(December 26th, 2012, 13:39)Merovech Wrote: I have a map idea (can make it FFH or EitB) that I think would be a lot of fun and should speed up the early game slightly...but I think it is probably too gimmicky. Basically, the idea would be that each civilization is actually a scouting group sent to explore a previously unknown continent and conquer it (or control it in some other way, like a ToM victory, etc.). Every nation would start with an additional scout (and maybe also an adventurer?), with a supplies unit, and with Exploration in addition to the respective normal tech(s) (if one normally starts with Exploration, they get Crafting as well). The original idea didn't have any actual AI civs, but I certainly could adjust it to include one or some.
That all sounds good to me. Leaving the AIs out, it sounds like you're talking about a slight variation on the usual start and a map with a some extra flavor?
Yes. Specifically, I was thinking of one large continent with lots of islands, some of which may have some interesting terrain and barbarian units (the main continent would be fairly normal).
Merovech's Mapmaking Guidelines:
0. Player Requests: The player's requests take precedence, even if they contradict the following guidelines.
1. Balance: The map must be balanced, both in regards to land quality and availability and in regards to special civilization features. A map may be wonderfully unique and surprising, but, if it is unbalanced, the game will suffer and the player's enjoyment will not be as high as it could be.
2. Identity and Enjoyment: The map should be interesting to play at all levels, from city placement and management to the border-created interactions between civilizations, and should include varied terrain. Flavor should enhance the inherent pleasure resulting from the underlying tile arrangements. The map should not be exceedingly lush, but it is better to err on the lush side than on the poor side when placing terrain.
3. Feel (Avoiding Gimmicks): The map should not be overwhelmed or dominated by the mapmaker's flavor. Embellishment of the map through the use of special improvements, barbarian units, and abnormal terrain can enhance the identity and enjoyment of the map, but should take a backseat to the more normal aspects of the map. The game should usually not revolve around the flavor, but merely be accented by it.
4. Realism: Where possible, the terrain of the map should be realistic. Jungles on desert tiles, or even next to desert tiles, should therefore have a very specific reason for existing. Rivers should run downhill or across level ground into bodies of water. Irrigated terrain should have a higher grassland to plains ratio than dry terrain. Mountain chains should cast rain shadows. Islands, mountains, and peninsulas should follow logical plate tectonics.
(December 26th, 2012, 13:39)Merovech Wrote: I have a map idea (can make it FFH or EitB) that I think would be a lot of fun and should speed up the early game slightly...but I think it is probably too gimmicky. Basically, the idea would be that each civilization is actually a scouting group sent to explore a previously unknown continent and conquer it (or control it in some other way, like a ToM victory, etc.). Every nation would start with an additional scout (and maybe also an adventurer?), with a supplies unit, and with Exploration in addition to the respective normal tech(s) (if one normally starts with Exploration, they get Crafting as well). The original idea didn't have any actual AI civs, but I certainly could adjust it to include one or some.
That all sounds good to me. Leaving the AIs out, it sounds like you're talking about a slight variation on the usual start and a map with a some extra flavor?
Yes. Specifically, I was thinking of one large continent with lots of islands, some of which may have some interesting terrain and barbarian units (the main continent would be fairly normal).
Yeah, I could get on board with that. Flavor, without it directly affecting odds of victory (well, except maybe for Doviello, but I don't want them anyway). Although I'd want an explicit ruling from you and possibly any lurkers you can scare up, if Lanun should be banned on a map with many islands.
@HK - Yes, I do prefer EitB, but I think I'd play either.
So if I'm reading this right, we've already got a full roster if we can find settings that all the 'maybes' can agree on? That being HidingKneel, Selrahc, Yell0w, me, and Ellimist - which would be a fun group to play against, I think we're all about the same skill level - close enough anyway. And Merovech and Tasunke have both offered maps, although Tasunke's probably changing into an adventure instead.
Everyone still interested? I suppose I'm not in any particular hurry, the longer we wait the closer my other games get to a finish. It'd be nice to nail down settings and start thinking about civs, though.
(December 27th, 2012, 12:41)Mardoc Wrote: So if I'm reading this right, we've already got a full roster if we can find settings that all the 'maybes' can agree on? That being HidingKneel, Selrahc, Yell0w, me, and Ellimist - which would be a fun group to play against, I think we're all about the same skill level - close enough anyway. And Merovech and Tasunke have both offered maps, although Tasunke's probably changing into an adventure instead.
Everyone still interested? I suppose I'm not in any particular hurry, the longer we wait the closer my other games get to a finish. It'd be nice to nail down settings and start thinking about civs, though.
I'm in. Also in no hurry.
So, assuming that we're going with Merovech's map idea: how big a map are we talking about? Mardoc liked the idea of a big builder's map, and I think I'm in favor of that too. I'd also like to have a rough idea of how active the barbarians will be before choosing a civ.
My preferences:
Diplo: Full (or mildly limited as in XX).
Huts: On
Lairs: On
Unique Features: Mapmaker's discretion (but I like them)
Living World: On
FFH/EitB: Either is ok by me.
Possible Bans: Keelyn (unless we play a new version of EitB and she's been nerfed), Lanun (possibly problematic with island theme), Clan (possible problem with custom barbs), Flauros (if base FFH).
About when do you guys want the map to be ready? As soon as possible? I will definitely ask for lurker opinions on bans.
Also, I'm not sure how to make a map in FFH then transfer it to EitB and vice-a-versa, so I might have to wait on that option to make the map.
