Anyone Interested In A Mac Succession Game?

[Methos]

Since it appears that our Mac versions of BNW aren't going to stay the same as our PC brethren, I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in a Succession Game? For those who don't know what a Succession Game is, its basically where 4 to 6 players take turns playing a game off the same save while as a team we discuss how our game is progressing. For instance, I play ten turns then post the save which we then discuss what happened and how we want to progress. Then the next player plays ten turns, rinse and repeat.

For a more thorough explanation, I suggest reading the thread 'What is a Succession Game?' in the Civ 5 Succession Game sub-forum.

The one concern I have is whether the Mac Steam version patch updates will always be the same as those from the Mac App store. If not, then that may cause an issue. Does anyone know if the Steam version and App store patches come out at the same time, or right around the same time?

Is anyone interested in a Mac BNW Succession Game?

 

[AlanH]

The App Store and Steam versions are often out of step. Usually for a short period of a few days, but it has been known to last a few weeks. The problem is that the App Store version has to go through Apple's approval processes each time it is updated, and these are largely outside of Aspyr's control.

However, a lot of patches don't actually make saves incompatible. For example, saves from the current hot fix Windows version can still be loaded and played in the current Mac version.

 

[dojoboy]

Yes, I would! Count me in. I've the BNW Steam version.

 

[Methos]

Nice to see you again, dojoboy! It's been a while.

Any thoughts on what time of game we want to play? I'm new to BNW so currently I have no strong opinion either way.

 

[dojoboy]

Nice to see you again, dojoboy! It's been a while.

Any thoughts on what time of game we want to play? I'm new to BNW so currently I have no strong opinion either way.

It has been a while. I'm ready for school again. The Methos School of Civ!

I've played through all the new Civs, and some of them a couple times. I'm playing confidently on King level these days, thanks to MadDjin's LP's.

I really enjoy Venice, Poland, Shoshone, and Portugal. Assyria is good, but somewhat forces an aggressive game in order to take advantage of their SB. Zulu as well. I've always leaned toward the builder side. I was stressed playing Indonesia, because I really wanted those 3 cities on another landmass for the SB luxuries. Probably one of my weakest games because I expanded too fast and made some bad choices as to where to settle. I'm up for any civ though.

The Diplomacy VC I find to be the easiest to achieve. I don't know if the AI is spending it's on purchases, but it seems to lose focus in competing for CS allies. May be some of the wars they begin to wage. My last King game as the Shoshone finished with me allied with all the CS's in the game (whatever the default # is on small maps).

That said, I would steer us away from a Diplomacy VC. However, on Emperor and up the AI might be more competitive for WL. I really like the trade system and the need for naval forces, so I'd be keen for a "small continents" or "archipelago" map. The Culture Victory is fun. I guess in a SG, though, a more aggressive game would be the most fun for everyone.

 

[2cool4civ]

Sounds fun, I'd be up for this.

I'm pretty new to Civ though, hope that won't be too much of a problem.

I'm also currently playing on King. On this difficulty, I've managed to beat the game on all victory conditions except for domination. Which, honestly, isn't really my cup of tea anyway.

I generally play European civs, preferably on standard or large continents, but I'd be cool with small continents or archipelago.

As for diplomatic victory, in BNW, to me it seems: Start journey + either Gunboat Diplomacy or Treaty Organization = VICTORY! Honestly, I wouldn't really push a diplomatic victory either. Finishing the game with one of those is kind of like concluding the greatest science-fiction movie ever with a big floating baby looking down on earth.

Fitting, even logical, but still vastly and thoroughly anticlimactic.

Anyway, I'm game

 

[Methos]

However, a lot of patches don't actually make saves incompatible. For example, saves from the current hot fix Windows version can still be loaded and played in the current Mac version.

While that does seem to be the case, it isn't something that we can be absolutely sure on and considering after the fall patch comes out it could be a month or three before we get it, I don't feel comfortable taking that chance.

It has been a while. I'm ready for school again. The Methos School of Civ!

I couldn't get into Vanilla Civ 5 and while I bought G&K I never played it. So my experience is surely lacking, so the Methos School of Civ is to help teach Methos!

That said, I would steer us away from a Diplomacy VC. However, on Emperor and up the AI might be more competitive for WL. I really like the trade system and the need for naval forces, so I'd be keen for a "small continents" or "archipelago" map. The Culture Victory is fun. I guess in a SG, though, a more aggressive game would be the most fun for everyone.

