Since it is almost impossible to play a good, fast paced PBEM against a player from another country, I have decided to start a PBEM for Australians, or people in timezones between Australian West Coast time, and New Zealand time. (If any Asians can speak some good Engrish, they can join. I doubt any will be here, but they are welcome if they are, as long as communication is possible)

So far I have decided on these conditions:
# of players: always an odd number, to make sure there are never two equal sides. Preferably 5 players
No computer opponents.
Small or standard map size, maybe even an overcrowded map.
Level of Barbs: the one less than raging
Difficulty: Does it matter? well, tell me what it means for human only games, and I will decide.
Variant rules: up to discussion
Patch: 1.21, as the Aussie/NZ version is the same as the US version.

Possible terrain:
Dry/Warm/Flat/Pangaea/minimal water (suits Australia perfectly ;) )
Wet/Cold/Hilly/Archipelago/minimal water (New Zealand, I think, and Archipelago with minimal water coverage is pretty much continents with lots of choke points)

May I really suggest Archipelago with low water coverage. I had the most interesting game on this, where the continent encircled the entire world, and there where about half a dozen choke points on the way. It also had a Terra Nullius continent, colonised in late game.

However, if there is mass disapproval of Archipelago, lets just go random.

I would like to join. I live in Melbourne and can play about one turn a day during weeknights (7-8pm+ is when I am free after work) and more on weekends.

My email is bladester81[AT]hotmail.com.

Great! We now have two players. Maybe I could PM any australian/NZ players if I come across them.

I was thinking, we may need a chat room if there are more than three players. Bladester, you have hotmail, which means you have MSN. Do you use it? or should we use something else?

I am happy to use MSN for a chat room.

Great. I'll try to advertise this a little better. Maybe wait a while to see if anyone else will join.

Hi there,

I'm from Wellington, New Zealand and would lke to join in..
I can probably guarantee a turn a night but, some nights get quite busy for me. Also I think Im 2 hours ahead of you guys so better take that into account

my email and msn are stewart.r(AT)inspire.net.nz

Great, that'a three players.

It would be great to have you on board. Will there be some nights that you can play more than one turn? This will be important for the first set of turns, from 4000BC until 1000BC. Otherwise I think many of us will only be able to play one turn after that date, as turns require much thought from then on.

Also, as you are a new member, please dont disappear on us. Try to check up on your email every day, just to make sure everything is alright. It's ok if you cant every day, we just dont want to be waiting for a week without notice.

And also, this thread will be used for propaganda. Feel free to zip a .jpg image, and attach it to the end of your post, in confidence that the other players wont look at it. If you need help in a difficult situation, or just want to brag, this is the way to go.

And two hours ahead of us? Dont worry! That is soooo much better than playing people in the USA, who are 12-18 hrs behind us. I think we'll be fine.

And again, welcome aboard, Checkmate.

Cool, 3 players and counting :)

maybe we could get sirp?

Gingerbread,

Although I have hardly posted (due to only finidng this site in the last month or so .. GOTM rocks!) I now often trawl through the forums collecting good strategies and advice.

ATM I am currently playing PBEM with a few of my friends and have found the length of turns frustrating so a propely organised game well go down well.

So thanks for the warm welcome and I look foward to long exciting game.

OK, I guess we will be starting. any new players can join, just not decide on maps and such.

A few questions -
1)there are two world types I'd like to do:
a)Dry/Warm/Flat/Pangaea/minimal water (suits Australia perfectly )
b)Wet/Cold/Hilly/Archipelago/Max water (New Zealand)

2)For world size we could use
a)Tiny, with no AI players
b)Small, with two added AI players

3)Barbarians:
a)Sedentry - only in goody huts
b)Roaming - in small emcampments

Personally I vote:
1) B (New Zealand)
2) A (Tiny, No AI)
3) B (Roaming)

If these votes cause anyone to quit, I will take them back.

I like those choices. It makes for a fun game without AI to worry about ;)

Sounds fine,

Although I'd like to point out that not ALL of NZ is cold wet and hilly. Just where Im living. :)

It does sound like an interesting map - I assume we are playing on emperor level then in terms of free content citizens?:scan:

I'm not fussed how many free content citizens we get really - just curious.

Well, we are all agreed then on world type.

Checkmate - Yes, but most of the rest of the world (e.g. me) just makes blind assumptions.

I was thinking monarch level.

So, please submit your Civ, and any name changes, titles (e.g. General, Sir/madame, etc) or city lists you want.

My civ will be the Glorious Chinese, or 2nd preference Iroquos. I will be King GBM of the Gingerbread Men, from Gingerbread Mania. The people shall be called the Gingerbread Mennish. I will be male.

