RAND Game - Fomoria Wins!
 

Greetings:

This is a RAND game. "RAND" stands for random nations, anonymous, no-diplomacy. In other words, nations have been randomly assigned to players who are bound by the game rules to keep their identity secret from all other parties, except the host (me). No diplomacy is allowed. Player ID's will be revealed as they are defeated. This is a fun twist on the usual game, and it was popular in the Dom2 days.

This is a PBEM game (that is, Play By Email).


The Settings:

Map: Orania
Victory Condition: Victory Points. One point in each player capital. Must have 9 (50%) to win.
Era: Early
Conceptual Balance Mod 1.1 (Pretenders & Scales portions only)
Worthy Heroes Mod 1.8
Indies 7
Site Frequency 50
Money 100
Resources/Supplies 100
Random events common
Score Graphs on
Hall of Fame 15
Standard Research
Renaming Off

Hosting schedule: Daily turns through Turn 15, and then switch to a Sunday / Tuesday / Thursday schedule. Deadlines will generally be at 9:00 p.m. Boston time.

Here is a link re Boston Time for your convenience. Boston Time


List of Players:

1. Jurri - Ulm
2. CUnknown - Arco
3. Alneyan - Maverni (Dead turn 15)
4. Meglobob - Replaced by Shmonk, turn 45 - Sauro
5. Wraithlord - Tien Chi
6. Ygorl - Mictlan (Dead turn 28)
7. Quantum Mechani- Abysia
8. Cainehill - Caelum (Dead turn 47)
9. DonCorazon - C'Tis (Dead turn 42)
10. Shmonk - Pangaea (Dead turn 19)
11. HJFudge - Agartha (Gone AI turn 30)
12. Agrajag - Tir na n'Og (Dead turn 29)
13. Micah - Fomoria (Winner)
14. Sir_Dr_D - Vanheim (Gone AI turn 39)
15. Zeldor - Atlantis (revealed turn 8 / went AI)
16. Calmon - Oceania
17. Zaramis - Lanka (went AI approx. turn 10)
18. Amhazair - Yomi

[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/PointRight.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/PointRight.gif[/img] [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/PointRight.gif[/img] Start Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 9:00 pm Boston Time.

Thanks! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I really, really, really like this idea.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Count me in!

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Welcome DonCorazon!

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Question for you....do we get to find out what nation we have before or after we submit our pretender?

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Hi reinselc:

I will assign nations randomly by rolling some dice or something. I will then send you an email with your nation assignment.

Pasha

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Actually I just realized that is a stupid question.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

So, what are the rules regarding 'no diplomacy' exactly? You cannot communicate with the other players in any way? Can you send in-game messages regarding trades for items, or something like that? Or does 'no diplomacy' mean absolutely no contact with the other players?

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Count me in, it's been a while since I've played and I've been waiting for a new game to start that interests me. And this game the last time I was in it was pretty fun.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I'll play!

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I'd prefer vanilla. (Well, Worthy Heroes I could never oppose.) You sure have become mod-happy of late. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I'm against this as well: the way people rename their dudes can reveal who they are. You could also send messages via commander names http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/stupid.gif 'Peace, please! the Scout'

Any Age is fine by me (although in Late I would prefer excluding Ermor and R'lyeh from the draft, as I'm not exactly impressed with how they are in Dom3), for a map I prefer wraparound, like Orania if we get a lot of players. (You might need to limit the number of water nations with Orania, though.)

For victory condition, I propose having a VP in every capital and requiring a player to hold half of them. (Incidentally, a very popular format back in Dom2.) This is a bit harder than what Pasha usually uses, but no diplomacy warrants it, I think: without coordination it is not as easy to contain a run-away player as it is with it.

CU: No diplomacy of any kind. No sending items or messages in-game or out. No cryptic messages on the forum either http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif An efficient way to think of it is like a game against AIs that happen to be as good as humans.

