I've been playing a while now, and want to start playing some multi games.

Whats the best way to go about this?

Well, first you need to decide what kind of multiplayer game would best suit you i.t.o. time and commitment.

Firstly, there is continuous online play, in a battleroom or as per agreement between a number of players with one host. (I've never tried a battleroom so I won't comment further on that.) With the one host variant, he sets up the game and gives all the players an IP adress to which they log into at an agreed upon time and for an agreed upon duration. In this way, anything from 5 - 30 or more turns are done in "one sitting". This is the fastest way of getting a game done but you probably need to be able to commit anything from 2-5 hours every so often to gameplay. There is also the problem of different time zone to consider.

Secondly, there is Pitboss. A host creates the game and the players log onto an IP address he gives them. You log on when it suits you and do your orders. When everyone has done their orders, the game turns over to the new turn. There is also a timer, most often set to between 20 and 24 hours, that will roll the game over to the next turn even if everyone hasn't done their orders. The attraction of this is that the game doesn't bog down when one player is unable to do his orders for an extended period. There is also assistance applications, e.g. Civstats, that gives you general game and turn progress info and will send you a notification e-mail when the next turn is available. This is reasonably fast and has the advantage of playing regularly (admittedly in small bits) and doing your orders at a time that suits you best.

Finally, there is PBEM. A host creates a game and does his orders. He then forwards the saved turn to the next player in line via e-mail. He then does his orders and sends the saved file to next in line, etc. etc. until the last player send it back to the host. This is a much slower mode of play and a turnfile could be held up at a particular player for days. However, if your sessions of available gameplay time is seriously irregular, this is the option for you.

Well, that's how far my knowledge of multiplay stretches. Hope it helps.

i think the first one suits me most.

where do i find a battleroom to join?

You had to choose the one I know least about, didn't you? :lol:

Look at these threads:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=166

http://www.strategamer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35

http://www.strategamer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=440

Maybe you can find something in there.

Hi

I recommend, for fast battleroom play online anytime, that you use the in-game Multiplayer menu:
Multiplayer --> Internet : <GameSpy Login dialogbox>
The exchange is hosted by GameSpy, just register (free) on their portal, pick a unique username, and use that in Civ-IV.

Then, when you have logged in, double-click on one of the Civ-IV games listed which has "new" next to it (i.e. new game, ready to start) and still some slots left.
Using Gamespy saves the hassle of trying to arrange a RDV between n players.

It's quite straightforward, although personally I find the connection not 100% reliable (seems to go out of sync sometimes, mabye once an hour) (some people have connection timeouts). There are posts about troubleshooting the connection, and your firewall.

Alternative meeting place is GameRanger, and there are no doubt other exchanges also.

You're welcome to join me when I'm on GameSpy, my id is EddyHolland and the game will be called something like Eddyholland FFA Terra Small Monarc. I am on Gamespy sometimes around 12:00 GMT -15:00 GMT or 18:00GMT - late.

regards,
-- Edward

Hi,
If you do join us on Multiplayer on Gamespy, be prepared, have a read of a couple of threads about multiplayer strategy.
This post is just a few basic hints to get you started, it is not intended as a comprehensive summary of those threads and articles.

1) Defend yourself. Build military units before building nice improvements / wonders.
2) Be prepared to do your moves quickly, many games have a turn-timer and move fast.
3) Some games are FFA: Free for all. Expect to be attacked.
4) Other games are 3 vs 3: join a team. That means, if your buddy gets attacked, you help them out.
5) Check out the Game setup when you have joined the game waiting lobby, before the game starts. You need to know what victories are on/off and whether Barbs are roaming, etc, etc.
6) Have 2hrs set aside for the game.

I tend to find in Gamespy that half the players are newbies that just want to improve, expand, explore and manage a leading empire. It's no good gunning for a cultural victory or a space race victory in Multiplayer (IMHO) ... Defend yourself, you are going to be attacked by those players that are going for a conquest or domination victory! The other half of the players, well, they're the ones doing the attacking :D

Well, likely as not you already know how to play Civ-IV well, and don't need any hints (just trying to help).

good luck, and enjoy MP
-- Eddy

Wanna refer me to some threads? ;)

Actually i disagree with number one. Most people on the net aren't the...smartest xdd, and I can usually improve my capital beyond recognition and throw up 3-4 wonders before I deem security a risk. Heh, so anyway, if you ever meet me online, bumrush me and I'll die real easy ^_^. But if you wait... I'm scary at defence :P

Forget Gamespy the games never never finish only try it if you are very desperate even then rather play SP.

Best way to get started is to join a pitboss game.

For a generally more reliable place for online games try the civ4players ladder, quiting is discouraged & whilst it isn't perfect it's better than open gamespy as richm describes.

forum - http://civ4players.proboards44.com/index.cgi
ladder site - http://www.myleague.com/civ4players/

Also echo EddyHollands notes, live online is a different beast.