Announcing heihojin's 9th PBEM game!

[Ben E Gas]

thanks,


FYI--- game sent to Octavian.

(no comformation received; I will resend tonight if I still haven't received conformation)

-Ben E. Gas

 

[kryszcztov]

I'm not sure if heihojin told you, but I'm going on holidays today. I'll come back on August 17th (so that's just 2 weeks ). I may come back a bit before but I still don't know. Consider I still want to continue this game, I just need some little vacation.

I see I've already said it, but a new post attract people.

So : no open vacation ! By August 17th I'm here !!

 

[Ben E Gas]

I'm back from vacation so if you want to send me the file, that would be great.


thanks,
Ben E. Gas

 

[Ben E Gas]

hello,

heihojin,

What are the results of the poll about who will be buying conquests?

 

[heihojin]

Originally posted by Ben E Gas
What are the results of the poll about who will be buying conquests?

Out of 15 respondents (including me):

6 plan to purchase it upon release,
7 are inclined to purchase it but plan to wait, and
2 have no current plans to purchase it.

I'm in the first category.


heihojin

 

[kryszcztov]

I have a few questions to ask you all...

How diplomacy is handled in a multiplayer game ? This is my 1st PBEM ever (plan to play some more when Conquests is shipped), and BTW there is no AI here ! So how do we consider reputation, honour and stuff ? Can I make whatever deal I wish with someone else ? Can I betray someone to my pleasure, without caring about the terms of our former agreement ? What's your policy, heihojin, in your games ?

I think it can take some turns to come to an agreement in a PBEM game. Does anyone use a chat program for this purpose ? Will it be wise to get one (mIRC (hope to use it tonight for the C3C chat ), ICQ, MSN...) ? Could it be possible to make multilateral diplomacy sessions with such a chat program ?

What about the game's rules ? I'm used to playing with the Epics spirit now in my solo games (see sig). But some of you probably dislike those rules, all the more in a PBEM game (I lurk from time to time over CDZ, and I know some tricks... ). So : what is prohibited in the game ? Are all exploits allowed or not ? You can consider GOTM rules, LK SG rules, or Epics rules to get an idea of what such a list of exploits can consist in. Some of those deal with the dumb AI, but there ain't AI here. But other things deal with game's mechanics, bugs... And what about most recent stuff like RCP, the new Palace exploit (post-RCP strat, I think) ?... I don't like them either...

Well, enough for now. Oh, and this game is on Regent, right ? So we get all the "benefits" from this level, if I'm not mistaken : faster research (compared to Deity), 2 content citizens, and barbs bonus (maybe other things I forgot here)... Mmmh, are bonus against barbs on defense only, or on offense too ?

 

[heihojin]

Originally posted by kryszcztov
How diplomacy is handled in a multiplayer game ?

All diplomacy is player-based, as indicated in the welcome e-mail. The only rule regulating this is that you may not conduct game-related communications with another player without first making contact with his or her civilization. This not only includes sharing information related to your civilization, but also making pacts and agreements.

So how do we consider reputation, honour and stuff ?

However you would like to consider it.

There are no mechanics for inter-player reputation, if that is what you are asking.

Can I make whatever deal I wish with someone else ?

Yes, so long as you have made contact with that player's civilization in-game.

Can I betray someone to my pleasure, without caring about the terms of our former agreement ?

Certainly.

What's your policy, heihojin, in your games ?

I take a laissez-faire approach to inter-player diplomacy. You may make or break whatever deals you wish. Personally, I enjoy games in which I am constantly looking over my shoulder.

I think it can take some turns to come to an agreement in a PBEM game. Does anyone use a chat program for this purpose ?

I've found e-mail to be quite adequate, and I presume most players conduct their negotiations by e-mail as well.

What about the game's rules ? ... So : what is prohibited in the game ? Are all exploits allowed or not ?

These questions are also detailed in the welcome e-mail you received.

My general policy is that so long as the game mechanics allow it, you may do it. This is mainly because of the unenforceability of rules prohibiting actions that are allowable by game mechanics (such as reloads). If you consider a particular tactic to be unethical, then it is up to you whether or not you want to employ it. Recognize, however, that other players may hold differing codes of ethics.

The question of whether or not any given tactic is an exploit is generally decided by the developers. I don't consider RCP to be an exploit at all; I consider it a well-researched tactic to minimize corruption. It does have its drawbacks, however, and employing RCP against a field of 7 other human players may be more difficult in practice than theory.

If I come across an exploit that I think not only imbalances the game but that can also be effectively regulated, I will reconsider. If you think you know of one, feel free to let me know. Until then, anything goes.


heihojin

 

[kryszcztov]

OK thanks ! So it's a total laissez-faire (love those French words in English sentences ! I would even pronounce them with the English accent) in this game. Mmmh... Hope people won't use things prohibited in GOTM at least (like "wealth" thingy, or mobilization thingy, you know, stuff like that which have no sense at all).

Come on people ! Let's play without cheat.

 

[kryszcztov]

Hey Dude, where's my turn ?

What's up with this game ? We played 3 turns in half a week, and suddenly nothing. I haven't received any turn since Wednesday of the other week (10 days). That was 3400BC...

heihojin ?

 

[heihojin]

Originally posted by kryszcztov
Hey Dude, where's my turn ?

WildFire indicated that he received confirmation on the 3400 BC turn from Ben E Gas. I should receive it by tomorrow, and you shortly thereafter.

I agree - the turn cycle for this game is curiously inconsistent. It may be that although the turn sequence is arranged in order from East to West, that the personal schedules of the players do not synchronize as easily. According to my all-too-frequent requests for information, it doesn't seem that any of the current players are chronically taking more than 24 hours to cycle their turn.

There is also the problem of players not following the protocol - that is, not resending and carbon-copying me when confirmation is not received within 24 hours. This has slowed the game down considerably.


heihojin

 

[Ben E Gas]

I recieved the 3400bc file on Oct.4th, sent it on oct.4th and recieved conformation, from the dude that took Octavian's place, on oct.4th.

-Ben E. Gas

 

[heihojin]

For everyone's information, I received and forwarded the 3350 BC turn yesterday. We're back on track.


heihojin

 

[heihojin]

Congratulations to Playboy (who substituted for prettyvacant) on attaining a Diplomatic Victory in this game! His victory screenshots follow: