Searching the Fungus for a game

[Kirov]

Thanks for that. You don't have to hurry, you know, I'm leaving this Friday for a week.

And while we're at poor Miriam's restrictions, let's not forget about the other player who can expand unhindered until boats are invented! Sure on the list of factions Miriam probably scores somewhat better, but I've virtually never played it (I have more experience with Cha Dawn), so it kinda evens out.

[ete]

May as well get started as soon as practical. It'll be interesting to see how the game goes, Pirates will make things quite unusual. I'll likely be checking up on the game every once and a while from the saves (don't worry, won't give any information away until the game is over).

[ete]

Okay, the game is ready.

Checklist:
SPs set to destroyed
Crawlers and Copters disabled via alphax
All rules set to those in the text file
Difficulty Transcend
Force current difficulty ON
Starting units for humans set (3 CPs each+2 Green Scout Patrols for Mirriam, 3 Sea Escape Pods+2 Green Unity Gunships for Pirates)
Starting techs for humans set (natural starting techs)
Starting bases for AI set (already built in good locations)
Starting units for AI set (3 formers+3 scout patrols each, bar Sparta which gets 3 Scout Rovers. All AI starting units at +1 Morale as minor advantage.)
Starting techs for AI set (natural techs+Cent Eco, Uni has their bonus, Gaia gets a bonus one because they would've had Eco anyway)
Seed AI enhancements built (roads linking their bases, a few forest squares since they rarely make those and need them)

Plus a fair amount of playing around with the map to make for a more interesting game, mostly adding pods to places that I'd avoided before in the interests of balance earlygame. You guys seem to be keen on fun>perfect balance, and pods are always fun. Also finding some neat things that each of you could pull with base locations and such, and interactions between AIs.

Let me know if any of the above is not what you intended (e.g. did you mean for humans to get formers too, or AI to get only one each? Do you particularly mind the AI getting starting roads or any other bonuses I've given?).

I'm just playing a quick game to see if the AI locations/advantages are reasonable or too much for Mirriam to handle early on (in a pure AI test she was killed first, but her nearest foe did get a very early Battle Ogre) and making the odd tweak while waiting for confirmation on the checklist.

[Kirov]

It looks you've put considerable thought into this game, so thank you very much and I'm sure it's balanced just enough for us to enjoy ourselves. Fun sure goes first! I'm a bit scared of those 3 Sparta rovers, I hope she doesn't live next door. 

We can discuss some non-confidential aspects of the map here or at the CMN corner.

First issue you reminded me of is formers. Seems to me some factions benefit much more from starting formers than others. Take Miriam - for her it takes ages to develop CE. Ulrik - he pays an arm and leg for his sea formers. Yang and Domai also benefit more than Deedee or Zak.

But as I said, both Miriam and Ulrik are even here, so we can choose as we want. I vote against starting formers, to force us to go CE. USS, I believe you're fine with that?

If so, we can start! 

[uss1701jb]

That sounds great.

So how does this whole Play By E-mail work? (Sorry for the newb question )

[ete]

No problem, I put a lot whole lot more thought/time into the map, that's the hard/slow bit. May as well try and get the rest of the scenario right . The AIs should give you a fairly hard time in the early game, not enough to kill you but you'll need to fight or make peace. The Pirates will have less of an issue with early pressure, but will have a hard time claiming much land anywhere, which fits. I also just ran a test for the global flood bug on earthquake pod. Took a huge amount of pops to get one, but it apparently did not raise sea levels so you should be safe from that.

Indeed, formers at start does change the balance significantly especially for the Gaians who lose one of their bigger advantages (formers quite a lot sooner).

Just going to run one more test and then give you the map. If you have preferences for passwords PM me now, otherwise I'll pick some memorable but not too easily guessable ones for you both.

[Buster's Uncle]

That sounds great.

So how does this whole Play By E-mail work? (Sorry for the newb question )

Gentlemen?  Are we even emailing anymore, or just posting turns in the TTTs?

js, go here: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=4213.msg30316;boardseen#new download the turn and play it and post your save.  Kirov will talk you through the rest, I imagine.

[ete]

Yea, use the TTT. The mode of play listed in game is PBEM though.

[Kirov]

So how does this whole Play By E-mail work? (Sorry for the newb question )

To stay on the safe side, I'll assume in my explanations that you know absolutely nothing about PBEM. So you know, sorry for being captain obvious.

