New "Scope of the Game" - comments & feedback

[cracker]

This thread is to support discussion and feedback for the new "Scope of the Game" format that will be used to set the stage for Games of the Month during 2003.

You may access the description page for features of the "Scope of the Game" on the new Games of the Month website at:

http://www.civfanatics.net/~gotm/games/scope_of_game.htm

 

[DaveMcW]

You might as well tell us who our rivals are too. That information can be gained by looking at the space race page (F10) at the start of the game.

 

[drewshark]

I don't think it is a problem with my browser but the link at the bottom of the "scope of the game" page appears to be a dead link. If I'm wrong, sorry for the waste of time.

Fixed it. Thanks for helping me pay attention to the details - cracker

 

[drewshark]

I think this is a great addition. I know when I played my first GOTM, it would have been nice to see a descriptive page. I am not the most experienced player, but are these rules that have been tweaked, or just standard civ rules alterered according to the current game and map creator?

 

[cracker]

All the rules in these games are "standard" it is just that some cosmetic things and labels have been tweaked to make that game a bit more exciting and to give the game a bit of character.

The maps are also being reviewed to make sure that some of the bugs that occur frequently in the randomly generated maps of the past will not occur in the released games for 2003.

You can always play random maps by yourself but I feel that there should be nothing that says each GOTM game cannot hold a little something exciting for every player without introducing modifications that change the way the game is played.

 

[EMan]

The "Old" Rules said send a saved game BEFORE you win; the "New" Rules say send a saved game AFTER you win!

BUT, I'm reading BOTH the Old & New Rules in your write-up Cracker! To wit:

"Saved games (at the turn before the game ends and optional around 10 AD)" : from Submit Your Game, dated December 30, 2002

"Your submitted game file should be from the last turn before your defeat or the first continuation turn after your victory.": from General Rules, dated December 30, 2002



I'm thinking you only want the "AFTER WIN" position, right?

P.s. Thanks for taking over the GOTM

 

[EMan]

I'm temporarily on GMT!

 

[hbdragon88]

I like the scope of the game, although I think that's it's too in-depth and could scare some players away

Why is Respawn AI Players turned off? If you're not supposed to cheat by reloading, if you reload and cheat, then shouldn't you be punished by having the ai respawn?

I think how it's great that everything is being cleared out now even though I don't know how it was before.

Whats out-of-the-box?

 

[DaveMcW]

Originally posted by hbdragon88
Why is Respawn AI Players turned off? If you're not supposed to cheat by reloading, if you reload and cheat, then shouldn't you be punished by having the ai respawn?

I think you're misunderstanding something. If turned on, the AI will respawn in an unexplored location on if you wipe them out early. Reloading does not affect AI respawns at all.

Whats out-of-the-box?

It means the game is unedited. Which is slightly misleading, since you have to apply the latest patch after you take it out of the box.

 

[zagnut]

Originally posted by EMan

I'm thinking you only want the "AFTER WIN" position, right?

If you win you submit the game for the turn after you win. If you are defeated you submit the game for the turn before you were defeated.

 

[Douglas Huang]

I am new to civfanatics and GOTM.

Can you set up the GOTM in two divisions, one for emperors and deities and one for others?

 

[hbdragon88]

That question is the the GOTM FAQ. There was the idea for Regent-and-under and a Monarch-and-up division. The answer was that such a setup would defeat the purpose of having all players playing one game.

I was too hoping that they would do something like that, but it's a no. The idea would be to entice more players to join the gotm.

 

[cracker]

hbdragon88 and Douglas Huang,

The concept of dividing the player pool has been discussed in the past and it was concluded that this really is a bad idea from a big picture standpoint. Creating division and too much elitism or "can't-do-it-ism" just serves to separate the players into discussions that do not help the less experienced players progress and eventually enjoy the game more.

It has nothing to do with the fact of whether this idea would encourage more players to participate because the tests indicate that it really does not get more people to play the game and to continue to play well on a regular basis. Providing two different difficulty levels really encourages people to remain bogged down in the habits that keep them locked into the lower level games on Chieftain, Warlord, and Regent.

