World War 4 Turn Tracker!

[Zulu_Mzulu]

UN News Bulletin - For Immedate Release
Date: June 15th 2161

After months of negotiations talks finaly broke up between the remaining factions on Earth.

There was considerable disagreement on how to run
Earth as well as how to deal with the alien invaders and
plagues of boils and mutant creatures that now inhabit our beautiful planet.

While Phobos shouted about the need to control and burrow, EZRhino wanted to do away with the aliens altogether and go back to his roots, Chett didn't look up from his laptop, Zulu kept shouting 'Shiver me timbers' and Footpad picked everybodies pockets.

It was in this atmosphere of chaos that World War 4 was declared.

All faction leaders immediately returned to their factions to find that, in their absence their assistants had been continuing to develop the faction.

It is expected that over the coming months, pacts and truces will be made and broken, and fortunes will rise and fall.

One thing we do know however is that we don't know much.

WW4_Hive_2161 sent to Phobos.

[Zulu_Mzulu]

Circle is:

Pirates - Zulu - jem@bluemoon.ftech.co.uk
Hive - Phobos - syrad_alien@hotmail.com
Angels - Chett - tba
Drones - Footpad - tba
Gaia - EZRhino - tba

Both alien factions played by AI.

Please send password when set to Flubber
who is at sharris4141@yahoo.com

Good luck!

[Flubber]

I have the passwords for phobos and zulu and await the rest-- I'll check this thread from time to time but just email me if someone disappears.

[Phobos]

Chett I need your email to send you the turn.
This game feels a bit disorganized. Everyone post your emails. And Zulu, could you please post the exact rules on this thread.

[Zulu_Mzulu]

No problem.

For the moment the rules are as at http://www.planetacol.com/rules.html with settings b1c, b2a, b3a, b4a.

If you or someone can post the Apolyton tourney rules we can check for any discrepancies between the two.
There shouldn't be though.

The circle is as below in the order stated.

There's no CMN but can everyone post their email addresses and when they've set them up mail their passwords to Flubber on sharris4141@yahoo.com

Please post if you need anything else. or any other information.

Thanks,

Zulu

[Flubber]

Just for interest and comparison purposes, here are the apolyton rules . . .



PBEM specific rules/restrictions on exploiting bugs (latest changes in italics):
Multiple reloading of the game to try for different effects is forbidden. If a reload is necessary because of a game crash etc., an explanation should be posted to the turn administration thread.

Multiple drops or orbital insertions using the right-click menu is forbidden. So is airdropping from outside a base/airbase, or after having moved (except on a magtube) using the same method. Using the 'i' key when you want an airdrop means you will automatically comply with these restrictions.

Inserting Stockpile Energy into the build queue after a military unit is forbidden.

If a player employs a tactic that causes a state of vendetta, they are not allowed to "accept" a pending diplomatic agreement with that faction in the same turn, causing a change in diplomatic status or the transfer of energy or knowledge.

If an aggressive probe action (anything except infiltration) is used on a faction you have a truce, treaty or pact with, you must select 'Declare Vendetta' in the dialog box that appears afterwards, and notify the victim of your transgression, unless you have received permission in advance. No notification is required in other cases.

Upgrading units with the design workshop is allowed at end of turn only. However, supply crawlers upgraded in this fashion can still be used to advance Secret Projects in the same turn.

Communications only allowed between factions that have obtained each others' commlink frequencies in-game.

Social engineering choice limited to one switch per line per turn. (no flip-flop within turn!)

Psi units cannot be assigned multiple point patrol routes (avoid instant demon boil bug!)

Whenever the planetary council is called, the caller (or the first player to vote if the AI calls it) should post a notification to the thread, including vote totals (if applicable) and who has already voted for what. The other players should post how they vote.

Each game is initiated by a CMN who is not participating in that particular game. The CMN assigns a unique password to each player, emails it to them and sends out the first turn to the first player. If a player is away/offline/unable to play for over 48 hours, he/she must notify the CMN and the other players of the game about this and request the game to be postponed for a fixed time period. Otherwise, if a player does not respond to the game turn within 48 hours (without prior notification and postponing of the game), then the CMN will enter the game in place of the player, and at the option of the other players, either obliterate all bases and disband all units or turn the faction over to the AI. Alternatively, a replacement player may be found. If more players drop out similarly, then the last player is automatically declared to be the winner of the game.

No base trading with the AI. Extortion is allowed.

