Discovering Training Day games

[stwils]

In another thread, someone suggested I read the Training Day games to help me with my game. And I understand that some moderator counsels and advises and evaluates your game play.

That would be most helpful!

So what is the first step for someone like me who does not play all that well? Any idea of which Training Day game would be a good starter to read through?

And then later (if I got up my courage) how would I become a part of a Training Day game? Do you have to be really good to take part?

I'm not sure yet how one plays these succession/training day games. I'm confused how one plays the same game. Do you have to download the saved game after someone's turn?

Anyway. Great food for my thoughts and sounds like a great way to learn. (I also have a friend who would like to get in on something like this.)

stwils

 

[Padma]

Originally posted by stwils
another thread, someone suggested I read the Training Day games to help me with my game. And I understand that some moderator counsels and advises and evaluates your game play.

That would be most helpful!

So what is the first step for someone like me who does not play all that well? Any idea of which Training Day game would be a good starter to read through?

Maybe I'm a bit biased D) but ZF1 - Zed's Training Day Game would be a good one. We kept the same roster throughout, and actually finished it. ReadyLander's seemed to die, for some reason, LKendter's managed to finish, but had a problem keeping players. He has a new one that just started, though. You should be able to follow it easily from the beginning. Don't forget Sullla's Regent Training Day Game which they didn't bother to finish because the end was clearly a foregone conclusion. Also, Sirian has a Training Day Game, but with a small variation (much more playing-intensive: everyone playes every turn). Arathorn has an Emperor Training game, with rules similar to Sirian's, and Sullla also has a standard Training Day For Emperors that he is running. (I hope I didn't forget anybody! )

And then later (if I got up my courage) how would I become a part of a Training Day game? Do you have to be really good to take part?

If we were good, we would be giving the training, not taking it. And you sign up like for any succession game: when a new one is announced you say "Me, ME! I want to play!" (Put it in a post to the announcement thread or they won't hear you. )

I'm not sure yet how one plays these succession/training day games. I'm confused how one plays the same game. Do you have to download the saved game after someone's turn?

Each player plays his turn (usually 10 - 20 game turns), then uploads the save to the CFC File server. He/she then posts a turn summary (at least - usually more detailed, and with a map) and a link to the save file. The next player downloads the savefile, and continues. Repeat until game over.

 

[stwils]

So how is the best way for me to follow along as I read.

Should I download the beginning game? Try my hand for 20 turns and compare it to what the folks in the game did?

I guess I have to keep downloading games into my save game file every 20 turns or so. They will provide that, won't they?

That means though that I can not make the same plays as the others. Or read the remarks until after I stop the game.

Not quite sure how to do this as you can see. I really want to learn the game better.

Let me try saying this again. How could I use this as a tutorial walkthrough without printing out all the moves and comments?

stwils

 

[BCLG100]

insted of downloading every 20 turns why dont you play a hundred turns and see what they get because who knows you might do better and there isnt anything from stopping you from looking back and seeing what they put its how you learn how to play because if you read some of the succesion games you will see that most of the people playing go back at least once while there playing to look for some guidance

another good way to learn is to check out the threads at the war academy

 

[Padma]

Let me try saying this again. How could I use this as a tutorial walkthrough without printing out all the moves and comments?

Well, I (and most of us SG-ers, I think) just keep a browser window open to read it. Generally, we don't "follow along" with the game, we just read what the player has done, and the comments of the "trainer", and compare whith what we would have done in the same/similar situation.

FWIW, when I am playing a turn, I have the game running, Notepad up so I can Alt-Tab to it to make notes, and the SG thread up in a browser window for reference. (I may also have the #civfanatics chat up so I have something to do while the AI makes its moves. )

Just go to a training day game and start reading! If you have trouble following what is going on, you can download the game for that player's turn and try to follow his actions, I suppose. Most have pretty good maps posted, though, so it's usually pretty easy just to scroll back to the map to see what they are doing. Plus, a Training Day Game has only ten turns per player, so not TOO much happens, making it easier to follow.

 

[stwils]

Thanks, all. I am definately going to give Training Day games a good try. I don't think I can keep lots of windows open at once though. (I only have the game open when I play.)

But I'll try to compare my playing several turns with those turns in the game record.

This is kind of like having a Civ3 tutor, isn't it? All those good comments by the "counselor" on the gameplay... I'm off to give it a whirl.

stwils

 

[Sullla]

This is a good topic so I'm going to bump it back up to the top of the list. I also would invite anyone new - and anyone out there who hasn't heard of the succession training day games - to take a look at these games in the Succession Game Forum . You know the tutorial that comes with Civ3? The training day games are like a tutorial that actually works. Anyone who wants a solid introduction into how to play on high difficulty levels should take 15 minutes and read through my game SUL4: Training Day for Emperors , played on Emperor. A group of players who had never played past Regent level were able to spank the AI and win an early domination victory (with some prodding from me ). The info really is good, and I'm not saying that just because I wrote it.

 

[stwils]

I have been reading, downloading, and studying LK28's Regent Training Day. This is a great way to learn. But it is also a bit tedious for me as I have to download the game, play it myself, then go back and read what the person in the game did and get all the comments pro and con, then download the next part of the game...

Maybe I will get brave enough to play a Training game someday. That would be really good if I could do that as it is more "live" if you are one of the players. But for now, this is a good tutorial.

I am glad that I have found the Succession Games (Training Day Games.) I guess until we get to Multiplayer where we could really get some online help from a Trainer, this is pretty good.

stwils