The game of Civilization III (or PTW) is not really designed to be played on levels below regent because there are a number of features that just handicap the AI opponents and render these levels nothing but short term training experiences.

We have also focused on putting place a very good set of strategy articles as well as an active discussion process that helps players to educate themselves as to how the game is played. Very few if any players will continue to consider themselves as Regent or Warlord level players if they read just a few of these resources and then pay attention to the skills and tactics that some of the more experienced players demonstrate month after month.

Some players in the past disagreed with the common community experience approach of the GOTM and they left to form seperate but smaller tournaments where the difficulty levels were reduced. Giving up the quantity and quality of strategic discussion that we get in the GOTM seems to be high price to pay for providing players at lower experience levels with a comfortable if somewhat less challenging gaming opportunity.

Hopefully you will take advantage resources that exist to help you be a regular player in the GOTM games. Even if these are the toughest games that you currently attempt, you will get a lot of enjoyment out of the games if you approach the process with the intent of learning how the game is really designed to be played.

 

[hbdragon88]

It was only an idea, a thought. I was going to ask that when I read the faq. But this gives me a more through answer, thanks. I understand now.

 

[Bolka]

This is mouth watering! Great job!

Personnaly I think it is a good thing we all play the same game every month, and when a deity comes up, well, it's an opportunity to learn in a different environnement, and not necessarily play to win.

 

[drewshark]

Once again, I would like to compliment the designers of "Scope of the Game." After reading the current Feb. Scope, I am very excited and feel like I am entering a shared adventure with my fellow players. One of the biggest drawbacks to Civ, IMHO, is that you never really feel close to those other human players, because, (unless playing PTW) it is still A SINGLE PLAYER GAME. However, this is another way to bridge this gap and make each GOTM very much a multiplayer experience even though we may not be actually playing each other. Kudos again and great job in setting up Rome!!

 

[mad-bax]

Good grief.

I've had the game for a fortnight, played 4 games and now I'm confronted with this.

Having just one game at one level (for me) is definitely the way to go, and I agree with the moderator.

I read Bamspeedys analysis of GOTM 14 which is an incredible insight on how to play the game.

I have been reading the spoilers for GOTM 15 (without ever intending to submit) and have found comments there helpful.

The fact that I am a complete newbie does not stop me from having a go at this game, which I may very well lose b4 ever getting to 10AD. But however it goes it will be enjoyable and definitely the quickest way to learn the game.

Having the game scoped out in the way it is great, and has been well done. Obviously, for me its a bit scary.

I think the whole idea of GOTM is great for exactly the reasons set out by Drewshark and others above.

Can't wait to get home from work.

My wife officially despises this game now.

 

[DANGERBOY]

Wow! I think I creamed my bathrobe after reading the Scope of the Game, I was so excited. Hopefully I will have the QSC finished on my b-day (the Ides of February) which would leave me enough time to go finish the full game. Looks lik I'm going to have to change from a science-based economy to a war-footing; I rarely play militaristic ( I usually build enough to defend, then at Industrial I build about 200-300 tanks in 20 turns to create my SoD's)

 

[Phillip_martin]

Originally posted by mad-bax


The fact that I am a complete newbie does not stop me from having a go at this game, which I may very well lose b4 ever getting to 10AD. But however it goes it will be enjoyable and definitely the quickest way to learn the game.

Hope you have fun mad-bax. I would recommend that you try the QSC if you do not already intend to. This will definately aid in the learning process as it slows you down (by getting you to write log entries) and provides detailed starting moves which can compare your game to. The other benefit is the 4000 to 1000BC timeframe which gets around your 10AD concern

My wife officially despises this game now.

I know.... I know......

 

[mad-bax]

Originally posted by Phillip_martin


I would recommend that you try the QSC if you do not already intend to.

Yeah. QSC is where you keep a record of what goes on when, right? I'll read up on it and give it a go.

It's not as if I'm gonna get writers cramp or anything