Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

...and there was much rejoicing. [yeeeaaaah, yeeeeaaaah.]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">In the words from the "Poltergeist" movie, "He's Ba-ack."

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Just wanted to let everybody in the game know that I'm in and that this is my first PBW.

Hey-a and whatnot.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Welcome!

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I can't find the mediocrity forum on the PBW page. Can someone throw a link in here to it?

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If you use the graphic UI you can get to the forum. Or go to the general forums and hit the "Show all game forums" link at the bottom. That part of the text UI is broken at the moment.

Geoschmo

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

OT to Gwaihir http://www.animalaid.org.uk/youth/to.../cosmetics.htm

Guinea pigs are still #2 in England, anyway.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I was using the test interface, but see I try the graphical one and I get

"Error

The following exception occured:

You were not authorized to that action."

And I'm not

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Ok Loser, check your email.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">We have a different use for them here....[eg]

[ July 17, 2003, 19:23: Message edited by: mottlee ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">We have a different use for them here....[eg]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Perhaps you're getting guinea pigs confused with gerbils (bigger eg).

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Nope...use pigs for testing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geo. Having problem with game error in loading Gam file...did add a new mod but I do not know what files (if any) that was over witten...any Ideas?

could I re D/L the patch you think that will work??

Fixed reinstall http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[ July 17, 2003, 23:01: Message edited by: mottlee ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Hey Gravey101,

Nice backstab on that Last turn! I guess it's always easier to suddenly drop an alliance and attack on the same turn than it is to do the honorable thing and declare war first. Hope you enjoy the victory!

-- Lord Chane

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Hey Lord Chane,

Yes, I will enjoy it. Probably more so now after your post than I would have done otherwise. Please try to remember that it's a game, not a matter of honour. I play to win. You are free to play however you wish, and I guess free to criticize me on public forums as well, instead of doing the honorable thing and sending a private email.

Gravey.

[ December 10, 2003, 05:17: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.

Henry VI Part III, ACT IV Scene i

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

EDIT - new sig

[ December 10, 2003, 00:32: Message edited by: General Woundwort ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">One who shows no honor deserves no honor. Yes, it is a game and you should play to win. Stooping to backstabbing tactics though is a cheap way to win. But hey, if that's the way you prefer to win, then go for it. And if you don't like being criticized in public then maybe you ought to rethink your actions. You obviously had the power to win without resorting to that sort of tactic.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

>One who shows no honor deserves no honor.

Hmm. One of us is talking about honor within the context of a computer game, the other about a personal attack on a public message board. Can you not see the difference here?

>Stooping to backstabbing tactics though is a cheap way to win.

Yawn... here we go again. There seems to be a small, but occasionally vocal, community that insist the game be played by their rules, and anyone who fails to do so is a cheat, or has no honor, or whatever. I've heard it all before...

[ December 10, 2003, 04:47: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Guys, this is not the place for this. Drop it or take the discussion private.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Certainly Geo. I for one would have preferred it to have been kept private all along... Mr Chane, email me privately if you wish to continue the discussion.

Gravey.

[ December 10, 2003, 05:13: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Fine. Consider it dropped.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">As leader of the Serpents, I had a great game trying to be the mega-evil empire. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif The game was fun and challenging. Yawning was a stalwart ally to the bitter end. In regards to multi-player SEIV, Mediocrity was my most enjoyable game ever.

My only complaint: Intel projects! What a way to unbalance and wreck and a perfectly good game� http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

So, is anyone interested in Mediocrity 2 + No Intel?

Gecko

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Something I wondered, why did you not switch to beam weapons after your first attack wave ? What I was indeed fearing was a strategy to keep us off balance. A missile fleet, then a pure beam based fleet etc...etc..

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">A legitimate question that I will happily answer. I like thinking and playing �outside the box�. Since everyone else uses beam weapons and ignores missiles/drones in SEIV, I have been trying to develop missile/drone strategies for a long time. I play to win, but my enjoyment of the game does not depend on winning. I had a great time being shot down in flames in Mediocrity. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Let me know when the game is done completly and I'll be happy to set up Mediocrity 2. And we can make it no intel if you guys want. The hook for Mediocrity was everyone had identical racial setup numbers, with no traits and 100% on everything. If you want no intel you will be wasting some racial points, but if you don't mind I don't.

Geoschmo

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Gecko, I too have tried the misile/fighter/drone strategy and just cannot get it to be effective in the standard game. It is more effective in some of the mods, but still is a struggle apart from the surprise of the initial attack. PD is just too powerful to make it viable IMO. Intel definitely made the difference in this one. After we were able to break your alliance it seemed the writing was on the wall.

