Head-to-Head SMAC/X PBEM Tourney

[Hercules]

Darsnan: I notice you are setting up the game for the Multiplayer Kerianseray (who seems to have disappeared) but I have no experience in setting up a game and certainly not tournament game.
So I would be obliged if you would do the honours but do the other one first, there's no hurry.

I thought about joining the other game but when they got four signed up I didn't volunteer. Now that Kerianseray has not responded, should I jump in. Are you already building a 3 player, in which case never mind.

[Darsnan]

Heah Herc,
if you want to jump in that other game where Kerianseray has disappeared, I'd say go ahead and post, and if the others accept, your in. Just when you post, give your SMAC Faction preference so that if the others accept I can immediately start setting up the game. I haven't started setting up anything as I haven't gotten answers from all the players yet (no sense in starting in one direction, only to have to backtrack later), so no prob there. I will also start setting up our game now. You should have it later this evening. FYI.

D

[Hercules]

OK have posted in the other thread.
Re this H2H, should we send passwords to Smhfan86 or apply the rule about default. I don't envisage not being around by the way, but it's a back-up facility.
As a name for this game for email purposes how about capers or hoodlums

[smhfan86]

no need to send me any passwords(just make them up and write them down).

this is an h2h tourney, so no one will be taking over for dissapeared persons.

if the person dissapears for a long enough time, then it will count as a loss.

refusing to play without a good explanation counts as -2 points.

forgeting ur password counts as a loss, so write it down on paper.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Hercules
As a name for this game for email purposes how about capers or hoodlums

Capers? Hoodlums? What are you trying to say about the ethics of Provost Darsnan?
Anyways, I sent you the turn last nite: did you get it?

D

[Archaic]

I concede my match with SMH to him. A poor starting position did me in. Them's the breaks I suppose.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Archaic
I concede my match with SMH to him. A poor starting position did me in. Them's the breaks I suppose.

I suspect that that may be the case among most of us. Against smh I had a 1-1 record and the difference in the two games was that in each, one of us got a markedly better starting position .

With similarly skilled players, the start can decide the game. I'd ALMOST prefer that we find a common, fair map to play on but that can take away a lot of the fun of exploring.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Flubber

With similarly skilled players, the start can decide the game. I'd ALMOST prefer that we find a common, fair map to play on but that can take away a lot of the fun of exploring.

Heah Flubber,

In the CGN H2H series, each game is set up by a CMN, thus ensuring an even start for both participants. FYI.


D

[smhfan86]

A common map would eliminate an explorers advantage, and give it to a non explorer. i.e. the UofP would be even stronger over someone like the Hive, and the UofP's already strong enough.

Even if a CMN made a map, the opinion of fair is very difficult to define, because of the different play styles of players for the same factions.

i.e. how far is too far to place a Hive/Drone player from a UofP player? etc, etc.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by smhfan86
Even if a CMN made a map, the opinion of fair is very difficult to define, because of the different play styles of players for the same factions.

Heah smh,
very good, thoughtful reply: in the CGN H2H series, you can protest your starting position and give reasons why you think your position is unfair, and it is then reviewed by a "Board" of senior players who then determines whether, in each of their own opinions, if the Starting Position in question is fair or not. FYI.


D

[Flubber]

Originally posted by smhfan86
A common map would eliminate an explorers advantage, and give it to a non explorer. i.e. the UofP would be even stronger over someone like the Hive, and the UofP's already strong enough.

Even if a CMN made a map, the opinion of fair is very difficult to define, because of the different play styles of players for the same factions.

i.e. how far is too far to place a Hive/Drone player from a UofP player? etc, etc.

smh

All true-- but a computer generated start can be grossly bad while a CMN can at least ensure similar terrain. In my drone game with you I was almost certain that I would lose right from the start. IIRC I had ZERO rainy squares in sight and had about a 20 tile island.I believe you were similarly " blessed" in the previous game. If the base terrain provides double or triple the resources, you are pretty shafted ( maybe one of the super-elite players could turn it around against an reasonably experienced player)

I actually don't mind the relative placements that much. If I am the UoP and I know an enemy is close, I can get to non lin and HEC as quick as anyone else and be a very tough nut to crack. I know people see the UoP as a builder but I don't see them as a pushover to a momentum rush

[Archaic]

Of course, if by the time you find the enemy is close they've already gone on that beeline and you still don't even have Mobile or Applied, as with what happened with me against SMH, you're pretty screwed.

I think I have to agree with Darsnan. A CMN created map is going to be fairer than a computer generated map regardless, though how fair exactly will of course depend on the factions and individual strategies.

[Curiosity]

Hi, I've just rediscovered how addictive this game is. If anyone wants to play SMAC then I'm hungry for a game or a few.

I'll play University or Gaians.

Re the starting point issue... How about if players generate three games, play them simultaneously, and each player may reject one of them after 5-10 turns?
You play the remaining game or games out to the end.
You won't end up with balanced positions, but it should prune out the *oh-my-god* starts.

Still, the most fun I've ever had in SMAC was turning one of those around in PBEM. Planetbusters, the great leveller...

[Darsnan]

Hey Curiosity,
Yeah, SMAC(X) is addictive, and playing against other humans adds huge new dimensions to the game! Here is another spot for H2H Games, and there are always new games forming at this website, as well. FYI.

D

[smhfan86]

Static players with static build and tech strats are hurt more in computer generated games. Dynamic players will not assume they can build to their hearts content without any AI or humans nearby, or that they their human counterpart is close enough for an early rush.

I was too static in my game as UofP with Flubber, and thought I could build up, however, if I had explored earlier, I could've found him early and beelined to non-lin.

So part of it was the map, but a lot of it was my mistake.

It's easy to blame the map or the placement of players when you play a static game.