PBEM: Up to 8 players, fair starts, v1.27

[Markstar]

Looking for players who would be willing to play on the map I created. I realize that knowing the map takes some of the fun away of playing Civ, but I think (hope?) that the map makes up for it.
Even though I'd love to have 7 turn/week, I guess 3-4 is more realistic. But still, on turn a day would be nice.

Feel free to ask questions/ make suggestions, I'm sure there is something I forgot to mention.

Map with fair starts

 

[stagnate]

I'll give it a shot.

I think that 6 players is probably max to even hit 3-4 turns/week, and turn order is very important. I'm in MST, and can play a turn at 8-9am if I have it, and a play slot 2000-2400.

 

[digger760]

Hi markstar, I like the sound of this, but i think 6 should be the max as well. Maybe that is even to many. You can count me in.

I can play at least everyweek day 7:30am-4:30pm GMT. I'm not so reliable on weekends.

I will PM you my email

 

[Markstar]

Alright, if you guys think so we can drop the number to 6 players, even though I do think that the map would be perfect for 8 players.
Now we have to think about what to do with the 2 redundant spots. I would suggest to fill them with AI. This means that players next to the AI should have an advantage, any suggestions how to make that up, maybe?

Do you really think there will be that much of a difference from 6 to 8 players when everybody is paying attention?

 

[digger760]

Well i have tried to start an 8 player game myself, we have played 35 turns since the start of June, we did get 3-4 turns in a week at the start but as people meet each other they need to negotiate deals and stuff and are reluctant to send the save on until they have sorted out there deals. We are lucky now if we get 1 turn a week.

I joined another 8 player game at the end of july and we have played 5 turns in that time

Look at the DDPP game as an example, it is 6 players all in the same time zone, Maybe that is the reason it is still going, but still they only manage 3-4 turns a week at best it seems. I think with 8 people playing scattered over the world, we have very little chance of getting anywhere.

My guess is that Communication between players is the success of a PBEM. All the DDPP players use MSN to communicate as far as i'm aware, so it is easy to get in contact with players and keep the game moving. Posting here and sending emails is fine, but the whole delay between replys leads people to loose interest real fast.

You can try for 8 people if you like, the more people the more fun, but to keep the game going will take a big effort on everybodys part.

digger760

 

[Markstar]

I was thinking of the Instant messenger idea myself. I actually use ICQ, but since there are programs out there which can "do all", I think that shouldn't be such a problem nowadays.

Maybe if we can all get some kind of IM (ICQ can be run without any programs, afaik, so maybe that could be a solution for ppl who don't want to install something like that), we could all meet at some time during the day and then even play a couple of turns in a matter of minutes (like on weekends).

 

[digger760]

i am generally not availible on weekends usually i just download email,play and send on. Weekdays are OK i use ICQ, MSN or AIM

I believe Stagnate lives on the West Coast US or Canada or somewhere in the Rockys??? So that rules out power sessions.

 

[Markstar]

Mmh, that's not good. I have the most time on weekends and I'd say that's where you could gain a lot of turns. Basically there are two kinds of players - those who play at work and those who play in their free time.

So maybe we should do two games then, but I'm positive that weekends make a huge difference...

 

[digger760]

well you dont have to include me if you dont want to..I have about 10PBEM's on the go at the moment. I should really wait for conquests to come out before taking on another game anyway:mutant:

digger760

 

[Markstar]

That's true, Conquest is about to come out.
I'd really like to include you! Maybe when there are more people we can discuss what we can do about that.

Maybe just open two games or something.

 

[jtcat]

Anyone still open to play. If not, how about a new PBEM game?

 

[Judge Dredd]

I only have 1 PBEM going right now. I would be interested.

 

[Markstar]

So, we are up to 5 ppl now - great! Maybe we can even get it up to 6, that'd make 3 one each continent.

I just pm'ed stagnate if he is still in. How about we wait a little more (until Wednesday or so) and then get the show started.

Also, to get started I need the desired nickname, tribe and the timezone everybody is in (it'd be also nice to know when you think you can play (eg I can usually play between 8-10am and 3-11pm GMT, and ESPECIALLY on weekends)).
If you use an instant messenger like ICQ, MSN, etc, you can pm your contact to me and we can discuss everything in "real time".
Even if we do play by email, an IM can greatly speed up things (like discussing trades/treaties or finding out where the savegame is stuck THIS time... ).

 

[Ville]

I join if it's still open.
I can play 4pm-7pm in weekdays and anytime at weekend (10am-8pm) I'm in GMT+2. I'd like to play as Ottomans. Ville as name.
ville.pohjalainen@imnetti.fi

 

[Markstar]

Wow, almost nobody seemed to be interested the past couple of weeks and now 3 players on one day - awesome!

Anyways, since this is going to be a 6p+ game, how about enforcing some kind of rule like giving a certain amount of warnings do players who don't play their turn without informing the rest (like when a turn is stuck with a player for a week and the player won't respond at all)?

Furthermore, does anybody know who would be so kind to be a backup player???

 

[Ville]

EDIT: That rule is fine for me

 

[jtcat]

I'm in GMT-5 (Boston), I can play at night between 7-10PM
and more on weekends. I'd like Rome and that rule is fine.
libertytree76@yahoo.com

 

[Kuningas]

I'd like to join. GMT +2 and I can play from 7:00 to 18:00. That's 11 hours per day. Not in weekends.

Potluck civ for me. (random)
lkuningas@yahoo.co.uk

 

[Markstar]

So I put the info you guys gave me so far in a little excel-sheet.

Right now I'd say we have a pretty tight schedule, but maybe we get 2 ppl more and then we can set up 2 groups, one normal for PBEM and another that also plays on weekends (maybe even realtime???).

Here we go, give me some more feedback on what you think about organizing this.

Edit: Shaun from alt.games.civ3 told me via email that he'd be interested as well, so here is the updated timetable...
Edit2: Michael (also from the ng) is also in...
Edit3: Jim also joined - that's it, 11 ppl is enough.
Edit4: James in as well, but that's really it now. Groups are set now as well...

 

[Ville]

I have no idea how I should read that timetable
Could someone help, this is my 1st PBEM