Jane PBEM

[Aqualung71]

to Vovan

So Dom, I think what you're saying is that my analysis is essentially correct. In that case, I can't really see any benefit from going the 50 turn route, particularly at the higher levels where taking 50 turns to research an early tech will put you way behind the AI quite quickly. In MP/PBEM, the tech rate is usually faster anyway due to human trading, so again a 50-turn strategy may not be very helpful.

Do any of you actually ever start out on a 50-turn research path and stick with it to the end?

[Dominae]

Originally posted by Aqualung71
So Dom, I think what you're saying is that my analysis is essentially correct.

Yes.

In that case, I can't really see any benefit from going the 50 turn route, particularly at the higher levels where taking 50 turns to research an early tech will put you way behind the AI quite quickly. In MP/PBEM, the tech rate is usually faster anyway due to human trading, so again a 50-turn strategy may not be very helpful.

Well, it was definitely a stronger tactic in Play the World where the upper limit was 40 turns. I still think it can play a role, however.

In PBEM games, toward the end of the Ancient era, players are often building up quite a few units. They're also less aggressive in expansion for fear of overcommitting. Finally, the tech pace is typically slower than in SP at Emperor+ because the AI has bonsues, unless of course a crazy 3-way tech coalition is formed.

All these factors mean that the total amount of Commerce a player can dedicate research is relatively the lowest at any point in the game.

If you find that it's going to take 35 turns to research The Republic the hard way, it's probably more efficient to just let it go the full 50 turns instead. Depending on the circumstances, you could potentially accomplish much more with that saved cash than you would accomplish with hitting The Republic first. Just compare the player who spends all his income to hit Republic first to the one who spends most of it on unit upgrades and hits it 15 turns later at a 50-turn pace.

Anyway, I'm not advocating that all techs should be researched at a 50-turn pace in PBEM games (or even a few). But I think it's a viable tactic if the opportunity arises.

[vovan]

--> ducki

[Dominae]

Sent to Beta.

[snoopy369]

On that topic, i really wish it would show you the beakers you accumulate. I realize the "upper/lower limit" means that it will sometimes look weird (to suddenly get a tech with only a few beakers filled, or to 'stall' several turns with a full box), but it would be helpful to know how much you're actually doing. I suppose you can do the math yourself, but that's just torturous ...

[Aqualung71]

Yes, thats something I've always wished for as well. But maybe it would take away too much of the mystique!

[snoopy369]

screw the mystique i say. I want my BEAKERS!

=p

[ducki]

Have we stalled?

[snoopy369]

Beta i think is away for the weekend?

[snoopy369]

yes, in absences and temps beta reports being away till sunday AM.

I'll be working sunday, so the turn will continue beyond me after 6pm Central time sunday...

[Beta]

Back. To snoopy.

[Dominae]

Just a warning: I might play my turns a bit slower than usual because I do not have internet access from home anymore. It should never be more than a day or two (maximum).

[snoopy369]

no prob
sent on to Aqua.

[Aqualung71]

to Vovan

[alexman]

Hello everyone, this is your weekly pink frog spam:

So is anyone interested in taking Krill's place in the Tarzan game? After just three turns, our game has stalled because he lost internet access.