Testing Direct IP

delmar · November 28, 2002, 01:51

Dear All,

I am looking for a brave soul (or two) who would be willing to spend some time on testing out how game play through Direct IP works and feels. The main objective for me would be to make sure that my firewall lets me play via Direct IP (I can configure the firewall -- it's really just a router -- so eventually I will be able to, no doubt), and to get a generic feel of this game style. If everything goes well, we can even proceed into a real game.

To give a little background, I am currently in several PBEM games and I kinda like it, except it's a bit slow. For a change, I tried playing via GameSpy, which looks terrible on paper and is terrible in real life. So my last hope

is Direct IP.

Please send me a PM or reply to this thread if you are interested. Yeah, and please make sure you are not behind a firewall or (even better!) you can configure yours.

Thank you,

Delmar

notyoueither · November 28, 2002, 02:32

I am available most weekends, and some weekday evenings. We appear to be near the same time zone.

Let me know if you want me to help you get started. The same goes for anyone else, just remember, there is only so much to go around.

delmar · November 28, 2002, 02:39

Thanks for your help. Is tomorrow (Nov 28) evening, say 9pm Apolyton time good for you?

notyoueither · November 28, 2002, 02:48

9pm MST, 10 to you, would be OK.

notyoueither · November 28, 2002, 02:49

Wait a minute.. You are an hour earlier now. Sorry, not used to west coasters. That would be 8pm to you, or later...

notyoueither · November 30, 2002, 22:38

Delmar and I are on Acemo. Ready anytime you are.

delmar · December 2, 2002, 12:59

Acemo, here is the file I mentioned.

Acemo · December 6, 2002, 14:07

are we still on for friday night around 10:30-11 pm EST?

delmar · December 6, 2002, 14:34

I am, especially if I we manage to clarify our agreement.

Do you agree to #5 in my last PM?

Btw I was talking to nye yesterday, I think he said he could start around 10:45pm EST.

Acemo · December 6, 2002, 15:59

Quote:

[SIZE=1] Do you agree to #5 in my last PM?

#5 was just a rehash, so I didnt think I needed to agree again, but I did. See you tonight

notyoueither · December 6, 2002, 20:00

I'll be there as soon as I can. 10.45 should be latest.

notyoueither · December 7, 2002, 22:47

Sunday? What time on Sunday? I am free after 9.30 est or so.

delmar · December 7, 2002, 23:12

I'll be online starting 9:30 EST and I can play until about 1am EST.

Acemo · December 8, 2002, 02:57

I should be ready to go no later than 10:00

War4ever · December 8, 2002, 14:15

i am good to play as well....

Acemo · December 8, 2002, 15:02

this is a continuation...sorry

Acemo · December 8, 2002, 21:08

Hey guys, something came up that I need to do first thing tomorrow morning, as a result I will not be able to play past 11:00 tonight

sorry
If you don't want to even bother, I understand, otherwise I'll see you around 10:00. I will be available just about every night this week I think.

notyoueither · December 8, 2002, 21:14

Nevermind. It is too early.

War4ever · December 9, 2002, 00:55

ok well let me know when this one is over and then i can play hopefully in the next one

notyoueither · December 9, 2002, 03:02

Sure thing. You would liven things up, I think.

delmar · December 9, 2002, 13:01

Judging by the name, he surely would.

While I wouldn't mind to see our current game going to the end, I would like to let you (Acemo, nye) know that I won't be offended if we stop our current game where it is and start a new one with War4ever right away. We could even pick up this game later on -- it might make an interesting Industrial Age scenario.

In any case, I think we should start a small discussion about which settings we should change for the next game. Here is some food for thought:

- Number of tribes: I feel that a 4 human + 2-4 AI game on a standard map would be good (assuming here that 6 humans is not feasible for some technical reason - if it is, I would love it).

- Map more suitable for competition: See map size above -- I think the current one is a bit too big (I hope it's not standard). Maybe we should also set the water percentage to the lowest possible even if we keep everything else random.