1) If you don't have it, download and apply the latest Yitzi's patch, 2.3

http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=149

Since I'm using also scient's and kyrub's for other games, I need to make a copy of the entire game, and you may have to do the same in the long run.

2) For you own convenience, create a folder in your SMAC saves folder titled as per the name of our game.

3) Download your most recent turn from this forum or email if you prefer the latter (I prefer the forum, it's easier to track).

4) Run SMAX, then select "Multiplayer", then the last option "Hotseat/PBEM", then "Load multiplayer game", then find the save you want to play.

5) Enter the password provided by ete.

6) ENJOY THE GAME!

7) When you're sure you're done, click "turn complete". Then you see my screen with password. Select "save and exit". For convenience's sake, enter a name like "No Copters Kirov 2101". I'll do likewise with your name and date.

8 ) The game quits automatically. Upload the turn to the TTT, aka turn tracking thread. Feel free to say something completely silly.

9) Wait for me to do the same.


Some more notes:


a) Please read the PBEM rules carefully. Use the link inside the thread to read about all known bugs and exploits found in the game. As a rule of thumb, I'd appreciate if you refrain from any exploits or rule abuse, even those not listed at this forum. For example, when you probe me unsuccessfully and see my vendetta dialog window, please consult me before making the choice for me (the game displays the window at the wrong player's turn). When in doubt, ask me or t_ras in private if you need.

http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=1519.0

The most important thing is that we can use the "stockpile energy" exploit. Long story short, please remember to enter 'Stockpile energy' after each unit you build (but never after buildings). In this way, you'll get some money you deserve. It's tedious, I know, but more fair to aggressive factions. If you want the long story, I can look for it.

Yitzi may have fixed this bug, I'm gonna ask him.

b) To quit the turn, you can only select "turn complete" or save it (which will result in automatic quitting as well). Any other quit, by Escape or Shift+Control+Q or whatever, will lose you your progress. If you reload your turn, there is an anti-cheat notification to other players. It really doesn't matter that much and we trust each other and everything, but it is considered well-mannered to post the reason why you had to reload. A simple "game crashed" raises no questions.

The rules are, you are never allowed to reload on purpose and you can never take a different action (e.g. explore somewhere else or change actions towards AI) upon a reload. After you do your turn, you can open your turn to study on killing me.

c) There is a very annoying bug in MP in that it mixes faction colours (it uses the last setting of alpha.ini instead of creating a new one). This has no actual in-game effect, but as far as I'm concerned, it drives me crazy. If you have the same, download and use this very simple and useful tool by Mart, Iniswap.

http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=126

d) Unlike in SP, we can see each other from the start at the diplo screen. We are not allowed to communicate until we actually meet in-game. However, we are allowed to check each other with the right click (you see population, SE settings and HQ name there).

e) It is nice to do your turn within 24h. Up to 3 days is no problem at all, for longer busy periods - it's well-mannered to post the reason you're away in TTT. The email notification system at this forum sometimes fails, so remember to check the TTT every now and then. After 5-7 days I'll prod you via email.

f) Some messages are visible only to the first player. To be safe, please let me know if somebody discovers SotHB, there is the perihelium, etc.


Wow, that's quite a list we have here. Feel free to ask any questions you have.

[Buster's Uncle]

it is considered well-mannered to post the reason why you had to reload.

He's being too polite.  Always always always provide a reload explanation - failure to do so is paranoia-inducing, and I've seen it flat end a game at another forum.  You are a square-shooter, js, and would never cheat, but Kirov's been around since the dawn of time, and would hypothetically spot hypothetical cheating quickly.

Also, try to avoid all that by not having to do any reloads.  Good hunting, young sir.

[Yitzi]

Yitzi may have fixed this bug, I'm gonna ask him.

I have not, but it's on my list.

[uss1701jb]

Is there any special instructions to install a patch to SMAX? Is it still terran.exe?

[Buster's Uncle]

Is there not a .txt file with instructions in the .zip?

[uss1701jb]

Haven't unzipped yet. Oops. 

[uss1701jb]

"This is the first disk in a backup set, please insert lat disk of this set."

 

This shows up when I try to unzip it.

If it will help, I'm using CAM UnZip.