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Scenario Preferences
There are so many quality scenarios available out there. Recently, there have been several attempts to play multiplayer scenarios. The MGE-type multiplayer is one method. Play-by-email is another. Either one is ok, and suits the needs of different folks. But which scenarios are good candidates for multiplay? This seemed to me a facile question until I started to think about it.
If a group of players use the PBEM method, the individuals playing can take their time, plan well, and aren't rushed. If they take too long to do so, however, interest in the game can falter, especially if there are unexplained delays. The MGE-type multiplay seems reasonable, especially if everyone agrees to time limits. That way a good number of turns can elapse in a single sitting and hopefully, maintain interest among the players. The shorter the time limit; the less likely interest will abate.
Then there is the equally important question of suitable scenarios. Most of us seem to prefer historical scenarios. But some, if not most, historical scenarios are, by the nature of history, unbalanced in the favor of one or more civs. Additionally, many scenario designers create with the idea that their games will be played mostly solo, so they compensate in ways that are geared to keep the scenario challenging for the solo player. So which scenarios do others think are suitable for multiplay, and why?
I put my opinions here; I prefer scenarios that contain large numbers of cities, so that administration of the "empire" is the principal concern. Also, if one loses a city or two, it has less impact than losing, say, one of your total of four cities! This latter case spells disaster; the former is only an imposition which can be remedied, perhaps later in the game. But having large numbers of cities means that time limits are especially constraining. Others have expressed the preference for small numbers of cities for any single civ, with the idea that they want to quickly maximize the production potential and lumber off to war as rapidly as possible.
Some scenarios that, IMHO, would make for good multiplay.
1650 by Markus Eklund; basic, but fun.
1884 by Mattias Pitz; same as 1650.
Ancient Empires by Kull; Excellent scen, but don't know how balanced it is.
The Long 19th Century (anon author); A lot of cities, but fun.
The Modern Age by yours truly; Designed w/multiplay in mind.
Comments? Other opinions? Other scenarios for multiplay?
If a group of players use the PBEM method, the individuals playing can take their time, plan well, and aren't rushed. If they take too long to do so, however, interest in the game can falter, especially if there are unexplained delays. The MGE-type multiplay seems reasonable, especially if everyone agrees to time limits. That way a good number of turns can elapse in a single sitting and hopefully, maintain interest among the players. The shorter the time limit; the less likely interest will abate.
Then there is the equally important question of suitable scenarios. Most of us seem to prefer historical scenarios. But some, if not most, historical scenarios are, by the nature of history, unbalanced in the favor of one or more civs. Additionally, many scenario designers create with the idea that their games will be played mostly solo, so they compensate in ways that are geared to keep the scenario challenging for the solo player. So which scenarios do others think are suitable for multiplay, and why?
I put my opinions here; I prefer scenarios that contain large numbers of cities, so that administration of the "empire" is the principal concern. Also, if one loses a city or two, it has less impact than losing, say, one of your total of four cities! This latter case spells disaster; the former is only an imposition which can be remedied, perhaps later in the game. But having large numbers of cities means that time limits are especially constraining. Others have expressed the preference for small numbers of cities for any single civ, with the idea that they want to quickly maximize the production potential and lumber off to war as rapidly as possible.
Some scenarios that, IMHO, would make for good multiplay.
1650 by Markus Eklund; basic, but fun.
1884 by Mattias Pitz; same as 1650.
Ancient Empires by Kull; Excellent scen, but don't know how balanced it is.
The Long 19th Century (anon author); A lot of cities, but fun.
The Modern Age by yours truly; Designed w/multiplay in mind.
Comments? Other opinions? Other scenarios for multiplay?
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