No Diplo EA Game - No Wankers Allowed - Game Over, Baalz/Abysia Wins
 

This is an EA, no diplomacy game. Game settings are open to discussion, however graphs will remain off.
Everyone is welcome, veterans are preferred.

Please do not join this game if you're a tosser and plan to quit after a first lost battle.

-> Please honor the warrior spirit of this game. No turning AI after a few defeats please. Try to fight as best you can for as long as you can. If RL prevents you from playing please contact the admin to find a sub.

Also, please do not join this game if you plan to sit quietly in your corner and do... nothing what so ever, and than ***** about how somebody is stealing the win.

Game Settings (Edit - Added Title)

EA Game
Map: Alexander
Hosting Pace: Interval will be changed as per 3 requests
Mods: CBM1.6, EDM
Renaming: ON
Research: standard
Graphs: OFF
HoF: 15
Indies: standard
Vic. conditions: Capture 12 capitals and hold them for three consecutive turns.
Players 18 (Edit - Was >19)


Game Rules (Edit - Added Title)

Disallowed exploits: no cheap tricks like Bogus orders and overfilling enemies lab.

There will be zero tolerance for players who break the no diplo rule or reveal their nation in any way.

Diplomacy or any form of communication is not allowed and is considered cheating.
-> Please refrain from sending any in-game messages. Also, don't post here anything that can reveal information regarding you or other nations. No diplomacy or communications of any kind is allowed between players.
If you lose your identity is revealed. This is part of the fun in the game, guessing and 2nd guessing who is who until ppl start falling. If you do lose, please also refrain from posting anything with information on the game.

Calahan has graciously offered to admin the game so please direct any delay requests to him.

For a full set of player rules, please refer to this thread. (not reproduced in this OP to avoid clutter) (Edit - Added info)

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showp...&postcount=145 (Edit - Added link)


Pretenders should be given nations name!
This is to prevent unintentional disclosure of player ID.
i.e. If you play Agartha you call your pretender Agartha. That's it, no games please.

Re. nation assignment. PM your nation selections to Calahan, this isn't a RANDOM nation game so first picks apply, it might be preferable to send 2-3 first choices as your first pick might already be chosen.

Please start designing your pretender once you select your nation.

@ All - Please DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT your pretenders, as it makes it very difficult to sub your nation out should you go AWOL for any reason.

Banned spells: Burden of Time, Arcane Nexus, Astral Corruption, Forge of the Ancients (Edit - Wrote acronyms in full to avoid any possible confusion)

MAP FILE > http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attac...5&d=1289729763

List of Players (Alphabetical Order)

1. Aethyr - played Ermor, killed turn 42
2. Baalz
3. Drog the Destroyer - played Ulm, killed turn 59
4. Executor - played Mictlan, killed turn 36
5. Fantomen
6. Ghoul31 - played Niefelheim, went AI turn 71
7. GrudgeBringer - played Sauromatia, killed turn 45
8. Happyfungi
9. Herode - played Arco, killed turn 35
10. Hylobius - played C'tis, killed turn 39
11. Isokron
12. Marmaduke - played Atlantis, killed turn 55
13. Ossa - played R'lyeh, booted on turn 78 for breaking the banned spells rule and casting Arcane Nexus
14. Ragnoff
15. Rotarr - played Helheim, killed turn 59
16. Saros
17. Zultor
18. ???


List of Nations (Alphabetical Order) (Mainly for the benefit of readers). (Edit - Added)

<strike>indicates eliminated nations</strike>

1. Abysia
2. <strike>Arco</strike>
3. <strike>Atlantis</strike>
4. <strike>C'tis</strike>
5. <strike>Ermor</strike>
6. Fomoria
7. <strike>Helheim</strike>
8. Hinnom
9. Kailasa
10. <strike>Mictlan</strike>
11. Niefelheim
12. Pangaea
13. R'lyeh
14. <strike>Sauromatia</strike>
15. T'ien Ch'i
16. Tir na n'Og
17. Ulm
18. <strike>Yomi</strike>


(Edit) indicates changes made from the original OP of the game.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Ill sign up for this, PM sent. Fairly standard settings are good for me, I'd Suggest CBM and EDM for mods just to keep things a bit more balanced.
Are you sure about no renaming? It can save a lot of hassle with mage micro.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I agree, I have no problem with renaming, but it's to protect players from themselves.
If everyone is willing not to be stupid and not name their pretender/commanders as to reveal their identity renaming will be ON.

