Game: Dark Matter (in progress) [Archive]

Ewierl

March 31st, 2007, 12:28 PM

Okay folks, I'm going to come clean on this one, because if I'm going to trust you all I should show some trust in return.

I forgot to put a password on my pretender. Whoops!

Please don't click on Panagaea, cheating makes the game no fun for anyone. We're all adults (or something close to it), I'll trust you all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

vfb

March 31st, 2007, 01:16 PM

Well Ewierl, I'll tell you what. I won't click on Panagaea if you don't click on Man http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif. Sound like a good deal http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif?

Or maybe we'll all get a restart anyway to let cupido2 in.

Sorlakind

March 31st, 2007, 01:55 PM

I myself have no problems in a restart to let R'lyeh in. On the other hand, *if* it is decided to restart may I ask for the following settings:

- Renaming on (why on earth this is not the default, anyway?).

- 50% on magic sites. All the nations that are in are strong magic nations so this does not favour anyone in particular. And it really is a PITA to have to scrounge for every gem to cast a measly ritual. *Especially* if you are, like me, a newbie and are in the game to have fun and *learn*.

- Graphics off. I have nothing against ganging on some nation, even less if it is the strongest one, even if it is me on the receiving end. But I *do* mind if the players, upon a casual look of the graphics, say to themselves "Oh, the nation X is the strongest, lets gang on him before things get out of control." Scouts are there for something you know.

These are my suggestions. As I said it is up to the host.

Ewierl

March 31st, 2007, 02:24 PM

I neither mind nor require a restart; I'm fine either way. But given my being away mon AM-wed PM, that might involve more waiting for me.

cupido2

March 31st, 2007, 04:16 PM

I don't want to stall the game if you have already started. It was my fault not checking yesterday evening.

Wyehl

March 31st, 2007, 04:21 PM

I don't have any need to but I am fine with restarting. The more, the merrier.

Paul_the_Avenger

March 31st, 2007, 05:41 PM

cupido2 said:
No R'lyeh? Has it started?

Yeah Cupido... got the same surprise. But it's my fault..I waited too much.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gifNext time I'll be quicker

Herbacious

April 1st, 2007, 01:27 AM

I would not mind a restart for more players also.

Catquiet

April 1st, 2007, 02:38 AM

Restart please. I need renaming to keep track of my mages http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Zachariah

April 1st, 2007, 04:16 AM

ok, hosted.
i set it to quickhost, so once all turns in it will host.

see you on the battlefield!

Zachariah

April 1st, 2007, 07:48 PM

I just enabled commander re-naming, so we should be good on that count too.

Ewierl

April 2nd, 2007, 09:07 AM

Alright, I'm going out of town for a few days... be back Wednesday evening (eastern US). I'll come on if I can, but I doubt I'll have internet.

Catquiet

April 2nd, 2007, 10:17 PM

Zachariah said:
I just enabled commander re-naming, so we should be good on that count too.

Has anyone tried to rename a commander? I still can't do it.

Gandalf Parker

April 2nd, 2007, 11:59 PM

I dont think that renaming works if its turned on after the game is started. I dont know why. It seems like it should. But apparently its one of the things that is defined in the games creation. Many of the command-line switches are no more use once the game is started.

vfb

April 3rd, 2007, 12:37 AM

The fierce army of Jotun has attacked the lands of Man.

We had sent a messenger to their capitol with an offer of peace, so that the many unbelievers in the surrounding independent lands might have the opportunity to be converted to our respective causes.

However, the messenger never returned, and no reply was forthcoming. Instead, the Jotun launched a sneak attack on our lands, without doing so much as sending a telegram. We can only assume our messenger was eaten by the giants.

We do not ask for assistance in combating this menace, and we have made our own preparations for war.

However, we would like to propose a trade. We desire a minor trinket, a Ring of Frost. In return we can craft a similar item for your nation, made of Air or Nature. Reply in confidence by sending your messenger through the magical paths of the forums, to vfb.

-- The Prophet of Jack

Sorlakind

April 3rd, 2007, 09:47 AM

Ok, not to dis anyone but a God named... Jack? Master Blaster? Chivas R? Isn't that a bit, I dunno, pathetic?

Sheesh.

Zohak, The Eyes in the Wings of Caelum.

vfb

April 3rd, 2007, 10:03 AM

Well I often find my pretender gets named "Arnold" if I let the computer choose the name for me. So we're not the only ones.

And can't you think of any pretender for whom "Jack" might perhaps be a somewhat appropriate name? Consider the Plankton!

