Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Announcing the 2005 PBW Open. This will be a single elimination, head to head tournament. The tournament is open to all players and the bracket will be randomly seeded. All games will be 1 vs 1 with no AI. Matches will be set to 48 hour fully automatic turn processing on PBW. Allowances will be made for periods where you cannot play your turns, within reason, if you notify me and your opponent in advance and the absence is not too long.

Other settings optional upon agreement by the players, with the exception of the quadrant. The quadrant will be a smallish (20 to 25 systems) midlife map randomly created using the Balance Mod, with pre-set common starting positions to ensure some space between players at startup. As I will be participating in this as well as administrating it, at least for the first round I will have a non-involved third party create the map for the first round games which I will use to create the games without looking at it.

If the players cannot agree to game settings, the following default settings will apply: Stock SEIV, version 1.91 (At some point I’ll be upgrading to 1.94, when we get it setup on PBW.), No ruins, no events, 20000 ships, 20000 units. All else will be the default SEIV game settings, this includes all technologies and racial traits being allowed.

To join the tournament go to PBW and locate the “2005 PBW Open Tournament” game in the open game listing. Apply to join this game. I will allow as many players as want to join to participate in the tournament. Initially I am assuming we will get 8 players. I will randomly seed the first 8 players to join the game on PBW and remove you from the feeder game and assign you to a one on one game with your first round opponent.

If we get more than 8 players, initially I will keep the additional players as alternates in the event anyone of the original 8 players abandons their first round game. In that event the game will be restarted with the alternate player against the remaining original player.

If we get 16 players I will expand the bracket. If by some chance we get enough interest in this that we get 32 players, I will expand the bracket again. I doubt highly that this will happen though.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Ooops. Shoulda read a little more. Post deleted.

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Five players in. If you want to guarantee a spot in the tournament you need to be one of the first 8, so three spots left for that.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Thanks for plugging me in, Geo.

Hehe, you get any of that snow that swept in from Chicago the day before Thanksgiving? It was a real treat for my daughter who doesn't get to see snow too often here in Atlanta.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Yeah, it snowed a bit. None of it stuck though. It was all gone by the next day.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

The first 8 players in the tournament are set. Here are the matches:

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 1
Thermodyne
Intimidator

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 2
Khyron
Slynky

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 3
Parasite
Violist

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 4
geoschmo
Renegade 13

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

If you are kicking yourself for not getting involved in this when you had a chance, we have five more people signed up and if 3 more people join I will go ahead and expand the first round bracket to 16 players.

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Surely there are 3 more willing to jump in. Everyone can't be waiting on SE5 (grin).

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I would make it the 2006 Tournament.

16 players means four games in a series to win. Average of one year per game and we can see a winner before the years go two digits on us. :-)

(Moved Y10K comments to another thread to prevet hijacking this one.)

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well yes, I'm sure it won't end in 2005 but it started in 2005. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I centainly hope that the games take less than a year. With only 2 players per game they should go fairly quickly. Some Koth games get done in less than a week. I'm not expecting that from every game here, but they shouldn't go longer than a couple months for the slowest/longest ones.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Yes, It is fast. We have done 20 turns in two days, but this is just the start.

Three more players???

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I'd love to participate, but I'm on a business trip t'ill the end of December... So I don't have SE4 installed.

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Ahem... one more needed.

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Not anymore. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

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Yep, I'll be setting up the new bracket shortly.

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Sorry for the slowish turns so far Geo, work has me beat. But I should be able to make it up over the weekend http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Bracket has been updated:

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 1
Thermodyne
Intimidator

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 2
Khyron
Slynky

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 3
Parasite
Violist

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 4
geoschmo
Renegade 13

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 5
okmnji
landorl

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 6
Grandpakim
berendtium111

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 7
Nicolai
Tiberius

2005 PBW Open Tournament, Round 1, Game 8
Nomis
Blueoriontiger

I've shut down the tournament entry game. If anyone wishes to be considered for an alternate in case of people dropping out, make a post here.

Geoschmo

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Congrats to Parasite, the first round one winner after defeating Violist.

I've created a more visually appealing bracket. You can see it here:

2005 Tournament Bracket

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Geo, I assume the next round will be on a new map...?

Hey! Am I counting my unhatched chickens?

