The tale of Banana Island

[Harovan]

Before I jump in the plane to Crete, to have a bit sunshine after all the water, I'd like to post a little challenge for you. I made a map with a little surprise in it. In AU103 all of you should have trained, how to use ships. This will help you in this game.

So while I am having vacation far from all computers and Civ games and relaxing at the beach of the island of my choice (well, at least this summer), some of you could try to figure out the secrets of the Banana island. I attached a ZIP file with 4 savegames. Regent, Monarch, Emperor and Deity (who feels 1337 enough for this ). They are all the same. I played the Emperor savegame till the Industrial age, just to check if there are crashes etc., but all seemed ok.

Settings: Standard, hand made map, 7 AI civs with nearly balanced traits, raging barbs, standard rules, all victory conditions on. You have a mini advantage. Find it out and use it.

Ah yes, I'll be back Sept 7. Good luck!

[Theseus]

Wet to wet!! (double entrendre!)

Have fun... will definitely find the secret!

[Catt]

I was going to try and jumpstart AU 104 until this - perhaps this challenge should be AU 104 (whatever the chalenge turns out to be!).

Sir Ralph - the floods sound terrible - I'm glad you're getting out on holiday (even if I am turning green with envy at the thought of 2 weeks holiday on Crete ).

Have fun!

Catt

[Theseus]

I had the same thought... AU104 as an unknown?

[Catt]

Why not? I like the idea of an AU course with different difficulty settings - assuming people play on different settings, my guess is that it allows a much more defined look at the challenges of moving from level to level.

Catt

[alexman]

Thanks Sir Ralph! Sounds like fun!

Although you better not be giving us too much of a challenge just because you're on vacation and we can't find you! I know people in Crete! You won't escape!

P.S. You return from vacation on the day of my wedding. I better complete this challenge before then, because I'm not sure what married life does to one's civ time!

[Harovan]

Thanks for kind wishes. I don't know if this is worth to be an AU game. It was designed more as a joke than as a challenge with strategical depth, but since you can't use the standard game approach (beat the crap out of the AI from 4000BC on), it could be a useful training.

What concerns AU games being played in different levels, that is probably a good idea, as it might attract more players. Although it needs a "teacher" for each lesson, who prepares the map and produces a couple of start saves in the different levels. He can't participate himself, of course, so this office should be cycling.

Alexman, wish you the best for your wedding! My wedding anniversary is Sept 11th .

[Catt]

I don't know if anyone else is playing it or not, but I'm having a lot of fun. Kudos to Sir Ralph for a very interesting map.

I won't post any spoilers until I'm done but I will offer up some advice: if you bounce back and forth between 2 difficulty levels, I would recommend trying the harder of the two (though be prepared to lose or have a tough time!) - I spend most of my time playing on Emperor, with the occasional Diety game and occasional Monarch game. Due to expected personal time constraints and my desire for a more relaxed game, I am playing the Monarch level game. I'm doing quite well, but it is not a typical game at all and is more demanding than most Monarch games (IMHO). Emperor would have been a serious challenge on this set-up!

Catt

[alexman]

You're right. I'm playing Emperor, and I'm having a hard time. I hope I find Sir Ralph's "mini-advantage" soon! (The damn AI is stealing all my Wonders) It's still fun though.

[Catt]

I totally forgot about an "alleged" mini-advantage -- I say "alleged" because I haven't found it yet (unless I did find it but it wasn't particularly advantageous for me ).

Alexman - I feel for you - I've got to believe that Emperor would be very tough on this map.

Catt

[Jawa Jocky]

Re: The tale of Banana Island

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
(who feels 1337 enough for this )

[Catt]

Originally posted by Catt
. . . . but I will offer up some advice: if you bounce back and forth between 2 difficulty levels, I would recommend trying the harder of the two (though be prepared to lose or have a tough time!) - I spend most of my time playing on Emperor, with the occasional Diety game and occasional Monarch game. Due to expected personal time constraints and my desire for a more relaxed game, I am playing the Monarch level game. I'm doing quite well, but it is not a typical game at all and is more demanding than most Monarch games (IMHO). Emperor would have been a serious challenge on this set-up!

I take back my own advice! The map is a great challenge - I'm not sure I would be in a winning position if I were playing on Emperor (I am in a winning position on Monarch, but only just so).

Be prepared for a tough challenge!

Catt

[alexman]

Looking forward to reading another of your highly entertaining AARs!

I have just entered the Industrial Age and will probably post part of my banana tale in the spoiler thread tonight.

[Catt]

Don't know if I'll have a good AAR - the game has been very enjoyable, but also kind of a "plodding" game. All my action has been in screenshots that are hard to capture (making 7 trades in one turn for instance). Having fun, though!

[Theseus]

Edited to remove spoilers. Please see the spoiler thread.