New Newbie SMAC PBEM Game

Hey!

I'm thinking of starting a new PBEM game for people who have never played (or only a few times) SMAC in multiplayer. I'm also looking for average players, ie. not people who think that Transcent should be the easiest difficulty level.

Settings would be whatever we all agree with, but I was thinking of something alongs the lines of Standard to Large custom map at Librarian (or maybe Thinker) difficulty level with standard rules (except maybe for Tech Starvation (slower tech progress) if everyone agree).

Would anyone be interested? I think it could be fun.

-Midnight
[This message has been edited by Midnight (edited April 22, 2001).]

[Radagast]

Hi! I'm game for a newbie PBEM. Any rules are fine with me (I guess), but probably best to have a random map? I've never done PBEM before. Count me in!

-Radagast

nazaran.1@nd.edu

Yes of course, I meant Standard or Large random map, not custom. My bad.

[SamIAm]

Hi! I've never played a PBEM game before but it sounds like fun. I like large maps, tech-stag is fine either way. But I'm really not picky. What kind of schedule are we talking about? I can probably only play my turns late, say 10pm - 1am (CST).

- SamIAm

I would be interested in joining a newbie. I've played mostly Civ2 rather than smac. Look forward to it starting.

[Twister]

I'd be interested in a game.. count me in.

SamIAm, I was thinking, if possible, of having us all meet at the beginning of the game for 3-4 hours so we can play the first 50 of so turns by IP, since they go so fast. From then on, we would switch to PBEM (or from the very start, if somehow we can't all meet at the same time) with a turn every 2 (hopefully) or 3 (since I'm sure we all have better things to do in our lives than play SMAC ) days. Note that this will be my first PBEM game too, so I'm just throwing those ideas out, but they seems to make sense (well, to me at least! ). Of course, if you have any better ideas, feel free to correct me!

-----

It looks like we already have 5 players: Radagast, SamIAm, sits, Twister and myself (Midnight). Cool! That seems like a good enough number to start a game, no?

(Twister, would this be your first PBEM game? Since everyone else is a multiplayer newbie, I think it wouldn't be fair if someone had already played PBEM alot.)

Okie, let's get to work then. I need a few info from you guys.

A) FACTION

List your top 4 favourite factions, in decreasing order.

ex:
1. Faction #1
2. Faction #2
3. Faction #3
4. Faction #4

When I have everyone preferences, I'll randomly pick your names, with the first player selected getting his first choice, etc. I'll pick my own faction at the end, almong the 3 remaining, that way no one can accuse me of cheating.

B) Settings

1. The map will be a random one (ocean surface: 50-70%, erosive forces: average, native life forms: average, cloud cover: average). Which size do you want: Standard or Large?

2. Difficulty level: Librarian or Thinker?

3. Game settings will be Standard Rules with the exception that Tech Stagnation will be ON. Is this addition okay with you (Yes), or is it an insurmontable obstacle to your enjoyment of the game (No)?

C) IP Game

1. Would you be willing to, as I mentioned above, play the first 50 turns or so in a IP game before switching to PBEM?

2. If yes, at what points this week would you be available for this game? Please also mention which timezone you're speaking about.

There, I think that pretty much covers it. Did I forget anything?

-Midnight

[Twister]

Hey everyone,

well, I've played a couple of PBEM...still fighting my way through one of them. So, this isn't my first, but my experiance is limited.

so here are my responses

A)
1. Hive
2. Spartan
3. University
3. Morgan

B)
1. I prefer Large...
2. Doesn't matter...Librarian
3. Not sure why you would want this...PBEM is already slow...this would make it even slower. Is Blink research in your standard rules?

C)
1. I would be willing if we could get a time...I'm only available a short time online. 12:00pm EST or so. (any day)


Thanks

Twister!

[Solver]

Would you like to make this PBEM game a rated one? If yes, please refer to the thread at the very top of this forum.

------------------
Solver the "Running Beer" - http://www.aok.20m.com

[Radagast]

A.
1. University
2. Gaian
3. Hive
4. Morgan

B.
1. I'd say standard: since this is for most of us our first PBEM game, we're likely to make lots of first-time mistakes...so a map that encourages faster meeting between factions and a fast game might be better (the way I play, I have a feeling by the tenth year, I'll want the game to be over very, very much)

2. Thinker

3. No: why tech stagnation?? is this a usual convention in PBEM games?

C.
1. The IP game idea sounds good
2. USUALLY I am free from 9pm-3am EST. However, before this Friday is not-so-good.


BTW: once one has the file for PBEM, how does one open it, do the turn, then send?

[Radagast]

oh yeah, what about doing this as a rated game? If we're all newbies, then it doesn't seem like it could hurt too much, since relatively (in theory) we should all be about the same.

In theory.