LoloMo

April 3rd, 2007, 11:32 AM

Mock not our God, for your God soon shalt Chivas R be!

Sorlakind

April 3rd, 2007, 12:52 PM

LoloMo said:
Mock not our God, for your God soon shalt Chivas R be!

Believe us, mocking your God is very far from our intentions. We in Caelum appreciate a good hearty drink so we thought maybe we could drink a part of his body. We do not ask much, say one of his legs or one of his eyes. To warm us in the cold wintery Caelum nights.

Zohak, The Wind Stirrer of Caelum.

vfb

April 4th, 2007, 09:48 PM

The Nation of Man wishes to offer thanks to its benefactor. Our Council of Foreign Relations does wonder, however, why a reply to our message was not received. Perhaps the magical paths of the Forums are more dependable method of communication.

In other news, while the Librarians of Nation of Man were doing research, they came across many tales of woe in the blessed tome "The Archives of the Forums". These unhappy stories mostly related to those unfortunate nations who had become embroiled in early conflict, to the detriment of their development.

After considering these sad tales, the Nation of Man thinks it prudent to offer a peace treaty to Jotun. This treaty would permit Jotun to retain the Livenmark, which they won fair and square on the field of battle. Man will remain a small peaceful nation on its tiny peninsula. Jotun, please reply if you would accept this offer.

-- Secretary to the Minister of Peace, Council of Foreign Relations, Man.

P.S. As a gift to Jotun, we have attached a small packet to our messenger, containing 11 herbs and spices and a secret recipe. Enjoy!

vfb

April 8th, 2007, 07:32 AM

Anyone know why Jotun went AI? I guess that means there's not much chance of a peace treaty.

CopperMonkey

April 9th, 2007, 05:41 AM

Well, it is quite easy to think some possible reasons why Jotunheim went to AI -- why not to avoid commenting pretender names in the forum and maybe it would be better to keep the diplomacy inside the game most of the time? Somebody makes a sneak attack, somebody plays a back stabber, somebody declares the war before attacks -- the playing behavior (I think) should be as a part of the pretender role play. I believe it should be ok to everyone to allow communication through game's text messages or private post to deliver news how some country is behaving and make secret plans together, but the public forum maybe not a good place for diplomacy -- particularly for the critical stuff.

vfb

April 9th, 2007, 08:03 AM

ooc:

Well, in this case, Jotun ignored both a PM I sent, and an in-game message. That's totally fine of course, and eating tasty messenger morsels is something I'd expect Jotun giants to do. I'm not upset about his rush strategy either, it's all part of the game.

I'm pretty sure all messages I sent via the forum concerning the Jotun invasion of the lands of Man were totally in character. CopperMonkey, do you disagree?

I specifically used the forums because Jotun has an awake cold-aura Son of Niefel pretender and at that time could have totally wiped Man out of the game. There is a one-turn delay in using in-game messaging, which I wanted to avoid. Jotun had already scouted my castle, and was two provinces away from disaster (or conquest, depending on whose PoV you have). I needed one turn to request assistance from other nations (for a Frost Ring), and then one turn to reply pretending that someone had actually been kind enough to trade me one. My only hope was that Jotun would read the forums and be tricked into thinking I had gotten a ring.

To improve my understanding of Dominions diplomacy, I have perused many other older game threads, and have seen that the forums are often used to send messages in-character. I do not think I have abused the forums in any way.

Jeez, I even offered the guy a peace treaty in the end. I have no idea why he just dropped out.

Xox

April 9th, 2007, 09:24 AM

You did fine vfb. No reason to worry about using the forums to do in game dipomacy. It is done all the time, as you noticed, and it adds an AAR feel for those of us reading the forums as we follow your game.

I would hate to see that custom stop, it would drain a lot of color from the forums.

CopperMonkey

April 9th, 2007, 09:31 AM

Yes, on the second thought, I don't want to argue against the forum diplomacy as it sure seems to be a common way in the forum and also didn't realize you were put into difficult situation early of the game. This is my first multiplayer game, so I am not that well aware how things are generally worked out here.

vfb

April 9th, 2007, 10:02 AM

Okay, thanks Xox and CopperMonkey. I'm happy there are no hard feelings, and let's get back in character!

