Any "newer" players out there want to play "Noobz in space"

[LonghornXtreme]

I have plenty of experience playing against the AI and have done well against TDM races with large bonuses....

BUT I have very little experience playing against human opponents... This will soon change of course but I was just wondering if there was anyone else out there in the same predicament and wanted to play in a slightly less experienced game for the time being?

As far as game settings go thats open to discussion...

Anyone interested? I'd say post here, or drop me a PM or hit me up at spam A t texasxtreme D o t com

We'd need to find someone nice enough to be a 3rd party host of course as well... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ June 15, 2004, 03:11: Message edited by: LonghornXtreme ]

[Goatfoam]

I'll have a bash. I've only owned the game for about a week, and have mostly been playing Bab5 mod, but sure.

[LonghornXtreme]

Sounds like a deal... now to find a few more people...

Any game settings you want in particular?

[Goatfoam]

I'm fine with whatever you decide. Homeworlds values should probably be 'good', though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[psimancer]

i'd enjoy joining in let me know here settings are open as far as im concerned let me know where and when

define third party host do you mean a place to upload files to if so i believe i may have a place / website that can serve

[ June 14, 2004, 04:29: Message edited by: psimancer ]

[LonghornXtreme]

As far as 3rd party host goes I was just meaning for PBW's sake. I haven't hosted a game on PBW myself so i don't know how much ethics would be needed to stay honest http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Fyron]

Well the game host does not usually have access to the player's passwords, so he can't look at their turns... I will be the host of your game if you would like...

[psimancer]

sounds great to me
so what all do we need to do here
lets see we have players so far of

longhorn extreme
goatfoam
psimancer

with imperator fyron being host for us
i can provide a web space ftp to upload files to

hmm do we have to have someone in each slot or can we add someone later without diffuculty

[Fyron]

No need for that. Go register at www.pbw.cc (http://www.pbw.cc) . Far more convenient.

What do you guys want the game to be named?

[ June 14, 2004, 15:59: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Gandalf Parker]

I wouldnt mind jumping in. Probably wont Last long.

[LonghornXtreme]

You smurfing Gandalf? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Well lets start deciding what settings we want...

If its not that big a deal to be a host and play in the same game then I don't mind being responsible at all... Not trying to shift any of the time committment or anything hehhe...

Oh theres no need for a FTP buddy... We'll use the PBW server to keep things nice and autmoated as much as possible... If you haven't already do as Fyron says and go register a player name on the PBW website and as soon as we agree on settings for the game I'll creat the game up there...

Anyone got any ideas for a title? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Goatfoam]

I just went and registered at PBW - may take me a day or two to get familiar with the site. There's a lot there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

As for a game title, "n00bz killing n00bz" will probably be appropriate. "n00bz in Space", "N00bz: This Time It's War", or "OMFG THE N00BZ R FITING!!11one". You know. Something with n00bz. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Slynky]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Well the game host does not usually have access to the player's passwords, so he can't look at their turns... I will be the host of your game if you would like... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Nice welcome for the new guy(s), Fyron http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif .

[EaX]

Hi!
is the game still open???, what's the time limit for the turn?

[kerensky]

How does a PBW game work??? The only games I've played with humans have been email games and those didn't do well.

[Fyron]

I have created the game "n00bz in Space." Sign up!

Kerensky, go to www.pbw.cc (http://www.pbw.cc) and register. Then, go to the Currently Open Games section and find the game in the list. Click on it's link. There will be a Join Game button (lightning bolt in the graphics mode). Then, the host (me) will approve you to be in the game.

PBW works by waiting until either all .plr files are uploaded or the time limit for the turn runs out. Then, it process the turn and emails it out to all players (you can disable the mailing if you want). You play the turn, upload your .plr file, and wait for the next one.

These settings need to be determined...

