Apolyton University

[Harovan]

My vote would go towards the English, even though they are expansionists. And since it would be my first (and probably last) adventure with them, Monarch would suffice. The English are truly close to Mapmaking, as they start with both Alphabet and Pottery, so only 2 techs to go to galleys, the Lighthouse etc... Ought to be fun for navy lovers.

[Theseus]

Still a little hazy on who to pick for the 5th AI civ...

While that discussion continues, how about we liven things up a little bit?

Sooo, what have been the historical reasons for naval power:

* Exploration
* Forward projection of military might
* Protection from same
* Establishment / protection of colonies
* Protection of commerce

It seems to me that we would all engage in these activities as a matter of course.

HOWEVER, what if added some goals / constraints?

For instance:

* Exploration race
* Total naval aggression, i.e., you see an AI ship, you must kill it
* Colonial aggression, i.e., you see an AI colony, you must capture or destroy it
* Blockade, i.e., you must blockade at least 1 AI civ

Ideas?

[Harovan]

I'm with Arrian, thumbs up for the Yanks.

[Catt]

I wouldn't put such tight restrictions on player choices regarding the timing of attacking - i.e, must destroy all AI ships and colonies - that can play havoc with diplomacy / trading and can simply turn the game into continuous warfare.

Catt

[Arrian]

Theseus,

The Americans do really well on these type of maps, trust me. They were my toughest opposition in that French game I just finished. I had a knock-down, drag out war (Knights/Musketeers and eventually Cavalry) with them, and was able to capture 2 cities and raze 2 more. I made no attempt to go after their core.

The "you must kill any AI ship or colony" does translate into continuous war, like Catt said, so I vote no on that.

I have an idea to "spice up" the game somewhat. I say we do something like what was done for AU102: take a random generated map, and tweak it. Have an isolated, unpopulated landmass with a luxury monopoly on it. Finders keepers, losers weepers

-Arrian

[Theseus]

Americans it is.

Great idea on the isolated landmass.

Any volunteers to create the map? It seems like the AU mod is just about done for now.

[alexman]

I'll make the map, if nobody else wants to.
But if somebody has even a small interest in doing it, I would be glad to play without knowing what's in store for us.

[Arrian]

I'd make the map too nice Given the power of creation, I wouldn't be able to restrain myself, particularly knowing we're stuck playing such a terrible civ. Plus, the map creator can't really play normally - knowledge of the map is a big deal.

-Arrian

[Theseus]

Is there any way we can draw straws?

[Harovan]

What exact map settings do we want? Theseus, can you post precise instructions? I could try to find somebody, who creates a map for us, if it is just a random archipelago map with minor tweaks.

[alexman]

Would that "somebody" know what to tweak to make the game more exciting?

[Harovan]

That is why I asked for precise instructions .

[alexman]

But if we post precise instructions here, it won't be a surprise any more!

[Theseus]

SR, I got no clue!!!

Maybe there's someone in Files who likes to create, but not play? Or just doesn't care about knowing the map?

alexman, you hang out some over there, right?

If not, can someone give SR intrustructions?

Thx

[Harovan]

Well, if the only instruction is to have an archipelago map with enough islands, far enough from each other, I would have somebody here who would do it. If it needs "improved strategical knowledge", not.