Welcome aboard.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

i'll join

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I'm in

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Well, I HATE micro management (it just goes with the game) and if you want to rename a scout to say 'Scout 1' and 'Scout 2', I would say GREAT.

However, some of us have pet names for certain things and we use them in most every game. All it would take would be to see 1 of these names in a battle or anything and the idenity would be up.

I know for certain some of the names people use for Commanders etc to make it easier and I also have mine.

Just my opinion

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I'd like in please.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Well as long as everyone just stops and thinks for a second it should be fine.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

lol wut?

past experience maybe this is a bad idea ghoul

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I agree about the banned spells myself but it isn't a deal breaker.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I've expanded early in plenty of games. But I didn't ask you for your opinion anyway.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Count me in

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I smell a reading comprehension fail.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Ok, I've started getting your PM's with your nation choices. I'll be replying to you all shortly to let you know which nation you are playing.

Can I please ask that everyone sends in 3 choices from here on, as that will speed things up tremendously in the long run. So for example, if you can list your choices as...

1. Ashdod
2. Pythium
3. Shinuyama

that'd be great, as everything is nice and clear that way :)

You can of course send me a bigger list if you wish, as the longer the list, the more chance you'll have of getting a nation you want (since that will limit the chances of you losing a nation during communication delays)


Also please note that you are not fully signed-up for this game until you send me a PM saying which nations you wish to play. Simply posting in this thread with "I'd like to play" doesn't get you a nation. You can of course reserve a spot by posting such a message, but realise this is NOT RANDOM NATIONS, so you have to contact me with your nation requests, not the other way around. (and of course the longer you wait, the less choice of nations you will have)


Edit - Just a quick note to say I'd always recommend that renaming is off in anonymous games. I've played in quite a few now, and I can say for certain that experienced players get a huge advantage when renaming is on (like they don't get enough of an advantage anyway), as it allows them to pick up big clues regarding other players ID's due to their naming habits. If you want to keep to the spirit of anonymous games, then I can't see how renaming can be allowed (as players are their own worst enemies in keeping their ID's secret, regardless of any promises made regarding renaming).

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Please do not spam the thread and leave what ever arguments you have for other threads if you're not singed up and playing here.

The game name states the obvious - No Wankers Allowed, so if you're a wanker please don't join. Thanks.

PM you nation choices to Calahan.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I'm In, sending nation choices.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Non wanker signing up. Nation selected.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Some free spot left ? I'm in !

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

And here are my suggestions for the settings :

- EDM
- Research difficult
- Indies 8 - 9
- magic sites > standard settings
- HoF 25
- renaming off

Also, I would favor no banned spells but... bah ^^

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

HoF 25, well maybe in Dominions 4, here we only have 15 spot for the HoF ;)

Okey, so far we have CBM, EDM, no banned spells, renaming off, research difficult and indies 8-9.
Speak up now, don't complain about the settings later.

Keep in mind what setting your nation favors, some nations relay more on early battle magic than the rest, and some can't expand easily as other against indeis 8-9.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I'd prefer CBM, EDM, renaming off, and default settings for research, indies and magic sites. If we are going to stray too far from defaults I may want to reconsider my nation choice.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I'd like to join, PM sent.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I personally would like a more default indie strength. Agreed with the rest of the above settings, although for research I have no preference.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I too would prefer standard settings, not quite experienced enough to be able to predict how too many non standard settings should affect my and others nations.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Marmaduke? Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine... Welcome aboard

K than, and we back to regular settings...

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I'd like to play. Sending PM.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Sounds fun. I'm in. I'll send Calahan a sorted nation list soon.

Any game settings are fine by me (low research, high research, indeps 5 or 25, whatever, adapt and overcome) although I think renaming should definitely be left in - it really doesn't do much for diplomacy or communication, and it helps a ton with the micro of some nations who have tons of random magic picks.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I vote for standard settings. Renaming on.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Sigh...

I can agree to a slightly boosted Indie strength, a little gambling on taking provinces makes you think twice on which one you tackle.

I like the idea of hard research (make it a BIG decision on what you research and when)

I think you guys are giving a HUGE advantage to the vets and I am one that will be scutinizing EVERY name you use.

Of course a 15 Hof.

Rest regular as far as I am concerned.

Executor more or less listed the outline of what he wanted and it is his game....whatever he decides I will support.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I can see you pondering for hours trying to remember which player it was that always names the e3 f2 mages "e3f2" :D

Come on Grudge, it's not going to make any difference whatsoever.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I agree....as far as most players are concerned. Especially those that have played THIS type of game before. I have to admit...I REALLY like to have scout1 scout2 etc. I realy don't care, I just want to make sure if someone messes up...they are next to me!!

