Should I play old GOTM's?

[imadork]

I'm relatively new to Civ III (after getting pretty good at Civ II over the years), and have just started playing the GOTM's. I did so poorly on the December one that I think I was overrun before 1 AD. I've been learning, though (mostly from reading some Succession Game threads), and I'm doing a bit better on the January GOTM. Maybe even better enough to submit it

Do you think it would be worthwile playing some of the older GOTM's? Are they good training vehicles? Or, would I be better off just going the way I've been going...

Do you know any particular GOTM's that were particularly challenging or instructive, and might be worth playing?

Thanks!

 

[Singularity]

Try to play the games with submitted QSC timelines(up until GOTM21 I guess). And see if you can get any tips from the more experienced players games compared to your own 1000BC saves.

Other than that you need routine I guess. Routine in checking your cities and maintaining an optimal growth curve in your game. The good players seem to excell in controlling every unit + micromanaging citizens.

 

[imadork]

OK, here's a dumb question: I've found all sorts of information about QSC's, including Cracker's timeline and scoring pages. The one thing I haven't found is any place where old QSC files and timelines are archived. (Although, do people out them in their spoiler threads?)
It would be nice to do play one of the QSC's and keep my own timeline, then compare it with others.

 

[Singularity]

There are some changes since I played in the spring last year. And one of them is the missing QuickStartChallenge pages for each GOTM. GOTM20 is the last one with its own section for QSC saves, analysis and timeline. If you go here to QSC20 and check the right side table - you will find links to the timelines in alphabetical order.

 

[imadork]

Thanks! I think this is just what I need.

I can modify the URL that you gave me to access QSC information for GOTM's 14 through 19, also. That ought to keep me occupied for a while!

 

[AlanH]

Originally posted by imadork
OK, here's a dumb question: I've found all sorts of information about QSC's, including Cracker's timeline and scoring pages. The one thing I haven't found is any place where old QSC files and timelines are archived. (Although, do people out them in their spoiler threads?)
It would be nice to do play one of the QSC's and keep my own timeline, then compare it with others.

Some QSC timelines are indeed linked in people's Spoiler #1 posts. We are working to get the QSC data updated for more recent games so that you don't have to go hunting.

 

[jeffd210]

I also am new to the GOTM. I thought over the holidays I would have some time to try the old GOTMs to learn, and still get in GOTM 26.

Well, I found GOTM 17 (Carthage) so interesting that it took most of my vacation ! The QSC discussion for that one was nothing short of mind blowing to me. So many clever ideas! Interestingly, no-one had discovered RCP yet (ring city placement), and I had read about it in another thread, so I tried it on that game: new idea on old game. It worked so well that I think I would've placed around 16th on GOTM 17 for the final score, which I was pretty happy about!


So I'd recommend that one at least. I didn't try any others (yet).

The update: now I'm playing GOTM 26, which is deity level. Before my GOTM 17 experience, I had had a lot of difficulty with deity even just surviving. This time I feel I have the game well in hand, although I was a bit too timid, thinking I would get destroyed at any turn. The techniques that I learned from GOTM 17 discussion have definitely helped me a lot! Only I'm not getting any high score compared to others (according to spoiler 1 and 2), so I have lots of room for more improvement .

 

[Karasu]

Welcome, imadork and jeff!
Well, you have already discovered the world of GOTM... I will only add that we have started playing 'old' GOTMs in the form of Succession Games, as a parallel and non-structured initiative -mainly for those who cannot keep up with the monthly schedule.

We are presently working hard on 24 (well, at least Alan is ), but you may want to keep an eye here and in the SG forum in case you feel like joining SG GOTM25 in the near future...

 

[AlanH]

Originally posted by Karasu
We are presently working hard on 24 (well, at least Alan is ),

Not now. The hot seat's all yours now, my friend

 

[Karasu]

And I am just about to sit on it...

 

[Anthropoid]

This is a great site you guys, and great work on all the GOTMs, timelines, commentaries, lessons, etc.

I've been playing GOTM17 for many hours now. I've made it to modern age, but I've fallen way behind and now in 1973, there seems little hope of catching up.

Not sure what I did wrong. Exhaustion maybe. Shouldn't play for 12 hours straight . . .

Anthropoid

 

[AlanH]

Originally posted by Anthropoid
Shouldn't play for 12 hours straight . . .

That's the only way I ever make progress in a GOTM these days ... but I generally make stoopid errors when I do

You should get some great clues about why you are not dominating the game if you compare your progress and decisions in the early game with those of the top players in the spoilers and in the QSC timelines for GOTM17. I seem to recall that Sir Pleb's submission for that game was showcased as well, so that's a great opportunity to see how it should be done.

 

[Anthropoid]

Thanks Alan,

Once enough time has passed that the details of gotm17 are abit vageu in my mind, I'll give gotm17 another whirl from fresh, and then I'll check out SirPlebs Timeline.

I've had a look at the QSC comparisons, and I was ABSOLUTELY AMAZED! that some of you evil geniuses managed to WIN! wth that gotm18 map, by __470 AD!!!!__

I just find that absolutely incredible, even if you cheated by playing it out, then restarted with an absolutely clear plan of what you needed to do, I find that incredible. Incredible! Amazing play.

I'm excited cause I think I gotta LOT of Civ development to go!

I read some of the web pages on "early game skills" and forestry, and such, and I am totally impressed with the thoroughness, precision, and intelligence of this site. You guys are professionals.

Anthropoid

 

[OneFastWarrior]

I found one of the gotm's that I like to replay and one that I learned alot more from the game was gotm20 (Deity--Spain) I have replayed the start(qsc) numerous times and keep learning from it. Even in a horrible loss for the actual submission of the game I learned some very valuable lessons that stick in my mind when coming across similar situations in other games I am playing.

 

[Drazek]

Originally posted by Anthropoid
I just find that absolutely incredible, even if you cheated by playing it out, then restarted with an absolutely clear plan of what you needed to do, I find that incredible.

Yeah, I think I played and replayed GOTM18 four times, trying to get near DaveMcW's 1060AD Diplo win, but failed, in June. Generally speaking IMO, I think DaveMcW has had most of the greatest wins. The second is SirPleb. I have learned lots from their games. I have replayed many GOTMs many times. GOTM7 and 14 were really hard, GOTM17 different with an isolated start. Next I'm going to play GOTM16 again.

Here's the link for older GOTMs