Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Well, now that there should be a bunch of new people to Dominions, I think we should probably start some quick games away from the gurus who would horribly crush us and dance up and down on the corpses of our pretenders.

As such, I'm looking to set up a PBEM game. The settings are as follows:
Site Frequency: 50%
Independent Strength: 6
Hall of Fame Size: 15
All other settings are at their defaults.
No restrictions on nation picks.
The map will be Aran unless there's a consensus that some other map is superior.
Turns will be run MWF at the minimum, as quickly as possible otherwise.
Respond to this thread or send me a private message if you are interested.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'll play!

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'd like to play! Despite the fact that I act knowledgeable, I've only played 1 MP game and I lost. In fact, I was the first player eliminated=)

But I only have the demo right now, so if the game starts before Monday or so I'd have to join as a demo nation and switch over to my full Version once it arrived. Is Abysia OK?

Edit: Misspelled "knowledgeable" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ November 23, 2003, 16:34: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'd like to join in!
Preferred nation: Vanheim

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'd like to play, if I may.

Preferred nation: Arcoscephale or Machaka.

Email by PM.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'm in.

Jotunheim or Ermor

PM or Email me.

Sammual

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Okay, so far we have 9 people and their race preferences:

Me: Pythium
Zen: Unknown
Teraswaerto: Unknown
Rabelais: Unknown
Saber Cherry: Abyssia
PhilD:Ulm, Man, or Jotunheim
Truper: Vanheim
Raen: Arcosephale or Machaka
Sammual: Ermor or Jotunheim

That looks like enough to start, and I'm planning to use the Aran map so email me your pretenders at grdice@ece.ualberta.ca If there's a conflict between pretenders, those who get the file in first get the spot.

I'll start on Wednesday night at midnight Mountain time, as long as nothing unforseen happens before then.

If I missed anyone, let me know.

[ November 24, 2003, 00:45: Message edited by: Graeme Dice ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'd be glad to play.

Given the choice, I'd play Ulm, or Man. Or Jotunheim.

Graeme: I'll send you a PM with my email address.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I am willing to take whatever is open after everyone else does. I don't mind not playing my 'favorite' race.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">My file was sent.

Sammual

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Many of you don't sound like newbies to me...

::glances nervously about::

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Ahhhh!

I thought you said Newby! Like Jack Newby. I thought it was a family reuinion.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I am on turn 14 of my first multi-player game now.

Sammual - And I am in Last place in everything but Gem Income (In a three way tie for First Place in that).

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'm about turn 12 of my first MP game, and I already feel the hot breath of the experienced Abysian player in my neck...

And on this game, I'll be playing as Man (but with a theme I hadn't tried before). Completely goofy design. Might be fun, or completely worthless. We'll see. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Ok, I have 10 people signed up now, which makes Aran way too crowded. I'd suggest that Inland be used instead, as nobody has picked a water nation. I've received

There's a conflict for Arco, which can hopefully be resolved peacefully. I'll play something other than Pythium if that will help resolve it.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I'll be the 10th player, playing C'tis. If Graeme sticks with his plan of playing in Aran, I think we'll all be breathing down each other's necks ... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Another thing that might be worth considering is altering the victory conditions from standard. I've played in about half a dozen MP games of Dom1, and not a single one of them played out to conclusion.

How about something like control of 60% of the map's provinces?

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

It sounds like this will be one big game, I can't wait.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

60% sounds good (for province control, I mean). Although, with lots of players, 51% would probably be OK. Winning Dominions by total domination is very difficult and tedious.

Another victory setting, victory by % total population under your dominion, might be interesting... but it doesn't exist yet... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif It would be problematic with Ermor and Ctis, though.

You know what would be cool? If we could get some Johans and Kristoffers in the game=) Send them a couple PMs! Designers are notoriously bad at their own games, because they play the way it's SUPPOSED to work, rather than how it actually works=) Thus, they could probly be considered newbies http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

-Cherry

[ November 25, 2003, 00:23: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I am SOOOOO gonna get stomped http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

With Descartes as your avatar, you should be able to take it philosophically http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif . As for me, I'll be astounded no matter what happens... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Why doesn't anyone prefer servers? I'll gladly run a 24/7 server. I'll even join if theres open slots.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well, I can't run a 24/7 server on my home box, as it isn't stable enough over long periods of time to do that. Unless of course, you can restart the game at a later time.

Really though, I know how PBEM works, but I have no idea how Dominions server play works over month long games.

Also, make sure you've password protected your pretenders, so that nobody is tempted to cheat.

[ November 25, 2003, 02:24: Message edited by: Graeme Dice ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hey, that's what I'd prefer - non-automated email is a pain - and especially web email=) Is there no limit to the number of servers you can run on a computer? But I'm not the one who proposed the game, so it's not my decision. I appreciate your generosity, though! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

-Cherry

P.S. You can switch from one mode to the other at any time, if the server fails, for example.