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Yes, round two will be on a new map. Should be similer in that it will be Balance mod or something like it, but not exactly the same map.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Reporting the completion of the game between Khyron and myself (with the win going to me). Interesting game with only colonizing breathable. Khyron played it very well considering he didn't quite get half the galaxy and even produced ships to the extent I was quite surprised even after losing even more of his chunk of the galaxy. Of course, when we fought (where I was almost always outnumbered), his ships lacked the necessary training to do well.

It was a good game and well-fought!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

The Thermolian Empire reports that they have defeated the Intimidator in tournament combat.

It was a well fought game, with the early rounds going to Intimidator. He really had me worried for a while. In the mid game, a series of tactical changes turned the game to the Thermolian advantage.

Good game Intimidator, Thanks.

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Well, it looks like the left bracket is about wrapped up then. Just me and Renegade left. We just had a big battle with about 100 ships on both sides. Pretty much wiped out both fleets. It's been one of the more enjoyable games I've had in a while. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Renegade has been honing his talent since I first played a game with him in it long ago.

Nice to hear the game is enjoyable--after all, that's what it's all about, right?

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Indeed Thermodyne did win our game, had a lot of fun playing it.....
Indeed I was on the winning side (atleast I tought http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif) but due to those "tactical changes" of Thermodyne my largest and best trained fleet stuck up at the wrong side of the galaxy, while Thermodyne took 3 of my systems. And an much needed supplybase for my fleet which was now runing out of supply.......... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
But again, had lots of fun and Thermodyne played great and thanks again.

Intimidator,

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Well I'm pretty sure you're going to end up beating me Geo. I expanded too fast in the early game, ending up with about 2/3 of the systems, but didn't concentrate enough on the military. Oops! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif After losing that many systems I doubt I'll be able to come back, but I'm sure going to try! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And I'm happy this has been an enjoyable game for you, it's been one of the better games I've played in a while too. Thanks a lot for setting up the tournament! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

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I'm not too sure about how much talent I have, luck plays a part in many of my games http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

The enjoyment is most definitely the best part of playing games like these. Winning is secondary or tertiary to the other factors. Pitting yourself against a skilled player and fighting it out is one of the best parts of SEIV. I just wish more people would be willing to put in the time to play PBW!

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Damn, all these games finishing before turn 100... I don't think my game is going to end that soon. I would estimate that I'm about double the size of landorl's empire, but it seems every time I try to attack in his territory, I succeed, but have a crippled fleet that has to limp back home. He's got pretty good defenses. Add to that, I hardly defended the outer colonies at all... playing against AI all these years has given me very bad habits http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

Been really fun though. Makes me think I should join in on KOTH or the SEIV rankings.

--edit: And perhaps I spoke too soon... landorl is offering surrender after 99 turns. He put up a really good fight, considering that I have yet to see a Rock or Ice colony in his territory, and I am in control of about 2/3rds of the systems on the map, and most of those are completely colonized. Huge economic advantage leads to having bigger fleets, and I guess he just put a decent dent in one of my attacking fleets with his last trained fleet.

So, I guess we're the first to finish in the second bracket?

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Round 1 game 4 is over. Renegade has surendered to me. It was a tough fight and a blast of a game. We burned up 200 ships in a massive battle. Only a handful of wounded survived the first combat, and all of those were picked off within the next two turns before they could get back to a planet for repair. I can't remember a game where 2 fleets of such size were completely obliterated before. Usually the battles are much more one sided. Well played Renegade.

We've got 5 of 8 first round games completed. Things are going much more smoothly than I anticipated at this point.

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Looks like Game 8 might be the slow cog in the system, though. It might speed up, though.

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Thanks Geo, though obviously you played better than me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Congratulations and good luck in your next game!

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Yes, I think one of those guys is fairly new to PBW. I'm not sure he's quite got the flow of how it all works. I'm hoping it will speed up a bit as it goes.

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I hope the Game 8 will speed up too... I'm doing my best to upload my turns as quick as possible, but I think my opponent doesn't care about a game. Maybe (like geoschmo said) he don't know how PBW works...

It's look that Blueoriontiger is going to miss another turn. ;( He has just one hour for uploading...

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

I've sent him an email.

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Hm, game 7 is about to be wrapped up. Tiberius's forces just arrived in my last system, so the game should be finished in a few turns.

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Berendtium has surrendered to Grandpakim.

Ya, I won but damn, it was ugly.

