CivCon 09

[DanQ]

I think if the tournament had prizes, and they were nice, alot more people might be interested in participating...and traveling far to do so. It might encourage more interest in the game franchise as well, thus providing a sort of advertising both for current civs and for future civs.

I'm pleased to report in follow-up that thanks to a most recent development there is to be, in fact, prizes available including some which are signed.

Thanks for the honesty Dan, appreciate it.

Welcome.

 

[da_Vinci]

"Direct from Baltimore.... It's Plastercast! "

Don't you mean Plastered-Cast?

Just saw this as a bullet while surfing the GOTM forum ...

Posts for almost a year now ... I have to get around more in the site

Hmm, now I see that the registration details came online when, about July 4? So finding it July 12 seems to have been right on time!

Funny thing about registration ... my credit card is not under "da_Vinci" how is one supposed to maintain their annonymity? ... ...

Fortunately, purchased my round trip ground ticket a year ago (car) and it is within driving distance (by my standards) ...

My multiplayer experience is pretty much limited to pitboss ... what kind of turn timer limits you anticipating for this multiplayer (I am assuming simultanous turns? Or some other format?)

And BTS tourney needs a laptop, but other versions do not? (or is there no tourney for other versions?)

dV

 

[DanQ]

Funny thing about registration ... my credit card is not under "da_Vinci" how is one supposed to maintain their annonymity? ... ...

Are you registered then?

I'm not entirely sure the following touches upon what you're getting at, but nevertheless: credit card data is handled by PayPal -- no one on the Committee has access to that.

Fortunately, purchased my round trip ground ticket a year ago (car) and it is within driving distance (by my standards) ...

My multiplayer experience is pretty much limited to pitboss ... what kind of turn timer limits you anticipating for this multiplayer (I am assuming simultanous turns? Or some other format?)

Simultaneous turns, yes. For practicality's sake, a turn timer will almost certainly be used, but I don't foresee it being particularly short.

And BTS tourney needs a laptop, but other versions do not? (or is there no tourney for other versions?)

You are correct on your second question -- there are to be no tournaments for earlier versions of CivIV. BtS patch 3.19 is to be used.

 

[Unionfield]

Gonna see if I can make the trip with work and other responsibilities pending.

 

[DanQ]

Gonna see if I can make the trip with work and other responsibilities pending.

Hope you'll be able to do so!

 

[da_Vinci]

Are you registered then?

I'm not entirely sure the following touches upon what you're getting at, but nevertheless: credit card data is handled by PayPal -- no one on the Committee has access to that.




You are correct on your second question -- there are to be no tournaments for earlier versions of CivIV. BtS patch 3.19 is to be used.

Yes, registered. Hopefully work won't throw me any surprise that gets in the way.

I was thinking, if you have an ID badge or some such thing, I'd rather have it say "da_Vinci" than my real name, since that is how the civ community knows me.

Registration desk conversation: "Hi, I am da_Vinci ... I pre-registered." "We don't have any registration under that name." "Of course not. Now what?" That is the annonymity question.

Have there been any problems or issues with the 3.19 patch? Thought I saw something about some problems somehwhere ... GOTM and pitboss (my games) not using it so far ... dual install here I come

dV

 

[DanQ]

Yes, registered.

I was thinking, if you have an ID badge or some such thing, I'd rather have it say "da_Vinci" than my real name, since that is how the civ community knows me.

Ahhh -- understood. That can easily be accommodated.

Have there been any problems or issues with the 3.19 patch? Thought I saw something about some problems somehwhere ... GOTM and pitboss (my games) not using it so far ... dual install here I come

I haven't had any problems with the 3.19 patch, multiplayer or otherwise. The LAN option is to be used for the tournaments at this event.

 

[DanQ]

1. To be more specific on the prizes being made available, there are to be 25 copies of Civilization IV: Complete, 5 of which are signed. Being a lucky event participant who receives one of these prizes will take into account multiplayer tournament performance, but not only that (i.e. you need not necessarily be a player in a tournament in order to win a prize).

2. Don Wuenschell is no longer available to present at this event. Jason Winokur, a graphics programmer who worked on Civilization IV: Colonization, is to take his place. The topic of Jason's presentation will be different from what Don had planned. The registration page has been updated accordingly.

 

[da_Vinci]

I haven't had any problems with the 3.19 patch, multiplayer or otherwise. I anticipate either Pitboss or Direct IP being used for the tournaments at this event.

You mean over the internet, or on a LAN?

Actually ... does the possibility of using the internet allow people to participate in the tournament remotely? Which then permits a "remote tournament player registration and fee?"