Starting resources: 5000, 20000, 100000
Starting planets: 1, 3, 5, 10
Home planet value: Bad, Average, Good
Score display: Own, allied, all
Technology level: Low, Medium, High
Racial points: 0, 2000, 3000, 5000
Quadrant type: TYPE
Quadrant size: Small, Medium, Large
Event frequency: None, Low, Medium, High
Event severity: Low, Medium, High, Catastrophic
Technology cost: Low, Medium, High
Victory conditions: DESCRIBE
Maximum units: 1000, 2000, XXX
Maximum ships: 200, 300, 500, XXX
Computer players: Low, Medium, High
Computer difficulty: Low, Medium, High
Computer player bonus: None, Low, Medium, High
Neutral empires: Yes, No
Other game settings: ANY OTHER SETTINGS
Turn Duration Limit: ?

Not trying to shift any of the time committment or anything hehhe... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hosting takes very little time once the game is started. PBW does everything for you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ June 14, 2004, 21:20: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Slynky]

Originally posted by kerensky:
How does a PBW game work??? The only games I've played with humans have been email games and those didn't do well. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Basically, all the turn management is handled by PBW. You submit turns to PBW by uploading or emailing and get the back by downloading or email.

It's just a robot to handle the turn management.

[Goatfoam]

Cool, thanks a lot Fyron.

I'm all for the following:
Starting resources: 20000
Starting planets: 1
Home planet value: Good
Score display: Own
Technology level: Medium
Racial points: 2000
Quadrant type: Mid-Life
Quadrant size: Medium
Event frequency: Low
Event severity: Catastrophic
Technology cost: Medium
Victory conditions: Any
Maximum units: 2000
Maximum ships: 500
Computer players: Medium
Computer difficulty: Medium
Computer player bonus: Medium
Neutral empires: Yes
Other game settings: Any
Turn Duration Limit: Any

[LonghornXtreme]

I'd say lets bump up the amount of units and ships allowed...

But the tech seems fine and so does the start....

Thanks a bunch Fyron for helping us out....

[Gandalf Parker]

Im going to step out then. I thought it was going to be a PbEM and I need that under my belt

[Fyron]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Im going to step out then. I thought it was going to be a PbEM and I need that under my belt <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">PBW is PBEM, just without the drudgery of manually processing the turn for the host. On the player end, it can function identically, as PBW can handle email without problem.

[psimancer]

settings look fine to me more ships more units sounds good too hmmm ... maybe 1k ships and 8k units

[LonghornXtreme]

just edited the subject... hope that doesn't freak anyone out at all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Fyron]

I updated the settings on the PBW page. Any objections?

[Kana]

What do you consider a Noob?

I want to know if I qualify?

Kana

[ June 15, 2004, 06:12: Message edited by: Kana ]

[primitive]

Just a tip: Leave out the AI’s.

The AI’s tend to screw up any attempts of meaningful diplomacy and opens for some nasty exploits from the more devious players. Fun enough if that’s your thing, but not a good tool for learning to play humans http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[psimancer]

fyron looks good to me
and yes i like the ai's in there makes for some confusion in your dealings sometimes the chaos factor can be very helpful -evil grin-

think i intel attack an A.I. on another player
he has no idea who did it whereas i intel attack the player onto thwe A.I. hmm he might get a message if my sucess is not perfect (darn spies are never precise hehe)

[kerensky]

Okay,I signed up for the game. How do I upload my empire file?

EDIT: Realized I typed in my empires name instead of the shipset needed. Fixed that.

[ June 15, 2004, 17:29: Message edited by: kerensky ]

[Fyron]

Once approved by the game host (which I did just now), an "upload empire" button will be available to use. Make your empire file as if you were starting a game normally, with the correct racial points setting. But instead of hitting "Begin Game," click on "Save To File."

[brandonp911]

If playing with AI players, I would strongly recommend that the host disable the Applied Intelligence tech tree and remove Intelligence projects from the game. The AI's have a way of wrecking any meaningful attempt at diplomacy.