Tech Stagnation Explanation: The reason why I suggested we play with Tech Stagnation ON is that, in my experience, I always end up rushing up the tech tree so fast it's not even funny, making discoveries every 2 or 3 turns, even faster if I concentrate on research. When I have Tech Stag on, discoveries are slowed to around every 4-8 turns, spreading the new techs around the game and actually giving me time to play with the discoveries made (ie. why bother with building chaos troops (8) when you know that in less turns that it will take you to actually make those troops, you'll already have discovered the plasma technology (13)). Anyway, that's just my opinion and if everybody votes no, we'll play without it.

Rankings: I guess we should all agree on this before decide to rank this game. I don't really mind one way or the other and I'll go with whatever you guys decide.

-Midnight

quote: Originally posted by Radagast on 04-24-2001 04:29 PM BTW: once one has the file for PBEM, how does one open it, do the turn, then send?

When you get the file, to in SMAC -> Multiplayer -> Load Game and select it. When you get in the game, a pop-up window will appears, saying something like "Turn: University" and prompting you for a password. Type it in and you'll be able to play your turn. When you hit the "END TURN" button, a new pop-up will appears, with "Turn: Whoever is playing after you" and prompting your for a password again. Obviously you won't know it, so click on "Save and exit", send the file to the next player and await your next turn. Voila!

-Midnight

Midnight - Can you you confirm that you received my details via a private message? Cheers!

[SamIAm]

I have played SMAC a reasonable amount (I am not an expert), but have never played multiplayer.

Here are my preferences:

A)
1. Morgan
2. University
3. Peacekeepers
4. Spartans

B)
1. I prefer Large
2. Thinker
3. Yes

C)
1. Sounds OK (I do not know exactly how that works. Do we know that it is possible to change from IP to PBEM?)
2. My online time is very limited:
- A short time (10 minutes or so) during the day
- The only long period would be late, 12:00am - 3:00am CST

However, I don't want to keep the rest of you from playing in an IP game if everyone but me agrees on a time.

BTW: I have the SMAC version 4.0 patch (don't know if that matters)

[Twister]

We might be able to coordinate things better if we knew where everyone was...I see that Sits is in England, I'm in Toronto, Canada...everyone else?

I'm okay with Rating the game...

and if everyone else is okay with Tech Stagnation, then I'll deal with it...I havn't played the game enough to figure out how to move up the ladder that fast, so if this will even things out I'm for it.

Cheers!

Twister

[Twister]

One other question...this is SMAC or SMAlien Crossfire?

[The Commodore]

Hey guys, a friendly suggestion: Turn on "Look first". It would do a world of good.(I'm a MP newbie too, but I've already got 4 games going.)

[Twister]

"Look First" sounds like a good option to have... Midnight? what do you think?

This is going to be fun!

---------
Factions:

Midnight - Peacekeepers
Radagast - University
SamIAm - Morgan
sits - Gaians (so yes, obviously, I got your message )
Twister - Hive

---------
Settings:

Map - Large
Difficulty - Thinker
Tech Stag - Yes (vote was 2-2, casted mine to "yes" for 3-2)
Look First - Yes (as per the helpfull commodore suggestion)


=========

There are three issues I'd like to discuss with you guys before we get started.

1) IP
The only "window of opportunity" for us, as I seem to be able to read it, would be on Saturday at around midnight EST, give or take an hour. Would everyone be fine with that? If not, we'll simply have to start it PBEM from the beginning, unless I'm mistaken.

2) Ranking
Solver, the SMAC PBEM Ladder Administrator asked us if we wanted to be ranked. Do we? I don't mind one way or the other, but we should all agree on it.

3) Rules and conventions
Ok, this is where it gets interesting. I've been browsing through various PBEM treads, trying to learn from the mistakes and wisdom of others, so we can avoid some identifiable pitfalls. I'm sorry to bother you all with this, but it's better if we get this out of the way now rather than end up arguing about it in the middle of the game.

- I really shouldn't have to say it, but don't cheat! Don't exploit game bugs to have an unfair advantage over the rest of the players (ie. no AI base trading, no multiple drops and other lame tricks).

- Multiple reloading of the game to try for different effects is forbidden.

- If a player employs a tactic that causes a state of vendetta, they are not allowed to "accept" a pending diplomatic agreement with that faction, causing a change in diplomatic status or the transfer of energy or knowledge.

- If a probe team action is employed against a Treatied or Pacted faction, the initiator must choose the "Declare Vendetta" option, unless permission is received in advance for the action.

- Upgrading units with the design workshop is allowed at end of turn only (after having moved all your units).

- Social engineering choice limited to one switch per line per turn. (no flip-flop within turn!)

