Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (RUNNING)
 

EDIT: ALL SPOTS ACCOUNTED FOR; GAME IN BEGINNING STAGES.

http://www.llamaserver.net/gameinfo....ock_the_Cradle

Hey, all. This will be my first MP game, so I'm kind of wanting to wade in with people who aren't going to slay me within a few rounds lol. So... I'm thinking "noob" should be defined as no more than 3 MP games under your belt. I'm also wanting to avoid mods for my first game, so, um, no mods :p

The game will be PBEM, with lovely me as your host. Here are the parameters I was thinking of:

Middle Age.

"Cradle of Dominions" map.

Turns start at 24 hours; will adjust as necessary (I don't want to call this a "busy person" game, but I do want it to be a "has a life" game:rolleyes:).

Number of players is hopefully ten, but if we can't get that within, say, a week, it's cool if we go to eight.

Non-standard settings: Score graphs disabled, 15 Hall-of-Fame. EDIT: By request, re-naming is allowed.

Diplomacy will be decided by vote... I really have no opinion, as it's my first MP game, so I'm good with the majority.

Water races are fine IF there are at least two of them. EDIT: We have two water races. Woohoo!

Abyssia - earwicker7
Arcoscephale - Korwin
Bandar Log - Colonial
Marignon - 13lackGu4rd
Pangaea - nrasch
R'yleh - CthulhuDreams

Atlantis Dead
Man Dead
Shinuyama Dead
Vanheim Dead

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

i want to play as marigon

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

Sweet. You're in.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

+1 as Bandar Log

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

Arcoscophale reporting in.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

6 more spots available... get 'em while you can!

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

dips for Vanheim.

Whats the reasoning behind the disabled score graphs?
Not really against it, but ... it seems to be hard to make an reasoned choice without those graphs.
(well Scouts seems to be more important than they allready are.)

What are the choices for the diplomacy vote?

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

Alright, you're in.

I like the graphs being disabled just for realism. Imagine that you are a general, and you're considering attacking an enemy's army; what's the first thing you do? You check the graphs and say, "No, that won't work... even though I only see 200 soldiers and I outnumber them ten to one, my chart says they have five times more total troops than I do, and their dominion is crazy, so I'll hold off for now." :D I'd rather have players say, "I thought they were weak, then they destroyed me the next turn with their stealthed army!"

As far as diplomacy goes, my choice would be the following: no declaration of aggression needed, you can attack out of nowhere, but any treaties made are binding, with three turns warning needed to break them. This is just off the top of my head; I'm totally open to different ideas.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

Sounds good to me.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

This would be game three for me.

Can I join as Ryleh? It's my favorite nation for reasons that should be very obvious.

I would vote to enable score graphs.. it's pretty useful for knowing what the heck is going down, which will be more important in a newbie game.

Edit: I'm not in favour of 'binding' treaties. What does binding even mean? You're going to kick the offender out of the game?

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

You're in as Ryleh!

As far as binding treaties go, I was just thinking of role-playing, where it's a world where a leader's word is considered important, and treaties are only broken after months of convincing the populace your decision is just. I have no problem with "Do what you want" if that's the general consensus, I've just heard that a lot of veterans say it's not a bad idea to have binding treaties (again, you can break them, just not without three turns notice). How does everyone else feel?

I'm pretty set on ditching the graphs, though. I just don't like them.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

So.. what are you going to do if someone breaks it without 3 turns notice? Kick them out of the game?

That would, to be, seem pretty weird.

Anyway, from an RP history has loads of examples where people went in for the sneaky backstab. Heck, WWII has an example where both sides were planning on backstabbing each other despite a NAP.

To me, a monomaniacal dictator RP would be a weird one to exclude.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

I'd send out a message (in-game, and in-character) that Player X can't be trusted, and that person would have a hard time making deals with anyone else. I wouldn't kick them out... it's just an honor system similar to what is recommended in some threads I've seen. I'm not dead-set on this, it's just a suggestion.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

Oh! Also, will renaming be enabled? It makes organizing mages/commanders alot simpler but sometimes people don't like allowing renaming for some reason.