Barring that, all the human players should agree beforehand that unless a certain wording is used in the declaration, any declaration of war is invalid (the AI frequently fakes Messages issuing a declaration of war between two other players. Makes a fine mess of diplomacy and is far too powerful an attack to be in balance with the game)

[kerensky]

The shipset that I use for my empire (the Dra'kol Empire) is not on the PBW site. Also, due to memory card problems, I won't be able to upload my empire till tommorrow

[psimancer]

ahh there's my inexperience with the ai comeing in to play
so the ai causes us to declare on each other
an interesting facet of the game

however prefacing your Messages to other players in the same style as a chat board easily solves that however like in real life they can still messup the turn(game month) your on before you correct the situation

imagine russia sends a declaration of war and several vessels attack it would take a few months before it was all straightened out and russia apologized for the faked Messages getting through and we might never know that it was china who set the whole thing up in the first place

hows that for a real life example

so preface your human Messages as follows

psi:hi i see you wanna trade ?

as i really suspect that no ai will ever use/duplicate the colon in a mesage especially with a short Version of the name

ps: i like the added realism and challenge forces me to have anti intelligence to combat theres and gives the ai a way to influence us humans that makes up for their lack of tactical ability

[ June 16, 2004, 21:28: Message edited by: psimancer ]

[Fyron]

The AI sends Messages normally. It does not fake them and look like a different empire. Unless, of course, they use the Comm Mimic intelligence project, in which case there is only one possible message sent out, so you can usually tell what happened. But it takes quite a while for that to happen...

This is not related to AI empires at all: If you miss a turn, the AI will take over for that turn. It often declares some wars on people. You can prevent this by going into the Ministers section of the Empire Status screen (crown icon) and scroll all the way to the bottom. There is a setting something like "AI should not make changes to the empire during a simultaneous movement game." Enable this, and the AI will do nothing if you miss a turn. It is a very good idea to make a habit of enabling this on turn one of every PBW game. Trust me, it is no fun having the AI screw everything up. Ship designs, fleet formations, construction, everything. Ugh.

[ June 16, 2004, 22:35: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Kana]

No one answered my question...

"What do you consider a noobie?"

I still want to know if I qualify....?


Kana

[psimancer]

noob a person who is new to a community /situation and has not yet learned the normal unspoken rules of etiquette nor the normal rules of the game

in social situations this status can Last from a mere few seconds to months depending on the accepted practices of the community some keep a person as noob until the next new person shows up (see blue thunder character jafo) others can be relieved of this status by becoming an active part of the community

observed phenomenon: chat Boards bbs's and forums tend to have a period of approximatly 1 month of continued participation however in the instance of game related forums this can be longer as determined by your observed level of knowledge of the game and observed ability to play

therefore i question you

have you played pbw before
have you completed more than 2 pbw games (initiate)
did you win any (apprentice)


of course all that aside WE dont care as long as your not
the space empires lord and mastr of strategy here to wipe us out in turn 12
if thats not the case then hey join in
enjoy some fun and remember its just not a day until you space a few aliens http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Fyron]

The game is filled on PBW... would you like me to increase the number of player slots?

[psimancer]

its fine the way it is he just want to determine qualification im like severely ready to begin processing turns ((sarn little voice wont stop chanting "play turn process turn play turn process turn" driving me nuts http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[psimancer]

hey kana
tell ya what lets set up a second game to start turns on say sunday or monday and see who we can get to play us

but on the start day it begins whether its just us or full 20
sound good ??

setting up game as "noobz in space:beyond the noobz"

[kerensky]

Quick note:
I'll be out of town till late on Sunday. Is there any way to make sure that my turn doesn't hit till Monday???

[psimancer]

im hoping kerensky can run a few turns himself before the weekend off thing so he can set up or just let the ai start some colonization for him during the first few turns

[Fyron]

The game has begun!

[Slynky]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
The game has begun! <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ahhh, the gentle hand of Fyron helping noobs off to a good PBW experience http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif .

[psimancer]

Originally posted by Slynky:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
The game has begun! <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">cheering from the populous

Ahhh, the gentle hand of Fyron helping noobs off to a good PBW experience http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif . </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">just look out for the imperators dreadnought
and remember that gentle hand actually has monomolecular spikes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[psimancer]

hey folks i have set up anotherr game and all are invited to join i hoped kana would jump in this way he wouldnt be left out

its on the pbw server as

noobz in space:beyond the noobz

yes im going to play espicially sincew once first turn is processed host has nothing to do unless there is an error

[kerensky]

Hey guys, just got back. I'll be uploading my turn soon http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[kerensky]

OK. So I got my turn and put it on my computer. When I went to load my empire, it came up with the message saying something along the lines of that my data files aren't the same as the game Moderators http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif . Can somebody help me????

