Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

How about commander renaming? I know some do it and some don't, so it could possibly tip off who's who. (Oh, look, that player has named all his commanders Cainehill. I wonder who it is.) On the other hand Boron will go crazy if he can't rename his clam-carriers, as will I if the nation in question has random mages. Hence, I'd suggest allowing only certain kinds of renaming (preferable), or disallowing it completely (more reliable). Here's a discussion about the possibilities of renaming even if direct communication is not allowed. Of course these would be cheating, but I'm more interested about renaming your mages: I like to rename them based on their random magics and empowerments and items (like, an earth Warlock empowered in blood, holding a clam and having cost a global would be named EBc+, to seek as complex an example as possible). Thus, if you encounter a player that doesn't rename his mages you'll know it's not me and will perhaps spare him owing to that, which would then be a decision influenced by diplomacy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Now, the options are either disregarding the matter, agreeing on a common renaming scheme, or turning renaming off altogether. Thoughts, anyone?

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I was in the original Anon game and I'd like to do it again. Count me in. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I think we can trust that people won't be doing the cheesy, cheating renaming of scouts that was discussed there. In addition, if the host uses the master password to quickly skim through everyone's turns, it'd immediately be apparent that someone had cheated.

While on the other paw, nations with significant random magics (Tien Chi, etc) are pretty well screwed with renaming turned off, imo. If you're Ulm or the 2 Pangaean themes with no randoms, you're fine (until you take a jade amazon province), but...

And if someone names all their commanders Cainehill or Jurri, I think it's a safe bet that isn't us. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Oh - we could have an agreed upon format for renamings. All Pretenders must be named "Pretender" or "God" - that way you can't immediately tell that someone chose a lich or whatnot.

All Prophets are named "Prophet" or "Profit"; all mages, if renamed, are renamed in the D2F8A7 format - much as I hate that naming scheme for killing any sense of immersion in the game, it does give the player the information he wants, without giving away who the player is.

And mages shouldn't _need_ to be renamed - after all, 20 mages named "F1E2" for Ulm is kinda pointless. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I was going to say that turning renaming off is probably best. But... if everybody knows renaming is allowed and others might see your renaming scheme and give away who you are, you will need to consider a new renaming scheme for this game.

For example, naming your units "BOB-WATER DUDE" like you've always done in other games will be a give away to the regulars (not me) who know your naming convention.

And this means if I name all my commanders "JURRI-AIR DUDE", JURRI-WATER DUDE", etc. the best assumption is I'm not Jurri, but someone trying to masquerade as Jurri. Unless I'm really Jurri. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

So I think renaming is okay now, because it could be interesting (as long as it's not abused), and is needed/preferable for nations with randoms.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Or, "Jurri Bites" (b is for blood), "Shmonk Eats Dirt" (Earth and death random), "Cainehill's Awesome!" (air) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Please check my settings from the orginal post. It clearly says NO renaming and has from day 1. I also requested that all players use the default name for their pretenders when making them.

As for TC mages (and other nations), I have found that the F1 screen is a much easier way to determine the schools on your mages rather than renaming. I used to name my mages F1, D3, N4 for either a random school or the most empowered one. I even tried for a while to keep up with modifying the name when you add boosting artifacts. But I always missed some and got off far too often.

I also had a game where an opponent miraculously picked off my best mages from afar. He told me he did that because I had a mages named F5 (for casting Flames), or S6 (for wish with boosting), etc. So I don't do that anymore.

Of course, this does not help with your clam hoarders, I know. But clams are nerfed anyway, so it is not as big a deal as it might seem.

We are up to 15 players now and need but 2 more. The single biggest problem still remains the host issue. Anybody have any ideas on how to solve this?

EDIT: JM over on the QT3 forum has agreed to use his server for hosting this game. Stay tuned!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I could probably host, but it would need to be a PBEM game.

I assume that the host could send all turns out via a bulk email to all players (that is, all players would get all the files, but they would be locked up by passwords). That would make sure that the host would not need so send out a bunch of personal emails.

Oh... and I am a lawyer... so I am good at keeping identities confidential. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Ah, I must be going blind. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif Still, I would prefer to have renaming on, but I guess not. I only hope I get Ulm! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

What's the status ? Alneyan asked me to sub him if game started these days but it looks like we're far from that ...

