PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Anyone else just starting this (not to mention simultanious play, for myself..) and want to make a "newbie game"?

Preferably with someone experienced with the system to set things up? I'd do it, but I'd botch things http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D
who also wonders how many other people like "warp points anywhere"..

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Strange - I was almost going to post the exact same thing...

I would like to join your game - but I have no idea on how to start it.

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

You are the first person to mention warp point anywhere. I play all my solo games with warp point anywhere enabled. It add some varity and suspense. Especially when you transit a WP into a black hole system... and you are NOT at the edge,,, BUT your ship IS damaged... lol.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

OK, I made a game.

It's titled "Newbie Practice http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif"

Max players 4, WPs anywhere, rest of info on PBW.

Ready to go whenever we get the rest of the players.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I have put in to join the game, though I am not sure when or to where I am to send the .emp file. Does the web site give me more guidance if you accept me? Hopefully, this ignorance is enough to qualify me for a newbie game!

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> I have put in to join the game, though I am not sure when or to where I am to send the .emp file. Does the web site give me more guidance if you accept me?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes, you'll get an e-mail when you're accepted into the game, and when you next log in to the PBW site, the game page will have a button activated for uploading your .emp file. There might also be an option to e-mail the .emp file, but I don't recall offhand.

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Cap'n Q

The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the
human mind to correlate all of its contents. We live on a placid
island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was
not meant that we should go far. -- HP Lovecraft, "The Call of Cthulhu"

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

1 slot left. Of course, if more than one person wants to join, I CAN up the number of people.. you just need to tell me.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I just joined the game.

I have a question through. I wanted to use my spoogy shipset - does everyone need to have that shipset to see it correctly?

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Yes. If they DON'T, I think the game will substitute another empire pic for your empire's. Worse, it might pic a new one every turn.. make sure you email that set out once you upload it!

We're ready to go just as soon as everyone uploads their files. Hopefully the server allows ME to generate the map, since I turned off "all warp points connected"..I like to regen maps with that one on til all are connected nautrally or there are two big sections.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

OK, with THAT problem solved, we just need everyone else to upload their empire files.

Oh, and if anyone else happens to want to join, just mention it. I'll bump up the # of players (right now it's at 4, and full)

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
OK, with THAT problem solved, we just need everyone else to upload their empire files.

Oh, and if anyone else happens to want to join, just mention it. I'll bump up the # of players (right now it's at 4, and full)

Phoenix-D<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think I want to join too (unless you already started of course)
I think I am still a newbie... I started my first PBW game 3 days ago (so we're still on turn 3) and it's going a bit slow..one turn a day, I figure I can play 2 or 3 PBW games in parallel.

Can you up the max to 5 or 6 players?

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

It's not letting me do it. It says the game has already started, even though it hasn't.

Keep watching here though, as the two people that joined after me are being a little slow to upload. I may have to boot them to get the game running.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Phoenix-D - I'm so excited to play my first game and those other two are taking forever!

Boot them and add two new and faster players!

------------------
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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Add me add me, I'm really fast :-)
Have little better to do than play Se4 all day... (and look for work).

D
PS email me if I can join, for fastest response.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I think I've got this figured out now.

I kicked the slow player that hadn't posted here. BUT now the control system thinks the game hasn't started, so I can change the max players!

So if the game goes to x/x (eg: 4/4, 5/5, etc), AND the players are approved, it is marked as "started" regardless of whether the empires are actually in or not.

In the future, I simply won't approve myself until everyone else has an empire in, so this problem doesn't show up.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Dragon has joined and uploaded his empire. Waiting on you, Saxon.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

OK, does anyone ELSE want to join? We've got a slowpoke, and personally I'm not the most patient admin in the world http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

spoogy: Dragon is using a custom shipset. Make sure you have it (it's listed in the game, under his name).

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I just sent you an e-mail requesting you to boot Saxon - he's just too slow. I'm really eager to get slaughtered!

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

How fast is the turn over supposed to be?

If it's not too fast I'll take his place.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

It's 24 hours - so just one turn a day...join please!