[Fyron]

Are you running patch 1.91 of SE4? Have you ever modified the files in the Data folder?

[psimancer]

kerensky the game is being run on a clean copy of se4 gold updated to v1.91

what i did is in my malfador folder i renamed my original se4 folder to "se4 two" then i did a reinstall and updated the new install to 191
i use it exclusively for pbw ames now works perfectly and allows me to run my local game and still run the pbw turn when it becomes available

[Fyron]

It is best practice to never modify the stock data files. Instead, create a mod folder (any name will do) and copy the data folder in there (including the folder). Make any modifications to this mod, not to the stock files. You can use Path.txt in the root SE4 directory to tell SE4 to load with that mod (just the name of the mod folder will suffice), or use the Mod Launcher, which can be found on the Gold CD (or a newer Version is available on SpaceEmpires.net (http://www.SpaceEmpires.net/home) ).

[Kana]

Ok I joined...I can't believe how many games I'm going to be in now...I hope to be able to keep track of them all...

Suggest that you make the quadrant smaller...if there is only going to be five of us. I will load an empire later this evening after being approved.

Kana

[sachmo]

I've joined, also. I'll upload tonight, if you guys can wait.

Also, can anyone remind me how the PBW works? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[psimancer]

ok im awake again
now ahh 2 more players good ok no real suggestins as per time in the game forum
though like me a im sure s few are chomping at the gate

hmmm welll alright lets try this guys
unless anybody objects im going to set cutoff to either everybody is in and uploaded or at 10 pm my time thats in 3 hours and 45 minutes from this message post
im going to post this in the news also

[psimancer]

pbw is simple after your empire is uploaded and i process the first turn all further turns are handled by the server you turn consists of downloading a gam file processing your turns and moves the game puts out ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ) a plr file corresponding to your player number in the game each completed turn is in that player file which you upload to the pbw server after everyone has uploaded ther player file for the turn the server processes the turn and makes available another game file for download (and if your settings are right it sends the gam file to you by email also

[Fyron]

Kerensky?

[sachmo]

How is 24 hours from 9:59 central time work out to 5:59pm? I don't even get home from work until 6! I'm going to miss the first turn at this rate. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

If the turn stays at 6:00, I'm probably going to have to drop from the game.

[astruskustuvas]

damn i missed second game. Can more players be added when game starts? Ofcourse if you aproove guys.

[sachmo]

Well, if this turn runs before I get home from work, you can have my spot!

[astruskustuvas]

i will gladly take your empire if you cant play, but if you can then i still want to play this game lol.
Can AI empires be ruled by human?

[kerensky]

I think that I'm going to have to drop out of this game because I have seemingly somehow modified my backup copy of the data files and I won't be able to reinstall until I borrow the disk from my freind again. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Hopefully there will be another one of these in the future.

[astruskustuvas]

data files can be sent by e-mail. Im sure you will fix it easy, wich data is corupted?

[psimancer]

kerensky if you cant play maybe atrus can take over for you
and we can start another game up in a week or so
when your back in gear
and have run a test game (i can setup a test game for you ) to make sure all is good

[ June 23, 2004, 12:37: Message edited by: psimancer ]

[Fyron]

astruskustuvas, please join the game "n00bz in Space" ASAP. It does not look like Kerensky will be able to play at this juncture. The game is still on turn one, so you just have to use his empire. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[astruskustuvas]

i play noobz in space already (RazorTSharp).

[Fyron]

Oh. I did not realize that you used a different PBW name. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Renegade 13]

I've noticed you have a slot open...would anyone object if I jump in?? I'm not exactly a noob, but i have very little skill (most games i'm in i'm in the lower 50% of players)

I've applied to join, and would be able to have a turn in by tomorrow morning (pacific time)

What do you say??

Renegade 13

[psimancer]

works for me
fair warning as your a non noob i find you i evaluate you more carefully as i dont expect you to make as many mistakes as the rest of us

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

course i wonder what i'd be rated hmm i may have to join one of the ladder sets to see ow i rate
but i'll wait until afer i edit a race ai and all to my satifsfaction then i'll do that

[ June 25, 2004, 11:12: Message edited by: psimancer ]

[Renegade 13]

Sounds good. I look forward to playing with you guys. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Renegade 13]

Hey Fyron, the password for the Dra'kol empire does not work...could you help me out here please?