The more I think about it, it really was a nightmare the last one we played without renaming...

I withdraw my objection.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Yeah putting research and indies that high will seriously advantage nations which are already able to rush early so I would say have one or the other not both.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

About map : obviously, the decision will heavily depend on how many water nations we have. Since only Calahan knows it, I guess Calahan will have to make the decision by itself. The only elements we, players, could discuss here is the ratio provinces/player we wish. As far as I am concerned : around 20 looks fine since it gives a chance to non rusher nations. As a general rule, I don't care bigger maps, I don't like so much smaller maps.

Also, about rushes : if we want to limit them, we could forbid to attack a province already owned by another player before, let's say t15 ? Could leave a chance to Marverni or Kailasa when they will start the game between Lanka and Niefelheim :p

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I would like to join, if there is a spot left. My preferences are CBM + EDM, and standard settings for indies and research.

PM to Calahan with nation preferences submited.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Re: - Map decision.

Not sure inflicting my map choice on you all is the best solution ;) I can if you all wish, since I never run to a committee when a decision needs to be made. ("oh no a decision, if I make it myself, I might get blamed if it's wrong :eek: Run away run away").

My current thoughts for the map decision were that once Executor closes sign-ups, I'll reveal how many nations are in the game (and the land/water split) and then leave it up to you guys to decide the map. The only info that needs to remain secret is the exact player-nation ID's, as the number of players will likely already be known, and the land-water split won't be secret once the game starts anyway. So little point trying to preserve that secret.

Although if you guys decide the map, I would remind you all to use your heads regarding anything you post. Since things like...

"There are not many water province on that map, which I think is unfair to me, as it means I won't have as much room to expand as the land nations." :doh::doh::doh:

... are going to cause me a headache as admin :confused: So for those new to anonymous games, please remember to always 'think before you post' anything.

So everybody pretty much seems to agree on standard settings.
As for map, yeah that will have to wait until we have a full list of players, and depending on that a map will be chosen.

I will probably wait at least a day or two more to try and get as many players as possible.

As for rushers, I seriously doubt having a global NAP for the first 15 turns is a good idea. This is a no diplo game, so the chances of getting double teamed are slim, the score graphs are OFF, so a rush nation will have to think before blindly rushing in, and finally that too pretty much depends of the map, I see a lot of new players here so if you guys are worried about rushers we can add a little bigger player/province ration, about 15 is standard so 20 should give everyone some breathing room, although I myself prefer crowded places with lots and lots of wars. :)

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I don't like the idea of a global NAP either. Around 15 provinces per player sounds good to, 20 is a bit much.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I enjoy a challenge so my vote goes to difficult research and indies (7 perhaps for a compromise, but I would be ok with 9).

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I agree, I know this has a lot of newer players but it wWAS advertised as an experienced player game.

How about a comprimise....Hard research and and indies around 7. The rest could be normal with renaming if everyone wants it.

Lets don't make it a easy game and lets don't make it a killer.

Somewhere in the middle should be good with most everyone...lets stretch the comfort zone.:eek:

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Renaming is allowed since everyone seems ok with it, however be careful, if you are revealed you Will be kicked out, limit the renaming just for micro, no games please.

GB> I hope you won't be renaming your scouts.

As for settings, I still count we have far more votes for normal settings, so for now we'll stick with normal settings

However I think one thing is for certain, it's a very bad idea to have high indies and a lot of provinces per player, that just gives a huge advantage for some nation.
So if we go for more provs/players I'll keep regular indies and if we go for standard (aroundish 15 per nation) I'll consider higher indie strength depending on YOUR preferences.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Well, I wouldn't do that after saying I would do it...I would hope someone ELSE would do it. The old 'Triple reverse double psychology trick'.

WOW...Idea, what if I name all my scouts Executor, that will fool them:p

Seriously though, lets not anyone get the idea of making you look like someone else with renaming, even by accident. Lets all think and rethink what the names MAY mean to someone else.

Ok, I have lobbied all I will. Your game, your settings (I have come up with some pretty strange settings in my games and didn't want a bunch of chatter), Pick the map and let the azzz whoopin begin!!