I would be interested in Mediocity 2 as well. Don't really care about intel one way or another.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

As leader of the Yawning collective I was always in pretty bad shape (yet another reason why the scores as such are screwy! They kept saying I was number #1 when I KNEW I was really in very bad shape...). I had three (count em, three) systems to myself (basically, my home systems) because of being right next to other players and having nebulaue wherever there wasn't another player... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I always thought that Gravey was really in first place and sided with the Serpent against him on that regard. My biggest mistake was waiting too long to attack Gravey, I had basically the same fleet I attacked him with in place 5 or 6 turns before then and was just waiting to attack simultanuesly with Serpent. But my one advantage was that since I did not have anywhere to expand TO, I had been building many more warships than everyone else. I should have pushed my advantage then as hard and fast as I could and hoped for the best. This is just so counter to my usual playing style that I was caught of guard... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Fun game, I just wish someone would come and kill my remaining planets (still in full riot), so that I could withdraw... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I guess I don't even matter but will post my comments on the game.

I guess my empire didn't matter much because one empire I had a partnerships with dropped the game with no warning and never set the "AI taking control" setting which resulting in the partnerships being dropped and war being declared and me scrambling to deal with enemy ships and lost planets in the rear of my empire.

BUT, I still had one other partnership going on. WHOA! Change #2...that empire dropped the game and guess what...same thing!

Now, I understand people have RL things that interrupt their games but some warning would be nice AND setting the AI switch would be a plus.

Same thing happened in the Anklebiters game (although I didn't have a partnershp)...I get a T&R agreement, then war is declared, then the same empire asks for a T&R agreement again.

Suffice it to say I have lost much of my interest in multiplayer games. I have a tough enough time playing most people without having my game and efforts messed up by others (RL or not). Just too many variables that can come along and ruin your game.

Not to mention they seem to move much slower than other games.

So I will be very selective about future group games I join. I don't think Mediocrity II will be one of them. It was interesting but I can tell you 8 turns to build a DN at a low-pop planet is a real drag http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif .

Best of luck to the rest of you who strive to rise above mediocrity http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif .

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse. It unbalences the game because whoever is lucky enough to be in position to "harvest" it's empire will get a significant leg up on the rest. Of course this is true to a lesser degree even if the AI is doing it's best, but at least then it can be a nusiance to the players if not an actual factor in teh game.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I would rather give some areas under AI direction while leaving other fields outside of the AI rule. What seems to bother Slynky is the AI tendency to break treaties with every single neighbour, and I have to concur with him on this one. Having five wars going on when you take over an Empire can be somewhat annoying. I don't mind if the AI is attempting to build some defences, but I don't want these non-entities to even look at the diplomacy screen.

Or perhaps it is already possible to do so with a few tweaks in the AI files? I cannot say as I haven't delved into these mazes regulating what the AI will *try* to do once left alone.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Slynky it is a shame you have soured on multi-player. I too have endured the same frustrations that you have, but probably to a lesasr extent. Over the years I have deveoped a pretty good feel for who is reliable and who isn't. I wont join a game where I only know 1 or 2 of the players. If I know that 75% or so are probably ok then I will go for it.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

teal, I think you played it fine - I just got lucky. I managed to catch your fleet on that WP. I was one turn away from destruction. 9 times out of 10 you had me beaten.

[ December 10, 2003, 18:00: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I think I disagree. When the treaty is dropped, my colony ships killed, and my planets attacked, I can tell you right away, I'd MUCH rather the AI did nothing. NOW, if the position is not filled soon and the AI plays at its usual weakness, then I (and others) can decide to carve it up and I can tell you it's much easier to do when I can prepare for it and drop the treaty myself (when I'm ready).

So when it comes to a person dropping from the game, in my opinion, to keep the game going as truly as it was, the least harm should be to those empires allied with it. Any long-term effects of the drop can be dealt with much easier that way.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Geee....I guess I will take my ships and planets and go home! Was my 1st pbw game and at least I did not die!

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Planets? You have planets? I thought we'd already addressed that issue.

And the game isn't entirely over. I don't know about the other players, but I'll be very disappointed if the victorious conquerors do not make some attempt to clean up one particular little threat in their backyard.

