Mr Smith
Prince
So after the surge 2-3 years ago when I among many others returned to Civ4 multiplayer, non-Pitboss free-for-all attendance has been gradually dwindling. Zulan lobby closing didn't help either, as I know for sure at least some people hasn't migrated yet. Still, this whole time I've seen a steady afflux of new (or at least unfamiliar) faces declaring they were interested in multiplayer, but not becoming regulars. Thus I propose the following fixed (but not precise) times to rally remaining players so that new arrivals aren't limited to either big hardcore teamers or small Steam FFAs and people who were either losing interest or avoiding AI filler have satisfactory competition even after few players get knocked out:
First week of the month
- Saturday 14h UTC+0 a "fair" land FFA where everyone gets their initial region to settle, possibly mirrored or even equalized; 17h UTC+0 introductionary teamer game with a coach on each side
- Sunday 14h noobs-only teamer; 17h a "Bloodbath" FFA on a Pangea/Continents&Islands with not enough land for everybody and a grace period - the staple for FFA community, on C&I copper can be guaranteed
2nd week of the month
- Saturday 17h Beyond the Game or voted mod, but should be rotated every month
- Sunday 14h 2-3 city elimination CTON (no diplomacy, except maybe for ceasefires, and a low turn limit), I think it should be on Equal_Team_Battleground
3rd week of the month
- Saturday 17h unrestricted leaders, you can only pick either a civ or a leader, rotating eras
- Sunday 14h Epic/Marathon speed FFA
4th week of the month
- Saturday 17h all sorts of Earth and other pre-made maps
- Sunday 14h Equal Islands