PBEM 74a/74b- Mini-Tournament

[ReallyEvilMuffin]

If we're doing a lightly edited torusland, I'd be fine with getting the starting screenshot and a choice between 3-4 randomly rolled leader/civs. Another thought - while I liked being able to read the other game's threads after 74A finished, it would've been fun to engage more from the start (and my own thread was real quiet at times). How much more effort would it be to roll a second map, and do you guys value the random control trial aspect more, or the wider lurker pool more?

It is less work for me having the same map used twice, and quite interesting to follow the divergent paths. But there probably will be limited lurker input anyway.

[ReallyEvilMuffin]

For picks, if you want to perhaps use the 10 or so presets and everyone chooses 1 of them method? It is simple, gives balance, prevents overlap and allows tailoring to the map in a non obvious way.

[El Grillo]

Okay, those both sound fair to me.

[picklepikkl]

Sorry, REM, do you mean a picking method like in PB33? The metagame of that was pretty cool, I'd be up for that.

[ReallyEvilMuffin]

Sorry, REM, do you mean a picking method like in PB33? The metagame of that was pretty cool, I'd be up for that.

Essentially yes. But to make the choices even we need a map first. And for the map we need a consensus! 

It does mean there will be less Mali and Fin choices :P

[picklepikkl]

OK, neat, I do like that picking method. Quick tally of map thoughts thus far:

El Grillo: "In terms of other settings, I liked quick speed, no barbarians, and the overall lushness, and I wasn't a huge fan of flat world wrap." Elsewhere, expressed support for Torusland.
Khan: Agreed with my comment "My personal preference is that I'd like a map where it's less obvious who's "supposed" to get how much land (generally a more natural-looking map, though PBEM 65 had a cool setup I liked), but obviously semi-mirroring is much easier to balance, so I won't kick up a fuss."
AdrienIer: "Would it be possible to take maps from previous PBEMs with fun, balanced maps ?", "I liked the idea that this was BTS with controlled settings to make it balanced instead of RtR like we use so often."
gingereagle: Doesn't seem to have posted any map thoughts.
Jowy: "Another rich map would be nice."
greenline: "My limit for map quirks is preplaced or randomly scattered improvements (torusland has that feature right?). Unusual tiles (like hill wheat or something) is fine with me."
picklepikkl: I'd be happy with something handmade or a lightly edited script. I still have a moderate preference for asymmetry.
Dreylin: "I'd be quite happy with REM(?) rolling up a Torusland, undertaking some mild balancing of resources and then unleashing the game on us."

You mentioned not having the Torusland script, which some people have expressed support for; it seems to be available here: http://www.realmsbeyond.net/forums/showt...p?tid=6074 if you want to take a look at what its style is. Are there any other specifics you'd like consensus on before moving forward?

[ReallyEvilMuffin]

OK, neat, I do like that picking method. Quick tally of map thoughts thus far:

El Grillo: "In terms of other settings, I liked quick speed, no barbarians, and the overall lushness, and I wasn't a huge fan of flat world wrap." Elsewhere, expressed support for Torusland.
Khan: Agreed with my comment "My personal preference is that I'd like a map where it's less obvious who's "supposed" to get how much land (generally a more natural-looking map, though PBEM 65 had a cool setup I liked), but obviously semi-mirroring is much easier to balance, so I won't kick up a fuss."
AdrienIer: "Would it be possible to take maps from previous PBEMs with fun, balanced maps ?", "I liked the idea that this was BTS with controlled settings to make it balanced instead of RtR like we use so often."
gingereagle: Doesn't seem to have posted any map thoughts.
Jowy: "Another rich map would be nice."
greenline: "My limit for map quirks is preplaced or randomly scattered improvements (torusland has that feature right?). Unusual tiles (like hill wheat or something) is fine with me."
picklepikkl: I'd be happy with something handmade or a lightly edited script. I still have a moderate preference for asymmetry.
Dreylin: "I'd be quite happy with REM(?) rolling up a Torusland, undertaking some mild balancing of resources and then unleashing the game on us."

You mentioned not having the Torusland script, which some people have expressed support for; it seems to be available here: http://www.realmsbeyond.net/forums/showt...p?tid=6074 if you want to take a look at what its style is. Are there any other specifics you'd like consensus on before moving forward?

I can roll a few torus scripts, run them through the map tool for balance and over eye them. Would you guys be wanting the random tile improvements? Barbs? Etc? As this is base I assume no hits or anything.

[greenline]

I just pointed out the random tile improvements as an option if you wanted to add them. I'm fine with that and barbs and such being up to the mapmaker as well.

[Dreylin]

Random tile improvements usually end up being much like huts only worth less; in my experience they mostly get pillaged off so I would prefer without. Barbs, bans & such up to mapmaker is fine.

I assume we want to see starts before we make picks, but we can talk about pick limits; we'll use a points-based variation again?

[picklepikkl]

REM was suggesting:

For picks, if you want to perhaps use the 10 or so presets and everyone chooses 1 of them method? It is simple, gives balance, prevents overlap and allows tailoring to the map in a non obvious way.

I rather like this as an alternative to obvious power combos/lots of bans, but given that you recently played in a game using this picking method, your thoughts on its downsides are welcome.