Dark Avatar Impressions

[LordTheRon]

I won't be at home during the weekend, but I'll pick up on Sundayevening or Mondayevening.

[Hydro]

I don’t think the purpose of this exercise is to be super-competitive (I’m not a go-for-throat type myself). I see it more as an opportunity to either share a story as it unfolds (an AAR story) and provide a summary of what you did (technical AAR). Perhaps there might be a summary at the end of what went right or what might be improved. As to reloading, I’m just to lazy to do this. Plus, it sucks the fun out of the game (and is kind of pointless to boot).

If everyone is OK with these setups I’ll put together an Apolyton GC2: DA AAR University thread with a little info on the purpose, the scenarios, and suggestions on how to post. I may create the maps using the map editor to ensure an ‘interesting’ situation, but I’m not sure how or if it works in DA. More likely, I’ll just set up a normal sandbox game. I’ll make sure the player has a few cool tiles in their home planet to make it interesting (or I suppose you can do ^N)!

I’ll work on it this weekend and will post Saturday.

I thought of a few more ideas for possible games:

Game 3: In The Pocket

The battle against the Dread Lords has finished and the major races now have the resources to start colonizing the rest of the galaxy. One promising sector was almost unpopulated before the confabulation of the Dread Lords and colony ships from six races arrive more or less at the same time. While exploring one of the worlds the impetuous Terrans stumble upon an Arnorian artifact. It is activated and there is a pulse of light and then…nothing.

Or, it seemed like nothing. Panicked calls come in from HQ that most of the galaxy has disappeared! Did the device obliterate most of the known universe? The Arnorians were so powerful, it might just be true. Eventually a different but almost as horrible truth becomes known: the device activated a pocket universe, and everyone in this sector is trapped in it. After this stark realization a more chilling question remains: are there Dread Lords – imprisoned ages ago and primed for conquest and revenge – in this pocket of time and space? There may be rescue, but first there is a more important mission: to survive.

GC2: DA
Player: Terrans (neutral)
5 AI players: Torians, Drath (good); Drengin, Korx (evil); Krynn (neutral)
No minor races
Small galaxy, common everything, abundant habitable planets; standard settings
Special – are the Dread Lords present?

Game 4: And Miles To Go

An area separated from the rest of the galaxy by a wide starless gulf remained un-colonized for almost a decade after the invention of the hyperdrive by the Terrans. Specially outfitted colony ships were finally dispatched with the expectation that they’d take years to arrive at their destination.

Then the Dread Lords struck and the home empires were suddenly occupied with a fight for their lives. The sad truth is that there would be no reinforcements, no additional colonists – nothing. Moreover it appears the war against the ancient evil is going poorly, but it is possible that this far-flung outpost might be allowed to develop unnoticed…maybe.

GC2: DA
Player: Thalians (neutral)
4 AI players: Yor, Drengin (evil); Altarian (good); Arceans (neutral)
Small galaxy, common everything, standard settings
Special – none

[yin26]

Ah, but I'm horrible with flair!

[Solver]

So the only question is who sucks more?

[LordTheRon]

Originally posted by Solver
Small with 5 AIs actually sounds crowded. I typically play with 5 AIs on Medium maps. So I guess this'll make them more aggressive as they fight for lebensraum.

Anyway, keep in mind the fact that I suck at actual playing, despite being an analytic .

According to this topic, it seems we all suck, so this should be great fun!

5 AI's IS crowded, but it gives some nice extra things to think about for the startup strategy I think.

[Solver]

Small with 5 AIs actually sounds crowded. I typically play with 5 AIs on Medium maps. So I guess this'll make them more aggressive as they fight for lebensraum.

Anyway, keep in mind the fact that I suck at actual playing, despite being an analytic .

[yin26]

I like your plan, Hydro. Would you like to generate the save?

[Stuie]

This sounds like fun... despite the fact that I dislike small maps.

[Solver]

Possibly .

[LordTheRon]

I really dislike maximizing scores and reloading. Making mistakes is part of the fun of the game. The AI makes mistakes so the human should live with his mistakes too. So no reloading for me.

Maximizing score is even worse. What's the fun in just clicking and waiting to get more points?

Does this mean you are in Solver?

[Solver]

For the record, I hate reloading saves and maximizing score. For example, before finishing a game, I don't maximize my pop for more score...

[LordTheRon]

I'm game too!

I like the concept of both playing a good race and an evil race. I'm an Iconian fan too but I haven't played them in DA yet.

For techtrading we can put in the variant that it's only allowed to trade if the AI proposes a trade. But I'm ok with full techtrading too.

[Hydro]

Personally, I'm OK with tech trades. That is, after all, one of the benefits of the Diplomat super ability and investing in yellow techs.

I would say that do-overs are against the spirit of any such demonstration. Or, if you do, come out and say so.

I'd like to see a story crafted as part of the AAR, but it isn't necessary (plus, some folks would see that as a chore). I guess I've played SMAC too long, and that helps in immersion: take on the mantle or ethos of your race and play accordingly. Of course, events (and neighbors!) will drive you in certain directions, but that is part of the fun!

My proposal: 2 themed games that can be played, and AARs posted by the authors. Screen shots would be welcome! They posts can be in the form of a storyline, or can be of a more technical nature. Regardless, the idea is to have these be a learn-by-watching Gal Civ 2 University.

Game 1: But I’m The Good Guy
The Dread Lords are defeated, but the galaxy is in shambles. Alliances have dissolved into petty squabbling, economies have imploded, and technology lost. All that remains is a memory of empire and a burning desire to right wrongs…or avenge wrongs.

GC2: DA
Player: Iconians (good)
5 AI players: Yor, Korath (evil); Thalians, Terrans (neutral); Torians (good)
2 minor races
Small galaxy, common everything, standard settings
Special – Yor at war with Iconians (ancient vengeance against former masters); Torians at war with Korath (old vengeance against Drengin)

Game 2: You die, she dies, everybody dies…
The dust has settled and only those that did what was necessary have survived the Dread Lords. The weak races are but a lingering memory of ineptitude, and some of them have made worthy slaves. Ah, but there are others. Perhaps they are not so soft, but that will make victory all the more delicious (literally!).

GC2: DA
Player: Korath
5 AI players: Drengin, Yor, Korx (evil); Krynn, Thalians (neutral)
3 minor races
Small galaxy, common everything, standard settings
Special – Drengin and Korath at war

Thoughts?

Hydro

[yin26]

Do we want Iron Man games? As in NO do-overs? Or are we trying to craft the best story/score within a certain time frame? I'm not that big on maximizing score, but I love to see people play with flair -- intrigue, backstabs, major upsets, etc.

[yin26]

Well, if we want Solver in --and we do!-- we'll have to keep tech trades in. I like your setup in that the smaller map would bring us quicker resolutions to games and more stuff to report sooner. I could play any race (as in I'm equally clueless still).