I enjoy Civ IV but have never tried multiplayer. I'm trying to figure out if PBEM is the right format for me to play. I'm not Mr. Micro but I like to take a little time to plan out my moves. I have time to play but I do work during the day and travel occasionally. With that in mind, I'm wondering:

1) What's expected in terms of how quickly you should take your turn? If you receive a turnfile in the morning, is it rude to wait until the evening to submit your moves?
2) How long do games typically take? (I realize this depends on settings - but figure a 4-5 player game with reasonably attentive people). Have people played in games that go on for 6 months/a year?
3) If you have to travel, can the AI or a friend make several moves for you?
4) What's the dropout rate for pickup games? Do 50% of them get finished or is it lower? Just curious what to expect.

For the record, I'm not a quitter. When I travel, I usually have a laptop with me but may only be able to access the internet once a day or so. If anyone can share their experience, I'd be grateful

Chris

I am on a dial up connection, and have a limited time during the day in which I can use the net. Only one game have I ever had a problem because I Download the file the night before and send the file the next evening after having the chance to play it.

Thanks for the reply, Gnarr.

Greetings, I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. I have been/still am involved in more than 75 PBEMs so I feel I am qualified to answer the questions.

1) What's expected in terms of how quickly you should take your turn? If you receive a turnfile in the morning, is it rude to wait until the evening to submit your moves?

Every game will have their own rules. It is considered polite to take your turn as soon as you get it. However, if you get it in the morning and don't have time to play it until you get home from work/school/whatever that is most likely acceptable. Before joining a game make sure the read the rules the game maker sets about how often you are required to take your turn. You may not want to join a game where you are required to be online 10 hours a day, nor do you want to join a game where you are only required to check your e-mail once a week (game would last 4+ years).

2) How long do games typically take? (I realize this depends on settings - but figure a 4-5 player game with reasonably attentive people). Have people played in games that go on for 6 months/a year?

I have been involved in 4 player games that lasted 6 months (we were all online many different times throughout the day) and I have been involved in 4 player games that have lasted over 3 years and are still going strong. I'm talking about Civ3 PTW and C3C here. I have been playing Civ4 PBEMs since it came out that are still going strong.

3) If you have to travel, can the AI or a friend make several moves for you?

If you are going to be away from your computer because of travel, vacation, whatever, then you can always give your password to a friend you trust and have him do your turns for you. There is no way that I know of to have the AI play your turns for you other than quitting the game...but then you can't rejoin the game. If there is nobody you trust to give your password to and play your turn then it is proper to let the group know that you are going out of town, when you are leaving, and when you will return.

4) What's the dropout rate for pickup games? Do 50% of them get finished or is it lower? Just curious what to expect.

In all of my pickup games I have completed less than 50% of them. One of two things happens. The first is the game host quits and then there is nothing you can do about it (because he has the admin password). The second thing is one of the players will quit and the admin won't put forth the effort to find a replacement or just retire the civ. It only takes a few minutes to log into these forums to find a replacement, and even less time to just retire the civ. That is why I rarely play pickup PBEMs anymore because I'm tired of getting deeply involved in a game only to have it die. I'm currently involved in 12 PBEMs ranging from Civ3 PTW, to C3C version 1.20 and 1.22, to Civ4. All of these games are with people that I have played with in previous games. I would recommend trying to get in a small 3-4 player PBEM just to test the waters.

For the record, I'm not a quitter. When I travel, I usually have a laptop with me but may only be able to access the internet once a day or so. If anyone can share their experience, I'd be grateful

Then I recommend you be the game host. That way you won't join a game only to have the game host bail on you 6 months down the road. Hope this helps!

Chris

The DogBoy

Dogboy - Thanks for taking the time to post such a lengthy reply. Your insights are very helpful. I think I'll register as a replacement player to get my feet wet (that way I figure the host is dedicated to the game) and then perhaps try to host a game once I've figured it out!

you could join our game in the making? i myself am new to PBEM and these questions helped, thanks Dogboy

Linky (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=182896)

You could join my game (1 player enter 2 civs leave) as well, it's just starting and I am also no quitter.

Tim

Tim,
I just posted in your thread.