New EitB PBEM?

[Mardoc]

Looks like you're already up to four players - no way does this wait until I'm ready then . Would you like me to make a map? Mapmaking is something that's easy to do on the off days, the ones without a Pitboss turn.

I think my FFH PBEM 8 map sounds like about what you're looking for (or maybe something similar but a size smaller)

[Ichabod]

Looks like you're already up to four players - no way does this wait until I'm ready then . Would you like me to make a map? Mapmaking is something that's easy to do on the off days, the ones without a Pitboss turn.

I think my FFH PBEM 8 map sounds like about what you're looking for (or maybe something similar but a size smaller)

I really liked that map and, personally, that's exactly what I'm looking for. I agree it could be a bit smaller, especially since we are thinking of 5 players, but not by that much, in my opinion. It's nice to have unsettled land when the game is far from the start.

[DaveV]

I'd prefer 5 players tbh, as with 6 I have actually still to see a PBEM that achieves 1 turn / day (and everything slower and it is nothing for me).

FFH XIV had a very consistent 1 turn/day pace with 6 players. I agree completely that nothing kills interest in a game like slow pace. In XIV we had people spread around the globe, and couldn't do blitzes, but those would be a nice bonus, especially for the early turns.

What I really want is:

"rather light on diplo" (I am fine with some kind of added deal possibilities or even talk, it just should not get the main part of the game)
"1 turn / day pace" (sometimes of course that will not work, but the general rule should be that everyone tries to achieve that)

As for huts and lairs I'd rather have both turned off. I don't think it makes for a very enjoyable game if one player gets really lucky. Thats fun in SP when you then can roll the AIs, but thats because the AIs don't care

Agree with all of these.

[HidingKneel]

Tentatively interested, if the game hasn't filled up yet.

I'd prefer restricted leaders, and generally to keep the power level of the game lower (I'd like to try out a civ which is probably underpowered). Also in favor of having some kind of diplomacy, and something to speed up the early game.

[Ichabod]

Well, it seems we got our fifth member. So, the roster is:

Ichabod
Serdoa
DaveV
gtAngel
HidingKneel

The consensus so far seem to be Restricted Leaders. The other settings have different opinions, so we'll need to make a vote.

Reagrding diplo, we could make a "1 message to each player per save" kind of thing. It's supposed to be similar to only using the in-game chat, but the in-game chat is not very reliable, so I don't want to make it a must. That's the way I can see to make diplo possible, but not too time consuming. Any other ideas?

I'll make a vote for the rest of the settings tomorrow.

[Qgqqqqq]

If you want a random map with the more customized approach that FoR offers I can do it (like the PB9 stuff).

Fake edit: apparently I missed mardocs post.

[Ichabod]

If you want a random map with the more customized approach that FoR offers I can do it (like the PB9 stuff).

Fake edit: apparently I missed mardocs post.

Well, a second pair of eyes is always good to help balance things.

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So, let's discuss settings:

1. Map: I already described what I'm looking for previously in the thread. Mardoc said he could do something similar to FFH VIII, so that's a good point for people to take a look and see what I'm looking for. If anyone disagree with this kind of map or wants something different, just say so.

2. Game Speed: i'm fairly sure everyone can roll with quick speed. Any objections?

3. Map Wrap: Cylindrical, Toroidal or Flat? I'd say up to the mapmaker.

4. Difficulty: DaveV suggested Immortal/Deity and I agree with him. I think having a higher difficulty will be fun, gimping expansion.

5. Other settingss:

Diplomacy - On, with some fort of limitation seems to be an accepted compromise. We need to discuss this more, though.
Raging Barbarians - I prefer off.
Wildlands - OFF
Orthus - OFF
Acheron - OFF
Huts - OFF, but not nearly so contrary to it than Lairs.
Lairs - OFF

6. A way to make the early game faster: HidingKneel suggested that. I could roll with something simple, like a shade, for example. The 3-spell adept idea isn't much to my taste, since it has the power of changing things too much (while the shade is a straight up benefit). Any other suggestions?