[ November 25, 2003, 02:25: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

When joining is server, it is strongly recommended that you create a new shortcut and use the following command line:

--tcpclient --ipadr # --port # --nonationsel

EXAMPLE: "C:\Program Files\Dominions 2\dom2.exe" --tcpclient --ipadr 68.98.86.49
--port 1111 --nonationsel

That way, everything is automated. As soon as you double-click, you will enter the correct server.. If you don't know how to use command lines, heres how (for windows Users).

1. create shortcut
2. right click, select properties
3. in the target field, enter commands after the quotations (which is for the shortcut target)

Here are more detailed steps:

1. Create a shortcut of Dominions2.exe by right-clicking on Dominion2 and selecting SHORTCUT.

2. Place the shortcut where you feel is comfortable. I personally put servers in the STARTUP folder in START --> PROGRAMS --> STARTUP so that the server starts up after I restart my computer.

3. Right-click on your new shortcut and click RENAME. I name servers/clients based on the IP it uses.

4. Right-click on the shortcut again and click PROPERTIES.

5. In the TARGET field of the SHORTCUT tab should say, "C:\Program Files\Dominions 2\dom2.exe".
All you do is type the commands outside of the quotations.

6. You may string the shortcuts of the commands together, for example: -ismwqxxx. Put spaces
and dashes inbetween anything else.

7. The next step is optional. You may place a comment in the COMMENT field to record more information of the client/server. In the comments field, I usually put the ip address.

[ November 25, 2003, 04:59: Message edited by: Argitoth ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ok, forgive a cranky old bastard who's used to playing Stars! Why is client/server preferable?

PBEM runs on a stated schedule. C/S runs....whenever everyone gets around to getting their turns in....could be sooner, could be later.

What am I missing?

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Well, maybe you shold give it a try. It is so much easier, so much faster. No tediousness involved.

I can even put automatic hosting times such as MWF.

Having the server host everytime all players have taken a turn is a given. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ November 25, 2003, 03:28: Message edited by: Argitoth ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

My fear is that under that system there would be pressure to get the turns in.

How long are you willing to wait for a turn file before focing next turn? 24 hours? 48?

Many of us have limited time to devote to this and PBEM suits us very well.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ok, I'm sold.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

All I need now is a YES or NO from the original PBEM host.

And if anyone wants to keep in close contact:

Argitoth@hotmail.com

AIM: Argitoth
MSN: Argitoth@hotmail.com
ICQ: 169752168
Yahoo: Argitoth

[ November 25, 2003, 04:08: Message edited by: Argitoth ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

You know what, I'll just start the server. Just join, select your nation, and disconnect.

If the PBEM host ends up saying 'NO'... well I can still start the game, heheh.

[ November 25, 2003, 04:15: Message edited by: Argitoth ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I have no problem with this, but I will still start the PBEM game. It's not as though the turns will get to VGA planets length (1-2 hours+) anytime soon, so I don't see multiple games being a problem.

Edit:
Not to say that I'm expecting you to join any extra games you don't feel you can manage of course.

[ November 25, 2003, 04:29: Message edited by: Graeme Dice ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

SERVER CANCELED

[ November 25, 2003, 04:36: Message edited by: Argitoth ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Graeme - have you made a decision on the victory conditions?

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Actually, it kind of defeats the purpose of me running a server if you are going to do a PBEM game anyway. I will have to cancel the server.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I don't like taking over PBEM games, so it's either network only or PBEM only. I don't want to steal all your players and then leave you by yourself in the dark. If you change your mind, just concact me.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">60% of the provinces sounds good, as by that point that person will have 90 provinces.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I now have everyone's pretender other that Saber Cherry's Abyssia. As soon as he gets it to me I'll start the game.

Victory will be by 97 provinces, and there will be 10 players involved.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

My apologies; it is now sent.

-Cherry

P.S. Would you mind posting a player/nation lineup?

[ November 27, 2003, 03:06: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Ok, the game has started, and you have been emailed your first turn file. If it's not back by midnight Friday Mountain time, the turn will be run without your commands.

The lineup of players is:
Graeme: Pangaea
Saber Cherry: Abysia
Sammual: Jotunheim
Truper: Vanheim
PhilD: Man
Teraswaerto: Pythium
Raen: Arcosephale
Dark Myth: Ulm
Zapmeister: Ctis

The map is inland, victory condition is 97 provinces. If I missed anyone from the above list, let me know ASAP.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

I only count 9. I thought there was 10.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I'm pretty sure that only 9 people sent me their pretenders.

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Zen & Rabelais from the original list either didn't submit their pretenders or aren't listed

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Off topic, but Graeme Dice, as in the Graeme Dice from SDnet? Small world...

Edi

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Yep. ASVS is my true home though. How many of us do you think there are anyways that would have my name. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Not many, I was rather certain it was you, but there was an outside chance so I played it safe. The reason I associate you with SDnet instead of ASVS is that I never participated in the newsgroup myself. Do you know how many others from SDnet/ASVS might be here? As I think there are a few people there who would like Dominions.

Edi

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

Nevermind....

[ December 01, 2003, 13:41: Message edited by: Teraswaerto ]

Re: Newbie PBEM game starting
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I don't think there are any others from ASVS, although there might be a few in the SE4 forums.