Civ5 PBEM 5 Organizing Thread

[yuris125]

I'm just going to agree with oledavy here, it's a great post and there's nothing to argue with (except as far as I remember, in PBEM1 Seven did what Seven does and outplayed the crap out of everyone. But it may easily be that the map helped him and I don't remember it)

DLC civs: considering Complete Edition has been out for a while and was on sale for under $5 several times, I keep forgetting that not everyone may have it. I would like to say yes to DLCs, so let me know if it's a problem for you

Considering we haven't had new sign-ups since the first day, we should assume the game will go ahead with 4 players. 6 was just a dream That being said, sign-ups are still open, join us!

[oledavy]

Re: chumchu

1) Randomly assigning three to choose from sounds good. I'm not sure about the banning aspect, mostly because I think the process would drag and people might be unsure about what to ban. With this in mind, I think banning the three I mentioned plus any others people feel strongly about would be best. However, if people really like the idea of each picking a couple bans, I am more than happy to go along with it and am by no means opposed.

3) I'm completely fine with going in blind since we seem to be in more or less in agreement regarding map expectations. I'll leave what you want to share to your ultimate discretion.

4) That is a great solution. I am more than happy to do that. I also support your thought to make the starting areas not super lush to discourage the typical tradition opening.

5) I am in no great rush to start this game, and would prefer a well-made and balanced map above all. I personally think the best solution would be mirrored immediate starting areas and then doing as you see fit with the rest of the map.

Thank you for taking the time to respond point by point. I am significantly more confident that you will be able to make a map I will enjoy playing on now, and for that you have my gratitude Thank you again for stepping up and volunteering, and take as long as you need!

Re: Yuris

DLC Civs: We need to find out from our other players if they have the DLC civs. If they do and we end up going with three random choices of civs, I don't see any reason why they can't be included in the choices. If one person doesn't have them, we will probably want to avoid that.

Players: I would personally like one more player, I feel like 5 players is the best balance of size and turn pace. However, PBEM 2 was with 6 and we kept up a good pace there. It also comes down to how many players chumchu wants to build a map for (feel free to state your preference on this). That being said, if we don't have any more signups in the next couple of days or so, I think we just go ahead. Nic, AdrienIer, know anyone who might want to play? Maybe T-Hawk would like to come join for a last hurrah before Civ6 comes out

Also, Nic, AdrienIer, whenever you have a moment whenever you have a moment we need both of you guys' thoughts on the settings for this shin dig.

[AdrienIer]

Nic, AdrienIer, know anyone who might want to play? Maybe T-Hawk would like to come join for a last hurrah before Civ6 comes out

Also, Nic, AdrienIer, whenever you have a moment whenever you have a moment we need both of you guys' thoughts on the settings for this shin dig.

I know someone who's looking for a civ 4 game but he doesn't have civ 5.

My thoughts on settings are simple. Not having played a single game of mp civ 5 in my life I don't know anything about how to make a good civ 5 mp setup. I suspect that I'll suck at it but would like to give it a try before it is completely forgotten after civ 6 comes out.
So don't mind me. I stated some preferences in my last post but feel free to disregard them if it makes for a better game.

[chumchu]

Thank you for the kind words, hopefully the map will live up to your expectations.

After hearing your input I will volonteer som further information on the map: the starts will be nearly mirrored.

I agree that 4 players is not optimal in FFA. The dynamics leads easily to total war 2 vs. 2 or 1 vs. 3 or a concession if one player conquers another. In 5 players there is more room for diplomacy and changing alliances and less need for everyone to be involved in every conflict.

If we still want another player after the time is up, we could maybe ask for one on the other sites.

I'll start thinking on the starting areas.

As an example on civs selection I used http://georgeskleres.com/civ5/ and banned Poland/Babylon/Korea/Maya for being OP, Huns/Mongols/Arabia for being one dimensional and Venice/Iroqouis/Shoshone/Spain for being unfun. This produced the following sets of choices which feels like they give some choice to the players without any group being much better than the other:

PLAYER 1: Choose from Zulu / Ethiopia / America
PLAYER 2: Choose from Austria / Ottomans / Aztec
PLAYER 3: Choose from Inca / Portugal / Egypt
PLAYER 4: Choose from Byzantium / Songhai / Celts
PLAYER 5: Choose from Rome / India / Russia

[HitAnyKey]

If you guys still haven't started your game, I'd be interested if you're ok with someone who hasn't even gotten around to finishing a single Civ5 SP game yet. I might actually play again today for a bit. So my knowledge of the mechanics in the game are very little, since I kept concentrating on Civ4. But since I haven't played that in a few months either, and I figure since my wife had bought me this one a couple years ago for Xmas, I suppose I should at least finally play it.
If I'm accepted into the game I likely won't bother trying to "choose" a civ or anything like that. So I'll end up going with a random decision, or if there's a lurker that wants to choose for me for something they'd like to see me play.

[oledavy]

If you guys still haven't started your game, I'd be interested if you're ok with someone who hasn't even gotten around to finishing a single Civ5 SP game yet. I might actually play again today for a bit. So my knowledge of the mechanics in the game are very little, since I kept concentrating on Civ4. But since I haven't played that in a few months either, and I figure since my wife had bought me this one a couple years ago for Xmas, I suppose I should at least finally play it.
If I'm accepted into the game I likely won't bother trying to "choose" a civ or anything like that. So I'll end up going with a random decision, or if there's a lurker that wants to choose for me for something they'd like to see me play.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we'd be more than happy to have you

I certainly intend to play this game pretty casually, and I get the feeling other players are at least somewhat on the same page. With that in mind, a lack of single player experience shouldn't be a major impediment to having a good time.

Yuri, shall we close signups at five then? Or would you prefer to hold out for six?

[oledavy]

As an example on civs selection I used http://georgeskleres.com/civ5/ and banned Poland/Babylon/Korea/Maya for being OP, Huns/Mongols/Arabia for being one dimensional and Venice/Iroqouis/Shoshone/Spain for being unfun. This produced the following sets of choices which feels like they give some choice to the players without any group being much better than the other:

PLAYER 1: Choose from Zulu / Ethiopia / America
PLAYER 2: Choose from Austria / Ottomans / Aztec
PLAYER 3: Choose from Inca / Portugal / Egypt
PLAYER 4: Choose from Byzantium / Songhai / Celts
PLAYER 5: Choose from Rome / India / Russia

This would be an acceptable picking method to me. My only thoughts might be to remove the Iroqouis and Shoshone, but it's not something I'm passionate about.

[Ichabod]

Just saw davey's PM. It seems you have 5 players already, so I'll sit this one out.

[AdrienIer]

Just saw davey's PM. It seems you have 5 players already, so I'll sit this one out.

Actually I wouldn't mind being part of a team

[HitAnyKey]

Just saw davey's PM. It seems you have 5 players already, so I'll sit this one out.

Actually I wouldn't mind being part of a team

Hey, I was just going to say that to him. I know for a fact that I could likely use a lot of help. LOL