Anyone want to start a rated SMAC game?

[Qantaga]

Okay, you guys have sold me on a Standard map.

dinoarms, a friendly word of advice. When you say something like "(unless of course you have quite a few things to learn about the game)", you should know your audience. While you could easily say that about me, Viriato is an extremely accomplished player, so I would not use phrases like that when addressing him.

[dinoarms]

comment

I wasn't refering to anyone in particular. I was just conveying that even the least able of us, probably me, would have a fair amount of time in the game with a standard map.

[Levelisk]

Ok, so, who's going to start the game? Are we going to go without a CMN, just have guys take charge of their own passwords and such, or should we get a CMN in case (well, probably the likelihood) that someone drops?

[dinoarms]

CMN

I would feel alot more comfortable if we had a CMN. Was Solver offering that role?

[Qantaga]

No, I believe that Solver will be playing the good Provost in this game, but I am sure he will be able to locate a CMN for us.

[Viriato]

Qantaga,
I've never been so highly referenced in my SMAC life . Thanks for the complement, although I wouldn't describe myself in the same way.
I didn't take dinoarms words as a personal reference but I have no problem admiting that I have yet many things to learn in this game. If I didn't I wouldn't be playing it anymore.
As to the 'retire' thing it seems to me we're talking about the same thing. I knew the option existed but didn't know the menu name we had to choose. Now I know.

I'll take Solver's word on the game pace. I haven't been so lucky .
As I said before I don't mind playing in a standard map. I just prefered a larger map.

As for the other settings I strongly opose to having so many techs in the beginning. The principle of giving all the initial faction techs to all players is something used in the tournament map games. These are games with only 4 factions and are designed to be very fast and bloody games.
To acelerate the game we can use extra units like colony pods, formers and scouts, and some extra cash.
I know it's tough in the beginning but it's much more challenging to develop your faction from scratch.
I also bring to your atention that a random map can be highly unbalanced. This is one of the reasons that makes a CMN very important. He can evaluate all our starting positions.
If Solver doesn't find anyone available I can ask Misotu if she's willing to give us a hand.

Viriato

[Tau Ceti]

Yes, when a player retires, the AI takes over his faction. There is one problem with the procedure, though, and that is that either the next human player or all humans later in the turn order (I do not remember which) lose their turn. It is simply skipped, no production, no moves, no nothing. So it is a decidedly non-ideal situation, and it will usually be better to have the player obliterate his last bases.

[dinoarms]

intial settings

all


I would rather that we start with only one tech each. In fact even one colony pod would be fine. Especially if the turn rate was good. But my 1 month or so experience with pbems is that this game will take a looong time.

[Qantaga]

I think we should be fine with everyone getting just their natural starting techs.

I can tell you from personal experience that Viriato, theohall and I will be very quick to get turns out.

[dinoarms]

games settings

I like the idea of a random map..however unfair it is....if you are stuck beside someone you can work together with them; there are no obstacles only oppurtunities.

But whatever you all want is fine with me.

We should proceed soon though...some of the joiners haven't posted in a while and we may lose some people. If that is the case I suggest starting a new thread entitled 7 player SMAC or the like.

Looking forard to playing

DA

[Misotu]

If you are still looking for a CMN, I'm willing to volunteer. I should warn you that this would be my first attempt at creating a game of this complexity.

On the up side, though, I think I have played sufficient PBEMs to know what is acceptable and playable.

I would create the scenario, and then play through the first 10 MY or so, to look for any problems before sending out the game to you guys to play. Let me know if you want me to set up a game:

misotu@hotmail.com

[Qantaga]

Misotu,

I will follow up with an e-mail, but I can tell you that we would be pleased and grateful to have you as CMN for this game.

[dinoarms]

CMN Misotu

That is fine with me and I'm sure it is with the others

I have read through the thread Faction Strife and noticed your name in the top ten. From this one can see that you are both a good player and a respected member of this community. I would be honoured if you were our CMN.

We have some lose ends as far as the game settings are concerned.

I believe that we are agreed upon:

Transcend
Standard Map
NOT abundant alien life forms

There is indescision around:

Whether the map should random or not. But I suppose your choosing and testing the map resolved the sources of controversy; imbalance and the desire not to play on what is known

The starting material for the game...ie units,tech and pods. We wanted a rated game but not an abundance of tech at the outset...but I have read that, for rated games, these things are set.

There has been no discusion, save suggestions I have made, about these settings

water coverage
cloud density
pod scattering
visibility of world map
start first
random events etc

My preference are

High density cloud cover
low erosion
pod scattering
world map not visible
start first
random events


Perhaps we should put some Time limit on resolving these things


DA

[Qantaga]

dinoarms,

Solver is the keeper of the ratings system and he has stated that there are no rules or pre-conditions to his rated games (like the tech bonuses you keep referring to). He posted his requested preferences back on page one of this thread.

I think we should go by those and then trust Misotu with everything else as far as making the game as fair as possible for all concerned. After all, that is one of the main benefits of having a CMN.

I'm sure she will check with Solver to make sure that the parameters are consistent with his rating system.

Other than that, I am extremely happy to have Misotu volunteer to be CMN and I don't think we need be concerned with all the various game settings. She will take very good care of us, I am sure.

Further discussion will just slow down the start of the game.

Misotu will need to know the e-mail address you would like to use for the game.

Also, cpt.slick - can you please post the e-mail you would like to use for the game? Thank you.

[dinoarms]

game parameters

Qantaga et al


Qantaga do I sense hostility in your post? Obviously I have erred and forgotten some some information in my last post that made a small portion of it redundant. I mailed my last post to Misotu. I have posted many times to this thread. All of my posts have been directed at starting a game that is satisfying to it's players as quickly as possible. Given that all of us , potentially, will be involved in the game for more than a year I think it is fair that some of the more aesthetic choices involved in the parameters are considered by all of us. This is a small thing for me to ask and I don't think a day will hurt us. In fact, if you, for instance, or any other player, had a strong aversion to one of the settings I have requested I would be more than happy to aquiess.

I have emailed Misotu my previous missive but for the purpose of emphasising my desire to have my suggestions considered and I will restate them in this post and email it to Misotu as well.

If you or any others have objections or questions to the folloing feel free to post them. Otherise I see no reason not to proceed with what we are allowed, have agreed upon AND what I have suggested. If there are no objections I would appreciate my additional reuests be honoured.

And Qantaga, If you are as concerned with time as I am than I would be glad to accept a time for resolution within 24-72 hours. Where the deadline should fall, within that span, I leave up to you.

DA - Time is as worthy of consideration as consideration is of time.


P.S.

That is fine with me and I'm sure it is with the others

I have read through the thread Faction Strife and noticed your name in the top ten. From this one can see that you are both a good player and a respected member of this community. I would be honoured if you were our CMN.

We have some lose ends as far as the game settings are concerned.

I believe that we are agreed upon:

Transcend
Standard Map
NOT abundant alien life forms

There is indescision around:

Whether the map should random or not. But I suppose your choosing and testing the map resolved the sources of controversy; imbalance and the desire not to play on what is known

The starting material for the game...ie units,tech and pods. We wanted a rated game but not an abundance of tech at the outset...but I have read that, for rated games, these things are set.

There has been no discusion, save suggestions I have made, about these settings

water coverage
cloud density
pod scattering
visibility of world map
start first
random events etc

My preference are

High density cloud cover
low erosion
pod scattering
world map not visible
start first
random events


Perhaps we should put some Time limit on resolving these things


DA