Settings discussion

[Catwalk]

On the assumption that each team gets a joint vote on settings, we may as well get started discussing. I figure there is no need for secrecy on here, it's not likely we'll see the kind of haggling and manipulation that was showcased on CFC.

Topics:

Leader/civ pick mechanism
- Snake pick
- Pre-assigned
- Other
Subforum access
- Open
- Closed, global lurkers allowed
- Closed, dedicated lurkers only
Map
- How much should be left for the mapmaker to decide
- How much info do we want prior to picking civ and leader
Bans
- Barbarians
- Tech trading
- Spies
- Corporations
- Nukes
- War elephants
- Blockades
- Cat themes
Diplomacy
- AW?
- Normal diplo, public diplo or CTON?

[Krill]

I think normal diplo is worth trying out again, as we can go with the tried and tested method of one person as ambassador to each of the other teams, so it isn't horrendously difficult to keep on top of it.

Beyond that, I'm not that concerned, I'll let the rest of you make the decision.

[Catwalk]

I really hope that we will go with dedicated lurkers only, I think it will be a lot better for the game in terms of participation.

I'm in favour of leaving almost everything up to the mapmaker (with the provision that it's a standard map without craziness), and getting the following information:
1) Screenshot of starting area
2) Dimensions
3) Small hint about water presence on the map
4) Marble and stone must be present, location and amount entirely up to mapmaker

I would like a picking system that bans as little as possible. Crazy idea alert:

No traits are banned, instead this is the list of allowed trait combinations:
1) FIN + PRO
2) EXP + PRO/IMP
3) CRE/SPI + PRO/IMP/AGG
4) IND/PHI + PRO/IMP/AGG/ORG/CHA
5) India and Inca banned

I don't care much about bans, but would prefer to have the usual bans in place to keep the game fairly standard (per RB standards). Agree with full diplo.

[Krill]

Most important thing with picking methods is to keep it simple.

[Catwalk]

This one would be fairly simple, except the list of banned leaders would be somewhat lengthy. There is no point system, and no interaction between leader and civ picks (civ pick doesn't restrict leader pick, and vice versa).

[Qgqqqqq]

Sorry to but in but I'd prefer open forums. Though I will be dedlurking whoever gives me the most cookies I think it helps non members enjoy the games. I would never have come to RB if I had to sign up and request just to view a forum. Could you do a members list please?
Do you mind if we glob lurk for a while before joining teams? If you do then consider this a sign up.
DISCLAIMER (I am a stupid idiot who knows nothing of MP, you may ignoree everything I say as it is probably meaningless)

[Catwalk]

Qgqqqqq, don't forget that all other games are open for anyone to watch without any registration. If this game requires lurkers to register, then good! We want to get more lurkers to register, and this is a really good opportunity for it. Member list has been posted in the welcome thread, as requested. If you're ready to join us, welcome to TEAM

[Krill]

The problem we are likely to run into is that without players this game is not going to actually work. I think we've come to a point where RB will struggle to support more games unless the none members decide to join the community. As it is I don't think we have enough players to form a viable team, and we do need more people to join. If players prefer to join the other four teams and not join this one, then I would press forward with disbanding the team, rather than start the game and have difficulty competing after 50 turns as players stop paying attention to it.

So when the organizers focus on this issue, trying to get more people to join the game and play is more important than lurker enjoyment. I would be perfectly happy to leave the fora open, but if we don't have teams that can play the game and report, there isn't much point in having open fora, is there?

[Catwalk]

On that note, how about asking pindicator to put a note in the OP saying that players should give strong consideration to joining smaller teams in order to get teams of somewhat even sizes?

[Krill]

The teams have to function, and want to play together, so it would be wise for each new player to consider which team they want to join, but it's also worth pointing out they would not be forced to join one of the smaller teams.