New PBEM game in proposal, 7 players, newbies to average skill

[Qantaga]

My time zone is Eastern US, GMT -5.

I would also prefer no use of commlinks until obtained through legitimate in-game methods.

[SITS]

My timezone is GMT (not everyone is American!) but I tend to play my turns in the afternoon or very early in the morning as I work nights...

Bit disappointed about the Pirtates as I wanted to experiment with them. I'm playing a team game where my team-mate is the Pirates and I wanted to get some insight in how to play them.

I would like to be Uni if the pirates are unacceptable

I agree, no contact until we meet.

[EtheMind]

Something has came up. So, at this point we have seventh place available in our game. I'm going to go and recruit someone to fill that place. It will not be a problem.

Factions available include: Cult, Spartans, Believers and Peacekeepers

Choice is your's SITS.

And about the timezone related turn order. It's a good idea in theory. But figuring out that some people prefer to go netting afternoon some at the middle of the night. So we should have a great deal of information from our players in order to track their habits of playing SMAC This is a little bit too much challenge before Pre-Sentient Algorithms

[SITS]

Sorry didn't notice your Uni choice.

I'll chose the Sparts.

Maybe if people post their times then we can work something out.

[Tubok]

time zone turn order

Mine is EST (US), which is also -5 GMT.... I think. Question... I thought the turns are already pre-determined by the game, therefore...how can we change it for time zones? Besides...how will that make a difference in the way we take our turns? I'll still be taking my turns sometime in the evening after I get off work...unless it's my day off. Then I could take my turns anytime...and maybe more than once. This is the first time I've ever played a game like this. Just curious....


besides... as far as setting "times" that we take our turns.... some people may not always be able to take their times at the same time each day. And if they miss their 'appointed" time for their turn...that'd throw off everybody's schedule. Isn't this why we're playing PBEM an not a live game?

[Qantaga]

Tubok, the idea is to set an optimum turn order by maximizing the flow according to time zones. It is still PBEM and you are not locked into any time to play, it just cuts down the length of the game over the long run. Although every game takes on its own life, so it is worth thinking about turn order, but not worth losing any sleep over. You just want to make sure you aren't sending the turn from Finland to US then back to England and back over to US. In SMACX, you can set turn order any way you want.

I can play turns from about 4 pm until after midnight on weekdays (2100 - 0600 GMT). I can play turns all day on weekends and even can play during the day on some weekdays.

[EtheMind]

Now, if someone has a presentation about optimal turn oder. I'd love to hear it! But considering all the variables present in PBEM game timing. I find it hard to believe we can develop any kind of reliable system of turn orders. Maybe we can send the game from Finland, to UK, and then to USA to minimize the timezone differences but I think that's it.

Now, if everyone would try to play from 2 to 3 turns each day, if possible. Less if you're busy, more if you're on SMAC vacation I think we could get one year every 12 hours. More in some situations, less in some.

1. EtheMind as University
2. SITS as Spartans
3. ouch! as Drones
4. Tubok as Gaians
5. vomitus as Hive
6. Qantage as Angels
7. (empty for now)

I have taken actions to fill that last place. We'll get that 7th player, sooner than later, I hope.

[Tubok]

Game for anything

I'm game for anything that can make the turns go quicker. Or at least give it a try! Normally.... I may get home about 7pm EST and usually try to get to bed by/before 10pm EST, due to me getting up early for work. I check my email as soon as I get home, do whatever that evening, and can try to check email again before I go to bed. My days of (atm) are Sundays & Mondays, and providing nothing is going on, I can check my email multiple times and take my turn if something is waiting for me.

[ouch!]

There are too many variables to create a reliable turn system, and it shouldn't be worried about too much, but
my original point was just that I shouldn't be passing my turn to Tubok.
I know from experience that the times he is available (after work) is during the morning for me (whilst I am out). So by the time I send him a turn he is usually asleep.

Turn order proposition:
1. EtheMind
2. Ouch!
3. SITS
4. Qantaga
5. Tubok
6. Vomitus (I don't know what timezone, assumed USA)

If Vomitus is around before Qantaga (i.e. before 2100 GMT) then slot him in after SITS.

Its hard to get a correct turn order unless everyone gives their life story. The main thing is just making sure the American players are grouped together.

[EtheMind]

Nice to see you've thought it up for us ouch!. Now, it's good idea to time turns, at least, according to continent. Since we seem to have an aussie in our ranks, nice. We have just about every GTM zone present here.

I just hope I'll get responses to my queries about that 7th player. Won't be a problem though, I'll just hope we can get him/her as soon as possible.

While chewing this dilemma. Try your mind in other one too. The map we're going to play. I thought about Huge Map of the World or random map sized 64x128. Some opinions might alter my viewpoint...I've been known to note democratic opinions by time to time

[ouch!]

I vote for the map of the planet(whatever size), don't have a good reason though.

With either map I think the map should be visible ("no unit survey" set to off).
Obviously with a map of planet there is no point in hiding the map.
With a random map, even with the map blacked out, you can always tell where the land is by looking at the heights. Also it shows you the map in the support screen of the city window (a blacked out zoomed out version, but you can easily see the land masses).

[SITS]

Not sure I agree with being able to see the map. One of the things I enjoy the most is exploring the unknown. There are reasons to hide the map as we won't know the locations of the other factions - or are they hidden anyways? (I've not played with the map on.) Yes you can work out the land masses but not the details.

Another good map is DilithumDads ultimate builders map which I attach here.

[ouch!]

With the map visible you can tell if a square is land or sea and whether there is a river there. So the only difference is the knowledge of river locations. You can't tell what the rainfall/rockiness is or anyhting like that.
Its just a convenience to have it visible, as you can use the mini-map instead of having to scan the continent manually.

[Lord_Icewind]

Hi

I would really like to play as Lal. Last time i tried to set up a game it REALLY was a mess and i ended not playing. :banned: . Well, I hope this time i can make it. If the person who has Deidre can give her up, I would really aprecciate it.

[EtheMind]

Wait...you want to play as Lal? He's available. This game won't be a mess up so your going to get stuck with us for some time. Hope you can handle that

Shall we book Lal for you?