3-4 Players Wanted for PBEM Game

That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I work 9am to 6pm eastern so that is plenty of time, and I wouldn't mind putting my meager skills against human opponents.

I don't much use AIM or any IM client anymore, but I do have user id's on most of them so that shouldn't be much of a problem either.

Count me as interested.

-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

I haven't played against other people yet, but I'd certainly like to try out my skills, so I'd like to join in.

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Give me atmopshperic manipulation cannons, or give me death!

Ok, I PM'd you my Email.

Hopefully we can get at least one more person

Now I guess it would indeed be a good time to talk about settings and procedure. I just hope I don't have an odd crash when I try to save my empire file (it has happened before, but I think it was a fluke).

I use custom Design Types (DesignTypes.txt) with my games normally, maybe we should come up with some common design types? Seeing as how there is no way to dynamically add them to an empire during play, only the default file can be changed at this point (after the game is created and the first session saved, the designtypes file can be reverted to the default). The design types are saved with the Save Game rather than the empire file unfortunately - so any types would have to be global to the game [the AI can change them at will it seems though].

-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

well, multiplayer sure beats the pathetic AI, so count me in .. but, what are you playing? stock? and who do i need to contact, and how do i send an empire file to who?

Design Types are the type you set when creating the ship, i.e. 'Attack Ship', 'Defense Ship', etc. The stock types are kind of limited (In my opinion at least) as I like to categorize by more specific types (Scout, Fast Attack, etc).

Large cluster sounds good, and maybe a few AI players would add some spice to the game (that way we can ally with each other or the AI and have some interesting encounters).

I don't personally like 'Colonize own type' - this reduces reasons to take over enemy home worlds and takes some conflict value away (This is my opinion, I will play no matter what).

I think we should make the Racial points only around 2K, how do you all feel about limiting specialty techs? (Like Organic, Crystallurgy, Religion, etc).

OBviously no cheat codes allowed .

Also for Galaxy Type - maybe turn off 'All Warp Points Connected'? this will allow a random chance for isolated empires making a stunning entrance

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

Why not host this game on seiv.pbw.cc? It ought to handle the turn frequency you want, as long as everyone is consistent about submitting their turns. At the very least you'd save the poor host a lot of tedium.

I'd be up for a game as well... So far the PBW seems to work well, so I'd second that idea.

so there's six of us now?

i'd go for "colonizing own type" , i'd also go for no intel, standard quadrent? medium?
we are playing stock right?

info GMT+2 here..

same.

How about we work out the final rules and settings now? It is nice that we have such a large amount of interest . This should be fun! I, of course, expect to get creamed early on but it will be very fun to play against someone who can do intelligent attacks and ship designs.

I don't know about 'No Intel', it can be alot of fun to use intel attacks against the enemy, but I would be fine if we decide to turn it off [one less facility type I have to build :)]

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

For limiting racial techs I was thinking that we would not allow any of those special ones, like Organic, Temporal, etc (the techs that can be picked during empire creation). At least for a first game, so it could be basic types against basic types. Other Racial Traits would be fine (Advanced Propulsion, Storage Expert, etc) - this is why I suggest setting the racial points for new players to 2000 - it allows for diversity in our empires (ya have to make some trade offs if you want one type of trait over another).

Definitely no 'Ancient Race', no one should be able to see the whole galaxy at start.

I didn't think about how wonky the intel is, so I am onboard with no intel as well. As for colonizing own types, I will go with the majority - it will be interesting either way we do it.

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

I'll set up a game on PBW if you want... otherwise, it's not too hard: go via the text page from seiv.pbw.cc
log in
go to games
select create game
Select one of the appropriate versions for create game (there are 4 versions of SE5

Name it, and fill out the rest of the screen -- Probably name it SE5.

We send in .emp files conforming to your requirements... and we're off.

Hmmm, given my preferences, I'd go with an "anything goes" game with Kwok's balance mod. I'll give my reasons, but I'd be happy to go with stock.

All in all, stock is at its best in Multiplayer, but the problem is if you have neutral/AI empires -- they don't last long enough, and they give a significant advantage to players who find them as neighbors.

I don't mean to argue against anyone, just suggest my experience -- (I've logged a modest amount of time in solitaire multiplayer, so I've gotten some small appreciation for the way humans play against each other -- granted, it's a biased sample, but enough to get some insight.)

Why to like balance mod:
A) Fighters, not Psuedo Fighters 16kt vs 30kt.
B) Ordnance and Supply components count as cargo for freighters
C) No drones to start.
D) Useful PD from the start (with A/I actually using it)
E) Balanced special racials -- e.g. 1500 for organic tech... (a way of achieving what we're trying to achieve without forcing it).
F) You can actually have neutral empires because the A/I gets above speed-bump level. Otherwise the MP is nearly decided by who finds the most digestible neutrals the fastest..

