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A while ago succession games were quite popular for CtP2 but as Civ3's release grew nearer, the tradition died out. I want to revive it again, as it was a very fun tradition, both to participate in and to follow from the sideline.
So, what is a succession game? Let me quote the person who introduced Succession Games to CtP2, Skeeve, for that:
See here for a transcript of the very first Apolyton CtP2 Succession game and here for the second one.
First off all, I want to know how many people might be interested in participating. This sort of game is probably best played with 4-8 players. With more players it would probably take too long before it's your turn again (IIRC this was a complaint during earlier succession games). If there are more people interested, we could set up several games.
I volunteer to host the first (batch of) games (hopefully many more will follow), meaning that once we have enough players, the rules have been determined and the order of play set, I will send an email to all participants with everyone's email and a test game. You should play this test game for a couple of rounds to ensure that it works and then send it on to whoever has been assigned as your successor. Once you get this last file from your predecessor, you should play that for a couple of turns as well; all this is to ensure that there are no incompatibility problems (IIRC this was the case in the past). Email me with the results: if there are problems we can try to resolve those, if I receive mails from all players confirming that there are no problems I will create the actual game, play the first turn (a turn in this context is a turn in the succession cycle, so 10 or 20 or so game turns) and send it to my successor, thus starting the actual succession game.
To participate, simply post in this thread announcing you're interested and also post any preferences you may have as to what type of game it should be: what mods, what mapsize, what civ we should play with, etc (my preferences are below as an example). Eventually all players should also have each other's email addresses since we're going to email savegames to each other. You can either post the email address you wish to use here or, if you wish to keep it confidential, email me that address at some point (but post here as well to say you're interested).
Some basic rules (additions and alterations welcome):
1) You must write at least a basic desciption (nothing fancy) of what you've done before you send the file to the next player and you must include this description in the email you send to your successor (so (s)he doesn't have to visit the forums - this costs more time and due to network problems might at times be impossible). You must also post this description in the forum thread (to be created) but when you do this is up to you (although doing this timely would be appreciated). You can take some extra time to make a nice story of it and add details or whatever, but the crucial info should be available ASAP for whoever plays right after you.
2) You must play your turn and send it to the next player within 48 hours of receiving the file (preferably within 24 but since many of us have a busy personal life this may not always be possible). After 48 hours your predecessor will have to email the file to your successor and you'll have to skip your turn. It would be nice if you somehow notified your predecessor ASAP once you've emailed your file to your successor, either by posting in the forums or by emailing him/her (so that unnecessary wasting of bandwidth and time is prevented). If you announce in advance that you will be out of town or whatever for a few days, you can get 48 hours extra (this shouldn't happen too often though). This rule will prevent long waits for other players and keep the game going.
3) You have the freedom to do anything you want (including changing production of cities and research), as long as you post your actions in the email and on the forum thread. If necessary, you should be ready to defend your decisions (but normally this won't be the case).
4) Let's have fun!
IMHO winning ASAP is not too important, as long as we have fun. So it doesn't matter if you're not a die-hard civver and don't make the perfect decisions every time (does such a thing as a perfect decision even exist?). Heck, it would be kind of fun to loose for a change 
My preferences (but I'm very flexible):
* Regular Size Random Map (we don't want to drag the game out too long)
* Roman, Greek, Egyptian or Dutch Civ, leadername Apolyton
* setup of v1.11 patch and latest version of Cradle (v1.3)
* 6 opponents on Hard difficulty level with Raging Hordes (let's keep it easy for now)
* default settings for pollution, humidity, etc
* turn length: 20 turns for the first round, 15 for the second and third and 10 turns for every round after that
So, what is a succession game? Let me quote the person who introduced Succession Games to CtP2, Skeeve, for that:
Well, from what I gather, it is a single-player game started by one person and played for a pre-determined number of turns before taking the saved game file and passing it on to another. This 2nd player then plays for the same number of turns and passes it on to a 3rd... and so on, repeating through the circle until the game is finished.