Incidentally, no-diplomacy means that the turns will be very fast to play, which is something I very much like about the game-type. (Also nice is that Alneyan can't gun straight for me since he won't know who I am http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif )

Oh, a point of anonymity: name your pretender after your nation! That is, if you play Abysia, name your pretender Abysia. This way there's no chance of anyone figuring out who's who from pretender names.

EDIT: Oh, and I'm very excited about the game! Thanks Pasha for hosting it!

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Phew, I'm so glad you're running this game by the way Pasha; saves me the trouble of running my own *and* I can more easily join in.

I like Jurri's suggestion as far as VPs go, but I'd like to keep renaming in as I'm not sure anonymity is worth the trouble. (Yeah, playing MA T'ien Ch'i without renaming is fun (where the hell is my Fire 3 mage again?)).

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Hi CUnknown:

Yeah. No diplomacy means no contact at all, including no in-game messages or trading of gems, etc. You can post on the thread, but not in a way that would directly or indirectly identify which nation you're playing.

Pasha

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I will wait for the players to discuss and debate the settings of the game. I will make the final call as the host but will try to honor the wishes of the majority of players. (Hmm... where did I leave that Great Orb of Power? Geez, I hope I did not let it go through the laundry again! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif )

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I'd like to play, if you'll have me.
However (and this is why the "if you'll have me part"), there is a chance that later in the game I will have less free time, and might have some trouble meeting deadlines. (If that "chance" will come true, than I'll probably be consistently almost late / actually late for the Tuesday schedule.)
Its not a certainty that it will happen, and its not a certainty that it will give me problems with the turns (and I'll definitely try my best), but I'd rather be honest and denied a place in the game rather than a liar that might later ruin the game for other people. (If I survive that long http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)

Other than that, these settings are almost exactly what I'd look for in a game, and I'd really love to play.

So just tell me if you'll have me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

EDIT: After reviewing some things, it turns out that if the unlikely event will happen, I would still most likely be able to make the turn, with a small amount of juggling some stuff. And also asking some people reveals that the unlikely event really seems to be very unlikely. (Though my personal preference would be a SUN/WED/FRI or a MON/WED/FRI or SAT/TUE/THU schedule which I am guaranteed to be able to handle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif)
Now I feel like an idiot for even bringing it up with such a long and detailed post when it slowly seems like less of a problem. :S

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I would like worthy heroes mod only.

Conceptual Balance gives me a headache, I am so used to vanilla.

Perhaps allow renaming but no using it to identify yourself or twist the no diplomacy rule.

Everything else sounds real good. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

No diplomacy is interesting. But I'm uncertain if I have time. I will have to think about it.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I heard a recommendation to join one of your games Pasha, so /signup.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

This game really is interesting, though it seems I won't have time unless it will take a few weeks to get started I'm afraid http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I've got a slight preference for no CB and no renaming - even if you're not explicitly trying to send messages to other people, different players have different techniques for renaming, which can give people away. Just hit F1 and search for the dude with three levels in fire magic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And, just to reiterate in case someone happens to read this post but not Jurri's... Name your pretender after your nation! The pretender of Pythium should be named Pythium. I guess an alternative would be to use the game's random name creator, which wouldn't give any information either - Pasha, we need an executive decision here.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Yes, I agree.

1. Renaming will be shut off.

2. Pretender names should be the same as the nation name (for example, Pythium's pretender should be named "Pythium).

As Jurri said, this game will very much be like playing a SP game, but with AI's as smart as people.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Welcome, Agrajag and Micah. It would be great if Evilhomer and Folket could join in.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

For mods, I'm ok with skipping most the CB mod, however at least Worthy Heroes and CB Pretenders and Scales seem fairly straightforward even for people not used to them.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Sure, count me in as well.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I agree with QM about mods.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Yeah, I've mostly played vanilla, so I'd rather play with the least amount of mods (that I am unused to), but I can see the need for atleast CB pretenders.
No renaming will take getting used to. (Yes, I like renaming my mages according to their spell paths, but its a dirty habit anyway.)
Oh, and EA is cooler than MA http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I'm definately with QM and Ygorl on mods - CB pretenders and scales are generally straightforward, you don't have to relearn the entire game if you've been playing vanilla, and Worthy Heroes just makes heroes, heroes.

