[SPOILERS - NO PLAYERS] PB41 Lurker Thread: RNG Roulette with a Shotgun

[Bobchillingworth]

I keep forgetting Mr. Cairo is in the game, since he has the post isolated start and the other players mostly ignore him, but his position looks quite strong. He really needs to expand more though, especially while he's still got access to a decent chunk of vacant territory to his west. His current tech lead won't last long, not with Rusten and Commodore having 2-3 times as many cities.

[Mardoc]

I keep forgetting Mr. Cairo is in the game, since he has the post isolated start and the other players mostly ignore him, but his position looks quite strong.  He really needs to expand more though, especially while he's still got access to a decent chunk of vacant territory to his west.  His current tech lead won't last long, not with Rusten and Commodore having 2-3 times as many cities.

And now that Gavagai has updated, his position looks promising too. He's basically in Cairo's shoes, only with a plan to grow. All of Gav, Commodore, Rusten, and Cairo have at least a chance of victory at this point. The only ones I'd rule out are Superdeath, Donovan, and Naufrager. Not sure where to rank Boldly - he's got a lot of territory, but he's also got a lot of people eyeing that territory hungrily.

[Krill]

Gavs point about random maps feels right imo.

I think I'm going to look at more maps from the FoR map generator when I get a bit of time.

[Lewwyn]

Gavs point about random maps feels right imo.

I think I'm going to look at more maps from the FoR map generator when I get a bit of time.

I don't mind a random map, but there are times when people truly do get land so shitty its impossible. Gav's was tough but not that.

[Bobchillingworth]

On this map I'd say superdeath and Nauf had / have unwinnable starts. SD less due to the map and more having a neighbor with an optimal rushing combo, Nauf for having few expansion prospects, an underwhelming home continent, and the worst neighbor draw in the PB.

[Mardoc]

Gavs point about random maps feels right imo.

I think I'm going to look at more maps from the FoR map generator when I get a bit of time.

I don't mind a random map, but there are times when people truly do get land so shitty its impossible. Gav's was tough but not that.

I guess the real question is: is it worth having a chance of a game literally unwinnable, in exchange for a less predictable game where exploration really matters, with a chance of finding something really cool?

I'm sure the answer's not going to be the same for everyone; hopefully we've got enough people still to run games in parallel with different types of setup.

[Krill]

You can reject maps you know. Get rid of the unwinnable positions.

I disagree that superdeaths position was unwinnable. He lost due to opponent and leader/civ, not due to the map, and that is the critical distinction. Same with nauf, he needed to play differently, spam out the island and then head for something else with units or settlers. He didn't really do anything except build the GL and make no plans for bulbing Astro on an islands map.

[superdeath]

Even i believe my position was winnable. Other than being rushed/choked by CRE/PRO Mali.. I had plenty of islands to expand into, and would have had a vast navy.

[Bobchillingworth]

I disagree that superdeaths position was unwinnable. He lost due to opponent and leader/civ, not due to the map, and that is the critical distinction.

Perhaps this is a difference of perspective; being placed in close proximity to a civ with an ideal rush combination is an essential aspect of the map, in my view.

[Krill]

Why do you think it is ok to change the game after players have started to play it? The game starts once players get a pick order, and you can't know who starts where as the mapmaker, so you can't know that one of those starts has a choke civ.

Also, the starts aren't close. 12 tiles between capitals. That's standard.