At least that seems to be the gist of it.
I guess the fun is seeing what has become of the game when you get it the second time around.
[...]
From what I've observed on the CIV2 boards, as each person receives the file and plays his rounds, he posts a message on the boards to briefly describe his activity. This lets the anticipation build for the other players and gets them excited about their own contribution.
At least that seems to be the gist of it.
I guess the fun is seeing what has become of the game when you get it the second time around.
[...]
From what I've observed on the CIV2 boards, as each person receives the file and plays his rounds, he posts a message on the boards to briefly describe his activity. This lets the anticipation build for the other players and gets them excited about their own contribution.
First off all, I want to know how many people might be interested in participating. This sort of game is probably best played with 4-8 players. With more players it would probably take too long before it's your turn again (IIRC this was a complaint during earlier succession games). If there are more people interested, we could set up several games.
I volunteer to host the first (batch of) games (hopefully many more will follow), meaning that once we have enough players, the rules have been determined and the order of play set, I will send an email to all participants with everyone's email and a test game. You should play this test game for a couple of rounds to ensure that it works and then send it on to whoever has been assigned as your successor. Once you get this last file from your predecessor, you should play that for a couple of turns as well; all this is to ensure that there are no incompatibility problems (IIRC this was the case in the past). Email me with the results: if there are problems we can try to resolve those, if I receive mails from all players confirming that there are no problems I will create the actual game, play the first turn (a turn in this context is a turn in the succession cycle, so 10 or 20 or so game turns) and send it to my successor, thus starting the actual succession game.
To participate, simply post in this thread announcing you're interested and also post any preferences you may have as to what type of game it should be: what mods, what mapsize, what civ we should play with, etc (my preferences are below as an example). Eventually all players should also have each other's email addresses since we're going to email savegames to each other. You can either post the email address you wish to use here or, if you wish to keep it confidential, email me that address at some point (but post here as well to say you're interested).
Some basic rules (additions and alterations welcome):
1) You must write at least a basic desciption (nothing fancy) of what you've done before you send the file to the next player and you must include this description in the email you send to your successor (so (s)he doesn't have to visit the forums - this costs more time and due to network problems might at times be impossible). You must also post this description in the forum thread (to be created) but when you do this is up to you (although doing this timely would be appreciated). You can take some extra time to make a nice story of it and add details or whatever, but the crucial info should be available ASAP for whoever plays right after you.
2) You must play your turn and send it to the next player within 48 hours of receiving the file (preferably within 24 but since many of us have a busy personal life this may not always be possible). After 48 hours your predecessor will have to email the file to your successor and you'll have to skip your turn. It would be nice if you somehow notified your predecessor ASAP once you've emailed your file to your successor, either by posting in the forums or by emailing him/her (so that unnecessary wasting of bandwidth and time is prevented). If you announce in advance that you will be out of town or whatever for a few days, you can get 48 hours extra (this shouldn't happen too often though). This rule will prevent long waits for other players and keep the game going.
3) You have the freedom to do anything you want (including changing production of cities and research), as long as you post your actions in the email and on the forum thread. If necessary, you should be ready to defend your decisions (but normally this won't be the case).
4) Let's have fun!
IMHO winning ASAP is not too important, as long as we have fun. So it doesn't matter if you're not a die-hard civver and don't make the perfect decisions every time (does such a thing as a perfect decision even exist?). Heck, it would be kind of fun to loose for a change My preferences (but I'm very flexible):
* Regular Size Random Map (we don't want to drag the game out too long)
* Roman, Greek, Egyptian or Dutch Civ, leadername Apolyton
* setup of v1.11 patch and latest version of Cradle (v1.3)
* 6 opponents on Hard difficulty level with Raging Hordes (let's keep it easy for now)
* default settings for pollution, humidity, etc
* turn length: 20 turns for the first round, 15 for the second and third and 10 turns for every round after that
In a different thread Dave said he might also be interesting in participating (depending on whether he gets his computer working in time), so I added him as a 'maybe' as well.
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