My own private Idaho-- a PBW newbie game

Rollo · #1 July 22nd, 2001, 09:34 AM

Hi,
as I have suggested earlier, I would prefer to start with three planets of good value. This will ensure that everybody has a decent industrial base to start with. It will probably also allow for earlier contacts in the game.

I would also prefer to start with a low tech level. It makes strategic decisions at the beginning of the game more important (and also more interesting).
Pro: It makes friendly relations more interesting and worthwhile, since you can split the cost for the "basic research" like astrophysics, construction, military science, etc., if you agree to trade them later. If you want a truly "warmonging only" type of game this could of course also be viewed as a Con. But I think it allows for more variety in the approach of the game.
Con: This is a newbie game. Some people could make some severe mistakes at the beginning of the game. Medium tech would ensure that they have at least the basic research done. This way they could react faster to "superior tech".
It really depends on the players that have joined the game. If everybody has some experience with the game in solo mode and is just new to the PBW variant (as I assume), I suggest that we start with a low tech level. If we have somebody who is completely new to the game, I'll say that we stick with medium tech.

With the rest of the game setup I agree all the way

.

I would like to hear your comments/suggestions.

Rollo

Atrocities · #2 July 22nd, 2001, 10:51 AM

I am interested in getting into a game, so I will try and get into this one. Should be interesting to say the least.

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"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Captain Picard STNG
New Age Ship Yards

Quikngruvn · #3 July 22nd, 2001, 07:37 PM

So far the consensus is three good planets with a low-tech start. No new empire files in almost 48 hours-- I'll send a nag e-mail before I start booting players.

Atrocities, right this second the game is full (six players), but I can also open another slot. Watch this space for updates.

Quikngruvn (itching for a fight... er, diplomatic exchange)

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"That which does not kill you will make you stronger." -- Nietzsche

Quikngruvn · #4 July 24th, 2001, 07:54 AM

The game is afoot! (Actually, it's a computer program, but that's not important right now.)

Atrocities, I cannot tell a lie, but I lied. The small spiral quadrant churned out twenty-six systems, 30% of which should be uninhabitable at the start (black holes, nebulae, and asteroid belts), leaving maybe eighteen systems with planets. Six players is tight already, and seven would be a frigging can of sardines! No hard feelings?

(Someone please make another PBW newbie game for Atrocities to join before he bLasts me into space dust!)

Quikngruvn

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"That which does not kill you will make you stronger." -- Nietzsche

Rollo · #5 July 25th, 2001, 10:51 PM

+++ Bulletin from Space Viking headquarters +++ :

We have made contact with an alien species called the Eternian Commonwealth. They seem to have strange mimicking powers. Our border patrol was aproached by a space craft that looked exactly like one of ours. When the vessel was close it opened fire immediately. Our crew was confused and had only little time to react, but managed to defeat the intruder. Examination of the remains of the ship showed that it exactly mimics one of ours and even bears the same coat of arms. Whether this is some ploy to discredit the Space Vikings is unknown at this time...

+++ To all Galactic Races +++ :

The Space Vikings use ship class names of Scandinavian origin and will from now on also a bear a special "(SV)" label to avoid confusion. So, if you see something like "Alesund (SV) class" that is probably one of our ships. Also take extreme care of seemingly friendly vessels that look like your own, as we do not know, if the Eternians can mimic other races all well. We try to make diplomatic contact with them and keep you posted.

+++ Space Vikings out +++

[This message has been edited by Rollo (edited 25 July 2001).]

Quikngruvn · #6 July 26th, 2001, 04:31 PM

The Lord Protector appreciates this information from the gracious Space Vikings, and will be on the lookout for other mimics.

P.S. Was anyone else able to see the systems connected to their homeworld system right from turn 1? The Lord Protector rather wonders how that happened....

Quikngruvn

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"That which does not kill you will make you stronger." -- Nietzsche

Suicide Junkie · #7 July 26th, 2001, 06:42 PM

If this is a 3-planet start, as indicated by previous Posts, then you get some free maps automatically.

SE4 assumes that since you have colonized other worlds already, you would have done a little exploring too.

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