Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Word-Up Mr. Pirate!
I've got pirate tendancies as well, so don't feel bad!
Yc

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Greetings all.

I will ressurect this thread for you to ask you a question. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif


Now that you have played it for some time, what do you think about Zen's Cradle map? Is this edition well suited for MP? Do you like it? Does Caelum stil have large advantage over other races even after Zen's modifications, or was it mostly fixed with this edition?


I am thinking of using Zen's Cradle for my next game. However since I haven't played it myself yet in MP, I would be interested to know your opinions about it. Norfleet do not need to bother to post, since I know his opinion already. What other players think?

[ July 30, 2004, 20:02: Message edited by: Stormbinder ]

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

As I mentioned, I think Zen went too far in clearing up bottlenecks that were part of what made Cradle so grand.

Tweaking the land types was fine, as that gave various armies some use of their strategic movement, but the many added neighbors removes the choke points that were of strategic interest.

In addition, it seems that the map may be _too_ rich now; 14 provinces generating over 1000 gold a turn might be considered high.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Oh Please! One swamp area on the right that had terrain pattern of swamp/forest that noone, except for fliers (Hello Caelum) could move more than one province a turn for 3 consecutive provinces?

Maybe I just don't see the point of having bottlenecks that don't allow some sort of advantage. Also the bottleneck in question has one single province that is the central connection from both sides so a castle there, will limit movement of enemies but still allow people to forward field.

As for the 14 provinces and 1000+ gold, depending on the provinces (if you got one of the sweet areas and all of them were the large ones, near the top and along the right) that should be obtainable. Considering that each patch of 'good high income provinces' is beside a big patch of 'thematic TERRAIN provinces'. So unless you are playing just a few nations on a 200+ nation map and each person controls vast areas of connective land between terrain types, those lands should be a heavy point of contention.

Of course you're entitled to opinion and play preference. But blood nations are no longer crippled and thus allows options that were not able on the previous original Cradle map and this Version of Cradle does not make swamps "something I have to control in order to get to these other good lands and have to slog through unless I have fliers" and instead makes them just as key strategically and economically as others.

Before you decry the adjusted bottlenecks, I'd suggest playing C'tis at/around those swamp areas and see if they are fitting as opposed to "With Pangaea there are not enough bottlenecks because they have Forest Survival" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[ July 31, 2004, 03:04: Message edited by: Zen ]

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Zen - clicking around, I spot 3 separate chokepoints that you added neighbors to. There may be others.

As far as the swamps go - that's an issue for Illwinter imo. My feeling is that there are plenty of maps that have few or no bottlenecks, while the original Cradle had a unique play and feel. (Some other new ones have some impassable terrain features, but are, IMO, somewhat illconsidered.)

Now, of course we all still have the original Cradle map, so it's not like I'm saying that you broke the map. But he asked people's opinions of what you'd done. I gave mine. Is there a problem with this?

Of course, I didn't see anything to not like about the original Cradle, aside from the fact that Caelum probably shouldn't be allowed as a nation on it. If blood nations were crippled on it (which is quite possible), well - that and Caelum were in my opinion the only imbalances with the map (once neighbors had been fixed and provinces #nostarted).

And if blood nations were crippled - so much the better, given that the blood nations have such a huge advantage in any magic site poor game.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

All right, thank you.


Anybody else could post thier opinion? In particular, I would like to know what you guys think about Caelum on this map - I am thinking if perhaps I should ban that nation from my Zen's Cradle game, in case if it is still overpowered in MP on this map, or it is ok now with Zen's modification to province types and connections between provinces.

Thanks,
Stormbinder

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Arcoscephale (Frosted Flake) appears to be MIA. 3 hours remain before he stales.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">He's ... flaking out on the weekend? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

The Pirate appears to be missing again, and looks to have staled his Last turn.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Yeah sorry the winds were not cooperating so I did not get back to land until 2 hours after the deadline. The weather was just too nice to pass up on sailing this weekend. Just as well for Cohen (Abysia) since I missed my chance to kill his pretendar. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I've been watching and wondering how long you were going to sit there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Looks like I don't get to kill Cohen this game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

He was most indignant that his laptop would not connect to his hotel room isp (weird always has before) and sufferred much loss..grrr


frosted flake

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Is Miss Pirate out at sea again? You're Last! Get a move on it!

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Grrrrrr.... I keep missing turns by 1 hr. Actually I will call it my new strategy - Possum. I act like I am dead in the water then spring the trap. Anyone see Master and Commander? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I will be indefinitely leaving Dominions II and will not be able to complete this game. If you wish to continue this game in my absence, I will leave it running on the server, dole out my liquid assets, and go AI within a turn or two. If you wish to terminate the game, I will do so. If somebody wishes to take over hosting, as I will not be around to check on any problems, inform me immediately and I will have the game tar.gz'ed and sent to you.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I'll take over the hosting for the games Norfleet was running if no one who is already involved with the game is able/willing to handle it.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Don't say I didn't warn you guys about this cheater, when you have decided to move to his server.

If it helps, I've heard that there was a free slot on the Mose's server earlier today. Perhaps you could use it for you game, and ask Mose to help you to set up the game so you could continue?

Regards,
Stormbinder

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

The Pain of humans game is ending on mose. So there will be at least 1 additional slot free when Rabulous (sp) ends the game.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Don't you think that was a little uncalled for Storm? I don't know his problem, but it doesn't seem typical of Norf to bail on a game, kinda looks like he was doing well.

