Gotm 51

[Duke of Marlbrough]

Game of the Month #51 (April 2005)

The game settings
Prince difficulty
Raging Hordes
4 civs, Restarts Off
Normal map

Starting Techs
- Bronze Working

Starting Location:
http://civ2gotm.civfanatics.net/gotm_games/GOTM51.jpg

Games will be due on May 7th.

http://civ2gotm.civfanatics.net/civ2gotmdownload.shtml

 

[Ali Ardavan]

(None of this is spoiler material as all I have done is look at the saved game)

A look at top 5 cities reveals that Vikings and Persians are 2 of our 3 rivals. We are the Greeks.

The above facts mean that there are 1-2 holes in the key civ spots (yellow and purple) in this game. This fact alone makes this game quite undesirable for any space ship strategy, OCC or otherwise. Restarts off exacerbates the situation.

 

[SideshowBob]

My thoughts exatly... Low game level, green and flat starting location with a nice trade bonus should give a fast start if all cards are played well. Very few opponents, restarts off - a game more or less designed for early conquest. How fast the opponents are found will probably be a huge factor in the final game results. Reads through Scout handbook and the art of war articles... Well here goes nothing, diversity is after all the beauty of the GOTM.

 

[Peaster]

Not sure why, but I also have decided to try something a little different this time - to play for GOTM score instead of early conquest. Well, maybe both, but mostly GOTM score.

 

[EmperorGandalf]

Ooh, less civs, more room for expansion... mwahahahaha! looks like ill have fun settling every corner of the planet. the starting position looks nice. if the rest of the map is like that or similar i will be very happy.
ive already started but im not sure im allowed to say what has happened so far. can someone please tell me whether i can talk about anything besides the starting position yet. im eager to tell the rise of my magnificant civilization!

 

[Peaster]

Emperor - You can talk about your game in the spoiler thread. Anyone can start the thread. If you don't want to, for some reason, I'll probably do it pretty soon.

 

[EmperorGandalf]

First i have another very imporntant question; i missed the AD 1 and 1000 saves, and instead saved a couple of turns later. what should i do? do i have to start all over again? or can i still send it in? (I hope i can, because im already far into the game) I really need to know this!

 

[ElephantU]

I've sent mine in a couple turns off of AD1 and AD1000 - as long as it's close they don't seem to mind much.

 

[EmperorGandalf]

ok thanks very much! im glad i didnt have to start over again!

 

[Coren]

In fact, last time i entered (which was GOTM 49, the first time i entered), i sent in an AD1 and an AD1500, having mistaken the dates required... i explained in my email to the Duke and he posted me along with the others (i assume provided it didnt happen again :-D)

 

[SideshowBob]

You can talk about your game in the spoiler thread. Anyone can start the thread. If you don't want to, for some reason, I'll probably do it pretty soon.

I usually finish the game before looking at the spoiler thread, but this time I'm tryingt to keep a log and would find it amusing to compare progress on the spoiler thread. What I don't remeber is:

Is there some amount of turns or some progress that has to be complete before looking at the spoiler thread?

I'm at 1 AD now. Getting really curious. Cheers!

 

[ElephantU]

I usually wait till AD1 before reading the Spoilers. By that time I have met some neighbors or built Marco Polo. I'd say the first 2000 years are the most significant for exploring and getting your first 4-8 cities placed. I often pause at 2000BC to do a "strategic review", then refresh it again at AD1.

 

[Coren]

Is there some amount of turns or some progress that has to be complete before looking at the spoiler thread?

Im not completely sure, but i dont think ur supposed to look at the spoiler thread until uve finished the game. I for one, dont, as it would spoil the game a little too much for me. But then a year ago i was still firmly under the impression that communism was the best gov't in the game (good for a large empire, no stupid senate that just wont realise the enemy is just gonna attack us the next turn anyway) and you didnt need the luxury slider unless ur cities were rebelling a little too often (oh, god i was ignorant), so what do i know?

 

[TimTheEnchanter]

Is there some amount of turns or some progress that has to be complete before looking at the spoiler thread?

I always thought the general guideline was 1 AD before looking at the spoilers.

 

[EmperorGandalf]

1 AD sounds about right, since any earlier and the spoiler threads could really affect what you decide to do. I myself usually dont really look that closely at it until later in the game.

 

[SideshowBob]

Okay, thanks! I think I'll wait a bit then though my curiosity is tickling like mad. I usually play the game rather fast, and don't keep a log, but as I've done it I've realised lots of things about my playing (that I'm a REALLY slow starter for instance) and would be interested in seeing how others have started their games... Maybe I'll wait till I have all contacts. Before having a peek. Cheers!

 

[Ali Ardavan]

As far as I know there is no guideline. Use your best judgement. I spend a lot of time right at the beginning coming up with a strategy. I rarely deviate from my original strategy. As soon as I know what my strategy is I would not hesitate to look at the spoiler thread. I do not recall ever feeling the spoiler thread has spoiled my game. This despite the fact that posters in the spoiler thread are often done with the game a few days after it is posted and I usually rush right before the deadline.

 

[Tanstaafl]

Just a note on catching the correct saved games, turn on "Autosave each turn" under game options. I have always done this so I have a record of each turn. For my own CIV II games this is set, but downloading the GOTM games I check each option, Game...Graphic...City Report, before I start playing.