Only Wimps & Pussies play the AI..or

[stormerne]

Originally posted by Dogberry:
P.S. Stormerne.. I don't know how many times that while browsing this board..I have come across your posts.. that are the equivalent of you jumping up & saying "Yeah ! That's right !" ... if you put just a little of that effort into playing MP.. you would be experienced. Also.. how many spend hours & hours going to and posting on the OT sections ? .. huh ?

I lend support where I believe it's due. I contribute new ideas where I can. I ask questions where clarification would be helpful. Do you do any different?

I've posted a fair bit, including on OT. That's true, and I've no regrets. This is being posted in a snatched moment at work. I post from home in similarly snatched moments.

Playing Civ is not the highest priority in my life. I fit Civ into my life. I do not fit my life into Civ.

And a big concern is letting other people down. I have to be responsive to changes in higher priority activities at home and work. There are people involved with these things that do not deserve to be let down. And likewise cancelled MP schedules would let Civ people down.

I steer what is for me the most responsible course, just as you are free to steer your own life in what you consider the best way. If circumstances change, then maybe MP will be a possibility for me, but not in the forseeable future. It was precisely for this reason that I originally suggested having a Game of The Month, and I'm glad that's taken off.

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<IMG SRC="http://www.anglo-saxon.demon.co.uk/stormerne/stormerne.gif" border=0>

 

[stormerne]

Originally posted by Supernaut:
I live in the UK - I'd have to take out a second mortgage to pay the phone bills

As of last month, we have unlimited internet access for £15 per month.

(WorldOnLine has been bought by Tiscali and they've cut their 100 hours limit service from £15 to £10 a month, or you get the old rate of £15 for completely unlimited net access.

)

I think this available to most people in the UK, but you have to switch your ordinary telephone service to them as well (which we hardly ever use).

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<IMG SRC="http://www.anglo-saxon.demon.co.uk/stormerne/stormerne.gif" border=0>

 

[Mongol Horde]

Can someone break down the differences in SP/MP for me. I have never played MP and it doesn't really appeal to me although I have never given it a try and would like to get my ass kicked for the experience. I hear a lot of talk about a two minute turn, my turns normally take about 15 min, I love to micromanage every city and ponder about my next startegic decisions. In a game with five other players you would only be playing for 2 minutes out of twelve. Although you can't knock something until you've tried it, this just doesn't sound like fun to me. CivII was designed as a one player game, in my experience one player games that are hacked into multiplayer games don't work.

Although I am a pretty good civ player there have been occasions when stepping up a level for the first time whereby I have lost a game. When I say lost I mean that I have gotten to a stage where I know that I cannot win and just quit the game. If someone did that to me at MP I would be really hacked off that I didn't get chance to crush them properly. At least the AI never quits crying.

 

[Dogberry_Old]

Andu..Paxon NB .. huh ? Is that way out in the western part of the state ? Used to be pretty good at 8 ball, real good in fact. Been years tho.. since I quit having the time to waste, sitting around in bars & such. My brother has all of my Dad's gambling blood, I am afraid.. at least as far as money is concerned. I am a confirmed tightwad. I also like poker.. stud or draw, no wild cards except 2 jokers.. & those only with aces, straights & flushes.

Seriously, you either know what I am doing here.. or you don't. If you do understand.. you are being real defensive.. why ?

If you want my wargaming credentials.. PM me & I will be glad to direct you to some people that will vouch for me.. my sportsmanship.. maturity & ability.

People do go through different times in their lives.. & they have time for only certain things. Even if you can only snatch an hour or two.. you need to try MP. It's not that hard anymore..all that you need is ICQ.

My game setups are smoother than most.. & I get asked to host a lot. It's experience.. I guess.

Also I have tons of patience, for others to take their moves.. altho I am considered a "fast" player. Others though, are not so patient, but they are a minority.

Also used to play a lot of Snooker.. now that's a game of pool ! Makes 8 ball look hilarious. Also have had the experience of using my stick once or twice for other things besides good bank shots ( I loved it when I could do a 3 corner bank.. or 2 corner bank & kiss & have good shape afterwards ).

