PBEM46 tech thread

[Catwalk]

I should note that double reverse snake pick works fine without a point buy system. It just means that the pick order is 5-4-3-2-1-5-4-3-2-1 where the number indicates turn position. So if you are first in turn order, you are last in both rounds of the pick. Being first in turn order is a major advantage, both because of the time advantage and a bug with foreign trade routes that rewards the firsts players and punishes the last players. Getting a better pick is a reasonable compensation for that IMO.

[Lego]

I should note that double reverse snake pick works fine without a point buy system. It just means that the pick order is 5-4-3-2-1-5-4-3-2-1 where the number indicates turn position. So if you are first in turn order, you are last in both rounds of the pick. Being first in turn order is a major advantage, both because of the time advantage and a bug with foreign trade routes that rewards the firsts players and punishes the last players. Getting a better pick is a reasonable compensation for that IMO.

I think I would prefer to be number five for sure. If we have always war, then trade routes don't count. I thought the normal order is 1-2-3-4-5-5-4-3-2-1. I really don't mind how we pick though. You guys can choose. If you want to ban some people then that's fine or you can have a creative system, as long as its agreed by all of the players beforehand.

[Catwalk]

That's normal snake pick, yes. Recently we have experimented with the reverse snake pick order as a means of compensating those who are later in the turn order. I do agree that turn order is less powerful with AW, though. Serdoa, what's your take on it?

[Bigger]

Well I'll normally be able to play 1900-0100 GMT but might be drunk sometimes. I could also play in the morning 0700-0900 GMT if it gets to me late.

drunk play is when I play the best . Don't fight it.

[Azza]

f) Map-Type?

I would strongly suggest using Sevens Mirror-Map. It will create a 40x40 toroidal map with all 5 players being equidistant to every other player and having the same map mirrored 5 times. That gives in my opinion a much fairer game and gives everyone the same opportunities.

I think 40x40 might be a bit big, unless there's a significant amount of water on the map. Wouldn't want to go all the way down to 24x24 though, I'd prefer something in the middle. Apart from that, I'm not fussed, but have a slight preference towards not-full diplo (not a deal breaker unless its some weird hybrid), and no variants unless we have an experienced mapmaker.

Skill: Any chance a veteran or two want to sign up as dedlurkers? With Serdoa on the roster, the skill level just took a jump

Now that 33 has finished I probably have time to dedlurk if anybody wants. This comes with the caveat that I am nowhere near as skilled as Serdoa .

I'm open to dedlurkers, but I'm kinda lazy when it comes to updating my threads. Might be more enjoyable to dedlurk someone else.

Just my opinion, but 24x24 for 5 players is already variant play. Thats 576 tiles total IF there is no single water tile. 115 tiles per player? Thats 10x10 tiles. One city with popped borders takes 5x5. 4 cities total? 5 with some cramping in? Yeah, thats a variant
edit: That said, yes, those can be fun. But they are vastly different than playing "normally".

It's 4 players, not 5. Realistically, each player will have room for 7-8 cities easily without major cramping. I think your math is a little off about how much cramping is common, I'd estimate 12-16 tiles per city in general. With 576 tiles (and only small lakes), that's 144 tiles per player. That's easily enough for 8-10 cities per player, enough to feel that you get to develop your civ before getting in each others' faces. I do find the 20x20 in PBEM44 to be extreme, but 24x24 feels like a pretty normal game with early contact. I'm definitely enjoying PBEM37 too, but it surprised me how much of a builder map it turned out to be. Azza, what's your take on it?

37 is definitely more of a builder map that I would've anticipated, but it's not entirely due to the dimensions. The layout certainly contributes to it. Still, I think a middle ground size, for example 32x32, would be better than a 24x24 or a 40x40. I think it strikes a nice balance, at least in theory.

[BRickAstley]

Mapmakers perspective: dimensions divisible by 5 work out a lot easier for making evenly sized land areas. Also, if you wanted to use Seven's script, that will automatically make the map 40x40 for 5 people, and that's not easily changed at all from what I understand.

EDIT: This is assuming you all want the exact same or almost the exact same land. If not, I can put together a not mirrored map of varying dimension and it'll work fine.

[BRickAstley]

Also, for Azza & Catwalk & Serdoa, plus anyone else that read 33, that map was 35x40 (thanks for the map serdoa btw), so there's a point of reference.

[Azza]

PBEM 33 was a tad larger than I'd like too. I'd favour non-mirrored, middle ground size.

[Cornflakes]

Sorry to drop this on you after two days of planning, but this was one of those times where I was running like crazy and will be through Thursday now. I do not think that it is in everyone's interest for me to remain in the game. I anticipate at least one stretch per week where I would probably miss playing a day (or find it burdensome to squeeze it in). Maybe come January I will have a more consistent schedule, but until then I think it's best to just be honest from the beginning and say I don't have the time right now.

In light of this I will refrain from commenting on the game settings and let the players work things out.

[Catwalk]

Skill: Any chance a veteran or two want to sign up as dedlurkers? With Serdoa on the roster, the skill level just took a jump

I'm open to dedlurkers, but I'm kinda lazy when it comes to updating my threads. Might be more enjoyable to dedlurk someone else.

I was referring to the newbies mainly Do you have 2 or 3 games under your belt now?

Sorry to drop this on you after two days of planning, but this was one of those times where I was running like crazy and will be through Thursday now. I do not think that it is in everyone's interest for me to remain in the game. I anticipate at least one stretch per week where I would probably miss playing a day (or find it burdensome to squeeze it in). Maybe come January I will have a more consistent schedule, but until then I think it's best to just be honest from the beginning and say I don't have the time right now.

In light of this I will refrain from commenting on the game settings and let the players work things out.

Don't sweat it Cornflakes, and remember we still have 4 players left. I think that's a perfect size personally, much safer long-term. You could dedlurk Azza to encourage the lazy bum to update As dedlurker you will typically have access to the save if you like, so even with lazy updates you'd be able to follow the game and make suggestions.