Islands in the Stream - PBEM

[marcuspeddle]

I want to start a PBEM with the following conditions:

-Small map
-Many small islands
-Temperate climate
-3 billion years (I like mountains)
-4 human players, no AI
-Raging barbarians
-No culturally linked start
-Patch 1.14

It takes longer to find the other players on a watery map but the small map size will compensate for that a bit.

Player 1 - Anatolia - England
Player 2 - Hot_Enamel - Rome
Player 3 - Snotty - India
Player 4 - SirOsis - Greece

Game Closed

[marcuspeddle]

Just in case . . . .

[Hot_Enamel]

Put me down for the Romans.

hot_enamel at hotmail dot com

[Snotty]

Hi there

Im interested in getting in on this game, although it would be my first foray into pbem.

Korea would be my choice for this one.

Snotty128 at hotmail dot com

Im somewhat concerned about the speed of pbem, especially getting the game going in the early stages. Would getting together on a specific night so we could get the early turns out of the way be a viable option?

Also if anyone experienced could point out any potential pitfalls in using the pbem format, I would appreciate it.

[marcuspeddle]

With only four players the game speed should be fairly fast. It all depends on the time zones of the players, of course. If all players are in Eurasia and Oceania then the game should move quickly. About one turn a day or two days at the most. Even with one player in North America it's not that slow. Getting the early turns out of the way by organising a time sounds okay but I don't know how difficult that will be to organise. It will have to be on a Saturday for me.

[Hot_Enamel]

They do take a while to get going, but a lot of fun once you get to move units around.

If you are worried, you can always choose to join a game already started. Players drop out of games, and replacement players are often needed.

For Example

Tech trading is the most difficult thing to do....but also the most rewarding.

I am GMT+11.

Use this info to work out the play order...ie the game follows the sun around the world.

[Snotty]

Well, once we get the fourth guy we can see if any of our days match up for the folowing week, although this certainly isnt something we should stress if we cant work out.

Im GMT+0

Ive been playing a number of games over gamespy, and they have been plagued by drop outs. I would kill for a game that lasts well into industrial. This format certainly seems a bit more forgiving with regards to dropouts.

[marcuspeddle]

I like PBEM because you don't need a fast or reliable connection to play. My home computer relies on satellite and phone lines for it's connection so it's reasonably fast but very unreliable. I can usually only play for one hour or less before I lose the connection. Luckily, I save the game every turn and I'm playing with only one human who lives near me. We can just call each other and set up the game again.
I'm involved in two PBEM games (this will be my third) so usually there's no day when I don't get a turn to play. If our fourth player is in Asia or Europe we'll probably get a fairly fast game.

[SirOsis]

I'd be interested. Unfortunately I am going to be gone April 1-7. I might be able to take turns during this time if I can install PTW on a computer where I am at.

I notice Anatolia has taken the English. Very fortunate for this setup having Alphabet and Pottery. Well on your way to Map Making!

I check for turns quite regularly so it should go fast if I'm around.

I'd like Greece if possible.

[marcuspeddle]

Thanks for showing interest, SirOsis. One week is not such a long time to be absent in PBEM time.
Does anyone think it's an unfair advantage for the English to be close to map making? I'm willing to go with no cultural abilities if others think that's a good idea.
What should the game order be? I think Hot_Enamel would be first, then me, then Snotty, and then SirOsis. Would you be willing to start the game, Hot_Enamel?

[Snotty]

It made me smile when I saw that the first civ taken was the English. However I think the disbenifit of having the expansionist trait on an islands map would help balance any advantage.

Also I would like to change my civ choice to the Indians. The more I think about it the more I want to try this type of game with these guys.

[marcuspeddle]

Originally posted by Snotty
It made me smile when I saw that the first civ taken was the English. However I think the disbenifit of having the expansionist trait on an islands map would help balance any advantage.

That's true. I didn't think about that when I chose the English. I suppose I could change . . . . nah.

Also I would like to change my civ choice to the Indians. The more I think about it the more I want to try this type of game with these guys.

Done.

[SirOsis]

Great. So I guess it is a go. My email is sirosis@hotmail.com

[Hot_Enamel]

English is fine - you will get map making first, but the expansionist trait will slow you down in the long run.

I can start the game if you all want, but it does not really matter.

Hot_Enamel GMT +11
Anatolia GMT +9
Snotty GMT +0
SirOsis GMT -6

is the same as

Anatolia GMT +9
Snotty GMT +0
SirOsis GMT -6
Hot_Enamel GMT +11

I am OK with any level, but do not know how to bypass the bug that makes every PBEM chieften.

Also, what do you think about creating 4 games for the first round.

We all rate each game, 1st - 4th, and then the one with the lowest score is continued.
This way, we can ensure a really lowsy start can be avoided.

But I am happy either way...lowsy starts are sometimes the most enjoyable.

Just let me know if you want me to crank out the game/(s).

Regs

[marcuspeddle]

I'll start the game, then. I prefer to just have one start unless someone has a very, very bad starting position.
I don't know how to change the level but I suppose it's not that important since there are no AI players.
I'll send to Snotty in a few minutes.