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Gogogo,

and i hope not to get Miclan *würg*

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

If we have 15 players, perhaps we could do all the land nations randomly? If we wait too long, some of the players are likely to have forgotten / lost interest before it starts.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Exactilitily! ^^

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Hmm... I like that too (if we wanted to start sooner and not wait for 17).

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I'll join. I'll have to find someone to fill in for me for the last week of July, but this looks like fun...

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Oh, this looks like fun. I'd be happy to join if there's a spot, otherwise I'm equally happy to play the roll of joining the 'Foundation' which sounds like a great idea for any multiplayer game.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Looks like 17 now with the last 2 - Sedna and King Lear. Hopefully that means once the hosting is ironed out we'll be starting (this week hopefully).

Can't wait!!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

OK, we are full up and ready to start. Pasha Dawg has graciously offered to host this mega-game. Tauren is working with Pasha to help him get it all set up. There is still an open issue of whether the turn files will be sent en-mass (meaning password necessary) or singly (meaning no password needed). Likely the en-mass method will not work because the file will become too large.

All 17 players need to privately send their email address (by email or PM) to Pasha Dawg so he can collect all 17 addresses.

Sometime soon, Pasha will randomly assign the 17 nations and send them out in private to everyone. I propose we give everyone about 5 days to make a pretender. This gives Alneyan time to get back home and make his own pretender. Please remember to use the default pretender name when making your pretender. Also, don't forget to use the proper mods for this.

Adding it up, this means a target start date of July 11, though I bet it takes longer to actually get going.

This game is going to be really fun. Unless, that is, I get eliminated much too soon!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Great! Should be fun. Thanks for putting it all together.

I'm off to figure out which mods I need...

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Doh, just my luck this gets started after nothing but a week of talk about the faerun game from chris. I am still a noob at this game but i do have 1 game under my belt. If someone drops out let me know i wouldnt mind getting involved, but if not i will watch for the next game to join up.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

why can´t we use Jm´s server? play by email gets so tedious.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

JM says he never checks email and the only good way to get a hold of him is to PM him on QT3. He did not say how often he checks that. He also does not play Dominions anymore. This could cause trouble and delays when something happens to the game. It makes backups a problem unless it is done automatically on the host server. I have found PBEM to be easier to recover from incidents and far more stable than TCP/IP. I have had several TCP/IP games crash permanently for various reasons but never have I had a PBEM game crash unrecoverably.

Using anonymous players, the game would likely have to be started under PBEM for the first turn to make sure the right people put in for the right nation. There is typically a lot of care and feeding for that first turn. Perhaps Pasha could get us going at the start and we could then switch over to JM's server when the game had stablized. With 17 players, PBEM does get very tedious for the hosting agent.

But for the players, PBEM is much easier than TCP/IP in that you don't have to periodically check the server to find if there is a new turn. All you have to do is check your email, which most people do routinely anyway. Myself, I far prefer PBEM when playing.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Welcome friends!

I will be your host for the next several turns.

Folks have been sending me PM's. It is also fine to email me directly at whscom *AT* maine *dot* com.

If anyone has tips on how to deal with so many emails, please feel free to chime in or send me an email.

Shall we say that the subject line for all emails in this game will have "RAND" (short for Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy) in the subject line? That way I can have some email rules and a special folder.

Please note that I will be lounging next to a lake in extreme rural Maine from July 16 - 20, and I will be in the Great State of Wyoming from August 19 - 24. I will endeavor to find a substitute host for while I am away.

Pasha

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

All hail PashaDawg - many thanks to you.

Looking forward to the start of this great game

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

but jm´s server runs a script that sends you a notify email once a new turn is generated, so you get the best of both http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif . And there were no problems running the game on his server.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Yes, that would be the best!

All praise Pasha!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I can't join ... sorry - have fun with the game, but I have to leave for two weeks.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Do we start right now ? Who's sending the "assignments" (player/nation) and when ?

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I think Pasha will sent them soon:

What about a small summary in the beginning of the Threat, who still have to sent his eMail to Pasha?!

*chofs*

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Bluebird is out and Arkas is in.

