fellow dragon fan aboard.

[Rubin]

This sounds interesting--though a little confusing. However, given a fast pace of turns and an acceptable set of rules I'd be interested in joining as the University. I really like the idea of roleplaying.

What is the current status on the setup?

Edit:
Preferred settings:

Planet size: Large (or maybe standard); (I agree with Sankis on the continents & islands issue)
Ocean coverage: 50-70% of surface
Erosive forces: Weak
Native lifeforms: Average (or maybe abundant if no 'green' human players are present)
Cloud Cover: Average

Difficulty: Transcend
Version: SMACX v2.0

Game Rules:
All victory conditions on
No Tech Stagnation
No Spoils of War
Maybe Blind Research if we emphasize on heavy roleplaying elements!
(Indifferent on intense rivalry)
Plenty of Unity Pods
No Unity Survey
No Random Events
No Time Warp, Iron Man and random faction leader personalities and agendas.

Miscellaneous issues:
The CMN should enable Probe Cruisers for any AI's present by the discovery of Doctrine: Initiative.
Custom factions are fine.
House Rules should be decided upon before the game starts (they depend on the final setup).

[Mart]

i can CMN

[Flubber]

Not to butt in but here goes anyway---

Seven player games RARELY get completed. I also believe that the average time it takes to get a year completed doubles for every player you add.

I have been on this board for a few years and have not completed a 7 player game in that time despite several attempts. IN that same time, the vast majority of 4 player games completed and I even had one 5 player game complete ( but that was exceptional in that 2 of the players were so fast that the turn often went through them in a matter of a few hours)


My advice, is to keep it at 4 players . . . With that number, the turn goes astray less often and you might actually make some good progress. MY other piece of advice is to prompt people when there is no action for a day or too. You will have some unavoidable delays when people are busy or away and thats just part of things . . . But the delays where an email goes astray can be weeks if the players don't post turn notifications and check the turn thread.