Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Hey all, I just got my copy of Dom 3 and have been wanting to play a MP game after messing around a bit in SP. I missed a couple of the games that just started or couldn't get a nation I wanted. It seems kinda difficult getting the nation you want sometimes, the popular nations always seem to go fast, but I guess that's how it is eh? Anyway, I was wondering if anyone wants to host a quick newbie game.

I was hoping for something small and quick, so it's not a huge commitment if you make some mistakes early on, but large enough that there will be some interesting diplomacy, etc. I saw another game that started with about 6 people. Maybe daily hosting, switching to every other day if needed. Anyone have suggestions?

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Seeing as there are lots and lots of requests for subs on this forum, over a dozen on page 1 and 2 already, you might consider subbing for someone. Especially for people that have abandoned all hope and don't plan to play their own nation anymore, then you really don't need to have any worries if you [censored] up a position for somebody else. But in general, having somebody do some turns is always better than staling.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Hmm, I already picked up a permanent sub position in one game, but that's not a bad idea, I will see if anyone else needs some temp subbing. Hopefully a new newbie game will open up soon. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

How about becoming good with the unpopular nations as a solution? Personally I really can't stand playing as the most popular ones like Ryleh, Ermor or Agartha - a combination of playstyle and lore make me dislike them. I'm not entirely sure which nations are particularly unpopular, but Arcosephale is one of my favorites and I don't see too many people playing it. I also enjoy Marverni though I have yet to come up with a good strategy for them. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Panda.gif[/img]

Most of the nations in the game are fairly balanced to be able to win in MP situations with the right tactics and diplomacy. Some nations are better than others of course, but for a game with 50 different sides I think it's balanced pretty evenly! So just choose one that looks interesting and hasn't been picked in a game you want to join and try it out! Not joining a game because your favorite nation has already been chosen is just silly. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Just so people know, if anyone would like to organise a game I will almost always be happy to host it. Frankly I am very pleased when other people do the organising for me!

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

I'm also thinking I should host more tcp/ip games, since I'm already running the server....

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Well, I just got this game, so there's only a few nations I've had a chance to get up to speed on through SP and strategy articles. I suppose I could just jump in and try a nation that has no strategy articles about it and which I have never tried in SP, but I don't think it's all that fun to commit to several months of gaming with a nation after making early mistakes that will dog you for months afterwards (pretender choices and magic scales for example). It's a big commitment.

I suppose I could just bail a few weeks in and get a sub or set it to AI, but I don't really like bailing. This is just one of the things about Dominions, it takes a lot of time to get up to speed on things.

Also, I have a suspicion that some nations are just weak, while others are overpowered and need some more balancing (MA Pythium comes to mind). Until such balancing is implemented, I'd rather not get stuck with one of the weak nations. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Eh, f that, who cares about weakness. I just want to be cool. I play nations I find cool regardless of their strength, just like in all games, may lead to my downfall lol but who cares!

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

moderation, the solution is to test out your pretender designs for at least 20 turns or so - it doesn't take that long. as for the endgame, you can cross that bridge when you get it. if you get into an endgame, start a parrellel SP game and see where it takes you, ask around on the forums, etc.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Hmm, the only thing about asking on the forums, is that I would assume my opponents would be reading my posts too. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I will try that advice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

If anybody is up for a new game count me in,
especialy for a EA game.
And i think its better to PBEM game, but I don't really care.
I would organise a game if I had the time but i don't ,
so really if someone wants to start a new game DO count me in!

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Okay, I am thinking of organizing a game now, but I'm not sure exactly how to do it (I think the offers to host are very cool btw http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ). This would be the first game I've MP organized or started from the beginning so I'm wondering what are the best settings for a newbie game. Is there any sort of commonly accepted standard that most people use? The Worthy Heros mod seems popular, and the modified Paraganos map that llamabeast uses looks pretty good.

I am guessing it might be to set all the options to default (although, I do like the option to rename units for some reason...), and maybe have 6-8 players. I'd like to have a quick fun game with only a moderate time commitment and I understand having a huge number of players, like 20 would probably slow the game down.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Why don't you do something like Argitoth did in his Funhouse game. Supplies, Research, and money were set to max, as well as lvl 9 Indies. The game has been a blast, with totally unforseen outcomes. EA Agartha, for instance, which is usually an easy conquer, has blown ahead to take the game lead.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

I agree about research and supplies but i'm not so sure about the money, I think it may be more interesting to leave Indies on 9 but lower the money, so the strong nations like agarta wouldn't have a head start, I mean it's really tough stopping
a huge army of troglodytes!

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

@ moderation
I would like to join in. (This will be my first MP)

I suggest we stick to the standard settings (renaming ok). No Mods, let´s keep that for the next one :-). A smaller map would probably help to keep the time commitment resonable.

When you have decided the setting, I think we should ask llamabeast politely to create the game on his server and then we would start a new thread with the game name and the settings to organize the game (Or change the headline of this thread accordingly if it is possible).

Regards and Thanks for organizing
(I will try to assist if possible, although I have got zero experience :-)
Motomouse

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Yep, the general system is just to start a thread explaining what the game settings will be, and asking for people to join. Newbie games seem insanely popular at the moment, I guess we have lots of new people around.

My own suggestion would be to keep money, resources and supplies at 100%, turn renaming on and put hall of fame to 15 (merely because it's fun). I think going for 300% money etc might well be fun in it's own way, but I reckon as a newbie game it makes more sense to get used to the vanilla game rather than a somewhat bizarre variant of it (not necessarily bizarre in a bad way, but man, with that much gold the pacing must be nuts!).

I have been using my modified Parganos map a lot - I think it's good for 8 players. However, if you fancy a change (I am worried I will bore everyone to death with it) there are loads of good maps on dom3maps.wikidot.com .

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Well if this game gets up and running I would be keen to join. Currently in my first MP game and another would help with the long wait between turns.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

I'm not a big fan of raising money and resources above what they are regularly. I like the way the game has been balanced on the default, plus I'm new so it would be best like llama said to get used to the regular rules. If you guys need another player I'm down, and I vote we go Early Age. I like it.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

I don't mind age, but it seems we have 5 players already. I would suggest someone ask llamabeast if he would mind setting up a new 8 player game? with the 5 of us listed.
moderation
executor
Motomouse
zenphos
gowb
or maybe play 6 players?
What does everyone think?

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

8 would be cool I mean, if you're gonna play a multiplayer game you should make it a nice sized one. That's my opinion anyway.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Okay, I have emailed llamabeast and am awaiting his reply. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

Good on you moderation. I didn't want to do it since you were the one who got the discussion underway.
Let me know what he says and when the game gets up.

Re: Anyone want to play a quick newbie game?
 

It looks like in 1 of 2 of my current MP games 3 nations already choose me as a first victim, probably because I took too many lands and had luck to be in the middle, in direct contact with all 7 nations http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif) and after numerios suicides on my abyssian local defence attacked all at the same time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif So in 3-4 turn I will be only in a one game, and would like to join this.

I will play only if it's PBEM .