PBEM just for fun...

[vyeh]

Thanks, zsozso.

Also, discuss whether you want some type of accelerated start, e.g.

2 CPs, 2 scouts and 1 formers

and Friendly Fire's suggestion that the two aliens be included as AI.

Note that Angels get a standard probe team and the Cult gets a mindworm.

[bdanv]

@Ironwood: please post your faction preference.

I will take the Pirates (unless someone's favourite faction).

[Bodissey]

I would be happy to take a go with the Drones.

[zsozso]

Ironwood has not stated faction preference yet. So far Cult is the only faction nobody expressed preference for, but I wouldn't want Ironwood to feel pressured into taking the Cult (admittedly not a very strong faction), so I want to re-emphasize that I am willing to play Cult if he rather takes Cyborgs or Angles.

[bdanv]

well, Ironwood should have the first choice. after all it's his game. the Pirates are also available for him if that's what he wants.

[St Jon]

well, Ironwood should have the first choice. after all it's his game. the Pirates are also available for him if that's what he wants.

Agree with that.

I am also in favour of the slightly accelerated start as proposed by Vyeh.

If no-one objects I would like the Aliens in as the AI as they are fun to have around just too strong to give a human player. I reckon 1 either side of zsozso at start should keep him interested during the early game!

[bdanv]

Also, discuss whether you want some type of accelerated start, e.g.

2 CPs, 2 scouts and 1 formers

and Friendly Fire's suggestion that the two aliens be included as AI.

i'm also in fovour for both proposals, but i think we should choose our factions before we go for the rest of the setup.
so, let's wait for Ironwood to make his choice.

[St Jon]

I have PM'd Ironwood to request he states his preference before we advance further.

[Ironwood]

Sorry about that. I didn't take my impending move into account when I started this thread... so two days without internet access fretting about you guys going "where did he go?!"

Preference number one for me would be the Free Drones, but the Pirates and the Cult are close seconds.

ADDENDUM:

The rule list looks mostly good, if a bit cut and pasty (several rules are listed more than once). The two I have difficulty with are the "no copters, period" and "no planet busters" rules. I can understand (somewhat) the "no copters attacking bases" rule (though it feels a bit like kids declaring "no jumpkick throws" in Street Fighter 2 for reasons I never understood), but no copters at all? They can be quite powerful, yes, but their tactics are available to both sides (assuming side two also has the technology).

No planet busters is just lame. I can understand why the balance is different for multiplayer than it is for single player: we can't force people to actually carry out a vendetta with the necessary vigour against charter violators (as the game can with AI players). I propose a different rule: no USING planet busters when the charter is in effect. We can't force everybody to declare and prosecute vendetta in the event they are used, so instead we can just say its against the rules.

[vyeh]

Is Ironwood is taking the Cult or is someone else taking another faction?

The rules were taken from Wealth of Planet. If its 5 humans vs. the 2 alien AIs, limiting 'copters isn't as much of an issue (you may need those 'copters to keep the aliens from overwhelming you).

(1) Once we've settled on which player is playing which faction,

(2) Is everybody agreed on having the 2 Aliens as AI?

(3) Take a look at the rules beginning with Do or Die and going through Rand Social, particularly Do or Die, Flexible Start, Spoils of War, No survey, No scatter and No rnd events.

(4) Besides issue of copters and planetbusters, note that the stockpile energy bug is allowed.

(5) Finally, how about some kind of accelerated start, e.g. 2 CPs, 2 scouts and 1 formers (or does anyone want more)?

[Bodissey]

Then I guess I'm stuck with the Cult. Ironwood, no problem with you playing the Drones, I've always wanted to give the weirdo a go.

[St Jon]

I'm happy, Copters are very heavy but against Aliens they could be needed.

I don't like Planet Busters but will go with Ironwood's compromise. Rest of the Rules are fine by me.

I would like the 2 AI to be the Aliens if nobody objects as they do add a storyline to the game and it's not like finding Miriam in your backyard!

Still reckon that zsozso should have one placed each side so can have some early game fun!

[vyeh]

Here is a draft. I'd like every player to either agree or state what they want changed. Note that the order of players is the turn order. Please check your email. I got them from other games (in Ironwood's case from his player profile).

