Accelerated Start Discussion Complete
 

So, I'm thinking about starting a game up with the premise of "Accelerated Starting". My thoughts for it are this:

Map would have 15 provs/player
Players start with 9provs each
Gold & Resources: 150%
Gems: max (75 i think?)
Research: Easy

And in addition to these things, the map file would be modded to give each player 10 sages in thier capital, as a free research-base crew.

I was also considering putting a rule in place where you couldnt attack another player for 3 turns, so that magical nations would have some time to build thier uber mages.

What do you all think?

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I think that the sages would be a bit much; why not just allow the Easy Research to take effect?

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

The reason I wanted to have the sages was to simulate the research-base that a player would have at that level of advancement in the game. Like in a normal game, by the time a player had conquered 9 provinces, they would be on turn 6-8. And as a result they would have that many mages able to do research. I suppose that 10 might be a tad too much but it seemed like a nice round number http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

And that's assuming successfully taking a new province each turn with no buildup, or no saving. I think starting with 9 provinces imo is more like turn 12-14, depending on layout/cash. I'd usually be at around 7-9 mages by that point, although I might have 1 or 2 floating with the army depending on path.

I like the idea, although you might need to do forced start locs or is the game smart enough to buffer capitals?

I take that back, i love the idea http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Might also work well with one of the pre-fabbed maps with nation separators and a DMZ... but the map would be a pain to create.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Just blitz the first 15 turns http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Heheheh, not a bad idea. But when you get more than a handful of player that becomes impossible. Especially when you start crossing timezone boundaries

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

jutetrea, if it takes 14 turns for you to get 9 provinces you should work on your strat a little.

I allways play around in single player and if I can't take slightly more then one province a turn I revamp my strat.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

no worries, pure noob here only had the game for about a week - only played demo nations and nilf, and 1 sauro (which i like). All EA.

I generally poke at ones I'm sure of winning till i get the dominating force then go romping. Works fine in SP, just started a few MP games so I can see how it changes.

Are you using a melee god? Even so, I'm leery of sending in my starting force + god vs 70-90 indys without reinforcing first.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Ooh finally, something to join ~_^.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

You interested Kiss? Response seems to be lukewarm to this idea but no one is really posing alternates. I wonder if I should just post the game itself and see if people will get more excited about that.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I like your idea Ironhawk. But I like power gaming and the settings you are suggesting are for a power game. Sadly, I have'nt commented earlier because due to evil work I cannot join any more MP's at the moment.

Why don't you try it on a small map with just 8 players? That may be fun...

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I would give it a try.

But I, of course, would rather just blitz the turns.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Yeah thats a good idea, meglobob, maybe I will start out small. 8-10 players is probably a good size, anyway, since my thought for this game is that it would also resolve itself faster than normal. So a regular dom3 game might last 3 months or something. Whereas this one might only last 1.5.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I'm in!

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I'm definitely interested. I'm a bit worried that the borders wouldn't be at all secure, but they're not really anyways.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

How would this setup effect borders any more than a regular game?


Another question: what do you guys think about Victory Points? It seems like a logical thing to add to a game designed to move quickly. Perhaps Capital-VPs only? So that you dont need to specifically castle any VP provs?

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

It would have the possibility of creating bizarre national boundaries. One can start nations somewhat evenly apart but their 8 other provinces are random no?

No clue on vp's, I defer to the majority and I would like a position in this game. I think the games you start/run are well run and enjoyable!

Rathar

P.S. I think the 10 sage and 3 turn no combat idea to be a good one. It allows empires to gain a touch of potential personality?...?

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I like the idea of capital vps only. Maybe hold 35-40% of the capitals + your own?

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Hmm, yes I suppose that is true. The way the game allocates your starting provinces appears to be just picking them in sequence starting at your capital and then just moving to another province randomly. It does occassionally produce strange borders. But then, that is why there will be an extra 6 indy provs per player http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif You will have to carve your own borders out of those!!

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I'm certainly up for this, whatever form it takes.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I do sense a LOT of luck though being incorporated into this game. Imagine the guy who starts with 5 farmlands compared to one who started with like 5 or 6 provinces with below 3K population.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

There is always luck. I have started as ulm on farmland with 2 adjacent neighbors before (one water). I say, the more provinces per play, the better chance of having a less dramatic effect due to luck.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

There will be an element of luck to the layout of the starting province allotments. But really... its not so much more than the regular amount of luck that you face in any game with your capital's starting position.


In other news, I tested out modding in Sages to a capital and its working fine. After 3 turns (the proposed initial cease-fire period) I was able to get up to level 4 in one school on Easy Research. I think that that is just about right. Nations who rely on magic will be able to quickly advance whatever school is important to them. And by the time the initial cease-fire is up they should have a handful of good mages to make use of it.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I'd like to play in your game, I'm new to MP but have been playing sp for a few weeks.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

I'd be interested in this game. Oh, and bumpity bump.

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Ok, it looks like I have enough interest. I will put together the game thread later on today

Re: New Game: Accelerated Start [ DISCUSS ]
 

Ok guys, the game thread is up. Sign up for your nation now...

The Quick and The Dead (Accelerated Start)