Sorlakind

April 11th, 2007, 11:33 AM

CopperMonkey said:
Well, it is quite easy to think some possible reasons why Jotunheim went to AI -- why not to avoid commenting pretender names in the forum and maybe it would be better to keep the diplomacy inside the game most of the time? Somebody makes a sneak attack, somebody plays a back stabber, somebody declares the war before attacks -- the playing behavior (I think) should be as a part of the pretender role play. I believe it should be ok to everyone to allow communication through game's text messages or private post to deliver news how some country is behaving and make secret plans together, but the public forum maybe not a good place for diplomacy -- particularly for the critical stuff.

Not trying to rehash a dead subject, but since this is a topic dear to my heart I would like to say something.

I use diplomacy heavily. The public forum is just another means to an end. It has some purposes that other forms of diplomacy cannot satisfy, e.g. disseminate propaganda. I use, and will continue to use it, unless house rules or the host of the game forbids it. The only rule I *always*, *always* observe is to stay in character - as can be attested by the signature appearing at the end of these posts.

I do not know why Jotunheim went AI. But if he did because of my friendly banter on God's names (and, I repeat, totally in-character) then probably he should not be playing MP games with strangers in the first place.

Wyehl

April 11th, 2007, 11:45 AM

It's actually kind of interesting to me that this became a subject here. I play in a game on another board and we have a player there who more or less informs the entire thread about where his enemies are, what troops they have and whenever he wins a battle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I find *that* to be kind of annoying, especially if it's antagonistic, but a little bit is ok by me.

vfb

April 11th, 2007, 11:52 AM

Whereas Caelum would admit to spreading their propaganda to other nations, Man would never stoop to such a deed. For in truth we are now bordered by two AIs, and they ignore our feeble attempts at diplomacy. Our nation may be shamefully crushed by a heuristic algorithm even before we can meet on the glorious field of battle! Such is our punishment for sitting around, looking at trees, playing songs, and smoking the reefer, when we should be studying our magical tomes.

Ministry of Truth, Nation of Man

Ewierl

April 11th, 2007, 02:29 PM

In the early months of this great war, while we were still absorbing the independent lands in our edge of the world, the armies of T'ien Ch'i made an unprovoked and unannounced attack on our territory, sending their jackbooted human soldiers into our pristine and peaceful forests.

This month, we have slain their newly-awoken god, and broken their army. They occupy less than a handful of provinces, and soon enough the people of the city of T'ien Ch'i itself will be able to join us in the wild revels of old, free from their oppressive government and false idols.

We wish all the world to know that we did not start this war... but we will finish it soon enough.

-Council of Panii, Rulers of Pangaea, Servants of Celetra

Sorlakind

April 11th, 2007, 04:49 PM

vfb said:
Whereas Caelum would admit to spreading their propaganda to other nations, Man would never stoop to such a deed. For in truth we are now bordered by two AIs, and they ignore our feeble attempts at diplomacy. Our nation may be shamefully crushed by a heuristic algorithm even before we can meet on the glorious field of battle! Such is our punishment for sitting around, looking at trees, playing songs, and smoking the reefer, when we should be studying our magical tomes.

Ministry of Truth, Nation of Man

The virtuous nation of Man would not stoop to disseminate propaganda - that could prevent bloodshed - but will gladly and proudly go to the battlefield to kill, maim and destroy. You have a curious notion of virtue. Even more curious for a nation and a God that readily admits to being "shamefully defeated" by other False Gods with no soul whatsoever.

Methinks your brains are addled from too much smoking. The weed that burns in your pipes must be of very poor quality.

Zohak, Master Director of the Our-Propaganda-Is-More-Truthful-Than-Your-Truth program.

Herbacious

April 11th, 2007, 07:28 PM

vfb, who is the other AI next to you besides Jotun? Surely you do not refer to me.

I'd like everyone to know I'm taking the brunt of Jotunheims attacks at the moment and there is 5 other nations besides them completely surrounding my misiscule dominion. 2 of these I am most certainly warring with.

vfb

April 11th, 2007, 07:53 PM

Nay, Mictlan is an honorable neighbor, has respected the sanctity of its NAPs most diligently in so far as Man is concerned, and is most certainly not an AI.

The other AI is that nation of pale giants, the Agarthans.

-- Council of Foreign Relations, Nation of Man

vfb

April 11th, 2007, 08:10 PM

Sorlakind said:
The virtuous nation of Man would not stoop to disseminate propaganda - that could prevent bloodshed - but will gladly and proudly go to the battlefield to kill, maim and destroy. You have a curious notion of virtue. Even more curious for a nation and a God that readily admits to being "shamefully defeated" by other False Gods with no soul whatsoever.