[Renegade 13]

I'm not going to be able to make this turn...correct password not yet received. Also, I have to go write my physics provincial exam, so that will take up my afternoon. I'll see how things are when i get back.

[Fyron]

I set the game to ALPU as soon as I found out that you did not have a correct password. The correct one has been emailed to you.

[Renegade 13]

Thanks a lot Fyron. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[astruskustuvas]

damn pbw is bombing me with turn files. can this be fixed somehow?

[Fyron]

The server still has some residual problems. I suggest emailing admin at pbw.cc with your problem. Also, disable the emailing of savegame files, so as not to be overflooded.

[Goatfoam]

It's a little late for the games I'm already involved in, but how do I upload a shipset to the PBW server? I've been all through the faq.

[Fyron]

Go to the Files section. Make sure that you are in the Shipsets section. Scroll all the way to the bottom. There is a form to upload a new file.

[astruskustuvas]

lets say i modified shipset then i should upload it on pbw site or what?

[Goatfoam]

Great, cheers.

[Fyron]

Originally posted by astruskustuvas:
lets say i modified shipset then i should upload it on pbw site or what? <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">If you want others to see the modified pictures, yes. Make sure to have a new shipset folder for it though, so that people do not have to overwrite the original Version... and naturally make sure to give credit to the original author. However, it is too late for games already started to do this. For the future.

[astruskustuvas]

thanx fyron for help

[psimancer]

fyron
suggestion request please activate stats display scores only please

[Fyron]

Score display is set to own only. The Stats page shows even more information, even of empires you have not even met... far too revealing, especially considering the game settings.

[psimancer]

what im talking about is the score display only

example go to noobz in space beyond the noobz

then click on the chess pawn icon at the top

i have enabled this only and i am able to select that it only display the scores nothing more
including in the game

[Goatfoam]

What exactly is score based on, anyway? I've been googling it for ages and have come up with nada.

[Slick]

Originally posted by Goatfoam:
What exactly is score based on, anyway? I've been googling it for ages and have come up with nada. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">From the FAQ:

1.5.4 Score is calculated as follows: Every point of minerals, organics, and radioactives, generated counts as one score point. Every point of research and intelligence generated counts as one score point. Each kt of your ships and bases counts as 10 points. Each level of researched techs counts for 200 points. No points for units/pop/colonies/systems. (Ruatha) Mothballed ships don't count to score. (Asmala)


Slick.

[psimancer]

let me see if i can explain this better
i am talking about in the game admin panel
there is a section of checkboxes for stats only
the score boxes for rank and score if checked will enable the chess pawn icon on the pbw server which will show rank and score but no unchecked stats

click here for my game stats page after doing this in noobz in space beyond the noobz (http://seiv.pbw.cc/graphic/gamestats.jsp?game=v5lmtq)

this is very useful as in the game i have it set for own stats only but through the pbw server admin panel i can still allow the score to show which i suspect the score and rank are the only stats that dont really tellyou anything
though they do provide incentive to work harder at overcoming others http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

edit: clarify post & double its size http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ June 29, 2004, 06:53: Message edited by: psimancer ]

[Goatfoam]

Cheers, Slick.

[Kana]

I think we need a replacement player...6 people is still kinda small...five would be even worse. And I like the AI but from my only other PBW experience...they tend to get beat up by the rest of the 'human' players...So I vote we find a replacemnt...it is still early in the game...so it should be too difficult for this to happen...we just need to have the empires password available to give to the new Emperor.

Kana

[sachmo]

Who left?

[Fyron]

Goatform.

The game does have regular AI empires, as per the game settings...

[psimancer]

well beyond the noobz has a replacement applicant
name of joachim
hope noobz gets some too
maybe joachim will apply there too

[Joachim]

Ping Prismancer, Ping....

Are you still playing? The game has stalled because we need to force the turns after PBW went down, and you are the only one who can and you are the one yet to submit.