Monarch sounds good to me.

My civ will be Unstoppable Persia, 2nd prefence Japan.

I will be Prime Minister Checkmate of New Zealand, from New Zealand. The people shall be called New Zealanders. Male for me as well

Will there be any specific times where we can all play about 10 turns within an hour? Maybe we could post the hours we can play, and maybe set aside an hour a week, where we can all get to the computer and play. This is just to keep up the pace.

OK, here are all our emails, so we can add them to MSN. I will type them differently so spam finders cant use them. (Certain programs scan websites in order to find emails for spamming) I encourage you two to type your's this way, and maybe edit your previous posts to fix this.
Gingerbread Man: sthurlow(AT)tpg.com.au
Bladester: bladester81(AT)hotmail.com
Checkmate: stewart.r(AT)inspire.net.nz

replace the (AT) with @.

My good hours are:
4pm through to 11pm Sydney Time on weekdays
12pm to 11pm weekends
Exception - Tuesday (no time, too busy)
All times are flexible.

My name will be King Bladester of the randomisers. Random civ.
I have never really played a full game of monarch but it sounds fine to me.

My good hours are:
7-8pm - 11-12pm weekdays
weekends anytime

I'll be male too.

Edit: my times are melbourne/sydney times

Is it too late to join even though you wanted an odd number of players?
If yes than I'm in Sydney and can play for at least 1 - 2 hours nightly with the exception of tuesdays night and wednesday night when I am at uni.
Email is mandmyoung(AT)optusnet.com.au

It's never too late to join. In that case, there are now four human players, and one AI player, the map is now small.

Thanks for joining! Please read the whole thread for what information you need to submit, and what is happening.

Are there any rules you guys wanna play by?

Haven't thought of any variants. I think we should just start ASAP. That is unless, you come up with something.

A standard game is fine with me, the less restrictions we have the more interesting the game will get.

When is a good time to start?

Can I be the Babylonians or if that is taken than the Egyptians?
And I will be Sir Eric chief minstrel of the nation of the cowardly sacred Knights.
I need to download 1.21 patch but I can do tomorrow am if thats ok.
Any map, level will be fine with me.
How do you choose a victory type?
Also this will be my first PBEM so any tips to make it hassle free as possible will be appreciated.

I live a fairly routine existence so I can play these hours..
Mon: 1-2 hours between 7-9
tuesday: 1 hour only 8.30 - 9.30
wednesday: 1 hour 8.30 - 9.30
thursday: 4-5 hours 4 - 9pm
friday: intermittantly as I do shift work but that will change in 4 weeks time.
Saturday: anytime from 6.30 onwards. Saturday nights is my only free night due to work commitments so might not be able to play until after 10.30pm.
Sunday: Dont count on me playing as this is family day. (wife and cat)

Also cause I do shift work I can play some mornings like every tuesday and alternate mon and fridays.

I have a seminar on this saturday arvo so starting after 9 pm is good with me.

The victory types and such should be handled by the host. But I am curious if we need to perform the workaround method mentioned in the form, I think it is stickied. Has the 1.21f patch fixed that problem with difficulty?

Edit: I couldn't find the sticky thread but if it is applicable I will try track it down.

I'll download the 1.21f patch tomorrow am so I'll be right to start anytime after 9pm sat. Although I will still check this thread tomorrow pm as wel.

Saturday is good for me. I'll be able to play quite a few hours.

Is that ok with everyone?

Great to see everyone using (AT) instead of @. I know, some could class this as paranoia, but I'd rather do this than have the possibility of being spammed to death!

I will start as soon as everyone has posted their needed details. If they dont by Saturday, their civs will be random.

Usually I can do
Mon: 8-10
Tues: no go
Weds: 9-10 sporadic as I have inoor netball which time changes each week paly this one by ear.
Thurs: 9 -10 but not really. Will do if needed
Fri: 8-10
Sat-Sun: Anytime with enough notice

Edit: Those are NZT - subtract 2 hours for Oz time :cool:

As for this Sat I'm in. I've just checked www.timeanddate.com
and Wellington is exactly 2 hours ahead of Sydney and Melbourne

So a 9am start for you guys is a 11am start for me! im pretty happy with my chance to sleep in!

I'll be checking this board tonight to see confirmation and Ill be on msn tonight and tomorrow 11am (NZT).

Keep me posted:tank:

OK, I'm starting the game right now!

It has begun!

I am emailing the save to Checkmate (New Zealand).