If it's up to vote I vote for renaming. Also for diplomacy, it's part of the game.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting)
 

Re-naming isn't a huge deal to me; on the one hand, if you don't allow it, it adds to the immersiveness, as you are able to learn some of each culture's names, but on the other hand, in my single-player game, I did name one commander "Gem Bearing Guy" for simplicity's sake. I'm good with whatever the majority wants.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--4 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

I vote for renaming.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--4 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

+1 for renaming.

I plan to keep my word... if I give it.

Site frequency standard or higher?

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--4 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

Ok, re-naming is in; I'll edit the original post.

I'm trying to keep things as close to "stock" as possible, since I've only finished one single-player game so far, so I'm in favor of standard site frequency unless anyone objects to it.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--4 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

I'd like a spot if you'll have me? I'll take Shinuyama. :) Will be my first MP game and I've only played SP a couple of times, so I think this game will be a good fit. :)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--4 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

For the record: I am playing a (the first, for me) MP at the moment where I'm subing (is that a word?) for Vanheim.
Vanheim didn't get Turns submitted until turn ~8.

Luckily I got peaceable company at my borders.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--4 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

fumanstu is in as Shinuyama.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--3 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

Well, if this is still open for new players, I can take Atlantis.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--3 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

Atlantis it is!

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--2 Spots Left)
 

im still a bit new myself, more than 3 games, probably closer to 8, and I havent played any MP games recently, in months, and would love to join if you guys need me. just PM me

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--2 Spots Left)
 

I'd like to join please. I've played one other MP game, Crowded. I'd like to try out Pangaea, Age of Bronze. :)

Also, I'm on the Dom3 IRC channel as LeafyBits.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--2 Spots Left)
 

Xanatos: Sorry, bro, but I'm really trying to keep this one noob only... I want it to be a "baby steps" game :) But thanks for offering, and I hope to see you in future games!

nrasch: You're in as Pangaea.

Only one spot left!

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--1 Spot Left)
 

Well, I'm pretty bad=p Leafybits (the post that you just accepted) has almost killed me in a game we are playing where I should have had a huge advantage.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--3 Spots Left, Need a Water Race)
 

Just a note: Two water nations means that the province ratio is 1 Water per 11 provinces, and 1 Land Nation per 24 land provinces.

If you take out a water nation and add a land nation, you get 1:22 and 1:22.1 respectively.

The Llamaserver version of this map with fixed starting positions also only includes 1 water start and 9 land starts :)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Recruiting--1 Spot Left)
 

Ok, Xanatos, you've twisted my arm enough lol. You're in, just let me know who you want to be.

CthuluDreams: Understood, but the flip side is that if there is only one water nation, they tend to be the winner, because they really have no competition in the early game... most races can't take water provinces until they've either researched the right spells or found the right independants.

Ok, so here we go... everyone please send their pretender files to me at earwicker777@hotmail.com. This will be the email we use for the entire game. Please use the following format for the email title: "(Your forum username)--Dominions 3--(Whatever you are sending... for example, this one would be "Pretender File", then later "Turn 3 orders", etc.)".

Your pretender file will be in the /savedgames/newlords folder. Some people (Vista and Windows 7) may not see it here, in which case you will need to go into the following folders (usually, you will need to enable the ability to see hidden files by right clicking on the folder, and going into the properties menu): (Your drive, for example, "C:")/users/(Your Name)/AppData/Local/VirtualStore/ProgramFiles(x86)/Dominions3/savedgames/newlords.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Pretender file sent.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

sent

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Damn. My log-in came through 3 hours too late to join this one.

I allume 11 players would be too much of a squeeze?

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Going to send mine after getting home from work, at around 9:30 PM EST.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Sent my guy!