For those worrying about the game taking too long as it goes on : No diplo really makes the turns a lot quicker.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I missed one game that started without warning so count me in if there is a free place.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Hello:

Ok. We have 15 players. We can have up to 20. So, I would suggest that we close the game to new players tonight (Saturday) so that nations can be assigned.

I don't think we can expect to start by Sunday, because players should have time to design a pretender, and we'll want a few days to sort through any settings and mod choices.

Pasha

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

My preference for Ages is first Late (with Ermor and R'lyeh excluded) and second Early. It feels like I have played Late by far the least, with Middle being the most-played. With Late we could do Orania since there'd be no water nations. (Wraparound fo' life, yo!)

It would be best if you could finalize the settings/mods/map at the same as you distribute the nations, 'Dawg, since the pretender-design is heavily reliant on all those.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I would like to join this game.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I would like CB Pretenders and Scales also. Worthy Heroes is good, too. As far as the other CB mods, I don't mind not having them.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

I'd like to try playing in this game as well. Since, well, I died in round 1 in a certain other game..

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

( And my option preferences are: I'm used to Vanilla, but CB pretenders / scales sounds good to me. No renaming. Worthy Heroes enabled. )

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Where would I get the mod for CB pretenders and scales? Is the same as the Conceptual Balance Mod 1.1?

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

You can find the CB mod here: http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...o=&fpart=1

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Except none o the downloads work on that siite right now. The links have all expired.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Yeah I just tried to download em, not working :\

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Once we have a list of players, I will email out the mods to everyone so that everyone will have what they need. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

If you want the mod sooner, just send me an email or a PM.

Pasha

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Seeing as the two games I'm in are currently nearing a conclusion (at least my part in it is http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ), I should have the time to join this one. It sure looks like it could be fun.

Re: RAND Game (PBEM) - Open
 

Ok. We have 18 players. So, I will close this game to new players.

Nation Assignments Made
 

Nation assignments have been sent out. If you did not get yours, then let me know.

I am waiting for Zaramis to send me his email so I can send him his nation assignment.

Mods & Map
 

Hi:

MODS: Let's use the following mods:

CB 1.1 Pretenders & Scales
Worthy Heroes 1.8
(I don't think we need Endo's Quick Fix Mod, because we are playing Early Era.)

I have attached the Mod Files to this post. I will also mail them out. While you do not need the "Complete" CB mod for this game, I am sending it out just in case you want it.


MAP: We'll use the Orania map. I think it came with the game.

Other settings will be mentioned in first post of this thread for easy reference.

Pasha

Re: Mods & Map
 

Doesn't Orania have VPs built into it? Will it be a problem when playing a VB victory the way you intend to set it up?
(I've never actually player Orania http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/redface.gif so I wouldn't know about any problems it may cause, I'm just asking just in case.)

Re: Mods & Map
 

Where is the list of changes that CB mod makes? I don't see anything in pretenders and I see Magic scale different a bit.

Re: Mods & Map
 

Hi Agrajag and Zeldor:

I will make sure that there are no extra VP provinces on the map. Thanks for the reminder.

I have emailed out the read-me files that I have on the CB mod. Hopefully, that will give you helpful information.

Pasha

Re: Mods & Map
 

PashaDawg:

I also hope you resolve that balance issue I mailed you.

Re: Mods & Map
 

Zeldor, a lot of the pretenders are different -- mostly the weaker ones are better and cheaper, although some were somewhat nerfed, I think.

CB Mod
 

Wraithlord sent me the following comment, and I thought it would be best to offer this up to you all, in case players decide to play Vanilla instead:


"I ran a short test game with the said mods and of a few battles one
actually gave different battle results than seen in battle replay. I'm
not really sure what to make of it."


Wraithlord was not sure if the same problem would result in 3.10 Vanilla. Does anybody else have thoughts or similar experiences?

I'll shoot to make a decision by tonight re whether to stay with the current mod set.

Pasha