Multiplayer Gathering!

[Dux_]

I propose we meet up at gamespy on a weekend day, preferably Saturday & play TAM with the following settings:

Normal Map
Simultaneous Turns
No Turn Timer.

We would play each weekend, or weekdays if all can play, & continue until we finish our game.

Post here if you wanna sign up with your available days & time.

It'll be refreshing a change playing against fellow humans, plus its more interesting

[Jet]

Sure. I'm the in US Eastern time zone, available for a few Saturdays (flexibly) and maybe other evenings (not Wednesdays) if there's interest. I'm at Monarch and have played a lot of TAM, but no multiplayer.

I don't feel strongly about it, but I'd suggest handicaps for balance, such as Germanic/Dacia/Scythia/Kolchis/Iberia/Illyria = Warlord, Rome/Babylon/Carthage = Prince.

Another possibility might be to start every civ with two javelineers instead of the usual warrior. Otherwise javelineer vs. warrior rushes could be unpleasantly unbalancing.

What game speed do you propose, Dux_?

[Dux_]

I'm at a lower level than you, I play mostly Prince, but I've never tried Monarch.

Normal speed sounds good to me.

[Jet]

For my part I'd be happy to take a handicap level and/or civ proportional to everyone's usual handicap level (I'd take a harder one if most people usually played Prince, for example). That (and starting javelineers... _if_ we want to do either) is easy to change in the WorldBuilderSave file.

Come on, everybody, it'll be fun!

[thamis]

I'd like to, but have no time at the moment (until September, basically).

[Ankenaton]

I will probably have some free time on August 26th & 27th. If I gain any additional free time I will let you guys know. I am in NYC; can play at any level; and usually play as Egypt or Nubia. Thamis will be free in September so if you want a big game then I propose we wait a couple of weeks.

[Seidrik_The_Gray]

I have played up to Emperor, but don't enjoy the extra work involved, if you know what I mean. Prince is easy for me, so I'm alright if you want to put me at Monarch. This is a human game though, so I'd suggest keeping everyone at Prince, unless you truly are godly in this game and love micromanaging.

I agree with giving some civs a slight leg up (warlord vs. Prince for example.)

Normal map, yes.

Speed epich please, but I can adjust to normal...might take practice.

I'd say we let the AI play Rome, heck turn Rome into a monster Civ, allow them to play at Warlord for example. This will make it so no Human can use the Legion on another Human (quick game) and will give us a reason not to leave a flank open (other than the other humans). I would also like to see a more aggressive Scythian and Illyrian pressence.

I'm not a massacist, but it's strange how it usually turns into a game of me trouncing one civ after another with one flank wide open and barely defended.

As for availability: I'm in San Diego next week on travel, no kids, muahahah, no wife with me either...so if you want to get a jump start that would be a great time. Other than that, I'm going to Disney World the first week of September. After that, I'm on travel again, bah...but again, I'll be available every night So, I will be back to normal-ness starting the second week of September.

P.S.
Is PBEM totally out of the realm of possibility? I know it's slower, but we might get more consistent play that way. If not, I'm good with a solid couple hours here and there, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekends are iffy.

[Dux_]

I think Gamespy is better because trades are far easier there IMO. All we need is strong commitment. If Thamis can start early September, we could start then, or on August 26th as someone else suggested he has lots of free time then. it's a matter of searching common free time.

Also, anyone willing to join the game after it started will be allowed to take over an AI, but I'm not sure if we should let people take over AIs if they're killed, or just played a lousy game & want a new start.

Anyway, keep the ideas coming guys.

[thamis]

Start the game without me, because I'm going to be on holidays and also at a conference in September.

[Dux_]

So how does an August 26th start sound for you guys?

I would suggest playing all evening after eating...

[Seidrik_The_Gray]

Originally Posted by Dux_

So how does an August 26th start sound for you guys?

I would suggest playing all evening after eating...

I can only devote a couple hours on any given night, just let me know what days, sans Sundays.

[Jet]

Free and flexible on the 26th.

[Ankenaton]

Originally Posted by Dux_

So how does an August 26th start sound for you guys?

I would suggest playing all evening after eating...

There is some kind of glitch with my videocard. Games with intensive 3D crash unexpectantly. Will try to have it fixed prior to the 26th. Will be able to devote a few hours to the game.

[Laurino]

As for myself, I'm free everyday, monday to thursdays... I'm in Motreal (US easterm -5:00), so I of course would like to take part in that august 26th game, but until then, if anyone has time to play a little MP before that, I'd be glad ti join!

[onedreamer]

I suggest playing with a random "Inland Sea" map. It plays out very well in multyplayer.

[Jet]

Dux_, I'd like to make plans (especially for the weekends after the 26th), so would you mind proposing the specifics soon? Mainly the times, but maybe also the game details just to get it done. From what people have said I'd guess that we could do a 3 hour this Saturday night and another 3 hour on Tuesday night, and that's probably it, but I leave it to you.

[SrWilliam]

I would like to give this a try.

I normally play monarch and have never tried multi-player.

Any old empire will do.

[onedreamer]

I play multiplayer all the time with my wife. So I strongly suggest inland sea again (large map, 9-10 players). It's funnier in MP because you don't know already the location of everyone and their resources, possible tactics etc. Since I played this kind of map several times with TAM I can guarantee it works quite well

[Dux_]

About the time, how does this Saturday 7pm EST sound for you guys? It should let us play 3 hours without it being too late for anyone.

Game speed I would suggest normal.
Simultaneous turns is a must IMO, really speeds turns up.


The map, I would like to play the normal TAM map, but if everyone else wants Inland Sea, then so be it. I know that knowing the resources, tactics, etc, will be a advantage, but don't we all know the resources locations? Also, we humans act quite different from the AI, so you cant count out surprises

[SrWilliam]

I went to Gamespy a few times and have failed, so far, in finding where one would join a multiplayer CIV game.

Anyone have a link that explains how to get into the game? I would hate to be the one that delays a 7:00pm start till 8:00.