GOTM speeds

[rkade8583]

I play Marathon games every time I play civ 4. I hate fast games (which is anything faster then Marathon)

I think the option should be there for slower/faster GotMs. I wouldn't imagine it taking a lot more time each month...

Just a thought.

 

[Shillen]

I've honestly found that I take the exact same amount of time for both epic and normal speed games. Map size is a much bigger factor than game speed as to how long the game takes.

That said, I wouldn't play a GOTM on marathon as I find it mind-numbingly boring and too much of an advantage to the player. I'd prefer if we stay on epic/normal and just switch back and forth.

 

[rkade8583]

I realize not everyone would play it but I think the option should be there.

 

[socralynnek]

The games wouldn't be compareable if there were different speeds available. Not good for a competition.

 

[akots]

IMHO, Epic speed is good for a long solid military game. Normal speed is good for shorter and slightly more accurate game without much opportunity to screw up on higher difficulty levels and is very good as a training for multiplayer/PBEM.

Marathon speed might be OK but on a smaller map, it is just way too slow and it essentially plays very similar to epic (may be slightly easier on higher difficulties and larger maps) so there is little point in having it as an option.

Normal speed on a standard map size with lots of land might be extremely painful starting from Emperor level if going for military victory whereas Epic is an OK speed for that. Repeating myself, IMHO, Marathon speed might be ideal for large and huge maps with lots of land if going for military win. Since there are no large or huge maps in GOTM, Marathon speed makes little sense and Epic is quite sufficient for a solid well-thought-through game.

The games wouldn't be compareable if there were different speeds available. Not good for a competition.

Exactly the case. If the game is played as a competition, it has to be the same speed for all players.

 

[bio_hazard]

The quicker the better! This is mainly for selfish logistical reasons rather than strategic ones. My computer slows down by late in the game, and having fewer turns means less time in front of a slow game. I'm not likely to be in competition for anything other than an ambulance award, so from my perspective I'm not too worried about having all the games directly comparable (although I can understand how this would be more important for a lot of people).

 

[Thrallia]

I'll play any speed except quick, but I prefer Epic speed games, normal ones just seem to fly by way too fast.

 

[ewokimpi]

I play Epic speed in my personal games, and prefer it. Feels more like CivIII.

For G/WOTMs, either Epic or Normal is fine with me.

Allowing different speeds for the same competition games would preclude comparing them, so I favor just one speed per competition game.

 

[ngraner42]

I agree with Shillen that Epic and Normal take about the same amount of real time to play. Regardless of speed, you have basically the same number of decisions to make, since the speeds are balanced so that you build the same number of units or buildings. About the only additional time spent is in hitting the end of turn button.

The difference between Epic an Normal is that relative to game time your units have a 50% greater movement rate on Epic, which means they are more likely to reach targets in enemy territory before becoming obsolete.

I personally do not like the sluggish feel of the slow units on Normal speed and would prefer to play Epic.

 

[Thrallia]

lol and here I feel that time passes by way too fast on normal. am I the only person that feels like they research things earlier in time on epic than on normal?

 

[rkade8583]

Ngraner, I love your avatar. Mandelbrot for the win.

Again, all I'm saying is the option should be there. Even epic is a step up from normal. Normal goes WAY too quick for me....

 

[Jorunkun]

The majority of players seems to favor Epic (me among them), but I didn't mind going back to normal for this months GOTM. Anything slower or faster feels weird to me - but it might make for an interesting variation once we hit GOTM 20 or so.

Don't think speed should be an optional choice though, the games would be incomparable.

 

[DaviddesJ]

For me, Epic takes significantly longer than Normal, just because I'm typically adjusting (or, at least, inspecting) production somewhat in every city on every turn. But I don't have a strong preference between them. Marathon tilts toward the player too much, in general, as well as just taking forever. Maybe it would make sense for the first Deity game?

 

[azzaman333]

There are some/many people who dont have the time to play Marathon, so I say leave it as is. Even Epic games take too long for my liking.

 

[godotnut]

It would be fine to offer other speeds just for fun, but as others have mentioned, the speeds absolutely cannot be compared with any pretense to fairness.

Trust me, aggressive marathon games would overwhelmingly crush everyone. The advantage of marathon speed in moving troops around the board should not be underestimated.

The HOF allows any speed for its games. The result? To have a chance at winning any conquest or domination, you have to play marathon. A lot of people don't like the situation, and there has been talk of handicapping marathon speed with the HOF mod, to make comparison more fair. With builder games, the situation is usually the same, although there are some exceptions.

If we allowed marathon in the GOTM, anyone who wanted to compete would be forced to play marathon to have a chance. A lot of people would stop playing.

 

[rkade8583]

I suppose you're right at that... but there aren't ways to differentiate between speeds?

Even an epic game is better then a normal at that.

 

[Murky]

I hate Marathon speed. Takes way too long to play a game. That's why I don't play HoF much anymore.

 

[ElWanderer]

I voted 'no' because of the issue of comparing games.

That said, I'd be happy to play the odd quick game even though I always play at epic speed in my own games, largely because the variation would be interesting and I'm having trouble keeping up with two games a month. Darn real life keeping me from playing!

I'd prefer to stay away from marathon speed.