Countdown

TwoBits · #1 May 14th, 2010, 11:04 AM

Well, as a power right by the water, I thought about making an early play for the VPs, but Marverni isn't exactly an early game powerhouse - I figured launching a land grab that early would just get me clobbered.

I figure anyone who wants to collect 100 VPs will eventually have to lick everyone anyone anyway (almost like a 'normal' game), the only difference being that he'll have the option of forcing everyone else' hand, instead of just waiting for it.

Oh, and I see someone has added extra time for me - thanks! - but I should have my turn in shortly anyway.

BTW, how long are we going to stick to a 24 hour schedule?

Cammorak · #2 May 14th, 2010, 01:32 PM

I considered going for early VPs with my natural water access, but I figured I would already be an early-game target and didn't need to draw any more attention to myself.

Honestly, I was trying out a Baalz-style strategy, which I think makes the loss of 25 points a bit of a nonissue. The downside was my forces weren't consolidated when you came knocking so they pretty much got steamrolled piecemeal.

As I was considering it though, I think the handicaps actually might need to be a bit harder. I was testing out bless builds and a loss of 25 points is rather small change. Sure, you may have slightly worse scales or lose a bit of your bless, but it doesn't strike me as really even by any means.

I think it's a great idea, but maybe if the handicaps are somehow normalized to, say, the cost of increasing dom scales a point, rather than arbitrary values. I think one of the issues was the relative lack of bidding wars. The community seems small enough to where this may never happen extensively, so it may be better to high-ball the opening bids.

chrispedersen · #3 May 14th, 2010, 02:05 PM

debaser was having problems with the 24 hour timer, so I added 8 hours. Theoretically we should be at 40.

chrispedersen · #4 May 14th, 2010, 02:07 PM

Interesting that Marverni hasn't claimed any vps...

Cammorak.. I really wish we got more bids. But as we haven't I will definitely keep your feedback in mind on the next one.

Still, I do think the bids definitely changed the game: We have no mictlan, or sauromatia in the game, for example. Conversely, we do have yomi, arco, abysia, marverni - which I think is proof of concept.

Personally I think thats a huge plus.

Cammorak · #5 May 14th, 2010, 02:34 PM

I definitely agree that the bidding is a huge plus and an important component of the concept. What I was trying to say is that the bidding should be kept, but the starting bids should perhaps be spread out a little more. I love that it encourages all the lesser-played races as I'm always a fan of the underdog (despite playing Niefel this time).

I also think this could branch into two different concepts:
1) A bidding mechanic that keeps the games organic and relatively fresh
and
2) A set handicap mechanic that can be kind of an extension of the Endgame Diversity & CBM concept to further encourage lesser-used race play.

This is also inspiration for a Gimp game I may want to start once I'm done moving this month. All the races on the bottom of the HoF duking it out. Probably already been done, but still seems fun.