Dog

[This message has been edited by Dogberry (edited May 23, 2001).]

 

[allhailIndia]

Dogberry unfortunately does not take ino account the fact that of all the civ players worldwide, not even 1% have the onnection speed to actually enjoy an MP game without waiting ages for the moves. Civ isnot an RTS where you play rapid fire games and finish it fast. Sid Meier created this game to give u the thrill of building empires, making thoughtful decisions and basically using a little grey matter when we are not forced to do so. So I think that playing a game where you dont get to race for spaceships or try and build a size 100 city is dead boring .And if you think those who like this method of playing are wusses then you will find yourself a lonely voice in the dark.

 

[drake]

So I think that playing a game where you dont get to race for spaceships or try and build a size 100 city is dead boring .And if you think those who like this method of playing are wusses then you will find yourself a lonely voice in the dark.

I just finished a game that went until 1905. Played with 4 people on a large map. All empires had an impressive empire when it ended and it took nearly 6 months to complete at 4 hours per week. The type of game you desire is attainable, you just need to love civ enough to dedicate the time. Connection speeds are not the problem. One of the players had a 28 k modem and was just fine. You just need to find the right people to play with my friend.

Building a size 100 city? What does that have to do with building an impressive empire? A size 100 city is overkill. It's the decal on the car. Deco. BS.

Oh BTW, I'm hearing the "voice in the dark" and I know a quite large array of people that hear it too...........

 

[jiml_63]

As a long time Single player who started MP a month ago I would like to weigh in on this subject:

First of all I have a full-time job (60 hrs/week minimum). I have a demanding wife and a lot of other interests (most notably I am a golfing nut).

That being said, I have found a world of CIV players that I never knew existed. I cannot imagine playing any other way now...the game is more interesting because you have to USE YOUR MELON a helluva lot more in MP...Diplomacy takes on real meaning as does strategy.Alliances really mean something and irritating players are eliminated quickly.The individuals that I have met are an interesting blend of folks and we make the gaming happen regardless of time zone and domestic issues.
I just can't imagine sitting in front of my screen for hours trying to figure out what a microchip has already decided when I can have the interaction provided by human competition.
Maybe the novelty of MP will wear off, but I doubt it...I have gotten involved with a group of players who welcomed me with open arms into their enclave and have been nothing short of superb...
Hat's off to Tact, Molotov, J.C, and Vamp...I only hope that I can live up to your lofty ideals...

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[drake]

Hats off to you as well jiml <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/wink.gif" border=0>

Mp is the only way to play<IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/biggrin.gif" border=0>

[This message has been edited by drake (edited May 24, 2001).]

 

[Mongol Horde]

Ok so the game took six months what if after three it becomes blatantly obvious that I haven't a cat in hells chance of winning. I have to give four hours a week to let you p*ss all over me. Sorry I don't have that kind of patience, I want to abort and fire up another game. I will try MP but I just don't think that it will be my bag. Anyone reading this thread new to MP want to kick off a trial game with me?

 

[Dogberry_Old]

I yam the J.C. that jiml mentioned BTW... players & their relative "persistance" in what appears to be a losing game is a whole other topic. I can have fun being no #6 in a 6 player game .. & trying to get to no #5 & survive as my goal. But maybe that is just me !

To play MP.. you really do need to be on ICQ.

To get to longer running games is one of the reasons that I started this thread & in the manner that I did so. Build the player base... make playing the AI.. "not cool" & it isn't ! You will be surprised at the ideas & things that start to percolate up.

Mongol Horde.. the fun is just as much in the journey as in the end of the journey.. and just taking the trip will change you. If it doesn't .. you are a dull boy & should not be playing Civ anyway.

Dog

[This message has been edited by Dogberry (edited May 24, 2001).]

 

[Mongol Horde]

Like I said, I will give MP a go. However you can't criticise someone for playing one version or the other, what people do with there own time is up to them.