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

I'll send my guy when I get home from work (also, should jam in Colonial)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Now that everyone is in, I need a final vote on diplomacy... as mentioned before, I like the idea that there are no treaties in place at the beginning of the game, i.e., you can attack at will. However, if you make a treaty, it is "semi-binding"... by that, I mean that you can break it, but you have to give the offended party 3 turns notice. I think this will make it a little easier on the noobs. It would be an honor system, so if you break it, everyone gets notified BUT YOU DO NOT GET KICKED OUT, it will just hurt your reputation lol. I need a vote by the time all the pretenders are in; if you haven't voted by the time they are in, I'll assume you have no opinion.

Here's my proposal for turning things in on time... for now, we'll have 24 hour turns; if everyone can get their turns in by 7pm Pacific Standard Time, I should be able to get the new turns out by between 7pm to 8pm. For time extensions, I propose that everyone gets three of them. If you need an extension, please email me BEFORE the deadline; if you haven't used up all three of them, it will be granted automatically, and I'll let everyone know that the new turn will be delayed by 24 hours. If a player does not notify me that they need an extension and misses the deadline, it still counts as one of your extensions (so there is no reason not to ask for it lol), and the turn will automatically be extended by 24 hours; I will notify you by email that you have missed the deadline... if you STILL haven't replied by the end of that 24 hour extension, you will get a stale turn. If you get to your "third strike" extension, all of the players will take a vote on whether they believe it is now appropriate to extend the turn length. If the vote is yes, the turn length will be increased and EVERYONE'S extension count will be reset to zero. If the consensus is that it is too early to extend the turn length, you're on your "final warning", and it is expected that you make a decision as to whether you are able to continue playing, or you need to get either a sub or (hopefully it won't come to this) go AI. I believe this will make sure things don't get out of control, with people missing the deadline by three days and such, while still giving some flexibility to the fact that we do all have lives outside gaming (I hope!). I'm open to changing these rules, but I think they would work well.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Received the following people's pretender files: Nosantee, Domenje, and Korwin.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Sounds good... what the hell is Colonial :confused: :D

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

The guy 4 posts up who wants to join the game ;) (edit: well, 8 from this post)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

its fine, im gonna withdraw from this one, im getting into some other games as well atm. but ty, and have fun all!

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Pretender sent!

Yes, I think diplomacy can work in the way earwicker stated... especially this being a newbie game and with everyone learning the nuances of the sofisticated game of Dominions, hehe

I liked the way extensions and turns are to be handled.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Woo woo, Xanatos is here too. Going to be a fun game. :)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Looks like Xanatos is out... Colonial, you're in; awaiting notice of who you are playing.

Received Patolixo's pretender.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Agree to proposed diplomacy.

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

I broadly agree, but can I propose the following modifications

1) You can agree to a non aggression pact of

* A notification break period (1-1000 turns or whatever)
* A fixed expirary date (We have a NAP until turn 25)
* A fixed duration (We have a NAP for 10 more turns)

2) Trade agreements for fungible goods (e.g. I give you 15 earth gems, you give me a dwarf hammer and/or 400 gold) are enforceable.

3) An agreement to attack a third party is not enforceable (I agree with C'tis to attack Formoria, I don't do anything, that's tough titties for C'tis)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Goodness! All this talk of treachery and diplomacy!

And here I thought our game was going to be all kittens, glitter, and rainbows. ;)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

I actually REALLY like this! So can we all agree to it? Again, it's the honor system, so you're agreeing that, if you violate it, we reserve the right to spread the word throughout the forum that you are a spoil-sport:D

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

Fine by me. :)

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

i just hate PBEM, nothing against it, its just a lot more trouble to think of emails other than llamaservers=p This game is already complicated enough without me having to worry about remembering that too, lol

Re: Rock the Cradle--Noob Only! (Beginning--No More Open Spots)
 

That's brillient. Thanks a lot guys.

I will be playing Ulm, If no one objects.


I'll try to get you a pretender this evening (EU time).