All in all, I think the standard set-up tends to push toward an optimal strategy of Carrier/Drone Borgs: fighters, seekers, and drones are extremely powerful, and A/I is weak, so you go drones, carriers, and fighters to assimilate A/I empires that are weak on point defense. Getting an extra homeworld is a tremendous advantage, nearly doubling Research output, and in standard they are all too easily captured with ground troops, carriers and fighters.

As to intel. I actually rather like it. I'm not convinced that the 240m casualties due to e.Coli is an argument against (if you can fit em into a cargo ship, you can kill them with e.coli!). If we have a lot of players, intel is nice -- and probably more significant -- because it can reveal extant alliances.

I don't particularly like "colonize own type" rules, especially as I suspect this'll put a premium on assimilating the neutral races...

All and all, these are just preferences though I would highly suggest that stock and A/I empires is a recipe for competitive randomness, while stock, A/I, and own type really stacks the deck toward borgs.

Weird, I swear I read your post already, I swear it was marked read... but looking in the Recent Posts I saw one new post in this thread.. and it was yours - the forum genies are upset for snow is due to fall where I live

How about we try a game with stock and then, if we like playing against each other, we can do a balance mod game? (I still haven't installed the Balance Mod.. I should get around to it but I have been playing with stock and working on some of my editor ideas)

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

And is it one turn per day?
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Gravity... it's not just a good idea, it's the law!

Heh. Sorry for the confusion. It's probably that I edited it a couple times. Seems it reposts the date stamp with a new edit.

Thanks... Stock sounds fine: it'll be nice to get a chance to evaluate it with real players on the other end...

Do you want to go with email papa? Or PBW?

Lets make it a vote:

A) PBEM
B) PBW
C) No preference

To vote just put the letter you wish in a reply. The majority rules (no preferences go with the majority on A or B)

If we don't want to vote then please let us pick one. I say A - PBEM (no need for registration)

As soon as we get that lets get the game set up so we can have some fun bashing each other in the empty void of space!

I warn you all, I shall not die easily.. well maybe easily but I will do nefarious things on my way out!

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

B) PBW...

of course I'm already registered and in a couple games.

I'd be happy to set up.

In fact, I will set it up. If there's an overwhelming outcry we can go PBEM. Otherwise, register, read the PBW FAQ, and submit your empire.

I've opened a game by our description at
seiv.pbw.cc... Register and upload an empire file if you'd like to join. If this seems a problem, we can go with PBEMing to Carlosjuero, but we might as well get moving....

C) No preference.

I´ve never played multiplayer before, so I don´t have preferences right now.

Pending join in Crward´s PBW game, just in case...

You're in. Waiting for you to upload an emp file...

I´m ready.

I will get my empire file loaded up a little later t his morning.

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

I joined - waiting for approval so I can upload my empire file

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

I noticed I made a mistake with my empire, so I have left the game and joined again.

I´ve got the new file ready to upload.

My empire is uploaded and waiting

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

I'll send out turns this evening, in about 8 hours or so.

Anybody else who wants to join should do so before then.

Empire uploaded and waiting

I´m having some troubles with http://seiv.pbw.cc/

I get a "java error" message. Server problem, or just my problem?

I had that problem myself, but it seems to have been client-side.... The error went away after I rebooted

Kickoff in 3-4 hours.

(Folks who are signed up for the game, will you be around on Saturday PM or Sunday to chain our way through a bunch of the early turns?)

ill be around

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

First turn done

I seem to have goofed.... Couldn't add my own empire unless I increased starting tech to 1,000,000. And I discover that I can build Battleships and Baseships as well as frigates...

We can continue with this flawed game, or restart...

NP for restarting, turn sent again

OOps - I just sent my turn in (or have we restarted?. I have no problem restarting either.

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

Sorry folks. It looks like one has to start a new game to restart the game. Could you please resubmit your empires?

Sorry folks, we're up and running with the old game...

Weird... Sorry about the glitch in your posting rights on the game forum... I'll double-check that. Give it another try.

I made an arbitrary decision on the Intel, in part to get the game running. Now that you mention it, I probably should have gone with your preference, particularly given your reasoning above. It may well be that we all suffer the ignominity of being wiped out by the A/I, and you're right, the game may be decided by who gets Intel-nuked first.

The game's four turns old; I'd be perfectly happy to restart or join a game that you start.

I think that we can carry on a bit. Balance Mod V1.0 is avaliable now, and I think that we will have a new retail patch soon.

Have in mind that we are using a version that still has some issues. We may find unexpected troubles in the later game that will not appear in newer versions of the game.

If the game becomes unplayable, we will be able to restart with a new and better version, with fewer bugs and more advanced AI.

That's my sense as well: I'd tend to think we're playing in part to expose issues that might not otherwise come up. I'm curious to hear, for example, whether the unlucky first player does indeed get Intel-nuked.

'twill be fun

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

I think we just met with Newtons laws... the PBW website isn't loading for me :/ (hopefully the email submission worked).

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-Currently subjecting multiple galaxies to the doom of conquer or blackholes

Designt Type Editor for SE:V

same with me...