Another scenario contest?

[Henrik]

Originally posted by broman
Another big difference between MP en PBEM scenarios in my eyes is the use of diplomacy. This is much more limited in PBEM games.
Should the scenario concerning diplomacy be designed for PBEM or for MP, which creates more oppertunities and is more fun in my opinion. For instance allied sides are variabele, technology is transferable and 'real' negotiations are possible instead of negotiating with the AI.

Actually I'd say its the total oposite.
Diplomacy is much more advanced in PBEMs than it is in normal games and normal MP as well.
Look at the AOW game (the original one) while only about 1/3 of the diplomacy is visible in the thread it should be evident that diplomacy is a very powerfull tool.

You can place tolls on rivers, passages, straits.
You can guarantee the security of minor nations (be this a barbarian state or a real civ).
You can have rights of passage treaties, issue loans, have peace treaties that actually work like real life peace treaties (that is, territory and money changes hands in exchange for the peace), etc.
Really the only limiting thing there is is the imagination of the humans involved, the humans signs treaties, then these treaties are conducted with the AI, or when the situation demands it, both players get online and conduct the diplomacy that way.
In some pbems I've been in we have even created text documents for treaties, with clauses and all (one of them is attached bellow).
This kind of thing does not happen when you are playing online MP (due to lack of time).

In addition the psycological aspects are a lot more important in pbems.
Blockades, bomb runs, raids, etc have a much more significant impact when you have no idea of the other players forces...

Finally I have a question concerning the design of a scenario in general. What kind of items can't be adjusted anymore when you actually start building cities, units ect. The reason for this question is that I started building, but then discovered that I couldn't change countries names, flag colors etc . So that I don't run into the same problem again,

If you edit the civ names with the cheat menu the editors will aknolwedge the changes.


EDIT: replaced attachement with a better example.

[Mercator]

Originally posted by WarVoid
Merc - You da man! I need all the maps I can get my hands on! Especially yours! Mainly Caribbean, Atlantic, North America, Europe and Africa.

Also, i'm looking for a map of England with Iceland and Denmark/Scandinavia also in it. Know where I can get one?

Well, I found 22 decent maps, but they're all a bit small. If you want anything more , let me know.
I didn't find any England/Iceland/Denmark maps.

[Dr. Nick]

What is the final ruling on team submissions?

[WarVoid]

I posted the ruling on team submissions already, Hodad.

3 ppl per team.

Thanks for the maps, Mercator! I appreciate the help.

[winterfritz]

Where do we apply for our code names?

[Henrik]

Yeah, I want a code name now

[Jay Bee]

Those who are *really* going to participate can e-mail WV to get their code names.

The contestants may, if they wish so, create a login utilizing their code name to discuss/comment/exchange info/whatever, with the explicit understanding that:

a) these logins will only be used in this forum
b) they will only be used in discussions related to the contest
c) once the contest is over these logins will be deleted

Just in case someone goes berserk and does something stupid with these logins, please remember that WV will know who you guys really are.

Thank you gentleman.

[kobayashi]

Does that mean WV is not going to be a judge?

[Jay Bee]

WV is the chief of judges. I am just a member of the jury. I do not have his e-mail handy, that's why I did not write it out up there. You can PM him as well if that's easier.

[WarVoid]

Is it really that hard to send me an e-mail asking for a code name? Nah, didn't think so?

warvoid@aol.com

Just drop me an e-mail and i'll send you a code. Do NOT give it to anyone else unless you're working on a team, and only then to your team members.

[techumseh]

Seriously, how are the code names to be handled? Who gives them out and who knows and doesn't know to whom they refer? I think this is an important point. Code names aren't just for fun, they have a real purpose, namely to provide objectivity in the judging.

[kobayashi]

As pointed out earlier, the point of having codenames is so the judges do not know who the contestants are. If the judges are issuing the codenames, there is no difference from using our known names.

(actually this is a moot point, some of the more experienced guys might be able to tell that a scenario was created by me just by playing it)

[Cam]

Kobayashi,

Re. "some of the more experienced guys might be able to tell that a scenario was created by me just by playing it"

You might be surprised how difficult it is to pick the author on the basis of the scenario alone unless you have a very obvious 'singature' to your games. Techumseh was quite surprised as I recall with the authors of the SDC#3 submissions when the names were finally revealed.

[techumseh]

Originally posted by Cam
Kobayashi,

Re. "some of the more experienced guys might be able to tell that a scenario was created by me just by playing it"

You might be surprised how difficult it is to pick the author on the basis of the scenario alone unless you have a very obvious 'singature' to your games. Techumseh was quite surprised as I recall with the authors of the SDC#3 submissions when the names were finally revealed.

Actually, picking out Kobayashi's will be pretty easy. It'll be the only "Age of Sail" scenario with Klingon boarding parties!

[Jay Bee]

The point of the code names is not that the judges do not know who the contestants are; the point is that nobody else knows who the contestants are. The scenarios will be posted somewhere and will be discussed on these boards. For that to be done properly, real identities should be hidden. As to the judges... come on, do you think I would be influenced by the author's identity? If there was a cash prize or something, that would be understandable. If not, even the suspect seems a bit out of place. In any event, you can always apply with a pseudonym as I did for the first SDC. Just open an email account in Hotamil and Yahoo and e-mail us from there.