Bring it.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, not sure but, the switch stops the AI from making "major" changes. They still build ships and colonize, right? At least it seems that way to me. Here is what the manual says:

This is used when you are playing a simultaneous game. Normally, if you do not submit your turn file when the host processes your turn, the computer will automatically take over your turn and play it for you. Now it may be that you don't want the AI to make any major changes to your empire while you're away. Turning this option on means that if the AI does take over control of your empire, then it won't make many change.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Keep in mind the manual was written at a time when that option didn't even work, so whatever it says should be taken with a grain of salt. It was fixed at some point along the way, but I don't recall whether the AI does any of the things you suggest. I think it does not, but would have to test it. I think it will continue building what you start, but that's it. And will not send the colony ships when they are done being constructed.

Geoschmo

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I agree with the following caveats:

1. If the opposing fleets do not start combat at point blank range or interleaved, missiles/drones can work. Unfortunately, they do start in those positions 19 out of 20 times. Kaboom.

2. Once the fleets get over 20+ ships each, the combat map starts getting crowded �especially with seekers flying around. Missile/drone ships can not get the maneuver room to use their range advantage effectively. Kaboom.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Geoschmo, considering the lead time it took to populate Mediocrity 1, why not set up Mediocrity 2 now?

I vote for No Intel. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Gecko

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Anyway, we are reaching the end game.
Fun game anyway, at least for me and Gravey101. When both Serpent and Yawning players launched a surprise attack on me and gravey, he was not ready for war and I did not have a single warship able to stand the field. Despite loosing more than half of his planets, gravey (and me!) managed not only to survive the most powerful game alliance but finally to crush our opponents.

Ssssoo swwwet, as would have said the serpents.

We were scorewise 1&4 when we were jumped on(I was 4), the Serpents and yawning were 2 and 3. I remember some of gravey's mail, telling he believed he was almost dead. I remember starting to build up a defense line beyond gravey's frontier, as I feared he was about to be stormed.

As of alliances, those of you I am military allied with know who they are. And it will definitely NOT be indicated by a TR alliance. So do not hold the treaty grid in high estim.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I'm ready for the endgame.

Bring it.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Yes, as UE says, I have never come back from such a desperate position. Planets rioting, a large enemy fleet in my home system, no time to train new ships... It was desperate for sure. Somehow I managed to scrape together a few ships and won a WP battle against the odds...

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Here was an email from that time;

>Well, this really is some game... just when I think I am dead and buried once more, I destroy the entire Yawning Fleet at the Mentocka WP. I have to divert everything I have against him now while he is on the back foot and try to take him out. I underestimated him before. Can you keep the Serpants quiet in the meantime...

Looks like we have another player drop from the game. No surprise really I guess.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I think it's time to surrender my position. I had built some ships to see if I could have any chance of doing some ship captures at warpholes but they don't seem to be very good...untrained...and the fleets running around my homeworlds are too big http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif .

Congrats to Gravey and Unknown Enemy for working their way to victory...especially among rioting (gulp).

I wasn't trying to prolong the game for "you gotta wipe me out" purposes...I wanted to see if I could do any harm against that bully fleet...hehe.

So, should I just withdraw from the game?

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Game is almost done, so yes a withdraw should be fine. Sometime, the game is unfair, it should have been Gecko and Teal in our position. But hell, better me and gravey than them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thanks to all players for that wonderfully weird game.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

Of course, it would have been nice if my fleet had managed to damage just ONE of Gravey's ships in our Last dust-up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

Some fleet commander is gonna get busted down to doolie for this screwup...

[ December 26, 2003, 00:57: Message edited by: General Woundwort ]

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I think I damaged a ship, I can't remember... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Game is almost done, so yes a withdraw should be fine. Sometime, the game is unfair, it should have been Gecko and Teal in our position. But hell, better me and gravey than them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thanks to all players for that wonderfully weird game. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I do not think the game was unfair. I had a lot of fun playing a "mega-evil empire". I would love to see a Mediocrity 2 game started. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif In addition, the game ended with almost all of the original players and the replacements (like Loser) were fine players to boot. My only complaint regards the Intel system in SEIV... hec, I have not started a new game with Intel enabled for months.

Gecko

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I understand your complain, but I would say that I made the choice to heavily invest in intel facilities because all of you did not. And indeed, the price has been worth it.

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

I gather the game is at an end? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif just when I was building up again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New PBW game : "Mediocrity"
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Indeed, a strong strategy.

In addition to limited resources and poor decisions, your intel attacks have been putting the big hurt on my empire. A good job.

[ December 26, 2003, 17:10: Message edited by: Loser ]