MP David & Goliath - Running noob game

Quitti · #1 November 10th, 2009, 08:28 AM

Well, I don't suggest banning any nations, as it's going to be a newbie game. Just restrict a few nations from experienced players should some decide to join, and restricted nations should probably be Niefelheim and Hinnom. Possibly Mictlan and Sauromatia too. There are a lot of strong nations in EA if you know how to leverage the good parts and fill up the bad parts - but that's what you guys are playing this for, to learn the game

Shahrivar is a good map for ~10 players. You could go and browse the map&mod part of the forums for more good ideas, but preferably you'd like a map with around 10-15 provinces per player.

Also, I'd suggest using llamaserver - the UI to use it is easy and fast, and it works very well. I have to admit that I haven't used Gandalfs server, but it's another option, as is hosting the game yourself. The host-it-yourself I don't suggest, since it'll give you lots of work, even if you were eliminated from the game.

Yskonyn · #2 November 10th, 2009, 08:48 AM

Great, I'll update the first post.

Immaculate · #3 November 10th, 2009, 09:26 AM

If i could, i would like to join. I've got a little bit of MP game experience but i'm pretty sure people would definately consider me a newbie still.

I also have an AAR with LA atlantis if you want to see how i can totally get trashed by the AI.

If you have me, i'll play with the nation i have the most experience with, Sauromatia.

I've never played Shahrivar but i know that Cradle of Dominions map is made for that many players (not sure if its the right number of provinces)... its a good map for new players i'm told (partially because it comes with the game and is therefore easily accessible).

Klepto · #4 November 10th, 2009, 09:29 AM

Hi. I'm not a complete newbie, I've played in around five MP games and done very badly in all of them. If that's not too much experience I'd like to take Ermor please.

I'd be in favour of using the CBM 1.6 mod, turning graphs off and no holds barred diplomacy.

Gandalf Parker · #5 November 10th, 2009, 10:02 AM

My totally biased opinion...
I think that a direct-connect game is easier on newbies. You just tell Dom3 the address of the server, and the port. After that it plays pretty much the same as a solo game.

Of course everything has its pros and cons. PBEM has more to get a handle on for some people. Getting the emails with your turns in it, figuring out where the game saved your turns, figuring out out how to setup the game on your end, figuring out how to attach your finished .2h file to an email back to the server. On the other hand, once you get a hang on creating games and deciding the games settings, LLama's server has that nice setup page to whip thru the setup and get a game started in less than a minute.

Both both types (by the way) you have to pre-create your god using the "Game Tools" then "Create a Pretender God" (and I recommend putting a password on it when you create it).

For a fast little direct-connect game up to 4 players I have some pre-created on my server. You could just choose one of the "blitz" games and declare it yours.
http://game.dom3minions.com/bin/blitz_chk.cgi
Or one of the vsAI which adds 4 computer players into the game.
http://game.dom3minions.com/bin/vsAI_chk.cgi

Other than that, if you are considering setting up a larger game then the choices are the same except that LLama's is automatic and on others its by request to the person who sets up games on the server. Everything on LLama's setup page can be part of any game request, and some beyond that (such as boosted AI's and some game settings not included).

Gandalf Parker

Yskonyn · #6 November 10th, 2009, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the input. Gandalf I am not sure; did you want in as well?
Klepto and Immaculate; of course, you're welcome. I've added you to the player list in the first post.
There are at least two other newbies I expect to join in, so other than a place for those two, it's free for all.

I have experience with other PBEM games so that won't be a problem.
There's also an old little utility called PBEM Helper, which automates PBEM turns for certain games, but I don't know if D3 is supported. I have to check.

I am all for the more automation the better. I am willing to act as gamehost or 'leader', but I would prefer a certain automation in handling all data.

I am really not sure about playing your first game with any mods, though. If the majority prefers to enable one or the other I'll go along, but shouldn't it be better to go vanilla at first and appreciate the intricacies of the mods later?