Let Us Consider Carefully The Length of This Game

[Krill]

Nothing wrong with Quick speed; it is just as well balanced as Normal.

[Aeson]

The main effect game speed has on game balance is how unit movement scales (or rather doesn't). Warfare is more viable on slower speeds as units have more turns to move around and thus can go further in relation to everything else that happens.

The same type of effect happens with mapsize.

For game balance, it's best to match the mapsize with gamespeed. Smaller maps with quicker speeds, and vice versa. Though if you want to highlight certain areas of gameplay other mixes can be fun.

[Jon Miller]

I think we should do ancient start

I don't care whether normal or quick...

JM

[Golden Bear]

Quick fine.

Classical start fine.

Terra map, bad for MP, at least this time around.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Below is a statement i made in the other thread where some are pushing for a way to make this game fast. I believe there are some who are more than happy to play a good long game.

It seems odd for me also so much talk about making the map and the settings so quick.

OK some of you may not want to commit to long to this game but some of us are very happy to enter into an epic journey one that we can enjoy as it develops.

I would suggest those who have issues due to being in too many demo games already reconsider whether they really want to be in another, rather than try to force the rest of us into a fast and uninteresting game.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Oops forgot to add, the best way to speed up a game is not through settings but through strict turn times and mods who are prepared to enforce them !!!

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Impaler[WrG]
Is it possible for a PBEM game to go into Simultanious turn mod as you have over the internet. A few occasions ware we get all the turn players together at the same time to blast through 10 turns in a day would realy help speed up the game.

Perhaps this should be our mod of play, say once or twice a week getting everyone together for a limited number of turns. At 10 turns a week we could complete the game in ~8 months.

Yes. PITBOSS.

[snoopy369]

My two cents, btw, is that we shouldn't be too aggressive with the turn time limits, nor should we be too aggressive setting it into the future etc. This game WILL take a few years. Deal. It's a democracy game.

If you set 12 hour turn limits or something insane like that, then it's not really a demogame - it's a team PBEM, where several people occasionally are turn-player. 12 hour turns, add in the occasional 2 hour turn or whatnot, and you don't have time to discuss the save. Even 24 hour turns are a bit fast, once the early game gets over and done with... for any turn where you have meaningful decisions, unless it's PITBOSS style where you can see the turn unfolding, you need more than 24 hours to discuss, unless everyone's in the same timezone.

I'll certainly hold people to whichever turn standard is requested of me - but I urge you not to push it too hard, or you ruin the game for most of the players.

On the other hand, I doubt a midgame start is a good idea. I'd either start early or late - there are big advantages to starting industrial age, don't forget, as it means you have cool weapons available right away, and the warfare is much more meaningful. Classical to me is just a waste - it's not far enough forward to do a whole lot, and it ruins the early game stuff which for a lot of people is fun - who gets stonehenge first, who rushes a worker out as opposed to those who play it more conservatively ... Certainly it makes an interesting game, but I doubt it's one that demogamers will enjoy to the same extent as ancient, or industrial and/or modern.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Hi snoopy, I did say strict turn times but note I made no suggested turn time !

I agree 24 hours is too strict especially in times of war etc.

Im definitely along for the duration and my hope is we can agree a decent turn rate and all adhere to it as best we can.

[ForesterSOF]

Turning would help the best.

I am in one game and we are averaging 1.9 turns/day.

This has definatly improved the fun factor.

Due to the player all over the world we will have to make a strict represenative democracy for each team and have an alternate TP at all times.

Along with this maybe a nightly, or other, mIRC meeting to go over different stratagies for each comming turn.

So not only stratagy will help one one. Organization will also be big factor.

All this causing teams to work well together or disapear.

[Golden Bear]

Originally posted by ChrisiusMaximus
Below is a statement i made in the other thread where some are pushing for a way to make this game fast. I believe there are some who are more than happy to play a good long game.

It seems odd for me also so much talk about making the map and the settings so quick.

OK some of you may not want to commit to long to this game but some of us are very happy to enter into an epic journey one that we can enjoy as it develops.

I would suggest those who have issues due to being in too many demo games already reconsider whether they really want to be in another, rather than try to force the rest of us into a fast and uninteresting game.

This is well stated! I don't really have anything to add to it, I just want to reemphasize it!

[Fried-Psitalon]

Rather than say "It will take a really long time, deal with it" why don't we actually run a poll or three on the subject of the speed and starts? While I respect your opinions and the wish for a longer game, it seems that I am not the only one who either:

A) Doesn't like Terra
B) Doesn't want Normal/Epic speed
C) Isn't too thrilled about an Ancient start

I'll happily accept the results of such polls, but I'd definitely like each team to speak in an official capacity on all three of these issues.

[Arrian]

Polling seems the way to go (I think you're gonna lose, though, Fried).

-Arrian

[Krill]

Polling by teams is fairer. Otherwise teams with more members could make every member vote with the "Party Line" so to speak...

[PLATO]

I believe that snoop is planning on beginning the official polls very shortly.

I'll happily accept the results of such polls, but I'd definitely like each team to speak in an official capacity on all three of these issues.