The current players are:
1) Gingerbread Man (Gingerbread Mania)
2) Checkmate (New Zealand)
3) Bladester (Randomania)
4) Sir Eric (Cowardly Sacred Knights
5) Random AI player

Feel free to post bragging pictures. Bragging pictures can be either public or restricted. If you want a public picture, attach a .jpg file to the end of your post. Everyone, including other players, can see it. If you want a restricted picture that other players cannot see, zip a .jpg file, and attach the zip file to the end of your post. Under NO circumstances are other players allowed to look at these pictures.

I'm adding you all to my MSN, also. I will post a bragging picture once it is my second turn.

Sir Eric, can you please sign up to MSN? it would make things alot easier

Had my first turn and passed it on.

Lets get this baby rolling!

OK, everybody be online at around 6pm saturday night - we will be playing a set of turns. Once Sir Eric signs up for MSN, we can organise things very well.

wont be home sat night till 7pm.
working Sat morning then parasitology seminar at Windsor till 5pm. I will try and get home earlier.
Didn't get patch this am. Am going to download in 15 mins.

Windsor? Why, I live in Richmond! (NSW, not victoria)

And sure, we can delay play by an hour. 7pm Sydney/Melbourne time, 9pm NZ Wellington time.

That's cool.

I got my turn, played it and passed it on to Sir Eric.
I will also put a pic of my start for bragging purposes once I get my next turn.

Cya all tonight!

Edit: Nice choice of civ name for me, randomania. Thx GBM.

Look guys sorry but tonights a no-go. RL has intervened. :(
I've sent you each an email explaining.

Hopefully things will be back on track tomorrow.

Cheers
Check.

Ok I'm here.I will have my go and log on to MSN

Checkmate: Tomorrow it may have to be if you cant fit in anything today :(. If you could even do one turn, that would be great. If you cant, dont worry too much.

Here is my start.

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/mystart.JPG

Sorry about the delay,having problems logging on, keep getting dropped out and I cant log back on. Can someone walk me through how to load the first go and re-submit. Sorry it's my first PBEM and I'm not sure what the go is.
GBM I was actually at Richmond Tafe today

Heh, that's where my dad works!

I sent you an email, it should tell you what to do.

Hows everyone for tomorrow? I can play between noon and 3pm

I will be online from around 12.30 or 1pm.

Edit: changed to remove confusion

Ignore the attachment, I'm just transferring a file while my network is down.

OK, here is my bragging picture.
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads4/Startanzac.jpg

Checkmate, its your turn, sorry I couldn't email you the save. its attached.

Heres my start.

Got the file and about to have my turn..

Guys,
Just downloaded this program that can help with emailing PBEM games.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37085

check the link out

Shot, this PBEM game has already started :(. I was hoping I could play this game.

Civ general, you missed it by 2 moves.

I will be home tomorrow from 5pm until 9pm to play, if that is ok with everyone else.

Plus, CG, dont you live in the US of A? this is for Australian/NZ players.

Sorry I couldn't play last night, I have a feeling my civ3 computer's network card has died, fried in a power surge on the weekend :(.

Checkmate, you're up. I'll try to email the save to you, but here it is if I can't.

Are we still on for Saturday guys? around 7pm?

Checkmate says that is the worst time for RL interference, so just hang around at the time in hope that we can. Otherwise we will do it another day.

Hmmm. How about everyone post what times they can make it and we will use the common times?

Great idea!

I will set it up on a spreadsheet/graph. Stay tuned...

EDIT: OK, here it is. Please tell me your times in this, so I can add them to the chart.

Monday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | | | | | | XXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX| | | |
| Bladester | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX| | |

Tuesday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bladester | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | | | | | X|X | |

Wednesday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | | | | | | XXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | | | |XXXX| | | | | |
| Bladester | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | | | | | X|X | |

Thursday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | | | | | XX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bladester | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX| | |

Friday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | | | | | | XXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX| |
| Bladester | | | | | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Saturday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | | | | XXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | XXXX|XXXX|XXXX| | | | | | |
| Bladester | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | | | | XX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |

Sunday
| Person |4-6am|6-8am|8-10 |10-12|12-2|2-4 |4-6 |6-7 |7-8 |8-9 |9-10|10-11|
| GBM | | |XXXX |XXXX |XXXX|XXXX| | XXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Checkmate | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bladester | | | | |XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX|XXXX |
| Sir Eric | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Oh, and by the way, they are in sydney time. I will convert all different timezones to this. It is only two hours difference.

The times that I wrote earlier still apply for me. Can do Sat after 7.30pm

Monday
4-8pm

Tuesday
N/A

Wednesday
4-6pm

Thursday
N/A

Friday
4-10pm

Saturday
10-4pm

Sunday
Sporadic play by ear

Those are all sydney times

My times:

mon: 7-11pm
tues: 7-11pm
wed: 7-11pm
thurs: 7-11pm
fri: 7-11pm
sat: 12-11pm
sun: 12-11pm

OK, thanks to everybody's help with these times.

