Utility: How To Run a Game

[llamabeast]

To my mind it looks rather more complicated than it need be. Mine would be something like:

1) Contact a potential host to host the game - lch, llamabeast or Gandalf spring to mind at present.
2) Make a thread asking for players. On the thread list the age, map, number of players wanted, any mods being used, and any non-default game settings. Also specify any exploits or spells you want to ban. The first post will remain important for listing all the settings, and as slots fill up you should edit it to keep a complete list of players there.
3) Wait for all slots to fill up. Then arrange for your host to accept their pretenders.
4) Once all pretenders are in, ask your host to start the game.
5) You will be responsible for sorting out any requests for postponing hostings or other things throughout the game. Please do not stop doing this if you get knocked out without asking someone else to do it for you. Generally someone else will be happy to take over as it's an easy job.


All the other stuff you say is useful, and should probably be included below, but is to my mind somewhat daunting and for an average game most of it is not important.

[Aezeal]

For shame Gandalf, couldn't even wait 5 minutes for someone else to nominate it first.

--> agree

I also agree to add Llama's points.. but if you make a sticky of it his list is rather short and I'd let gandalfs thingie in there too..

[JimMorrison]

But Llama, if someone forgets any of those things, they'll be harassed by the players who are joining.

One of the games I'm in now, there must have been 2 pages of relentless questions "are we using mods?", "are indies at 5?", "is it normal research?". A newer host may not even think of these things at first, and may not be resilient to the interrogation after they were too cursory in their initial post.

[Gandalf Parker]

I will also admit that I am partly driven by a desire to point out that there are many many game options which do not always get considered. This is actually cut down abit from my wanting to list the many cool game variants that came up in threads such as the "on the fence" thread.

(yes before someone bites their tongue... such games ARE also on my "so why dont you go ahead and do it" list)

[Gandalf Parker]

llamabeast said:
To my mind it looks rather more complicated than it need be. Mine would be something like:

I often type an answer in forums then before hitting send I go to the top and edit it into "short answer" and then "longer answer". Maybe I should do that with this. Make yours the short answer then for those who are interested offer a longer answer.

[llamabeast]

I think that is a good idea. Yours has lots of useful stuff that mine doesn't have. I'm just worried that it makes organising a game look like a hard thing, when in fact it is really quite easy.

[Gandalf Parker]

Well I think that you and lch tend to take more of a hand in digging up games, players, ironing out the particulars than I do.

I was able to hold onto it thru Dom2, Dom3 beta-test, and early Dom3 but I finally kindof wore out and now Im trying to get others to take up those details.

Should I word this as more of how to run a game with me as host? Or do the other hosts feel its generic enough?

[Aezeal]

I admit that if you start organizing one it really goes sort of automatically.. this thread will speed things up..

once you talk to llama (for example) you usually hear everything you need to do involving him if it's your first time.. and the rest.. well... players tend to mention what you have forgotten anyway

anyway it seems good to sticky it somewhere and if you put llamas post above yours then it seems generic enough really

[Bwaha]

Hi, I want host a game. It seems rather difficult. Is there a thread that is more detailed? A place that has a walkthru? Any help would great. Bwaha

[Gandalf Parker]

The manual has a pretty good section on it. Thats the best starting point. Most everything else tends to build on that in more detail.