Are you envisioning this tournament as a series of one on one contests, on small (or even duel) maps, or as larger multiplayer games (the latter being what I am familiar with in the pitboss world). Choice of Civ/leader or at random? There is probably an established format for this stuff, but I have never been part of that so far.

Looking closely at the schedule, you might want to indicate which meals are not provided by adding the notation "(on your own)" For example, the Friday dinner appears to be one that is "on our own" (This is the classic language for a Federally sponsored business conference, where meals are rarely paid for by them.)

dV

 

[Padma]

Funny thing about registration ... my credit card is not under "da_Vinci" how is one supposed to maintain their annonymity? ... ...

In my case, I would be less worried about maintaining my anonymity as the fact that if my badge said "Kevin", nobody would know who I am! (Except Dan, and maybe a few of the Firaxians, if they happen to be around.)

Fortunately, purchased my round trip ground ticket a year ago (car) and it is within driving distance (by my standards) ...

If I lived anywhere in the Baltimore area, to include all of Maryland, DC, and northern Virginia, and probably parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, I would be there in a flash. Unfortunately, Omaha's not exactly within driving distance, I can't afford to fly, and besides, my wife would kill me if I took off to Hunt Valley again, leaving her to watch the grandkids, etc.

 

[DanQ]

You mean over the internet, or on a LAN?

Pardon -- I meant LAN. I have updated my post above accordingly.

Are you envisioning this tournament as a series of one on one contests, on small (or even duel) maps, or as larger multiplayer games (the latter being what I am familiar with in the pitboss world). Choice of Civ/leader or at random? There is probably an established format for this stuff, but I have never been part of that so far.

It has been envisioned as larger multiplayer games, with choice of civilization permitted (with some possible 'in-house' rules surrounding, e.g. drawing names to play as a particular civ where there is more than one interested party in it ).

Looking closely at the schedule, you might want to indicate which meals are not provided by adding the notation "(on your own)" For example, the Friday dinner appears to be one that is "on our own" (This is the classic language for a Federally sponsored business conference, where meals are rarely paid for by them.)

As noted in the footnotes, linked to by double asterisks from affected agenda items:

The registration fee for CivCon '09 does not include drinks and meals, except for the afternoon reception on Friday, August 7; VIP luncheon and dinner on Saturday, August 8, 2009; and light brunch on Sunday, August 9, 2009. Breakfast is included for guests who stay at the Embassy Suites Baltimore North / Hunt Valley.

 

[da_Vinci]

Pardon -- I meant LAN.

Are the organizers provided the cables, or should a participant bring laptop, disk AND cable?

As noted in the footnotes, linked to by double asterisks from affected agenda items:

I was looking for something more straightforward than that ... since it appears that out of 6 food events, CivCon provides 4, and the hotel provides breakfast for its guests (providing a 5th food event for some).

The logic of "does not include ... " [except for 67% of the food events ] rather than saying "does not include ... " [the two non included events] strikes me as an amusing choice of words (and maybe confusing), which made me think listing "(provided)" and "(on you own)" for each item in the agenda might be simpler. But yeah, you do have it covered as is

dV

 

[DanQ]

Are the organizers provided the cables, or should a participant bring laptop, disk AND cable?

As far as I am aware, a Committee member will be providing cable. However, I would recommend bringing your own.

I was looking for something more straightforward than that ...

I can appreciate that confusion, hence my referral.

 

[damunzy]

Reminds me of something my father used to say. "There's a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it's New Jersey".

Hey, I resemble that remark!!

So, anyone from Jersey going? I am looking into going- as it is close to my birthday (Aug 5) I will tell my SO that this is what I want for a present....we'll see how that goes over. I will be camping though as I am pretty broke. I found a campsite that is about 30 minutes away: http://www.morrismeadows.us/lfc1824.htm

 

[A+ombomb]

I'm pleased to report in follow-up that thanks to a most recent development there is to be, in fact, prizes available including some which are signed.


Welcome.

Like?

I need to know if it's worth 120 dollars to travel 6 hours and claim my free prize.

Oh I see now. Well unfortunately, no offense to any of the signers, but signatures don't really mean much to me....lol. Unless someone wants to buy it from me for 120 dollars...

 

[da_Vinci]

As someone who's multiplayer experience is entirely "one turn a day pitboss", I am wondering what will be different in live multiplayer. OTAD pitboss simulates SP except human minds control your opponents.

For example, in OTAD pitboss, the general idea is individual, unmolested loggin and turn playing. And we have prohibitions on "double moves" (the scenario where you move your army twice before you enemy can move once) due to the severe tactical unbalancing that produces.