Of course, it's Phoenix-D's game but I'm just so desperate to try the game against other real players!

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Out he goes! Sorry Saxon. Anyway, Baal, get in there and upload your empire file so we can get started.

The turns are 24 hours long, or whenever everyone uploads their turn, whichever comes first. The timer starts from when the turn before is done, so if the Last person uploads their turn at 6 PM EST, the next turn will end at or before 6 PM EST the next day. If you miss a turn, the AI takes over for that turn.

Make sure to check the forum for the game, too, as once contact is established I'll do a bit of RP there, the in-game comms being too slow http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I just want to encourage you to continue posting your trials and tribulations as this game progresses. The differences and unique aspects of PBW as experienced by complete novices to the form should prove a very interesting addition to the Strategy Guide. Experienced PBW/PBeM players often lose sight of what they had to adapt to when they first started. They simply don't notice them any more. Not that I want to discourage their comments, it's just we really need to provide a "newbie" view as well.

Only wanted to let you know there is a wider audience than the immediate players. Good luck to all!


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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

[This message has been edited by Dubious (edited 26 June 2001).]

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

In reply to Dubious:
Our game has not started yet, but I started my very first PBW game a few days ago (now on turn 6) and ran into something strange:

I just produced a number of mines on my Last turn. In a normal game (against AI only) I can have my planet launch these mines into orbit, to catch any potential attacking ships. This option is disabled in Simultaneous play games? Is that normal? Must I build a mine layer to
launch the mines into orbit over my planet?

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Well, it's started. Generated a nice map, set the targets up (neutral empires, hehe), then went to play my turn..

..only to find out I started the game in a system who's star says "Is prone to violent eruptions and has an unstable core" when I click on it. Good thing that doesn't DO anything.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Small update to my Last post:

I also asked the mines question to a fellow player in my PBW game. I will paste a few lines from his email response:
&gt; Mines can be lauched with out the help of a ship but it happenes at the end
&gt; of the turn e.g as turn is processed
&gt;
&gt; In multiplayer get use to the orders screens (the eye) these screens tell
&gt; you what you have told planets and ships to do during processing.

And here is my follow-up question:

Just one more question about the mines:
Must I use the "launch units remotely" button because the normal "launch /
recover units" button is greyed out. I can do that and say launch mines and
then click on planet (I assume if you click anywhere else it wont work cause
planets can only launch into their own orbits?). But this will not let me
control how many of the mines stored on the planet will be launched? I only
want to launch 10 or so (enough that a minesweeping destroyer level I cant
sweep em all) and keep the rest on planet so that my minelayers can pick
them up and move em around. Minelayers still cannot recover mines that are
already launched in to space, right?

Hope anyone can clarify.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Dragonlord, you have just discovered one of the more annoying aspects of sim turn games. Launching of units is an all or nothing deal since it can only be done with the "Launch Units Remotely" button. The only way to control how many units is launched is to only have that amount of units to launch or build a ship/base that can only launch the wanted number of units. Which pretty much means that you need two ships to lay mines and sats. One to do the launching and one to do the carrying. A bit of a pain.

Oh, and you're right about how to make a planet luanch. If don't want to launch them all have a transport or base with cargo space take the rest on board while launching. Like I said, a pain.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jubala:

Oh, and you're right about how to make a planet luanch. If don't want to launch them all have a transport or base with cargo space take the rest on board while launching. Like I said, a pain.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jubala, thanks for the clarification.
Anybody have any idea why it is implemented this way? Why not simply make it work the same way as in single-player games?

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Back to Phoenix's message a few Posts ago:

The game has just started, and I must say I have an most excellent starting position (I think). Nice system with two breathable planets in it. I'm assuming placement was random (right phoenix?) and perhaps I'll get an advantage over other players who don't start off as well...my home system is also easily defendable...(evil chuckle).

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Dragonlord, I have no idea why it is implemented that way. It's not consequent with how cargo is handled so I don't understand it.