I started off badly overextended. I felt like a gangly, gawky teenager, all skin and bones, by the time we met. We were soon sharing three systems but for me it was just a false front; I had to fill out my empire.

In the meantime, berendtium won a few early victories. Then a few more early victories. Then some victories that could no longer be called early, before I managed to stop him.

Then the bashing began. Because our empire and ship designs as well as tactics were wildly different victories went to the one able to take advantage of his setup. He'd destroy my fleet, then I'd destroy his. This went on for quite a long time. I never exceeded 150 ships till the very end, the attrition was so heavy.

Finally I was able to solidify my defenses and prepare for a big attack, while gaining back some of the ground lost earlier. But berendtium managed to find my weakest point and send his last big fleet on a riot run. Now things got really ugly! berendtium, with the luck of the Irish was far more successful than he should have been. That success forced the cessation of all ship production and eventually a few riots. In the meantime I was steadily eating away at his holdings. Slow work, for berendtium is a formidable defender. I paid for every inch.

Eventually his riot fleet was destroyed and I began the slow rebuilding process while never stopping my steady whittling of his empire. Soon it became apparent berendtium was on his last legs and it was just a matter of time. His capitulation came just today.

* * *

Rarely do I learn much in victory. This game was an exception. berendtium is by far the most imaginative and tenacious defender I have ever run up against. I learned a bunch. If you have the opportunity to play him I guarantee it will not be easy. berendtium, congratulations to you on a well played game and the best of luck to you in the future. I enjoyed this game immensely. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Round 1 games 1 through 7 are complete. Game 8 appears to me moving a little better then it was previously, so hopefully it won't take too long to complete.

I've gone ahead and setup the first three games of round two. I'm in no hurry to get them started until the first round is completely done, so don't feel like you are rushed or anything. If you talk to you opponent and decide on settings, let me know and I can get you started.

Hello
 

Tiberius here. Game 7 was my first PBW game in a couple of years, and I had a good time :-) Thanks Nicolai!

The game started out slow, and I wasn't sure how it would turn out at first--Nicolai's first fleet had me outnumbered and outclassed, two ship sizes ahead. In the end I think just managed to out resource him. Overall it was a good game, and I'm looking forward to my next one.

Re: Hello
 

Welcome to the forums. Cheese?

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Ahem... does blueoriontiger know that if he kicks off turn execution by uploading, that he can wait usually one minute and download the next turn?

Sorry, just getting a little anxious... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

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I've tried explaining this to him several times. Either he doesn't understand, or he doesn't care.

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That last comment sounded a little more harsh then I intended. I also neglected to mention a third possibility, it could be that he simply doesn't have a lot of time to play, so once he does his turn he has to go do other stuff.

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Another possibility is the floppy disk relay to get from SE4 at home to the internet at work. (Or some variation on the theme)

Re: Announcing the 2005 PBW Open Tournament
 

Ah, could be the floppy relay, yes. I remember I used to have to do that way back in Classic beta, when I lost internet access at home for a few weeks, and had to use school connection. That definitely sucked...

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The first of the round two games is underway. The last round 1 game is still moving, but still slowly. They are up to turn 46. Woo hoo. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

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I'm still calm... but I've been playing more than 2 months, preparing the best I can, planning surprising strategy... and after boring 46 turns and exploring almost all galaxy haven't even met my opponent. What he's doing hiding in home system?

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It's a brilliant judo-like strategy. Boring you to tears and causing you to long for the end of the game so accutely that when you finally make contact with him you will instantly throw down your weapons and surrender. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

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I'm ready whenever Thermodyne is ready. Let's see, the map is already set, so what kind of game do we want, Thermodyne? Full tech? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

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Sadly, there is actually a strategy a lot like that in Warcraft 3. It consists of playing as Night Elves and uprooting your tree at the start of the game and hiding it in a forest, doing your best to hide all signs of your existence. Then wait and hope your opponent gets bored or decides he hit a glitch and has no opponent and quits, giving you the win.

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Possibly the most boring strategy I've ever heard. Sure it sounds funny, but actually carrying out would be buttock clenchingly dull.

Unless you can set it up and go do something else while it happens, which would defeat almost the entire point of doing it. The tiny point remaining being the 'win' which would be achingly empty and shamefully hollow, like the depths of the soul of someone who has so little self worth they'd go to such extremes for such a tenuous achievement.