New PBW game : "Mediocrity"

[gravey101]

teal, I think you played it fine - I just got lucky. I managed to catch your fleet on that WP. I was one turn away from destruction. 9 times out of 10 you had me beaten.

[ December 10, 2003, 18:00: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

[Slynky]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse. It unbalences the game because whoever is lucky enough to be in position to "harvest" it's empire will get a significant leg up on the rest. Of course this is true to a lesser degree even if the AI is doing it's best, but at least then it can be a nusiance to the players if not an actual factor in teh game.

I think I disagree. When the treaty is dropped, my colony ships killed, and my planets attacked, I can tell you right away, I'd MUCH rather the AI did nothing. NOW, if the position is not filled soon and the AI plays at its usual weakness, then I (and others) can decide to carve it up and I can tell you it's much easier to do when I can prepare for it and drop the treaty myself (when I'm ready).

So when it comes to a person dropping from the game, in my opinion, to keep the game going as truly as it was, the least harm should be to those empires allied with it. Any long-term effects of the drop can be dealt with much easier that way.

[mottlee]

Geee....I guess I will take my ships and planets and go home! Was my 1st pbw game and at least I did not die!

[Loser]

Planets? You have planets? I thought we'd already addressed that issue.

And the game isn't entirely over. I don't know about the other players, but I'll be very disappointed if the victorious conquerors do not make some attempt to clean up one particular little threat in their backyard.

Bring it.

[Slynky]

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse.

Actually, not sure but, the switch stops the AI from making "major" changes. They still build ships and colonize, right? At least it seems that way to me. Here is what the manual says:

This is used when you are playing a simultaneous game. Normally, if you do not submit your turn file when the host processes your turn, the computer will automatically take over your turn and play it for you. Now it may be that you don't want the AI to make any major changes to your empire while you're away. Turning this option on means that if the AI does take over control of your empire, then it won't make many change.

[geoschmo]

Keep in mind the manual was written at a time when that option didn't even work, so whatever it says should be taken with a grain of salt. It was fixed at some point along the way, but I don't recall whether the AI does any of the things you suggest. I think it does not, but would have to test it. I think it will continue building what you start, but that's it. And will not send the colony ships when they are done being constructed.

Geoschmo

[Geckomlis]

Originally posted by gravey101:
Gecko, I too have tried the misile/fighter/drone strategy and just cannot get it to be effective in the standard game. It is more effective in some of the mods, but still is a struggle apart from the surprise of the initial attack. PD is just too powerful to make it viable IMO.

I agree with the following caveats:

1. If the opposing fleets do not start combat at point blank range or interleaved, missiles/drones can work. Unfortunately, they do start in those positions 19 out of 20 times. Kaboom.

2. Once the fleets get over 20+ ships each, the combat map starts getting crowded –especially with seekers flying around. Missile/drone ships can not get the maneuver room to use their range advantage effectively. Kaboom.