[Flubber]

I just read the ACOL rules ( settings chosen) and the only differences are

1. Poly standard does not allow the option to upgrade and attack in the same turn so players should be aware of the tactical possibilities of the ACOL rule chosen. . . I know the first time I played with unlimited upgrades it really changes my military strategies.

2. The ACOL rule limits SE switches to once every 5 years. I can't say I have ever seen this rule before as the Poly standard is to forbid flipping SE choices within a turn to get the benefit of the setting without paying the switch cost.

The ACOL rules or the POLY rules seem equally fine. its just a matter of awareness.

[Zulu_Mzulu]

*Update*

Flubber, once again many thanks. As you sensibly recommend a comprehensive set of rules is required.

So having looked at both the Forum Wars set or rules and the SCOL set and for the sake of absolute clarity, the rules of WW4 are as follows:
-------------------------------------------

Rules for World War 4

Communications between factions not allowed until you meet in the game. Restriction lifted after first counsel called.

Total freedom in Design Workshop (upgrades anytime, during turn or on-field.)

No base trading with the AI at any time.

Retro-engineering - OK, except for using the probe rover chassis before discovering Doc. Mobility

Social Engineering switches "quickies" forbidden - (obviously you can experiment to see what effect various SE choices have, but cannot change, play moves, then change back in the same turn). Social engineering choice limited to one switch per line every 5 yrs.

Council notification - immediate broadcast to all players (Post in the thread and e-mail in advance to all by player who anticipates calling the elections, citing candidates and votes. After each player's turn, post in the thread the running totals)

Stockpiling in Qs anytime - OK

Crawlers Upgrade anytime - OK

Probe actions: Must choose vendetta option when probing other players, rebuke if a pactmate (OK to probe teammate at any time)

Using the AI - Cannot use the AI to bribe on council votes nor to demand withdrawal of units

Cannot use the right click feature for multiple drop moves to extend range (ie limited to 8 tiles unless owning the Space Elevator SP)

Cannot use the 'set waypoint' feature for automatic worm hunting/lifecycle enhancements

Must 'Accept' or 'Decline' an offered Pact or Treaty that the other player has indicated 'Accepted' before exiting the diplomatic box and playing the turn (i.e. no accepting pending treaties/pacts *after* declaring vendetta in the same turn )

Cannot use the F4 feature (or the bases feature of the F2 screen) to change an infiltrated faction's workers to specialists

No multiple reloading the game to try for different effects.

No taking advantage of the Scenario Editor bug.

No carry terraforming trick ie crediting up your formers and moving them to a new location to get instant improvements.

No setting a unit's home base to a pactbrother's base is not allowed.

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

Hope that clears up any grey areas. If there are any please post and I'm sure a quick decision can be made between us, as it's early days so to speak.

Zulu

[Zulu_Mzulu]

Of course that should read:

Setting a pactbrother's...is not allowed.



Zulu

[Zulu_Mzulu]

Another point, the 48 hour rule is not practical.

Let's just keep it fluid ie keep it moving and if you're going to be away please post.

It's Summer we're all going to have holidays, and breaks or whatever (aren't we?).

Also, similarly to Chett, sometimes I can make multi moves a day, sometimes less so as RL sometimes
keeps me busy.

It's a fine balance between keeping the game flowing and stalling but I'm sure we all know what that balance is.

Zulu

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Zulu_Mzulu
Another point, the 48 hour rule is not practical.

Let's just keep it fluid ie keep it moving and if you're going to be away please post.

It's Summer we're all going to have holidays, and breaks or whatever (aren't we?).

Also, similarly to Chett, sometimes I can make multi moves a day, sometimes less so as RL sometimes
keeps me busy.

It's a fine balance between keeping the game flowing and stalling but I'm sure we all know what that balance is.

Zulu

yup

Even in the 'poly tournament games that 48 hour rule never seems to be closely followed. I know in all my games there just seems to be a practice of letting people know when you will be away or unavailable for more than a day so people aren't wondering.

As for several turns a day . . . with 5 humans involved I would say the turn will get around once a day at best

[EZRhino]

Howdee, Phobos my e-mail is dog241@hotmail.com, Ill e-mail you my password.

[EZRhino]

erm... Ill email flubber my password.

[Footpad]

Phew trying to digest rules! E-Mail is: lucasm@bsci.com

Password on its way to Flubber..............

[Footpad]

Will endeavour to get turns sent promptly. Sometimes RL gives me a headache and I will not be able to send for a couple of days but I will post here to let you all know..... ummm if I can post here then I can do the turn. So basically i will do my best!