It seems that the very best time for playing is Monday 7pm until 8pm. Though other times to be around, where there is just one person missing, are:
Monday 8pm until 9pm (Needs checkmate)
Thursday 7pm until 9pm (Needs checkmate)
Friday 7pm until 10pm (Needs Sir Eric, Gingerbread Man)
Saturday 12pm until 4pm (Needs Sir Eric)
Saturday 7:30pm until 11pm (Needs checkmate)
---------------------
If you are one of the people needed in the times stated above, please email the rest of us to tell us you can make it.
---------------------

And by the way, dont apologise for not being available more. We all have real lives, and I am really happy that we can get just one hour per week.

I work every second Friday night so if we play after 7.30 that will be fine with me.
Saturdays?...... I work 3 out of every 4 saturdays so pm is better for me, anytime after 7.30. Occasionaly I can do Sat arvo but I will let you know which ones as they come up.
My optimum playing days are Thurs night 5pm - 9pm and mon nights the same time.
Tomorrow is still good for me after 7 pm.

Who has the save?

After a great set of turns, the next scheduled set of turns is on Monday, 7pm until 8pm Sydney time. We should be able to get in 5 or so turns.

Could whoever has the save pass it on to the next person so we can atleast play a couple of turns before each session?

So sorry guys - I've had the save since tuesday but didnt realise it
Kept waiting for it to show up but turns out my gf had already downloaded that message and hence it was marked as read in my inbox

Still, I passed it on now - let the game continue..

doing my go now. cant play for the rest of the day but can play from 6pm tonight

Originally posted by Gingerbread Man
After a great set of turns, the next scheduled set of turns is on Monday, 7pm until 8pm Sydney time. We should be able to get in 5 or so turns.

I'll be there...here

May not be able to play Sat night 21/6. have to work till 6.30pm and have a new system to play around with but I will try and make it.

Well im booked anyways so no worries there..

Are we emailing everyone when we send our turns on or did bladester send it to the wrong player?

I think its a good idea to let everyone know where the save is at..

Woo Hoo. the New system is online :)
I cant get you guys on MSN, got any hints?

Originally posted by Checkmate13
Well im booked anyways so no worries there..

Are we emailing everyone when we send our turns on or did bladester send it to the wrong player?

I think its a good idea to let everyone know where the save is at..

I sent the save on to Sir Eric and he acknowledge it. Yesterday or day before, can't remember exactly.

I played it, but emailed the wrong one to checkmate. He's gone until Monday, or something. I'll re email it.

How about from now on we post a 'got it' message whenever we receive the save during the week.

That sounds good to me, it will be easier to track it that way.

Will checkmate be back to play tonight?

Asked him:

i can maybe play 8-9 my time

I got the save, playe it and passed it on.

Damn! Too late. :( I would have joined in with this one seeing as how I'm in Hamilton here in NZ. Let me know if you start another ANZAC pbem.

I will most probably start another one day. Maybe one I dont participate in, but customise the map to make it a quickly interesting game.

Who has the save?

I got the save from you on 22/6 and passed it on to GBM
Everyone up for the usual time mon night?

should be

I'll be there.

Sorry fellas but I cant play tonight. Had food poisoning and not up to it. Jusy send me the save and I'll have a go in the morning,

I'm here to play now

no probs - hope your feeling better

Umm... who has the save?
I haven't received anything for a week..

PS Sorry about monday - just needed an early night

I passed it on to Sir Eric and sent you an acknowledgement (I think!)

yup got the acknowledgment - that was last week though..

Dated 4/7..

I'm pretty sure that I sent it on to GBM.
Hows everyone for a long session on Sat night from 6.30pm?

Im good for a Saturday night. We need some catching up to do :)

I'm not - i mean its a saturday - I'm going out to tea.

Hi Guys. So what's happening with our game? We haven't played a good session in a while.

This saturday night is good for me.

I should be fine for Saturday, and Fridays have now become available.

Can we keep the game going during the week?

Sorry about saturday guys but something came up at the last minute. I would definitely be able to continue this game on the usual mondays and any other times we may have free.

Hey Guys,

If this game works out ok and you're going to start another one, PM me too plz.

Originally posted by bobgote
Hey Guys,

If this game works out ok and you're going to start another one, PM me too plz.

You're in for a long wait then.;)
If you want to start another pbem let me know and I'll set up a game and if any one else is interested as well.