7. I probably forgot something, so feel free to add it to the discussion.

[DaveV]

So, let's discuss settings:

1. Map: I already described what I'm looking for previously in the thread. Mardoc said he could do something similar to FFH VIII, so that's a good point for people to take a look and see what I'm looking for. If anyone disagree with this kind of map or wants something different, just say so.

I'm fine with a natural looking, non-mirrored map. Mild balance flaws are OK; it's hard to get a perfect map. I'd like some room to expand, instead of a warrior rush scenario.

2. Game Speed: i'm fairly sure everyone can roll with quick speed. Any objections?

None here.

3. Map Wrap: Cylindrical, Toroidal or Flat? I'd say up to the mapmaker.

Mild preference for Cylindrical. Flat can isolate people too much; toroidal has a big impact on maintenance.

4. Difficulty: DaveV suggested Immortal/Deity and I agree with him. I think having a higher difficulty will be fun, gimping expansion.

Higher difficulty also buffs up the barbs and slows down the tech rate, both of which I consider a good thing.

5. Other settingss:

Diplomacy - On, with some fort of limitation seems to be an accepted compromise. We need to discuss this more, though.
Raging Barbarians - I prefer off.
Wildlands - OFF
Orthus - OFF
Acheron - OFF
Huts - OFF, but not nearly so contrary to it than Lairs.
Lairs - OFF

Off for all these. I generally use Blessing of Amathaon for a more lush map. No tech trading, definitely.

6. A way to make the early game faster: HidingKneel suggested that. I could roll with something simple, like a shade, for example. The 3-spell adept idea isn't much to my taste, since it has the power of changing things too much (while the shade is a straight up benefit). Any other suggestions?

Maybe start with extra techs and a worker?

[HidingKneel]

I don't want to definitely commit to this, yet. But here are my thoughts:

1. Map: I already described what I'm looking for previously in the thread. Mardoc said he could do something similar to FFH VIII, so that's a good point for people to take a look and see what I'm looking for. If anyone disagree with this kind of map or wants something different, just say so.

Fine by me. Let me also weigh in for a map on the smaller side, since we've already got a giant map going on in XXV.
Also vote not to rush it, and to give lurkers plenty of time to vet the map before starting.

2. Game Speed: i'm fairly sure everyone can roll with quick speed. Any objections?

Definitely quick.

3. Map Wrap: Cylindrical, Toroidal or Flat? I'd say up to the mapmaker.

I vote toroidal. More ways to have neighbors makes for a more interesting game.

4. Difficulty: DaveV suggested Immortal/Deity and I agree with him. I think having a higher difficulty will be fun, gimping expansion.

I vote deity.

Diplomacy - On, with some fort of limitation seems to be an accepted compromise. We need to discuss this more, though.
Raging Barbarians - I prefer off.
Wildlands - OFF
Orthus - OFF
Acheron - OFF
Huts - OFF, but not nearly so contrary to it than Lairs.
Lairs - OFF

Limited diplomacy.
Wildlands, Orthus, Acheron - OFF.

Having huts and lairs off isn't my preference, but I'm fine with it. How do you feel about epic lairs, or other unique features in general?

Living World - ON

Might be better balanced than having it off, since everyone's likely to get an event or two. (A starting shade is also good for balancing out the impact that early events can cause.)

6. A way to make the early game faster: HidingKneel suggested that. I could roll with something simple, like a shade, for example. The 3-spell adept idea isn't much to my taste, since it has the power of changing things too much (while the shade is a straight up benefit). Any other suggestions?

I vote for the shade. FFH XXV is off to a painfully slow start.

Blessings of Amatheon: Isn't that bugged? (IIRC it doesn't place reagents, or something like that?) We could have the mapmaker just partially simulate it by giving us some nice lush capital sites.

Tech Trading: OFF, for sure.

And, if I do end up playing, I'll need a dedlurker! Any takers?

[Mardoc]

Blessings of Amatheon: Isn't that bugged? (IIRC it doesn't place reagents, or something like that?) We could have the mapmaker just partially simulate it by giving us some nice lush capital sites.

It runs out of room for the last couple resources, yes, but it makes a good starting point in my opinion. Mapmaker just needs to pay attention to the resources, particularly strategic ones like reagents.