Latest Player list:
1. Panther
2. Tauren
3. Cainehill
4. Shmonk
5. Griffin
6. Alneyan
7. Jurri
8. Izaqyos
9. Bill Paxton
10. Turin
11. Boron
12. Arkas
13. Goblin
14. RonD
15. Huntsman
16. Sedna
17. King Lear

Alternates:
1. Oversway
2. Yellow Cactus

PDF - Since Alneyan is back on Saturday and this game will not be started by then, you can just wait for him to return.

Hosting - The JM server sounds pretty good. If Pasha Dawg can get us going with the first couple of moves, then perhaps we should migrate over to JM's server when the Dawg goes lounging around in the back country of Maine later this month.

Pasha - Have you randomly assigned the nations yet?

All - Be sure to send Pasha your email address. Perhaps Pasha can put in a post or two for people who have yet do that so we can get an idea of who is missing the boat.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I'm in. And I own all your nations. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Edit : Except for Tien C'hi and Mictlan. Don't want them. All your other bases are owned. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Yup, the automatic email notification is fantastic. I've never actually played PBEM mode... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Hi All:

I am still waiting for emails for the following players:

Arkas
King Lear
Bill Paxton

I will start RANDOMLY assigning nations. I will send information to each player separately. Hee hee! The power! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Pasha

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Alright!

I have assigned nations, and I will send out emails.

Gee wiz!! I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tempted to start tinkering with the results of my random assignment, but I slapped my hand. The assignment is completely random.

Pasha

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

And now this should become one of the quietest game threads, aside from the occasional "Is the server up" questions. Hopefully no one will go, "Oh man, I finally got the Robert E Lee hero but he got a disease his first battle!" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

my noobness knows no bounds. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

i forgot to log in when i last came here 2 days ago.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Can someone please link all mods and descriptions of the changes?
And where is the Hero-Mod?!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Oh yeah?! Well my [....] will [....] your [....] and then [....]. When we're finished with [....] we're gonna [....] your [....]! So there!


{trash talk redacted by the Department of [....], [....]}

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Ok, found the mods, but have someone a summary, expecial of the magic changes?

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Yai, we get to start soon! Happy days. Oh, and all of you with your rubbish trash talk... just hope you can back it up =).

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Here's what Quantum Mechanic wrote about the Spell Mod.

Closest to a proper write up for the item mod is at the bottom of this page.

A description of new scale effects is on the very last past of the thread.

Gotta see if we can get Zen to edit the first post in that thread / topic, add in the links to the descriptions.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Ahhh, thank you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Got my email. Almost marked it as SPAM but there was a little voice telling me to just take a quick peek... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Just want to make sure I've got the mods done right. So when I run the game, go to Preferences, I should have the following set to "Enabled":

Conceptual Magic Items 1.0
Conceptual Pretender Gods 2.2
Conceptual Spells 1.8
Worthy Heroes 1.1

Does that look right? thx

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

The one you need to make sure of when creating your pretender is the Pretender 2.2 - all the others, if installed, get turned on or off by the game you're in.

In addition there's the Conceptual Scales 1.2 that you need.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

bah, i don´t like the zen spell mods!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

You don't like:

• low level summonings being more useful
• Abusive spells being harder to cast
• High end summonings requiring more research / magic paths
• Troop buffing spells being more accessable

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Err... You do realize you're already in at least one game that's using all of Zen's mods? Turn 29 in the Gotterdammerung game for instance.

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Mebbe that game's the basis for his dislike? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

...I like it. The mod does create some new problems and I still wouldn't summon animals, but all in all it's a good thing!

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

I like the disbalances of the unmodiefied version:

I like the pretender Mod very much and are interrestet in a good unit rebalance, but the spells ... i don´t know(howl = 2 Nature gems!Everything is so relativ.
Dont´t want to complain about the balance, i am quite sure that its better for that.

And i make profit with this mod http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New MP Game - Random, Anonymous, No Diplomacy
 

Hi All:

I am still waiting for an email from Bill Paxton. All other players have checked in with me.

Feel free to send me pretenders. Be sure to make passwords for your pretenders. Make sure you have the pretender mod enabled.

Pasha