Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Due to the influx of new players, I think this is a good time to advertise http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
(See the bottom of this post for details on joining)

Everybody is welcome to come and try SE4 by Committee.
This game is unlike most, in that we all play as one empire. While roleplaying is encouraged, it is not nessesary. As long as you don't start yelling about non-existent things, such as "Phased Polaron Beams" and such, you'll do fine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Each player who joins will be given a job, such as a planetary governor, as a minister, a military officer, or simply as a senator.

Roles and responsibilities:

Planetary governors:
These players control a planet and any moons or bases in orbit. They directly handle anything relating to their own planet.

Officers:
These players command starships and fleets of ships. Under the leadership of the Minister of Defense, they protect the Republic from hostiles, and have the opportunity to control tactical combat if they are in the same sector as a battle.

Ministers:
These players handle the interplanetary details of running the Republic. Some provide oversight and arrange cooperation between local governors, such as the Construction minister, while others have direct control over empire-level work, such as the research minister.

Senators:
These players have no precise duties, but instead exert their influence by bringing up and voting on bills and motions.

At the core of PBCommittee is a REAL SE4 GAME.
Players post their orders, and the Secretary of State types them into SE4.
At the end of the turn, the Secretary of State will post the results, and the cycle repeats.

Turns are a maximum of one week, however, a successful motion to recess can kick off the new turn early.

The mod being used by this game is based on unmodded + TDM. There are some additional tweaks to add roleplaying components. In particular, each player will have a unique avatar in the game. The avatars are based on 1kt and 2kt troop hulls, and allow you to move throughout the empire as you please.
If your avatar is destroyed in game, you will be "dead", and after a short time in the graveyard as a ghost, you can have a new avatar constructed and rejoin the game.
Naturally, the military officers can be expected to have the shortest lifespan, while ministers and senators will probably survive the entire game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

You can join the game by visiting http://www.invirtuo.cc/se4/index.php
Sign up with your desired in-game name (email address not required, so don't worry about spam http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )
and then post a message detailing your desired position in the Recruitment Office.

If you wish to observe without signing up, simply use the Login/Password of "Spectator"/"Spectator"

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[ March 06, 2003, 22:05: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

I joined the other day, but was unsure on what to do next....
Thanks for the Post SJ

I enjoy logistics, what would you recommend?

[ March 06, 2003, 21:24: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Sounds like you'd want to be transportation minister.
High profile Posts like that are filled already, of course, so you may have to wait for an opportunity.

Being a military officer could be what you're looking for, also. Command of a ship/fleet and all.
You will need to have an instant messaging client, such as IRC, MSN, AIM, ICQ, etc in order to actually do the tactical combat part, but that is not required.

[ March 07, 2003, 14:29: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

We are now on Turn 2400.9!

There are currently 3 openings for planetary governors, and we have two more colony ships flying through space at the moment!

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would like to take one, if that is all right.
Please, explain, how I should get started.
I am Registered, and I have the MSN mess...

[ March 14, 2003, 01:35: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

How the orders are posted? Normal .plr file or how? I'd like to join to the game and if there still free planetary governors spots open I'd like to get one.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

The game is based around the forum at
http://www.invirtuo.cc/se4/index.php
Where we discuss what we want to do and vote about it.
Everyone then sends in their orders to SJ who runs the turn (The others don't see Your orders so you might do things you're not supposed to...)
The orders are delivered by a hidden post on the above forum.

Then you download the turnfile and check the results and plan your next orders.
We civilians need more people to give us an balance against our oversized military.
(In this game I'm an overentusiastic pacifist)
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

[ March 14, 2003, 09:56: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

I haven't got any reply to my message in game's forum so I ask my question here. Are the turn orders send by plain text, for example "Build research center at planet Dertran VI"? And where I can receive the newest turn?

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

I've been at school since I saw your post. I'll get you set up about 3 hours from now, when I get home http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha has summed it up pretty nicely.

The details;
Each turn, I post a link to the savegame in the Newspaper stand. (Look for the 'Latest news about the world you live in" thread)

If you have SE4gold, you can open the file directly. Be sure to have gold patch #3 installed, as well as the committee mod, or it won't load properly.
A link to the mod is in the same location.
http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/committee is the place to get all the stuff you need.

I have set up a special "Orders Submission Forum" at the bottom of the PBC Boards. Players are allowed to post, but not read.
Due to that, you can't go into the forum and press "add topic" or "add reply". Instead I have written intstructions on how to post to that forum in the description of the Forum (on the main page of PBC)

Make your instructions clear, and as literal as reasonably possible. I will do my best to interpret it, but the less I have to guess, the happier you'll be with the results http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
"Move 'Blade of Ruatha' to Avalon (6,6) and Destroy Star", for example, or "Add 'Temple of Aaron' to the build queue of Calonica Primus (A well known planet) at Emergency rate"

Even if you don't have SE4 Gold, you can play; there are screenshot maps, and plenty of people to ask. I can even post or email local event reports for players who need them.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Thanks for the information. I have SE4 Gold so that's not problem. All necessary committee mod files are in the committee24005fulldata.zip package, right?

How many opponents there are and are they all controlled by AI?

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

I forget how many exactly, but they are all AIs, and many are TDMs, too.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

OK, thanks.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Ba-bump...

What's this? Only 9 views for the new year's budget (and 4 of them are mine)? I'll just have to shift it all over to the Ministry of Finance. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Seriously, though, I need some input on your planned spending this year. If you don't think you can meet your needs on this budget, speak up, or forever hold your peace! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Edit]Just for comparison, Last year's budget had 84 views.

