[SPOILERS] Lurker thread; the omniscient view

[SevenSpirits]

Guys, I really want to play in a game like this. Someone want to make it happen?

[Commodore]

Guys, I really want to play in a game like this. Someone want to make it happen?

Uh, define make it happen? Similar setup/map style/trait buffs/tech debuffs? I'd be happy to make a map if you were interested.

[Cyneheard]

It has a lot to do with reputation. I don't believe Serdoa is cheating in any way. But I remember Lewwyn being furious at some of Serdoa's rolls in 14. And I have vague recollection of something coming up in 10. So once it starts coming up a bunch, people start attributing everything to it.

But much like Commodore, I think it comes down to playstyle. And the fact that Serdoa's games are usually not well reported.

I don't remember anything in 10 about crazy luck by Serdoa. POSSIBLY in one of the Tatan/Serdoa rounds. He didn't have luck against me that I noticed.

He was a backstabbing sonofagun there, but that was above-board backstabbing: he said he was working with me, and then butchered my army instead of assisting as he'd said he was going to. That's within the bounds of fair play (and not nearly as bad as, say, athlete vs. slaze), even if it means I won't trust him ever again or really play a game with him that has any diplo.

[SevenSpirits]

Uh, define make it happen? Similar setup/map style/trait buffs/tech debuffs? I'd be happy to make a map if you were interested.

Well, I didn't mean to prescribe anything specific. Part of the setup here was that the players had to go by my rules (muahahaha) and I wouldn't wish anything less from a sequel by someone else.

However I can say I really wouldn't mind if it differed only in the details (exact layout of the map, exact starting stuff and tweaks for leaders/civs). I really like how this setup turned out.

[scooter]

Well that was a short lurker thread. I'll comment on some of the more notable things as I read.

I swear to read scooter's thread you'd think:

1. The other players should pretty much concede to whomever gets their settler out first, so important it is.
   
2. Imperialistic is basically the best trait not only for this map, but also in the history of Civilization or traits.
   
3. Joao is the best leader ever, all these games where everyone thought Pacal was the scariest were missing the point.
   

Don't get me wrong, I get the value of Imperialistic with this capital and the free Grocer. Just think we're heavily overstating there.

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest and I didn't feel like his thread was the appropriate place for it.

I'm wondering if you didn't read my thread close enough - I took Joao because 1) I wanted the Grocer and 2) my first two picks were swiped from me. I felt like I got "stuck" with Joao. And I see Seven's comment here too about Krill helping me early or something. I think I must have not been clear. I barely talked to Krill about this, and by that point I had already wanted IMP and Joao was never at the top of the list. I also tend to over-state things in my threads. That's always been true - just my style I guess.

Also, this:

I didn't tell him how to micro the start, he did that himself.

And scooter and Dazed already decided they wanted IMP before I said anything: in fact scooter already stated that he wanted to pick one of the big three traits (CRE/FIN/EXP) with a mid tier trait.

Is accurate. I think I was probably unclear in my thread. I wouldn't have minded if one of you had said something about it in my thread - I could've clarified. Given this and Gaspar's comments about IMP/Joao, I'm starting to think I kinda suck at being clear.

Anyways, not much else worth commenting on. I guess I'll comment on this:

Things that are playing out like I hoped so far:

* Exploring units pillaging useless improvements, and improvements near other players. Island towns are a tremendous prize.
* Iron Working for stone is a solid play.
* Opening strategy is different from normal for some traits; mostly the grocer from IMP changes up early GP strategy.
* People think the sites far away from everyone are the best.
* Galleys enable early war and will add another dimension to later war.

Things that are not playing out like I hoped so far:

* Not the best play from non-Serdoa participants.
* The near west is apparently a bit more barren than the other directions.

On land quality - it did seem to me that the west was the least attractive area by far, which is why I hadn't even settled it yet. I pushed hard for the east because that floodplains + jungle region was pretty insane. Overall though I do think you did a good job of making all routes pretty attractive. If I wasn't so bent on getting elephant island to dissuade Phracting, I would've pushed south much harder too because the land down south was fantastic as well. North for elephants was a pretty viable option too, which was what Serdoa did. Not sure of anyone who went west early - closest was probably Lewwyn.

Finally...

Guys, I really want to play in a game like this. Someone want to make it happen?

If we can get something like this going, I'm in. Honestly, I think this map is re-playable. Seriously, swap the bonuses around, maybe make a few cosmetic map tweaks, but keep the bulk of the stuff the same and I would happily play it over again. Maybe ban all leaders/civs that were taken the first time around. Or if we get a new map, I'd love to play one.

Anyone want to sponsor a game like this? The trait/tech/civ options/bonuses were great in this game, and it wouldn't be TOO hard to come up with a new set of bonuses. I don't believe bonuses actually need to be perfectly balanced (just somewhat so) - just needs to be interesting. Part of the challenge is figuring out what is best.

Haven't gotten to any player threads yet, so that'll be next.

[SevenSpirits]

And I see Seven's comment here too about Krill helping me early or something. I think I must have not been clear. I barely talked to Krill about this, and by that point I had already wanted IMP and Joao was never at the top of the list.

I still think Krill shouldn't have been talking to you about that but even then I didn't think anything you'd done was problematic, and certainly not after his/your clarification. Hence not mentioning it in your thread.

[scooter]

Guys, I really want to play in a game like this. Someone want to make it happen?

Want to open up a thread in general about this? I'm definitely still interested, we'd just need a game sponsor, and I'm not sure this thread gets enough eyeballs.