Giving & Receiving gifts
 

In a multiplayer game, it appears that if an ally gives me something, I then have to send the reply back to the message to accept the gift. My question is...is there a way to accept the gift, and return a gift in the same message? It appears that I can only send a single message, and that I must either give, or accept, but can't do both...which means that an exchange of tech, for example, would take several turns. Am I correct in this? Or can I give & receive in the same turn?

Re: Giving & Receiving gifts
 

you can always send a TRADE instead of a GIFT. that way it needs to be pre-planned, but you get and receive on the same turn.

Re: Giving & Receiving gifts
 

True... trades work that way, but they don't save you time. It actually takes 3 turns for the exchange, 4 if a counter offer is made:

1. offer
2. acceptance
3. execution

In simultaneous games, it is best for two allies to give gifts to each other on the same turn, and receive each other's gifts on the next turn (simultaneously). This way, you have a 2-turn constant exchange cycle.

Tip: Establish a quick rule: Give gifts to each other on odd turns, receive on even turns. This way, you won't get stuck needing to offer a gift the same turn you need to receive, or vice versa.

Hope that helps a bit.

Re: Giving & Receiving gifts
 

3 steps? only two. three turns, perhaps - but the same is true for gifts. attend:

turn 2401.0: i transmit a message offering a trade
turn 2401.1: you see the trade message, and transmit acceptance
turn 2401.2: the items are transfered, and i find out that you stiffed me, because you didnt actually have the tech you promissed.

this is the EXACT SAME ammount of time that it takes to transfer a gift. the only thing that happens the same turn that it is accepted, is a treaty.

Re: Giving & Receiving gifts
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey, that's a pretty good idea! Quite simple too.

Re: Giving & Receiving gifts
 

Puke,

Actually, we are in agreement. I merely said that trading does not SAVE you time vs gifting.

ckotchey,

Glad you like the tip. It really does help simplify things! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Giving & Receiving gifts
 

There's an even longer option:

1. 1st player offers a trade with "want" specified as "Any" something.
2. 2nd player makes a counteroffer, with the "Any" item(s) replaced with specifics. (You cannot accept an "Any" offer; you can only reject or counteroffer.)
3. 1st player accepts counteroffer.
4. Items delivered to both players.