As for your start in your game, yes it is good. Two breathable planets aint all that usual and if they are both medium or above in size count yourself lucky. And if I am correct in assuming you only have one warp point leading our of your homesystem then it sounds to me like you have a really good starting position. Good luck. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I re-gened until I got the map I wanted- I like the "all WPs connected" OFF, then re-gen the map until they are all connected approach.

I got an easily defensable system too.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Phoenix, I like that map generation approach too. I hope spoogy and the nostro player hurry a bit, in this initial stage it takes me no more than 5 minutes to play a turn, so if we're all behind our PC's we could play 3 turns a day or so at least...
Then again I am lucky enough to have an always-on connection (cablemodem) so I know immediately if email arrives with a new turn.
Dial up Users would have more delays http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

BAD NEWS:

We need to restart the game. I generated my empire from the "Quick Start" menu and it put a differnt password on my empire than what I gave to PBW.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Don't ever generate a race from the quick start menu to save time because SE4 puts passwords on all races to prevent tampering.

Sorry guys, my bad.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I have just uploaded my turn. I cannot reveal too much information about my locations, but it will serve adequately until I am destroyed soon time in the future...

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Never mind that Last post. I got the password thanks to the help of geoschmo. No restart needed.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I uploaded my file. My start is kind of bad. No breathable planets. :-(

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

This is so exciting! I don't why I never tried this before, or maybe I do...

The Moral of this post:

Sure, it's fun to try something new and it may even be exciting and rewarding for awhile, until you get your head chopped off or Marjoram III explodes in a fireball...

Either way, I'm doomed.



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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Don't worry - I don't have any other breathable planets other than my own...

------------------
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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Hey guys. Have fun with your newbie game. Let us know how it goes.

Geoschmo

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Just checked the PBW site and it is processing the first turn now, but seems to have problems with Phoenix's password.

Baal, I think that regardless of what you tell PBW about yuor password when you upload your .emp file, you still have to configure your password when you create your empire, and it becomes then a part of your emp file. (I had that problem on my first PBW game a few days ago). Also, if for some reason something is wrong with the password or you forgot to use it completely (like I did) you can still log on to your turn with a blank password and change the password with the Empires (yellow crown thingy) button.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Spoogy, what are you talking about? Did you actually get an EVENT saying the star was going to blow in whatever years? Because that is the only way the star will blow.. the little descriptions on the stars are meaningless.

Oh, and as far as I know, no one has any breathable planets in their home system, other than their homeworld. Odd, eh?

Thanks to the PBW admins for helping us sort out my various screwups, too http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I'm pretty sure that the captain is just trying to get you to ignore him as a non-threat while he plots to take over the galaxy http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Well, then upload your turn so we can get going again! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Sorry guys for the wait!!! I work the night shift at work and I just woke up this afternoon!

No, my star is not going to explode!

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

Aargh! The processing failed again! I was hoping to get back to back turns in...

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

My doom and gloom message was not about a possible catastrophic event unless you count my lack of experience against real players and the general lack of strategic ability...

Is anybody reading the game forum?

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Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

"or Marjoram III explodes in a fireball..."

I'd set the thing to manual and run it, but PBW isn't loading totally for me right now. Dunno why, maybe they're working on it?

Anyway, I read the forum, but my race is so oddball it's taking time to get their start posted..

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

@(*#&@#()*& WHy is the processing failing? I thought the PBW admins had sorted that out....

OK (takes breath, calms down).

Just disappointed cause I hoped we could get 2 or 3 turns in tonight, since there's only 4 players we *should* be able to go faster than the 12-player other game I am in.
Btw, is every body else in the US too? I am on Eastern Time. Would help if all players are at their PC's at roughly the same time every day...

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

It did go through, just not on the first try apparently.

I screwed up with the password, which is why it didn't like doing it.

Phoenix-D

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I just uploaded my 2400.2 game file. Let's see if we can't get a couple turns in today.

Re: PBW \"newbie game\"
 

I uploaded my stuff too, waiting on Spoogy.
Spoogy are you normally playing in the evenings, ET? Am trying to find out best hours of the day to have everybody at their PC and we can play like one turn per 30 minutes for a bit.