Vig

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Oh, you haven't seen it than. Check this today's thread:

http://forum.shrapnegames.com/showth...amp;PHPSESSID=

It will explains while Norlfeet is leaving Dom2 community in such a hurry. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Norfleet - sorry to hear you are leaving Dom2. While I don't necessarily "like" you (I'm sure you don't care) and I don't think your spy tactics in the game against Stormbinder (which were detailed ad nauseum in a thread) were ethical....I do think that you were probably the most knowledgable, responsive, and helpful person on this board in general. Thanks for the responses, help, and for answering what probably seemed like silly questions over and over.

Anyway, I hope you decide to return to DOM2 at some point. I don't think most people bought the "Stormbinder Inquisition" thing...it seemed like you were being unecessarily hassled most of the time.

Cheers,
John

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I'm doing reasonably well, but that's not the reason I have for leaving. Because of a string of fortuitous, or perhaps not so, events, regarding other games, I have decided it is best for everyone if I leave Dominions II for an indefinite length of time, rather than have more games thrown into question of whether or not events that transpire constitute cheating or not. Frankly, I was starting to get a little exhausted with Dom2, anyway. While I normally don't cut and bail from games, especially not when losing, I don't happen to be losing here, and this is why I am cutting it loose.

If people prefer, I can keep going for a few more days until I have de-sensitized the password I am using, and then dump the game on a sub. Normally, I don't give out passwords, but since I'm pulling out of all Dominions II games, the password no longer possesses value.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Hmm, I did not see that. That is not cool.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I am sorry JJ_Colorado.

I didn't relize that a lot of people haven't seen that thread. Norfleet have been officialy busted for his blatant cheating in our MP, and Illwinter themself confirmed it. He had 4800 gems worth of stuff on turn 23 as Ermor in our game, while haveing no gem income whatsoever. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif We have send all files to Illwinter and they are working on it right now.

Read the thread I've posted for more details.

And don't worry about appology to me after you done, I understand why you may feel this way if you haven't read the today's tread that I just posted link to. I should include it in my original message. I guess I was tooinvolved in it and assumed that by now everybody have already seen it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif My own mistake.

Regards,
Stormbinder

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

WOW! That is pretty compelling evidence. I don't want to play in a game w/ Norfleet. Turn 22 and he had that much stuff? That is keeeeerazy.

John

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

So what are we doing with this game?

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Keep playing till we find a new home, I say.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Well I am done playing Dom II for a while. I have played in many games with Norfleet and spent way to much time trying to figure out strategies against him and all were but a waste of my time. I feel insulted and somewhat foolish. I have been playing strategy games for 20+ years and have seen this happen over and over. I just had hoped (very naive) that this community was immune, since it seemed to have a more intelligent and mature group of gamers involved. Sadly the cycle repeats itself and yet another game that I loved in multiplayer is tainted by cheaters.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

You'll Always be my favorite Pirate!
Yc
-I wish this game would continue. Wars are breaking out in the south and Norfleet has NOTHING to do with our good clean blood-letting!

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Seems like a heck of a time to quit, now that the cheater is exposed. I'd think you'd be ready to try a fair game.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Unfortunately from my experience once cheating is "out of the bag" more cheaters emerge since they know it can be done. I am sure I will be back, but for now I will just let the smoke clear for a while.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I'd like to get a resolution on this game soon. So far Norfleet has not gone comp controlled, and I'm sure some would have a problem with that.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Was anyone at war with Caelum?

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I seem to have forgotten to upload. It's done now.

No, nobody is at war with me. If somebody would now like to take hosting off my hands, I can have it tar.gzed like the other games and put up for you to download.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I'm willing to host this game as with others if no one else wants to do it.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I say go for it sheap, let us know when you are good to go.

Vig

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I have sent the relevant information for how to acquire the game to Sheap. The game has been shutdown. Once he takes them off my hands, I will burn my copy of them and wash my hands of this entire affair. This was the Last of the Dom2 games I'm still involved with.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Unfortunately I'm not able to download anything from the location Norfleet sent me. I get 404 not found.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Try again? I fixed the file permissions. It should work now.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I was able to download the files. I'll put the server up soon.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

Good to know. My work here is done. Good bye to all, good luck to some, and good riddance to the rest.

Adios, muchachos.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

OK, game is working finally on my server. See this thread:

http://forum.shrapnegames.com/showth...view=collapsed

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Kludgemush
 

I was drunk and grumpy Last night....
-Yc

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

Whatever happened to the timer for this game? We seem to be on "quickhost only" and and right now, R'lyeh is holding up the works.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

Yeh, something seems to have happened to Vigabrand. To quote Norfleet, "Vigabrand must have died." http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

I'll forcehost this turn. Should it be 24h quickhost, 48h quickhost or something else?

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

Upon further review by the replay official, Rlyeh played their own turn.

But still, what should the server setting be http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

Well, the original settings were 24 QH - as the game's founder said, "if you can't keep up, don't join".

That said, it wouldn't cause me any pain if we went to something like 48 hour QH, or 36 QH, something like that, at this point in the game.

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

Sorry guys, didn't get home till almost midnight. BTW is anyone else at war with the evil Caelum empire?

Vig

Re: MP Game - Cradle/Snurgle
 

Well, we're down to just three humans vs. (at least) 3 AIs, (Jotuns, Caelum and now T'ien Ch'i have all quit).

I am wondering how interested everyone is in playing this one out to the end?

I am always willing to play to the bitter end, but are we getting to the point where this one is just silly to continue with so many AIs, so few humans?