I am assuming that in live MP, their can't be any restriction on double moves (and if I double you, then it is likely that you will double me shortly after), and so there will be a lot of issues like whether my settler beats your settler to that choice city spot, etc.

And in war, have to expect the enemy might get two moves in a row in for some units before you can react.

How does combat with two stacks facing off work if both sides are attacking each other at the same time?

dV

 

[A+ombomb]

As someone who's multiplayer experience is entirely "one turn a day pitboss", I am wondering what will be different in live multiplayer. OTAD pitboss simulates SP except human minds control your opponents.

For example, in OTAD pitboss, the general idea is individual, unmolested loggin and turn playing. And we have prohibitions on "double moves" (the scenario where you move your army twice before you enemy can move once) due to the severe tactical unbalancing that produces.

I am assuming that in live MP, their can't be any restriction on double moves (and if I double you, then it is likely that you will double me shortly after), and so there will be a lot of issues like whether my settler beats your settler to that choice city spot, etc.

And in war, have to expect the enemy might get two moves in a row in for some units before you can react.

How does combat with two stacks facing off work if both sides are attacking each other at the same time?

dV

When enemies show up in your territory, it makes the "barracks" sound to warn you. Also you can turn on "show enemy moves" to help out a bit too. But in general, you should just be paying attention carefully to where your enemy might be with recon units anyway, so you will have considerably more time to react. That's just good play.

 

[da_Vinci]

When enemies show up in your territory, it makes the "barracks" sound to warn you. Also you can turn on "show enemy moves" to help out a bit too. But in general, you should just be paying attention carefully to where your enemy might be with recon units anyway, so you will have considerably more time to react. That's just good play.

Hmm ... I would expect that show enemy moves might be pretty distracting if the screen focus shifts every time they move ... how do you keep the screen in one place to make your own moves?

My question was not so much how do you know the enemy has arrived, but more what rules, if any would govern the sequence of play around combat.

For example, the enemy moves a stack adjacent to your stack of foot and siege, after your stack has moved. Ideally, your siege would allow you to wipe it out, provided you can attack with them first.

But I suspect then it is a matter of who gets their next move in first? So potentially, the enemy can attack your stack first in the next turn, effectively removing the deterent value of your siege? In particular, if this kind of combat is going on in two places at once, you can't be first in both places.

A related question is how combat would work if two parties are attacking each other simultaneously? Should one be using a stack attack? (I am used to assessing combat odds unit by unit) Do the attacks alternate from side one to side two? Or does all of one stack end up attacking before the other responds on the offensive?

Maybe there is a nice description of these live multiplayer mechanics someone can point me to?

dV

 

[A+ombomb]

Hmm ... I would expect that show enemy moves might be pretty distracting if the screen focus shifts every time they move ... how do you keep the screen in one place to make your own moves?

My question was not so much how do you know the enemy has arrived, but more what rules, if any would govern the sequence of play around combat.

For example, the enemy moves a stack adjacent to your stack of foot and siege, after your stack has moved. Ideally, your siege would allow you to wipe it out, provided you can attack with them first.

But I suspect then it is a matter of who gets their next move in first? So potentially, the enemy can attack your stack first in the next turn, effectively removing the deterent value of your siege? In particular, if this kind of combat is going on in two places at once, you can't be first in both places.

A related question is how combat would work if two parties are attacking each other simultaneously? Should one be using a stack attack? (I am used to assessing combat odds unit by unit) Do the attacks alternate from side one to side two? Or does all of one stack end up attacking before the other responds on the offensive?

Maybe there is a nice description of these live multiplayer mechanics someone can point me to?

dV

if two units or stacks of units move adjacent before 8 seconds left in the turn, then yes it would just be a question of who had the better computer to see who attacks or moves first. But that doesn't mean your only option is to have a very fast computer. You can also just simply not move until the last possible moment without penalty in the turn, or just after that and accept some penalty at the start of the turn, just to be sure that no one else moves adjacent to where you wish to move and can't fast move you. If you aren't familiar, at the start of the turn only units that moved before 8 seconds left in the previous turn can move immediately. Otherwise, they must wait until 8 seconds has passed in full until they can move again, starting from how far back in the last turn they moved. So if a unit moved at 5 of the last turn, it would need to wait 3 seconds in the new turn.

 

[oznam181]

I live mintues away and sadly, there isnt enough to warrant me attending. I am a casual player and I would get blown out of the water in mintues in the tourney. Most cons have some sort of unique gift to encourage people to attend). Is there a free attendee gift?

Not knowing if there was anything else besides a win signed game and opportunity to play with other people isnt enought to even spend the $40 on the lunch only option. Now if there were previewing an upcoming civ 5, I would travel the 15 -30 minutes.