Agree on steering away from the Diplo VC. Culture could be fun now with all the changes and the way it sounds, warmongering while going for the culture VC is still a viable option. Warmongering is practically a staple of SG games, which is the one thing I always like to learn from my teammates since I'm more the builder style anyway.

Sounds fun, I'd be up for this.

I'm pretty new to Civ though, hope that won't be too much of a problem.

Not a problem at all and in fact, its great to have you!

It seems like we all agree to not go for a Diplo and from the way it sounds, it looks like Emperor sounds like a good level to play on. I don't really care about what civ or map, though similar to dojoboy it is fun playing with naval units, so I wouldn't mind having a map that at least had some water on it. A continents map is fine too, though again, I don't really care.

One thought was since this is BNW how about we stick with the new stuff relating to BNW, possibly one of the new civs?

VC wise do we really need to pick one? It almost sounds like BNW is setup so that we can switch to a VC later in the game if we want.

Regarding Emperor Difficulty Level: For anybody who's looking at the difficulty level and thinking they shouldn't join because its too difficult, that is not the case. When I first started SG's (Civ 3) I thought Regent was very difficult (player-AI equal footing, such as Prince on BNW) and typically played on Warlord or lower. My first SG was on Emperor level and it was a training game and I learned so much from that SG that I very easily moved my solo games past Regent difficulty level. So feel free to join even if its above your ability. Heck, one of the reasons I like SG's so much is how much I learn from my fellow teammates.

If we could at least get one more player we could at least get this started.

 

[dojoboy]

I, too, prefer to play one of the news Civs, unless we opt for France and their changes in BNW. Methos, why don't you choose our civ and map type, since you're the OP. Emperor is a good level. Definitely leave all victory options on the table. We can place our own restrictions on a diplo VC. Say, we have to have a spy in a CS before we can buy their allegiance. We definitely want to have the freedom to make CS alliances, for their resources mainly.

BNW Civs

 

[Methos]

I was stressed playing Indonesia, because I really wanted those 3 cities on another landmass for the SB luxuries. Probably one of my weakest games because I expanded too fast and made some bad choices as to where to settle. I'm up for any civ though.

Do you mind playing them for the SG? I was considering a continents map and thinking that by playing Indonesia it would force us to expand to the other landmass and include some naval combat. A continents map would make this rather fun.

If you're not okay with Indonesia, then maybe Poland. Venice would be fun as an OCC challenge, but as an SG I'm not sure how fun it would be. Unless we went for an OCC domination or OCC culture game or something.

 

[dojoboy]

Do you mind playing them for the SG? I was considering a continents map and thinking that by playing Indonesia it would force us to expand to the other landmass and include some naval combat. A continents map would make this rather fun.

Completely okay with it. Sounds great!

 

[dojoboy]

Take a look at the 'Continents Plus' map. It provides a few more scattered islands. I play it when using continents.

Have there been many Mac Civ5 players over in the SG forum? Should we post a recruitment notice there?

 

[Methos]

Thanks, I'll check that map type out.

I've been watching the SG forum and its basically dead. It's nothing compared to how the SG forums for Civ 3 and Civ 4 were. I also figured that the actual game thread should probably be held in the SG forum rather then here, since that's technically where it goes. I was just hoping we could grab one more player before starting. If we haven't gathered one more player by tomorrow night I'll go ahead and create the game thread in the SG forums and link it here. Maybe as your suggesting that'll locate another Mac user.

 

[EricTheGreat12]

can i join or is it too late?

 

[Methos]

can i join or is it too late?

Glad to have you! That puts us at four which is enough to get this started. I'll roll up the start tonight and post the link here.

Typically an SG is 4 - 6 players and were currently at four so the invitation is still open if anyone else wants to join.

 

[Methos]

While I would have liked to use Continents Plus, its a DLC and I don't want to force anyone who doesn't own to have to purchase it just to play in the SG, so I went with a Continents map. On that same note, I also turned off all DLC except G&K and BNW for the same reason.

I created our game thread (Link to thread) in the SG forum. Looking forward to a great game!

Again, anyone else that wants to join please speak up.

 

[Methos]

Our SG team is appearing a little thin, so if anyone is interested in joining please do. Whether you are an experienced Succession Game player or never heard of it before, let us know if you're interested in playing.

If you're curious about how our game is going, you can read about it at Mac-01 Indonesia.