 

[Dogberry_Old]

bump ! For Starlifter.. my apologies to everybody else. Er....really !!

Dog

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Well, some of us don't have Multiplayer versions, since our accursed machines won't let us install all the bloody patches.
I don't want to play computer games with someone else, particularly over a long period of time. I use Civ as a pastime or distraction, and seeing I live in a vastly different time zone to 99% of all other Civers, it is impractical as well as impossible.

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Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.
- N.S.Khrushchev

 

[Flatlander Fox]

As a long time AI squasher and a relative newbie at multiplayer, I felt compelled to chime in here with my own personal experience.

I am thoroughly addicted to Multiplay now, and probably never will go back to normal Civ (As most of us know it). I have a hard time stomaching the AI's rather silly decisions and their inability to communicate. But after forging alliances with real people in a game, or bluffing a player into thinking I was bigger than him, I am really hooked into the idea of DIPLOMACY in Civ. I like negotiating for that iron in the west of my territory, or gifting tech to my neighbor, who is fighting a war with my enemy to the east. Or attempting to barter a cease fire with a warmongering vet of Civ 2 MGE who would like nothing better than to assimilate my empire into his crusty hands. Nothing better than people playing people, in my opinion.

As for schedules, everybody here has a life (No matter how pitiful and depressing

) and is determined to fit Civ in somehow. The answer is that you just have to make time. Sounds easy enough, but with a little time you CAN finish a game. You just need to find a group of people determined to see it through...

Note to Simon: I have met a few Aussies and Kiwis online already. With a little searching you should be able to find SOMEBODY to play. Another thing, go on E-Bay or any auction site, and pick up Civ MGE. I got mine off of E-Bay for a staggering $11.00

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I'm so tired of being tired... Sure as night will follow day... Most things I worry about, never happen anyway...

 

[Dogberry_Old]

Actually Simon.. there is a really active group of Aussie MP people incl some really illustrous names such as Alexander's Horse & others. They are mostly over at Apolyton though. I have several Aussies in my MP group.

Your problem with your machine is deplorable & frustrating. MP is a great way to get to know people.. esp game minded people better.

Dog

 

[Duke of Marlbrough]

Mongol:

The main difference between Sp and MP is time and difficulty. The other human player(s) have somewhat the same strategy as you do, or at least have an idea of what you are going for. Imagine 4 human players all going for Mich. Chapel.... You will have 3 unhappy people.

The turns take a long time to play and usually a game never gets finished.

However, if you really want to hone your skills in Civ, you need to play MP. I have played against 'great' SP people and they get creamed. Mostly because they are use to have the time to sit back and do what they want against the computer.

Plus there is nothing like two human players fighting each other. My god, the blood and guts that go into that. There are no crappy attacks that the computer makes, just some quick planned moves that each person does and chops up the other person.

All that said, I usually play SP for the same reasons others have mentioned. I have 10 mins here, 20 there, just enough to get a few turns done. In MP a turn can take 30 mins or more.

Edit: this is sighly out of context (I didn't check page two before I replied

)

[This message has been edited by Duke of Marlbrough (edited July 04, 2001).]

 

[Julie_Delpy]

<u>The Shadow Of Your Smile</u>

 

[SlowwHand]

A 30 minute turn? I couldn't handle that.
Are you playing a huge map?
Even in a war with troops to move, the battle should have a center of concentration, that doesn't require activity from most of your Civ.

and Julie, what was that post about?

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It's In The Way That You Use It
Tuatha De Danann Tribe
ICQ 51553293

 

[Dogberry_Old]

In most MP games that I am involved in, a turn takes 10 minutes.. tops. I can imagine that those that get into later eras will take slightly longer. Many turns go real fast.. as it is just a matter of moving a unit or two & hitting the end turn button.

TOT.. because of its relatively poor online performance will take longer than MGE.

Dog

 

[TrailblazingScot]

playing multi I can do my turns extremely quickly

My main complaint is the slow movement of the units...jeez

And often the human brain is not all that it is cracked up to be.

The kitten is victorious...