on-line tournament idea
 

The Se4 gold multiplayer option opens up the possibility for an on-line competition that could be quite interesting. The main idea is to create a one-on-one simultaneous combat sudden death tournament for any number of players that could be played fairly quickly. The tournament leader would specify the conditions, which could be very different from time to time (maybe once a month like the Game Of The Month at Civ3 Fanatics). For example, an all tech 5000-point race having a fleet with maximum 100,000 resources. Each player meets up with his own race and ship designs, which is checked by a neutral referee after a small number of turns (Only ships and units can be built). A random draw (or maybe with a seed as the record grows) defines the pairings. Players meet in pairs at the center of a “spoke” galaxy, each entering the combat zone from his unique wormhole linking to his ten-planet system with unlimited resources. Alternating as attacker and defender (defender goes first), they move and meet at the sun (which could be a warp point) in the center. They each can watch the replay, and repeat an even number of trials until one has a lead of two wins after a minimum number of trials, maybe 6 or so. A tiebreak procedure would need to be adopted. I suspect this would take no more than ten or fifteen minutes. Then the next pair would be up. Then the winners would meet, etc, etc. like in a tennis tournament. The whole thing might take a couple of hours depending on how many were involved. Or, the early round matches could be scheduled individually (as AOK does) with only the semifinalists, or maybe quarterfinalists meeting together on-line for the final battles.
I think this could be a lot of fun and a real challenge to those who would like to match designing wits with others under different circumstances. It needs somebody to do a little work organizing it, but it would be far simpler than PBW technically. All it really needs is some scheduling and a simple new “spoke” galaxy; maybe a game room. And the variations are infinite. Only the imagination limits the possibilities. One-on-one non-tournament pick up games could also be arranged. Or even a free-for-all with several participants.
These are just some ideas for discussion. I am sure they can be improved upon. Of course, on-line tactical combat would be even better than simultaneous combat, but maybe this start would inspire Malfador to offer that possibility.
Comments? Anybody keen to follow up on this?

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

paper rock scissors

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

I dont realy understand.
Is it X turns to build up, Y turns to get to the middle and then short serie of combats and THATS IT?

Well, the overall idea is nice but it takes away one of the best of SE:IV's features - the tactical and strategical freedom of many, many options.

And rules should include the rule of NOT using sun-destroying weapons, because when used in the central system to the end of the game, it wouldnt be nice.

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

Georgig. Maybe. But the golden grail is finding a single design that that can beat any other, if possible. That is a real challenge. I am actually very close to a solution on all tech, all races. But your point is that there is an element of psychology in guessing what the opponent will probably try. Guessing right is part of winning, like in many other games.

Taera. You can make it more complicated once the basic system is set up if you are willing to spend a longer time on-line. But how many people are willing to do that? Only the imagination limits the possibilities once you start to trade more time on-line for more complexity. I am looking for a relatively short game for starters. I think that will attract most people, and get the ball rolling. Let us walk before we run.

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

Very well.. i'll take my words back.
Anyway.

The idea sounds good and if organized well, could be great thing. A difficult one though, because of the time differences. I for example, live in Israel, thats GTM +02:00

...But the golden grail is finding a single design that that can beat any other, if possible...

Fine then, when you do, the grail will be a different thing - try and find a ship that will beat it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Still, the idea is nice. it would be reeeeealy wise to use Comm Jammers http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

The idea is interesting but since it removes the element of empire buildup, it can lead to abuse.

for example, how about religious+psychic race ?
comp virus + allegiance converter + religious tallisman.

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

Oleg, I can beat that one any day of the week at no extra cost. I was there once myself. Now if we had this system running, we could face off and let the proof be in the pudding.

Re: on-line tournament idea
 

Yes you cannot forget that alot of the weapons are balanced not just by construction cost and size, but also by research cost. If you do not include research cost as part of your limit, then there are certain combinations that are just very difficult to beat.

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Re: on-line tournament idea
 

two things.
First, god damn me, i forgot it is all in GOLD. Count me out.

second, the multi-racial teching should not be allowed, meaning i can not choose two racial technologies. There should be strict rules explaining what i can and what i can not do. FOr example, the first idea that comes to mind is that races that choose a racial technology trait are not allowed to pick any other racial trait, while those who do not can pick up to.... say 2.