What makes a game go to the end?

[markusf]

With 4 or less players i have had the most luck with.

MDL settings
1 all open spots filled with AI
2. No alliences
3. tech trading and bribing allowed.
4. island maps

More then 4 players
1.no alliences, stealing or bribing.
2. trading of techs
3. little war at the start.
4. island maps

[carnide_]

1x1x
islands
dedicated players

[SmartFart]

Conquering the world or reaching Alpha-Centauri

[finbar]

Doesn't matter what the settings are if you don't have dedicated players.

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finbar
Mono Rules!
#33984591

[hydey]

comunication: people able to tell each other when they are or aren't available and then turning up when they say they can

[finbar]

Go get 'em, Hydey. Damn shame that Diplo game has foundered due to foreign ignorance and rudeness.

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finbar
Mono Rules!
#33984591

[Rasputin00]

A lack of a real life helps get games finished

[rah]

I think the most important thing (not including playing with Diehards) is that the game remain interesting. If the game is pretty even and everyone has hope, they're more likely to play again. If one person falls too far behind, (like an ICSer that gets found early or is ravaged by barbs) has a tendancy not to want to continue or just drops out of the game and is never heard from again. Or if one player gets out to a huge lead, the others may not want to continue.

Most of the games that I'm doing well in aren't continued and I end up continuing games where I had a bad start. But since I'd rather continue games, you do what you have to.

So if you really want to continue games, try to keep the game even.

RAH

[DaveV]

RAH - actually, it seems like you're saying, "if you really want to continue games, fall behind early".

[CapTVK]

Dedication is the magic work. Getting some enjoyment out of it is also worth something, even when the odds are against you. Subs don't seem to like it if they have a weak civ so they don't stick with it.

In last year's diplogame (II) I was invited to join in as the English which was down to no.6 at the time? Realizing that I would never be able to match the big guys I chose the path of co-operation which worked out pretty well in the end.

[rah]

Unfortunately, that is the best way.

Or take a chance and play with newbies that are so excited to play, they don't care if they get their butts kicked.

RAH
Adopt a newbie today.

[markusf]

over 90% of my games that went past industrialization where MDL games....

last night i started a new game with bezerker Smartfart and arii, we will continue it on thursday and i am sure we will get to at least inudstrialization. Even though arii has a commanding lead on diety, (having mikes and HG) he will not dominate the game as i have the oracle, which is just as powerfull. Point is in MDL nothing is certain, and if you are winning at the start that doesn't mean you will win in the end, makes it interesting.

[rah]

100% of the games that I've been in past Industrialization weren't MDL games.

Sorry, couldn't pass up that line

The group you've just listed is also known for continuing games. Good Luck and have fun.

RAH

[Smash]

The MDL Oracle tweak is good and an obvious change to me.At least it is being built with the change.But I don't see how the other changes help.I don't see a huge finishing percentage at home site either.

Dedicated and/or no life types.

Hopefully fairly close in skill/experience/ability/whatever.

LARGE maps with seperate continents/big islands.Each player gets a decent sized mass to start with possibly 1 large unsettled,unclaimed landmass roughly in the middle.Kinda of a giant "King of the Castle" map.

I not very qualified here.Unfortunately,the sheer length of a long game may be the root problem.I've invested over 50 hours to individual games.That is hard to schedule 3-6 hours at a time.With people in different time zones,different lives etc.

[Rayne]

I have a suggestion...
Couldn't we edit the rules.txt and take out alot of the things that arent really used in MP..i mean like skips some techs esentially making the game progress faster. I'm not saying my idea is a good one but maybe something could be done so a game could be played in 3-5 hours.