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I would like to know what are the civilizations in game before having to send my pretender, would it be possible to announce them first? This way, we could better design our pretenders and scales.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Tough call that. On the one hand, I know if I was playing, I'd prefer to keep the nations in the game secret as an extra design challenge. (as knowing pre-game what other nations are in the game will be a big help to some nations during design)

But on the other hand from experience I know that because this game is on the llamaserver, those submitting their pretenders near the end can gain an advantage by seeing which other Pretenders have been submitted before them. Meaning whoever submits last will know all the other nations :)

I'll see what Executor has to say (since it is his game) but right now I'm thinking that once sign-ups close, I'll post the full list of nations. Unless someone has a sensible suggestion of how to keep the info hidden on a llamaserver game (easy enough of course if it was private hosting like PashaDawg does, for those fortunate enough to have played in his games)

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

It'd be a bit work-intensive for you, but you could ask everyone to send their pretender design picks and password by PM, create the .2h files on your side and register them all at once. If I'm not mistaken, the game doesn't check or use the pretender file in /newlords once the game has started, the host sends a new one along with each .trn file.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

I did think of that, and while I probably wouldn't mind everyone sending their designs to me, and then I send them to the llamaserver, a potential problem arrises when I have to change every email address to the correct player. As the llamaserver automatically sends the turns to the email address it recieved the pretender from. ie. They'd all come to me.

The problem then is that if I make one mistake with the nation-email matchups, the wrong player gets the wrong turn file, and those secret ID's start to get busted. I can't say I'm one for making mistakes though, as I'd never survive a day in my RL work if I did. But there is a potential mistake there to be made, which means it is a possibility. So if you all think doing that would help enhance the game a lot, then ok. But doing it only keeps info secret that immediately becomes known once the game starts.

Now if the game and the llamaserver didn't automatically tell you which other nations were in the game from the in-game Pretedner screen/web status page, then it'd surely be awesome keeping nations secret until you found them in-game :) But otherwise, I'm not sure the gain vs potential loss ratio is worth the hassle. (loss being a complete re-start and nation re-roll if I get an email address wrong)


Edit -
Just realised getting the email address wrong wouldn't actually reveal ID's, since if a player got the wrong turn file, then he/Fantomen (:)) still wouldn't know which player the turn file should have gone to. But it would still give design / Pretender / start location info away etc, and that in itself is bad enough.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

That's a tough call, ok, so far we have 13 nations, I recon some of them are water too so knowing the nations could perhaps have some impact on players pretender design, now as Calahan stated you Could simply wait and submit the pretender last as to help to pretender build. So I guess that's one reason to announce the nation list.

Now, I recon if we get a few more players knowing the full nation list should have little difference on the pretender design, however I think it's been a while since someone signed up so I'm not sure if there's a point in waiting much longer.

And finally, sending pretenders to Calahan could work but it might be a hassle for him, sending individual turns to Llamaserver, waiting for a conformation, getting the email addresses, changing them back to us, and watching that he doesn't screw up in the proses.

In any case, we still can't decide on that until we get a full player list and I create the game and give Calahan the admin code, or he crates it, either way, to make that decision.
There was something else I wanted to say too but I just can't remember what...:(

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

Wouldn't even give that away, since the wrong guy wouldn't have the right password to open the turn file. Unless there are ways to hack into the file itself or read its contents outside the game, but that would be a massive jerk thing to do.

I'm not sure the ephemeral secrecy is worth that much troubling yourself over myself, or that people would even pick their own gods based on nations they might never encounter in-game but hey. If you want to, you can do it.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA - Still Recruting
 

There IS one more way to do it, and since I am more than likely the most computer challenged it is a way that it shouldn't be that hard on Calahan but harder on the players.

First, if one of us REALLY wants THAT much of an advantage, then there are going to be a number of things they can do in a game like this to give themselves little advantages. I think there has to be some measure of trust that we are all adults and have just a smidgen of honor.

When we get all the people in that are going to play.... designate a time (I know getting 14 or 15 people at one time to do this will be rough) and within THAT time (whether it is an hour or just 15 minutes (I mean we SHOULD have already got an idea of what we want to do anyway)we all send them in at that time.

IF we can do that, problem solved on that issue (ahhh, I think):rolleyes:

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA
 

The admin should ask everyone NOT to password protect their Pretenders, as that makes it very tricky to sub-out their nation should the player go AWOL. The llamaserver is PBEM rather than direct connect, so you can't access any other players turn files (hence no need for password).

Hey wait, I'm the admin :doh:


@ All - Please DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT your pretenders, as it makes it very difficult to sub your nation out should you go AWOL for any reason.

@ Executor - can you put that somewhere in the OP. Cheers.

Re: No Diplo EA Game - NWA - Still Recruting
 

I'd like to join the game if still possible.