- Game style: I would consider playing turn based. Haven't ever tried it, but I played a turnless game with extensive battles and it seems to be a pain in the ass. As someone on another thread put it: "whoever clicks the mouse faster wins".

Comments?

Acemo · December 9, 2002, 13:49

I would like to keep playing this one.

I think 4 human, 4 AI would be good on a standard map, this IS a standard map.
To me this map size is good, I like the distribution of resources, I think some other map sizes have weird distributions sometimes. Also smaller maps (and less water) favor warmongering, not really my cup of tea.
IMO turnbased would take too long. With 4 humans take a turn and come back 20 minutes later, especially with wars going on. turnless games are too hectic for me. I prefer si-move, I have found it the best option. Also no AI in turnless.

delmar · December 9, 2002, 22:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Acemo
I would like to keep playing this one.

OK. On weekdays I am not very flexible, but I think I could play from 10pm to 1am EST on one day, for example Wednesday, and from 9pm to 3am EST on Friday. Is this good for you guys?

Quote:

this IS a standard map.

Bummer!

Quote:

To me this map size is good, I like the distribution of resources, I think some other map sizes have weird distributions sometimes. Also smaller maps (and less water) favor warmongering, not really my cup of tea.

Can't comment on the resource issue (well, actually I can: I like this distribution too, especially if I'll have rubber and oil as well...

), I assume you are right. As for warmongering, I don't like it either but I feel that we might have gone too far towards the other extreme in this game. I guess I would like to play against a "reasonable" warmonger who tries to kick my ass but is prepared to continue the game if his first assault fails. War4ever, do you fit the above description?

The main reason behind this "wish" is that I hear horror stories about how mean certain people are when playing MP and how cautious you have to be when playing against humans and I would like to see if there is some truth in this. Or, for example, these so-called warmongers are just really taking a gamble, and simply quit if their first wave of warriors find themselves in the meat grinder between two "peaceful" builder type civs.

Quote:

IMO turnbased would take too long. With 4 humans take a turn and come back 20 minutes later, especially with wars going on. turnless games are too hectic for me. I prefer si-move, I have found it the best option. Also no AI in turnless.

I think I wasn't precise enough: I played a si-move game and the battles are just not what they used to be (and IMHO should be). If you are saying that turn-based takes way too long (haven't tried, so again I'll believe you), then here is a workaround: let's play si-move, but let's play the game turn-based style if someone starts a serious battle. I know that you can't technically switch from si-move to turn-based, but we could agree among ourselves that the fighting parties move their units one (civ) after the other (civ), not at the same time. People not involved in the conflict can do whatever they please. How is that?

Or let me ask you this: are you perfectly happy with how battles are fought in si-move style?

notyoueither · December 9, 2002, 23:59

Wed and Fri are good for me.

Acemo · December 11, 2002, 18:15

I also can play wednesday and friday starting at around 10 pm EST. please make sure to post of we are playing wednesday night.

delmar, AFAIK one can change from si-move to turnbased. I havent tried it, but I think it should work.
for the most part I am happy with battle in si-move. it is a little weird sometimes, but i think it makes up for it by increasing the game speed.

notyoueither · December 11, 2002, 19:39

I will be on at 10est tonight.

delmar · December 11, 2002, 22:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Acemo
I also can play wednesday and friday starting at around 10 pm EST. please make sure to post of we are playing wednesday night.

I am online.

Quote:

delmar, AFAIK one can change from si-move to turnbased. I havent tried it, but I think it should work.

That would be great.

jshelr · December 12, 2002, 13:30

So

What do you guys think. Is this a good way to play??

notyoueither · December 12, 2002, 18:56

It is working well. Not perfect. We had a couple of OOS errors a few sessions ago. I think Acemo fixed that with some adjustments to his router.

It is the only way delmar can play. He does not want to open so many ports on his router/firewall, so he cannot play at all on GameSpy.

Oh, if your the host, try to make sure your ISP is not going to change your IP every couple of hours...

PS. I think it works better than GameSpy.

jshelr · December 12, 2002, 19:12

If you want someone else to work with, give me a buzz. Thanks