Merovech's Mapmaking Guidelines:
0. Player Requests: The player's requests take precedence, even if they contradict the following guidelines.
1. Balance: The map must be balanced, both in regards to land quality and availability and in regards to special civilization features. A map may be wonderfully unique and surprising, but, if it is unbalanced, the game will suffer and the player's enjoyment will not be as high as it could be.
2. Identity and Enjoyment: The map should be interesting to play at all levels, from city placement and management to the border-created interactions between civilizations, and should include varied terrain. Flavor should enhance the inherent pleasure resulting from the underlying tile arrangements. The map should not be exceedingly lush, but it is better to err on the lush side than on the poor side when placing terrain.
3. Feel (Avoiding Gimmicks): The map should not be overwhelmed or dominated by the mapmaker's flavor. Embellishment of the map through the use of special improvements, barbarian units, and abnormal terrain can enhance the identity and enjoyment of the map, but should take a backseat to the more normal aspects of the map. The game should usually not revolve around the flavor, but merely be accented by it.
4. Realism: Where possible, the terrain of the map should be realistic. Jungles on desert tiles, or even next to desert tiles, should therefore have a very specific reason for existing. Rivers should run downhill or across level ground into bodies of water. Irrigated terrain should have a higher grassland to plains ratio than dry terrain. Mountain chains should cast rain shadows. Islands, mountains, and peninsulas should follow logical plate tectonics.
Diplo: Abstain
Huts: On
Lairs: On
Unique Features: Mapmaker's discretion (but I like them)
Living World: On
FFH/EitB: EitB
Bans: Keelyn (unless we play a new version of EitB and she's been nerfed), Flauros (if base FFH)
Mapmaker's discretion on Lanun/Clan/etc
Would like Tower of Mastery victory off, I think. It's noticably easier to get than the other victories.
Would also ban Stasis. Illian civ is ok, I just don't want two weeks of 'press enter, pass turn'.
Other things:
Hyborem human: Yes, if an unspoiled lurker can be found (hey, Thoth, you interested?) Don't pause the game looking for one, though. Alternately, of course the summoner can switch and said unspoiled lurker take the old civ. Basium human: Yes, but not allowed two Towers of Divination.
(December 28th, 2012, 14:22)Merovech Wrote: About when do you guys want the map to be ready? As soon as possible? I will definitely ask for lurker opinions on bans.
When it's done? I dunno, does having a deadline help you? At the very least I'd like to make sure that we do in fact have all the 'maybe's playing. Likely a week or two should be fine.
Quote:Also, I'm not sure how to make a map in FFH then transfer it to EitB and vice-a-versa, so I might have to wait on that option to make the map.
I don't think there's actually any change in maps for EitB - as long as you save it as a worldbuilder file, you can create the actual PBEM in either.
Edit: If this is in EitB, is it going to be EitB v10? If so, I think I'll probably wait until v10 comes out to start the map, then it should take a day or two to make it, plus another day or two for lurker comments.
Merovech's Mapmaking Guidelines:
0. Player Requests: The player's requests take precedence, even if they contradict the following guidelines.
1. Balance: The map must be balanced, both in regards to land quality and availability and in regards to special civilization features. A map may be wonderfully unique and surprising, but, if it is unbalanced, the game will suffer and the player's enjoyment will not be as high as it could be.
2. Identity and Enjoyment: The map should be interesting to play at all levels, from city placement and management to the border-created interactions between civilizations, and should include varied terrain. Flavor should enhance the inherent pleasure resulting from the underlying tile arrangements. The map should not be exceedingly lush, but it is better to err on the lush side than on the poor side when placing terrain.
3. Feel (Avoiding Gimmicks): The map should not be overwhelmed or dominated by the mapmaker's flavor. Embellishment of the map through the use of special improvements, barbarian units, and abnormal terrain can enhance the identity and enjoyment of the map, but should take a backseat to the more normal aspects of the map. The game should usually not revolve around the flavor, but merely be accented by it.
4. Realism: Where possible, the terrain of the map should be realistic. Jungles on desert tiles, or even next to desert tiles, should therefore have a very specific reason for existing. Rivers should run downhill or across level ground into bodies of water. Irrigated terrain should have a higher grassland to plains ratio than dry terrain. Mountain chains should cast rain shadows. Islands, mountains, and peninsulas should follow logical plate tectonics.
(December 26th, 2012, 20:27)Mardoc Wrote: . Although I'd want an explicit ruling from you and possibly any lurkers you can scare up, if Lanun should be banned on a map with many islands.
Lanun are completely broken under EitB if there is a significant amount of water.
Unless Falamar is banned. (Hannah possibly, she was the lesser of the two leaders in FFH and got nerfed in EitB so she might be ok as is even with the Lanun buff in EitB)
Expansive + uber water tiles that can be boosted by a 40h building is far too good on a builder map.
Diplo: Limited as in XX
Huts: On
Lairs: On
Unique Features: Mapmaker's discretion, but be careful where you place them
Living World: On
FFH/EitB: FFH, but EitB is fine.
Bans: Mercurians, Stasis, Keelyn, possibly Lanun
Tower of Mastery: On, but requires an extra tech to build, such as Omniscience
Other things:
Hyborem human: I'm not sure
Basium human: Yes
Active in:
FFH-20: Jonas Endain of the Clan of Embers
EITB Pitboss 1: Clan/Elohim/Calabim with Mardoc and Thoth
I dunno, does having a deadline help you? At the very least I'd like to make sure that we do in fact have all the 'maybe's playing. Likely a week or two should be fine.
