New MP games (not blitz)?

[Morkilus]

I haven't seen any posts to begin any multiplayer games lately. Is everyone too busy with other ones? I'm only in one game now, and I had a disastrous turn 2 so it doesn't take up much time (other than the BS'ing). I would try to host a PBEM myself, but I'm a n00b and would probably screw it up...

I was thinking smaller map, with the CB 5.1 mod. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Ironhawk]

It's due to the advent of Civ4, I believe. Regardless I will be hosting a new MP game soon. Probably later this week or the begining of next. Have faith! (tho not so much faith that you kill my dominion)

[Morkilus]

Bleh! Forget Civ4! Does Civ4 have a giant clay pregnant thing that stomps knights and calls down flaming blue rocks?

Anyway, I'm accepting copies when you get sick of it. Don't forget the foldout tech tree.

[Shmonk]

That, and the upcoming holiday people could be too busy for anything new. I wouldn't mind getting into another game (only in 2, and 1 could end soon), but I'll wait until next year, at least not until after Jan 2.

[Huntsman]

I'm in 3 at the moment with one likely to end next hosting. So i think I'll be up for a new game.

[Dimaz]

I'm ready for another game too.

[Rathar]

I too seek a game to play.

[Folket]

I would like an other game as well. But I prefer TCP/IP games.

[Morkilus]

What kind of options do you guys like? (I'll likely do whatever Ironhawk suggests, though I like the current mod)

[Cainehill]

I'd be interested, and I like using the latest balance mods; would also be pretty interested if it involves Ironhawk's thoughts about starting nations with certain artifacts.

Settings wise : lately 4 out of 5 games I entered were using _very_ difficult research, which gets old - like having tofu 4 out of 5 dinners. I'd be happy with normal difficult or below, or ...

Something like Quantum Mechanic's Twilight of Magic settings might be cool, if others think so : he was doing difficult (or worse) research, pretenders couldn't have extra magic added to them (example : Wyrm starts with no magic paths, can't have any added; Rime Mariner has 1 cold, can't have any added), and high magic nations /themes are outlawed - doesn't do for 5% magic site setting, but Pythium starts with 7 income instead of 5.

Might be too much work to figure out which themes are okay, but it does make for a great game - national troops hanging around much longer.

Another alternative might be : No pretender with more than a total of 5 (some number between 3 and 8) in magic paths. So no one is going against uber-blessed critters, likewise the killing-dead nations aren't so appealing because of scale issues.

Finally, there's a mod that allows limitting magic to level X (ie, only level 2 research or less, level 6 or less, etc). Might be interesting.

I'm not wed to any of those, just putting them forth as suggestions - starting artifacts, or ... Chazar's latest Chandrea map, (all nations start with some sage-ish mages, and items) would be cool, in balancing nations or at least changing them.