Just for fun - PBEM game
SMAX

Game setup thread is here

Factions:

Pirates		bdanv		-borcea_danTAyahooTODcom
Cult		Bodissey	-mr_fab75TAyahooTODfr	
Angels		FriendlyFire	-jonathan.furdererTAliveTODcoTODuk
Cyborg		zsozso		-zsoltTAsimbiosysTODca		
Drones		Ironwood	-tarvokTAgmailTODcom
Caretakers	AI
Usurpers	AI

CMN		vyeh		-Apolyton PM
______________________________________
Preference	|	

Map size	|	Standard
Ocean		|	50-70%
Erosion		|	Average	
Life		|	Average
Clouds		|	Average
Difficulty	|	Transcend

Transcend	|	Yes
Conquest	|	Yes
Diplomatic	|	Yes
Economic	|	Yes
Cooperative	|	Yes
Do or Die	|	Yes	
Flexible start	|	Yes
Tech stag	|	No	
Spoils of war	|	No
Blind research	|	No
Intense riv	|	No
No survey	|	Yes
No scatter	|	Yes
No rnd events	|	Yes
Time Warp	|	No
Iron man	|	No
Rand person	|	No
Rand social	|	No

Rules:

• A player may not restart a turn without good reason. The player should specify the reason in the game thread if he was not able to avoid reloading the turn. (Obviously, if a player has suffered some sort of crash during a turn, such a reload is unavoidable)
• A player is not permitted to establish contact with another faction prior to having met them in-game.
• If a player performs a probe team action other than to infiltrate against another player with whom (s)he is in a truce, treaty or pact, they must inform the probed player what it was they did and what they stole/sabotaged. They must also choose the 'declare vendetta/cancel pact' option when they perform the action.
• A player is not permitted to make more than one social engineering change per line, per turn. For instance, one is not permitted to start the turn in wealth, switch to power mid-turn for the extra disbanded minerals, and then switch back to wealth that same turn, getting the refund.
• A player is not permitted to use the 'demand withdrawal' feature against another player, leaving the AI the decision of whether to withdraw or not.
• A player may not accept a bribe from another player's AI during council sessions.
• A player may not perform multiple airdrops in a single turn with the same unit using the right-click menu.
• A player may not use the F4 screen when infiltrated to change an opponent's workers to specialists.
• Council notification - immediate broadcast to all players(Post in the thread and e-mail to all immediately by player who has called elections, citing candidates and votes. After each player's turn, post in the thread the running totals).
• If a player declares vendetta upon another player, either directly or indirectly, they must not accept a pending diplomatic agreement between the two factions in the same turn.
• A player may not make air drops using the right click "air drop to" function, when it is not possible to do so with the "i" button, ie. after already having moved or made a drop.
• A player may not use build queue manipulation or other loopholes to hurry production at a cost that would be lower than directly hurrying the item that one intends to build.
• A player may not use build queue manipulation or other loopholes to build something you could not directly add to the build queue.
• A player may not upgrade a particular type of unit using the design workshop, and then attack with that unit in the same turn.
• Secret projects may be hurried with crawlers.
• Planetbusters may not be used when the charter is in effect.
• Players and AIs start with 2 CP's, 2 scouts and 1 formers, with probe team for Angels.

Notes:

• bdanv will have to convert the save provided by the CMN.
• Unity former droids, designed by Mart, are new basic units that cannot be reversed engineered. You will need to research Centauri Ecology to build more formers.
• Format and rules are all copied from Mart.
• Mart will receive a copy of your passwords (for safety).

[bdanv]

rules proposal:

• A player may not perform multiple airdrops in a single turn with the same unit using the right-click menu.

i think this one should be deleted because of the more accurate one bellow:

• A player may not make air drops using the right click "air drop to" function, when it is not possible to do so with the "i" button, ie. after already having moved or made a drop.

@vyeh: please make it a numbered list, to get rid of the quotes. thanks!

also, i think Friendly Fire may want a rule to prevent the DataAngels' roll over bug. something like this:
"It is not allowed to mind control with standard probe teams units or bases of any faction that runs a +3 or higher SE Probe rating"

[St Jon]

Don't be too confused by the name change but poly have reactivated by old a/c. Apparently I will still get PM's sent to FF handle.

FF now St Jon