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

[EtheMind]

I'd be interested to set up PBEM game with 7 players. The game won't be ranked and it's meant for low to medium skill level players. So if you have nothing better to do(seems very unlikely to me ) file in your request to join.


Suggested settings for the game are as follows...

Huge Map of the World(or random/custom made map sized approximately 64x128)
if not Map of the World
50-70% ocean coverage
average erosion
dense cloud cover
abundant native life
Standard Rules
Original factions
or by request mix of AC&Crossfire human factions


Turn per day is considered as preferred participation frequency, it has to be enough because of different time zones, range and quantity of players in the game.

If someone on this forum has yet to grow up(haven't seen them myself, thanks God) I'd like to mention that cheating is not allowed. Any average player can judge what is cheating and what is not...yes, supporting units from allied bases is. SMACX is a complex game and leaves a lot of room for tampering for those with weak self confidence.

Factions are shared on the basis of "first come, first serve". In case Crossfire human factions are included some discussion from preserving game balance is needed.

[SITS]

I would be interested in playing the Pirates. I consider myself an average player who is currently going through the learning curve playing a handful of MP games.

[ouch!]

yea gimme.
I'm a newbie and I don't cheat so I qualify.

I don't know who I want to play as, maybe the Peacekeepers if its only the originals, otherwise the drones (I don't think the drones are any better than the originals anyhow).

[EtheMind]

You're fast!

Anyway, thanks for booking in. You'll have your factions of choice. We can consider about those Drones, don't think their off balance, so I guess they'll do.

And, I'll book University of Planet. Forgot that...huh

[Tubok]

count me in.

sounds great to me. :P I'd like to play the Gaians. Maybe now I can find a life...... if it's located on Planet.

[vomitus]

count me in

I'll play the hive. I think the SMAX factions should be allowed with the exception of the aliens. They are by far the most powerful factions. I don't think SMAX was designed very well (the tectonic payload, for example, is plain old stupid). A lot of the factions there are too powerful (cyborgs and pirates for example) but I think they should be allowed anyway.

A rule change that I'd like is: No unity pod scattering.

[EtheMind]

Current players

1. EtheMind as University
2. SITS as Pirates(?)
3. ouch! as Drones(/PK)(?)
4. Tubok as Gaians
5. vomitus as Hive
6.
7.

I'm not sure of the Crossfire factions. I'd be interested to hear general point of view. It's a fact that some Crossfire factions have some advantages that tend to be unfair, especially vs original factions. Pirates aren't as unfair in MP game though, not sure about are they all that unfair at all. But please choose yourself an alternative original faction.

A rule change that I'd like is: No unity pod scattering.

Not really against it. Interested to know why? It does darken the game quite a bit for artifact hunters and explorers.


I think we're going to get that 7 players in no time since I've emailed one of my friends about this game and think he will join up.

About other rules: I'd go for no-early communication

[Qantaga]

Hello everyone.

I would like to sign-up.

I will take the Cyborgs or the Angels, depending on who EtheMind's friend takes first.

I rather like pod scattering, although I have a higher than average tendency to pop worms or fungal blooms.

[EtheMind]

I just got a confirmation and we now have the full 7 players for the game. Our new participant will sign on into Apolyton forums shortly and join the discussion.

I'd like to raise a question about Cyborgs/Pirates. Both of these factions has some serious advantages that other factions may have problem to cope with.

My original intention was to play SMAC factions only, but since many people prefer SMACX factions, we let some of them in. And I don't think anyone could be forced to play Believers anyway ...poor Miriam

Please have some vote about the game settings and factions. I've been known to consider Democratic opinions...by time to time

1-2 days and we're all off preparing our landing pods...

[Qantaga]

Ah, EtheMind. I should have read your original post a little more closely. I started seeing players requesting SMACX factions and went that way thinking it was to be a SMACX flavored game.

I will be happy to take any of the original factions. So, once you get the feedback you need from everyone, just assign me whichever original faction is left over. The Believers would be my last choice if more than one original faction is left to choose from, but I will play Miriam if necessary.

I am happy with your original game settings. I like Huge maps best. As mentioned earlier, I would also like to keep the scattered pods. However, I am more than willing to go with the majority on any settings.

[SITS]

The reason I had chosen the Pirates is because I've never played them before and I wanted to try them out. I willing to swap it but I do not want to be Miriam!

I prefer pod scattering and the rest of the options are fine by me.

[Tubok]

Unity Scattering

I agree that the pods should be scattered. Why? well imagine a space ship brekaing up... is there really time to "plan" out where the pods will fall? or is it more likely that the "debri" will be "scattered"? With the scattered pods...the game would seem more realistic...adding a touch of the "unknown" to the game. The game wouldn't be as fun if we all knew exactly what to expect. My vote..... have the supply pods scattered.

[vomitus]

about pods and SMAX factions

The SMAX factions are fine in my opinion. All of them are quite powerful with the exception of perhaps the drones and cultists. The aliens are ridiculously overpowered and I don't think they should be allowed. The pirates are extraordinarily powerful for a single player game because it's easy to isolate your cities from enemies and build up. The pirates have huge advantages simply because of their starting location. They also have a huge number of squares they can use to build cities. The conciousness are also incredibly powerful. I'm judging this by their starting bonuses which are high as well as the fact that they gain a tech by conquering a city. Even though I think the two aforementioned factions are more powerful than other factions, I still think they should be allowed.

The reason I don't want unity pod scattering is because it gives the pirates a colossal advantage. The pirates can get more unity pods than any other faction in a short period of time. That's my main objection to them.

[ouch!]

I prefer no pod scattering because its annoying to be wiped out after ten turns by a battle ogre or a bunch of unity rovers.

I'm not against any human factions being in the game. Some have an advantage but its not huge IMO.

I think we need some kind of timezone related turn order. If the order is the same as in the list it won't be good because I have around a 12 hr difference with tubok.
I'm at GMT +10 but I'm around alot of the day as I only go to university if I feel like it (about 20% of the time).

[EtheMind]

For the sake of game balance I'll rule Pirates, Consciousness and Progenitors off. The majority prefers scattered pods and since Pirates won't appear in the game, the unwanted effects of scattered pods are less apparent.

No one took any motion for comm policy. But I'd prefer no communication until a real contact. Because of realism and balance for isolated militarists who can't trade as efficiently...I can't believe I'm defending them ...remember this when you contact UoP

1. EtheMind as University
2. SITS as (choose a new one)
3. ouch! as Drones
4. Tubok as Gaians
5. vomitus as Hive
6. Qantage as Angels
7. (should be here shortly)

I think we need some kind of timezone related turn order.

Not a bad idea. I thought of it myself, but I just presumed you were all from USA, except me that is. As a sidenote, I know there're timezones inside US. But it makes less difference of course. I guess we'll see the use of timezone related turns when we find out your timezones...

Mine is +2 GMT

Your timezone please?