[ March 19, 2003, 06:03: Message edited by: Krsqk ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

*BUMP*

Please check us out at:

Play by Committee

We need fresh blood to invigorate this great game. If you like roleplaying, check us out.

(The Military in particular needs fresh bodies.)

And to all you veterens out there who have shunned us (nudge nudge Fyron nudge nudge Taz nudge nudge) don't hold out anymore! Join now and get this lovely period:

" . "

It dark, it's bold, it's small, it's a period! You can't finish a camly written sentence without a period. So stop your addiction to the exlamation point and come back into the serenity of the period.

Oh, and join Play by Committee.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

!

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I know it's amazing, Narf, but it's true!

Sign up today and get your very own genuine - bonifide - original - one of a kind - hepa filtered - crab free - stain guarded - hypnotized and simplified comma!

Why just look at it:

" . "

And from the side:

" . "

From the back:

" . "

And from the top:

" . "

Beautiful, ain't she? So what are you waiting for? Head on over to http://invirtuo.cc/se4 and join the hottest group action going on today!

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

And if you sign up today we will throw in your personalized avatar that you may travel the universe in (Incase you get command of a ship or can hustle someone to take you along) and get killed.
Then you can be reborn agaian, the final proof of reincarnation, SE4 Play By Committee!

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

just a recommendation, this thing is quite a bit of good fun, i was there and enjoyed it.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Also highly reccommended for players of all skill levels!

If you're new to SE4, this will let you play using verbal commands instead of hunting through menus, allow you to concentrate on one aspect of the game with competent ministers to back you up, and a low pressure roleplaying intro.

If you're experienced, try living in an empire where you don't rule with an iron fist, and instead have to convince the senate to do things, or pull in some personal favours from the other governors and ministers http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

"!"
but i like my exclaimation mark! and it's got a period in it already!

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Oh, all right, you talked me into it.

Hmmm... where do I sign up again?

*searches the thread*

Ah-ha. ok.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You don't know where that "!" has been, Narf.

"!" used to be "O" until he went to apply for a job modeling underwear and was cruely told he was too fat for the job. "O" then began to starve himself and got addicted to heroin. Now he's just a sliver of his former self.

If you continue to associate with "!" he'll drag you down with him.

It's time to say "Goodbye "!", I can't help you unless you learn to help yourself."

Leave the "!" and join us at Play by Committee. We won't try to pressure you into starvation or drugs. Consider us the clean and sober alternative.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Oh, Suicide Junkie, Taz said he'll join too, but only if you dress up as a female Tazmanian Devil and 'cuddle' with him. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Ok. I signed up at the recruitment office. But, um, this is a mod, isn't it? Where are the mod files? Are there any other files I'll need? If so, where are they?

Off to bed. G'night.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

*'you have dishonered my "!" i will now hit you my hammer'*
*WHACK*
*katchoo is now a flattened disk*

i was in a samuri jack mood.

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hmmmm... I can't seem to find the original *.ZIP with the AI/DATA/DSGNNAME/PICTURES folders either.

SJ, was the link removed or has it been moved, cause it's not in the Newspaper Stand any longer.

Dumbluck, I can send you the original ZIP if it's missing from the site (which would explain why the newbies haven't gotten involved much).

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

*pooks the talking flatened disk with a stick*

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">*Katchoo rolls himself over to a gas station where an indifferent attendant re-inflates Katchoo back into his normal size.*

If you keep hanging around that "!" he'll drag you down with him. He's a bad influence on you.

And you owe me a quarter for using the airhose at the gas station.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ June 03, 2003, 04:44: Message edited by: Katchoo ]

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

*pulls out a prehistoric 500 lb quarter and hands it to katchoo*
*katchoo is now in a katchoo-shaped hole in the ground*
weeee http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">*Katchoo falls through the Earth and emerges in China.*

Grrrrrr...

*The oversized quarter is quite valuable, so Katchoo sells it and uses the money to buy a film studio.*

*Katchoo spends the next decade producing documentaries, movies, and game shows to brainwash the Chinese population into hating Narf.*

*By this point Aaron Hall, god of all who visit these Forums, has amassed a fortune from his Space Empire's & Dungeon Odyessy games and has moved his development company to China where he can make more money and enslave a whole new market*

*This combination of people who produce Space Empires', and hate Narf, premanantly prevents Narf from ever being able to obtain a copy of Space Empires again.*

Now look what you have forward too if you continue to hang around with "!" and don't join up with Play by Committee.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

*narf shows the chinese population how katchoo made his '!' cry. they immediatly turn on katchoo and he is run out of the country, chased by people with big hammer's. narf is sent a complimentary copy of space empires*

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

LOL

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Ya know, this is kinda fun...

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Out of my deathbed, into the gunsights of a Druk light cruiser...

Cool. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Space Empires 4 - Play By Committee Game
 

Back again for more good times! Ironic, isn't it, that 4 days after getting the game on my wife's laptop, we finally get our computer back from the computer doctor (reformated harddrive and all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif )

EDIT: Oooooooooor, not. Apparently one of my peripherals is screwing with the computer. Got it back from the doctor, hooked it all back up, booted it up.... and no mouse, no keyboard. Triple checked the connections, all looked good. Turned the power off, let it sit for a minute, turned it back on.... And back to the old "freezing mid-boot" trick. AAAAAAARGH! So, this time the peripherals are going to the doctor along WITH the CPU, and we'll hopefully figure out what needs replaced THIS time.

I am still in the Committee game, but my PBW games are still toast, for now.

[ June 12, 2004, 22:51: Message edited by: dumbluck ]