The SMAXDG Pbem game mechanics - Page 2

Static Universe · April 28, 2003, 16:45

Quote:

Originally posted by FlameFlash
There should be a decided day turns are played by each faction... say one certain day every two weeks?

One turn every two weeks? Is that how long these games take?

Method · April 28, 2003, 18:56

no, it won't take that long. if each team has a maximum of 24 hours to hold the save, then that's at least 2 turns per week i think

FlameFlash · April 28, 2003, 19:40

My comment was to allow for plenty of diliberation between faction team members... in the early days it shouldn't be needed.

GeneralTacticus · April 29, 2003, 01:14

FF: Regarding team discussion forums, I think the best system would just be private forums. That's what we have in the PTW DG...

Hercules · April 29, 2003, 07:01

From GT

Quote:

FF: Regarding team discussion forums, I think the best system would just be private forums. That's what we have in the PTW DG...

Are those discussion forums set up in 'poly within the PTWDG area or elsewhere or mixture?

GeneralTacticus · April 29, 2003, 08:18

Basically, Markos just sets up a forum for each team, which you have to be authorized to view. You get authorised by being an admin, or by joining the forum civgroup and being confirmed by the team leader (whoever it happens to be). The forum is on 'Poly, but it's restricted to actual team members.

Jamski · April 29, 2003, 08:43

Sounds good to me

The Hive would certainly make its decisions behind closed doors

-Jam

Hercules · April 29, 2003, 13:12

So we might need four forums (one for each faction) and a general open forum to mingle and discuss (within the Pbem rules of course) issues.

Method · April 29, 2003, 15:14

yes. that should work perfectly.

FlameFlash · April 29, 2003, 21:00

I like... I didn't know that was possible

Hercules · May 7, 2003, 08:05

Ok so the turn is forwarded to a team and is either emailed or posted in the forum thread for download. Of course only the team leader or designated player will actually play the turn.

So what happens next.

1) The 'player' opens the turn and interacts in a chat room, describing changes and on going events. One or more other team members also open their copy of the turn and discusses options. This opens up the possibility of playing ahead or testing options before committing to the final move. But this would apply to the other options too. So honesty is important.

or

2) The players with the copies open the turn and discuss via email or whatever with all members the key moves and strategies over next the 24 period. The lead player then re-opens his copy of the turn (after having saved but not exited) and plays the moves as decided.

or

3) Unless you're dictator Yang, then you just play and let the other members squabble amongst themselves.

or

4) Open the turn examine, print screenshots (how do you do that btw) copy to post in private forum, save but not exit. Failing screenshot option, post changes and developments in the forum thread, save but not exit, post report for discussion and then return to complete moves.

5) Other.

I know you will say it depends on how each team want to conduct it own affairs and leave it at that. I just wanted to sound out possibilities; their pluses and negatives.

In short what is good practice and should there be some minimum uniform rules of behaviour.

Hercules · May 7, 2003, 08:09

I know others Maniac, Flame and TKG have provided information on how things are conducted in other Civ DG games, and voiced opinions so maybe after a little discussion we should poll some distilled advice.

FlameFlash · May 7, 2003, 09:42

eh?

Don't quote me! I was just voicing ideas not actual experience from other Demo games! This is the only Demo game I play in (unless a MOO3 one pops up.)

Maniac · May 7, 2003, 14:26

Well I haven't played any other DG than this one either, so my ideas are also from having heard. However I'd prefer Option 2: the turn is attached in some thread in the general forum and perhaps also sent per e-mail to the current player of that team. Then all team members can discuss what to do that turn on the private forum. After a while then the player plays the turn, taking in account the advise/orders of the other team members.

That's a mere idea of course. I'd suggest asking General Tacticus as how things are really run in the current Civ3 PtW demo game.

FlameFlash · May 7, 2003, 18:46

/me nods... but all of that does sound reasonable.

Hercules · May 7, 2003, 21:25

I suspect he'll get round to posting his views on this in due course.

GeneralTacticus · May 8, 2003, 03:10

Well, basically what was done in the PTW DG was to have each team appoint three players who could play the turn, who would get the save emailed from the last team. Orders were usually worked out in advance (as this was fairly easy to do most of the time), but had to be worked out after recieving the save during wars and so forth, when working it out in advance was impossible. This (possibly using a team email account so everyone can access the turn) would be the way I'd prefer to do it; Maniac's idea also looks like a good one.

Jamski · May 8, 2003, 03:39

I think each save should be posted on the general forum as a kind of security and logging system - in addition to the above measures. What each team does with the save is up to that team.

-Jam

Static Universe · May 8, 2003, 03:43

Quote:

Originally posted by War of Art
I think each save should be posted on the general forum as a kind of security and logging system - in addition to the above measures. What each team does with the save is up to that team.

-Jam

I concur. I have a weirdly resticted free email account and would like to avoid using it as much as possible.

moomin · May 8, 2003, 05:12

I too prefer a forum post.

FlameFlash · May 9, 2003, 10:43

forum post

Googlie · May 13, 2003, 15:31

The initial turn (Hive, 2102) will be posted imminently (I need Voltaire's e-mail addy to send on the team password.

Is this to be the official turn-tracking thread?

To avoid overloading 'Poly's server, a team posting a new turn should go back and edit their previous post to delete the old turn - no?

G.

Method · May 13, 2003, 15:35

good idea

how about starting the turn tracking thread?

Maniac · May 13, 2003, 15:37

I'll start it if it's ok.

Method · May 13, 2003, 15:39

i thought we'd just have the CMN do it, but i guess it doesn't really matter. in the first post just say something like "make sure you delete all attachments over 5 turns old" or something like that

Maniac · May 13, 2003, 15:46

Oh well, I've done it already. I just opened the forum and saw there wasn't a turn tracking thread yet, so I decided to do it.

Drogue · May 13, 2003, 15:59

That's good. Starting soon

Hopefully with private forums soon ~~and my first taste of mod powers~~

GeneralTacticus · May 14, 2003, 03:03

Turn tracking thread has been topped...

Hercules · May 14, 2003, 13:51

Re posting turn rules. I think the turn should be sent by email to two/three designated players of the next faction and then one of them posts it in the private forum for member access. They should follow the above rule about deleting earlier attached turns as the game progresses. I think this is more secure than the general forum posting (defections and all that). (The question is can we actually post attachments in our private forums. If not then revert to plan A).

There would be still the obligation to post in the main turn track when the turn was sent to the next team designated player(s). Also any general notifications about holiday breaks , extended leave, Council etc.

Does this procedure proposal need polled?

Maniac · May 14, 2003, 14:20

Quote:

I think the turn should be sent by email to two/three designated players of the next faction and then one of them posts it in the private forum for member access.

Then all members would have to wait on the designated player to come on-line, to be able to have a look at the latest turn.