- "Demand withdrawal" is permited only when two factions have a treaty (not under truce) and with the following additional conditions:
a) Defender detects intruders in territory
b) Defender sends in-game message (including the position of at least one ennemy unit in his territory) and publishes on the thread intention to demand withdrawal next turn unless attacker agrees to withdraw immediately, using a route and in a time frame specified by defender
c.1) Attacker complies - no further action unless attacker deviates from withdrawal plan, in which case defender may demand withdrawal immediately with no further notice.
c.2) Attacker does not comply - defender demands withdrawal
c.3) Attacker does not comply and declares vendetta via the thread and an in-game message. Defender may not demand withdrawal.

- Communications only allowed between factions that have obtained each others' commlink frequencies in-game.

Is everyone okay with those?

=========

(Twister: it's SMAC)

-Midnight

eek! Sounded very complex when I first read it but I think I understand it now. Except I don't know of the bugs that you refer to - hope I don't do it by accident.

I don't mind the game being rated.

I can make the proposed time ie 5.15am GMT (but it might be as late as 6am GMT.) I think that makes it between 12.15am-1am EST. I'm sorry to be vague about this but it all depends what time I get in from work.

How are we meeting up, ICQ? mine is 22258619.

Also, is it possible to start the game via PBeM and then play a little IP later. At least we will be able to get going sooner.

quote: Originally posted by sits on 04-26-2001 01:47 AM eek! Sounded very complex when I first read it but I think I understand it now. Except I don't know of the bugs that you refer to - hope I don't do it by accident.

The point I was trying to make is: don't exploit bugs on purpose. I'm no expert either (far from that), and don't pretend to know everything about the game. If any of us are exploiting bugs unknowingly, I'm sure the others will be there to kindly point it out. It will, after all, be our first PBEM game, so we're all bound to make mistakes.

quote: Also, is it possible to start the game via PBeM and then play a little IP later. At least we will be able to get going sooner.

Yes, although I heard it caused some bugs (like people losing turns and stuff like that), so I'm not sure it would be such a great idea. Maybe Twister, since he already played in multiplayer, can point us toward the best possible solution.

-Midnight

[This message has been edited by Midnight (edited April 26, 2001).]

[Twister]

Hey Guys!

Looking forward to the game! I can't make the scheduled time...I just can't be online during this weekend. I will be away.

I vote yes for a rated game...we have nothing to lose :-)

The rules sound great! I was doing the same thing yesterday...looking at threads to see if there was a list of rules out there.

I'm not sure what the effect on the game is for switching from IP to PBEM or vis versa. I say we just go ahead with PBEM and get it rolling. We can always find a time later to get a few turns in (via IP).

and without further rambling... Game ON!!!

...switch to faction mode...
Abord the Unity Ship...just hours away from Faction Pod separation
..Intercom static..
Learn to overcome the crass demands of flesh and bone, for they warp the matrix through which we perceive the world. Extend your awareness outwards, beyond the self of body, to embrace the self of group and the self of humanity. The goals of the group and the greater race are transcendent, and to embrace them is to achieve enlightenment.

We await any survivors on the surface...beware the Hive!
...Intercom static...


[This message has been edited by Twister (edited April 26, 2001).]

[Solver]

A little addition. What we rate are PBEMs, not IP games, so decide what will you play here first. If PBEM, I'll be happy then.

------------------
Solver the "Running Beer" - http://www.aok.20m.com

[SITS]

Looks like it needs to be a PBeM game. Any idea when we are looking at?

[Twister]

Well, if the rules and factions are set...and we are agreed that PBEM only...It would depend on what order the game starts. We need email addresses for everyone in the game. As long as my turn isn't before Monday, then we can start anytime!

So, my email for the game is mbl67@hotmail.com . One thing I have noticed in my PBEM game. There are times that the .sav file gets corrupted in email (this has only happened once with me, and it was with a MAC user) So, if you zip the file we don't have to worry about it.

Twister

[Keygen]

quote: Originally posted by Solver on 04-26-2001 09:14 AM A little addition. What we rate are PBEMs, not IP games, so decide what will you play here first. If PBEM, I'll be happy then.

Solver, either they turn to PBEM in MY 2150 or 2100 it can get rated .
It will start been rated from the turn they will change it to PBEM.
The problem here is whether they can change from IP to PBEM, which I am not sure if it can be. Can it be?


[This message has been edited by Keygen (edited April 27, 2001).]

[Solver]

I though they can. And hey, Keygen, please get on ICQ again, miss you there, not only post here everywhere .

------------------
Solver the "Running Beer" - http://www.aok.20m.com

[SamIAm]

Hey guys, looking forward to the game. I am fine with PBEM only, my e-mail address is:

sam.henson@att.net

The rules look fine; it looks like we're about ready to start.

- SamIAm

[SITS]

I think we may as well start it as PBeM, others seem to manage it.

My email address is tony@tlafave.demon.co.uk

Lets land!