CivIII at 'poly

[Solomwi]

Cool, will do, FP. Thanks!

[FrustratedPoet]

There's always the Single-Player DemoGame you could join too. They're always eager for new members since most people get drawn away to the MP games. They're playing a really challenging game on Deity with (I think) the max number of Civs on a huge map. The start was very challenging, but they've done amazingly well. Just lurking in the forum and chatroom would be a good learning experience IMHO.

[badams52]

Lot's of good ideas and giving accurate accounts of AU in this thread, so I figure I'll pitch in my own comments and experiences with AU.

I first came to AU because I frequented the strategy forums on the various sites to learn how to beat this game since Prima's Official(ly bad) Strategy Guide had little in strategy. So when I started looking for scenarios, GOTM, etc, I already knew of the AU games being played. I chose AU because I could choose what level to play and sometimes which civilization. And as I played and reported, found that the AU games were very fun to be a part of. Also, once people began posting images to the AARs and DARs, the marketability, ease and enjoyability shot through the roof. Still love to see when people lay out their battle plans and I still read the AARs because I find them enjoyable and I need to vicariously play somewhere.

While the elitism moniker has been attached to AU members and with the PTWDGII fiasco not helping (just because I don't play doesn't mean I don't enjoy the read every now and again), I know that the spirit is not about elitism, though it may come across to others that way. I wonder if the level of play the regulars of AU use and their AARs have something to do with the overall feeling of elitism. Though I know from experience that all levels are welcome, watching others play and report on Monarch, Emperor and sometimes Diety levels while coasting to an easy victory can be very intimidating. I don't have a solution to the elitism appearance, but maybe we can find ways to make the games more inviting to new players.

I agree that AU doesn't have much visibility on the Apolyton site. You go to CFC and BAM GOTM is in the News events on the homepage where new games are announced and it has it's own link under the Civ III section. AU by comparison is accessible either under the downloads or findable (though difficult) from the Forum-Strategy link from the Civ III main page. And who would ever think to go to the strategy forum to find awesome scenarios! And while it's quite easy to find it from the downloads link and there is a lovely description provided by Markos (the only folder with one) it's still missing the true feel of AU. If we could get every new AU course listed as a CIV III news item, I think we could increase our visibility. And as suggested before, if we could get our own homepage and link to it from the CIV III mainpage, that would also increase visibility.

In terms of getting the above done, it requires someone who is willing to put in the time and make the suggestion(s) to DanS. [/begin AU directory plug] I myself made a simple suggestion to MarkG about getting the AU stuff in the directory and that's how I came to be the editor of the AU direcory. If you look at the AU directory, you will notice that each file says "by badams52." It would be nice to get the actual creater of the scenario to be in that box, and all it would require would be for the creator to go to the AU scenarios directory and click the "Add link" button, fill out the form (use the FAQ if you don't know how) and click "add link." Then I'd take a look at it, make corrections if necessary, and make it available in the directory. While it is quite easy to do, it's also an added layer of work which everyone who's going to make scenarios needs to be aware of.

Speaking of making some extra steps to formalize AU more, one little thing I think that could increase the appeal of AU games right now would be to include an image of the start position with all future games. In the past, Dominae included it in his AU game threads and he also did us a great service and went back to some of the older game threads and created images of those start positions (which are an excellent example of what improves the appeal, hint hint). We still need more images if someone want's to create them. I would love to create them myself but have not he necessary software (Civ III ). [/end AU directory plug]

On popularity of AU games, if we go by the number of replies to the spoiler threads, the general trend is upwards. I don't have time for a detailed analysis, but the #1 AU spoiler thread in terms of replies is 207 (371 replies) with 208 (329 replies) right behind it followed by 302 (275), 203 (272), 206 (225), 202 (186), 402 (186 and counting), 107 (164), 204 (156), 102 (121), 106 (102), 105 (95), 101 (91), 201 (75), 202 (72), 401 (69), 103 (62), 104 (48), 205 (32). With the exception of 401 (MZO) and 205 (repeat of 105 in PtW), in general the later AU games garnered more replies. Which tells me that AU is getting more popular, and it would be nice to make it more formalized, but part of the appeal of AU seems to be the casualness of it.

I've rambled on long enough for now...

[alva]

Dominae indeed, it's not the food that is important, it's the people who make the evening enjoyable.

[vmxa1]

badams52 your fine work on the AU history thread is what made it easy for me to go back and play most of the 2xx games, 302 and 401.
Because before that I would have to change to get last 100 days or more to have the thread and then search for it.
Now they are all linked and you can download the games and read reports, what ever you want.
Before I would look for games to download that were under way and wanted advice. I was just unwilling to start a game from scratch for myself. Those games and AU gave me the incentive to play.
Of course AU208 and AU402 are doing their best to make me cry.

[Tassadar500]

Guys we cant just say we need to do. And I am prepared to start doing.

[BigDork]

Yeah. I'll do what I can too.

And I second Theseus' idea as badams for AU Chancellor.

BigD

[FrustratedPoet]

Originally posted by badams52
the PTWDGII fiasco

What do you mean? I'm not aware of any particular fiasco in this game.

In terms of getting the above done, it requires someone who is willing to put in the time and make the suggestion(s) to DanS.

DanQ is the dude you'd need to talk to - DanS is another poster altogether.

[badams52]

Originally posted by FrustratedPoet
What do you mean? I'm not aware of any particular fiasco in this game.

Actually it wasn't in the game itself, but the suggestion of keeping the teams the same as the PTWDG that I'm referring to.

DanQ is the dude you'd need to talk to - DanS is another poster altogether.

whoops! Thanks for the correction.

[badams52]

Well this is the second time I've been mentioned for AU chancellor, and I don't even do anything around here anymore. I come around once in a while, say something relevant but pointless in the current AU game thead, request to get more images for the DIR , check to see if there's any other exciting Civ III developments, and then leave. I guess I am fit for management.

Actually, I would like to take a greater roll, but am unable to at this moment.

NM: I like your spirit, but maybe we should decide concretely what needs to be done before setting the plan in motion.

And we should hear from those who don't know about AU games what would it take to get you guys involved. But I suppose those not interested in AU games already tuned out this thread long ago.

[Tassadar500]

What if we garuntee you will move up a Civ level for the new members?

[alva]

So, what are we going to do?

[Tassadar500]

I think we should make a poll in the Strategy forum about who would play the game. Then choose what idea to do.

[Dominae]

Originally posted by Nuclear Master
What if we garuntee you will move up a Civ level for the new members?

"For every two AU scenarios they actively participate in, dedicated students will raise their average difficulty level one notch (no guarantees about Emperor-Diety...)".



It just might work...


Dominae

[Tassadar500]

I know
*claps*