Utilities (MapStat etc.) in C/GOTM

[eldar]

I've had a quick scan through the rules, reference thread, etc but can't find the answer I'm after.

I've just downloaded Dianthus's excellent CRpMapStat (and other bits) and am wondering what I am and am not allowed to use for C/GOTM submissions.

E.g. whilst MapStat doesn't tell me anything I can't find out and collate for myself by going to Advisers, trade screens, etc., is it considered an 'unfair advantage' to have an app running in the b/g that does all that for me, automatically, at the start of each turn? Or is it considered okay because everyone could use it if they wanted to?

Neil.

 

[AlanH]

You may use utilities that *only* give you information that's available in game if you were energetic enough to collate all the data. They can be considered as productivity tools allowing you to concentrate on game play rather than accounting.

You should *not* use something like Mapstat to count tiles that you can't see yet, so it should only be used towards the end of the game for domination limit management when you can already see the whole world map.

I believe Dianthus has made his utilities GOTM-safe.

 

[ainwood]

What Alan said.

We have had people using trainer programs in the past, and we take an exceedingly dim view of those. However, dianthus' CRPMapstat is spoilersafe (will only give you full tile counts when >80% of the map is visible). Chiefpaco's mapstat is not spoiler-safe, so the guideline was: only use it when you have the full-world map.

Other things (like combat calculators) can be used, because all they do is automate the plugging of numbers into a formula that is reasonably widely-known.

 

[Dianthus]

@AlanH/ainwood, I noticed you accepted a suggestion for the website earlier. How about another? .

Maybe a list of "Acceptable Utility Programs" such as that in the HOF Rules thread (see the end of the 1st post) could be added?. If this list were to include CRpMapStat/CRpRings that would be especially cool .

 

[samildanach]

I've used your CRP mapstat 2.61 for COTM3. I tried to use for an earlier game but I couldn't figure how to get it to give automatic updates - I figured it out this time( I needed top click a button in preferences )
I seem to be getting false positives as far as workers are concerned. The trade assist part keeps on telling me such and such a civ has workers available and I go there cash in hand only to find they've got sweet fanny adams.
Am I missing something? Do you need to have a clear path to the other civ via coastal tiles to be able to trade for workers or some such weirdness.

 

[Dianthus]

You need to have a city on the same continent as the AI has a city to be able to trade workers. That old 2.6.1 version didn't know that. The latest (2.7.2) does, + lots of other stuff too!

 

[samildanach]

You need to have a city on the same continent as the AI has a city to be able to trade workers. That old 2.6.1 version didn't know that. The latest (2.7.2) does, + lots of other stuff too!

2.7.2 is clearly smarter than I am. I didn't know that about workers......hmmm.

 

[Dianthus]

. Admittedly I didn't either until lots of people mentioned this problem and I investigated it...

 

[AlanH]

Hmm! Don't know about that Try this, though

 

[Dianthus]

@AlanH, excellent (and also interesting ).

However, the link to "Code of Conduct" from the LHS of the main page isn't working. Infact, it's no longer a link!

 

[AlanH]

Done .. anything else while I'm there?

 

[King Of America]

Alan--Apollo is not updated for PTW and it doesn't look like it's going to be (see post 20 on the Apollo link).

 

[AlanH]

Alan--Apollo is not updated for PTW and it doesn't look like it's going to be (see post 20 on the Apollo link).

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I'll add a note to the page. Presumably it can still be used by Vanilla players?

 

[solenoozerec]

You should *not* use something like Mapstat to count tiles that you can't see yet...

Just curiosity. Why should I be interested in counting those tiles?

 

[AlanH]

Just curiosity. Why should I be interested in counting those tiles?

You shouldn't, because it's not legitimate information. If you did get the information you would know more about the space occupied by your rivals, and you might learn more about the shape of the rest of the world than you have a right to. Knowledge is power