Methinks your brains are addled from too much smoking. The weed that burns in your pipes must be of very poor quality.

Zohak, Master Director of the Our-Propaganda-Is-More-Truthful-Than-Your-Truth program.

Woe is our Bard of the Forums, who is so frequently misunderstood. Our Minister of Truth stated that we would never stoop to admitting that Man spreads propaganda. And we have not yet been "shamefully defeated" by the AIs surrounding us.

Our researchers speculate that the smoke from our most excellent buds must have wafted up to the skies, and your messenger's brain has also become addled. That was no mere cloud he flew through!

Have some nachos, bird-dudes, and cut it out with the paranoia.

-- Ministry of Agriculture, Nation of Man

Ewierl

April 13th, 2007, 11:14 AM

FYI, I'll be away from all computers from Saturday midday to Sunday evening, so apologizes in advance if everyone ends up waiting for me!

vfb

April 16th, 2007, 10:38 AM

The Nation of Man desires an equal exchange of goods. Send us 15 of your water gems, and Man will send you 15 air gems. PM vfb to set up the deal.

-- Ministry of Trade, Nation of Man

vfb

April 18th, 2007, 11:17 AM

The honour of Man has been disparaged! While our monk Wilfred was peacefully strolling though the glades, he was most rudely accosted, and was forced to flee to the forest.

For the high crime of Harassing a Strolling Monk, the Nation of Arco must pay penitence. The Nation of Man hereby declares war on Arco!

-- Directorate of Mongering, Ministry of War, Nation of Man

vfb

April 24th, 2007, 03:18 AM

[Deleted]

Zachariah

May 4th, 2007, 10:36 PM

just restarted server w/ patch, so now running 3.08. Also, after next turn, I'm gonna bump the server to 48 hour hosting, quickhost.

Wyehl

May 6th, 2007, 03:19 AM

Ah, humm, this isn't good. Staled a turn somehow but I had like another day to turn in...what happened =/

lch

May 6th, 2007, 11:52 AM

Wyehl said:
It's actually kind of interesting to me that this became a subject here. I play in a game on another board and we have a player there who more or less informs the entire thread about where his enemies are, what troops they have and whenever he wins a battle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I find *that* to be kind of annoying, especially if it's antagonistic, but a little bit is ok by me.

Assuming that you're referring to me: While I may lack the ability to write as awesome in-character posts and roleplay as other people here on the Shrapnel forums, I would hope and expect that players have a lively discussion about the game in the game thread. I'm interested about what is going on in the world, especially in areas that I can't see myself. Otherwise it's a very dull experience, as the Dominions game itself is not very rewarding at all. If I wanted to play against players that are silent as a grave, I'd be playing single player games. Even if I'm not playing in a game, I'm reading the game threads, and if the players are doing it right by discussing and analyzing the game publicly it almost gives you the feeling of being in the game yourself. If you regard that as annoying, though, then I wonder what you are expecting to experience in a multiplayer game other than player interaction. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

Ewierl

May 7th, 2007, 11:33 AM

Can the host time be put back up to the longer time for a few more days? While I'd love to see Ermor submit turns more often, I even more would hate to see Ermor stale again, as is about to happen...

Zachariah

May 7th, 2007, 01:04 PM

yah, sorry 'bout that. i will bump it back to 96.

Wyehl

May 7th, 2007, 04:43 PM

Oh, I got mine in, actually. Kind of last minute.

The patch caused some issues and I had to go looking for my CD key to reinstall the game as I really managed to get the files pretty hosed up somehow.

Unfortunately, that staled me a turn so I am kind of playing catch up now =/ But such is life.

Ewierl

May 7th, 2007, 04:59 PM

Wyehl said:
Oh, I got mine in, actually. Kind of last minute.

Whew, that's good; wars with stale opponents are no fun!

Are you OK switching over to the shorter timeframe for the future?

Wyehl

May 7th, 2007, 05:33 PM

As far as I am concerned, can we go in between and do 72 ? I think 48 would be fine (and the norm) except QH can sort of shorten your time. Not to mention issues like this last patch.

Wyehl

June 5th, 2007, 02:27 AM

Sorry, slight delay this turn...sorry about that...I will turn in tomorrow. Apologies again.

Zachariah

July 9th, 2007, 12:50 AM

Hourly updated scores now available at:
http://www.evilzombies.com/dom3/DarMat.html

Sorlakind

July 10th, 2007, 06:07 PM

My appologies, but I will no longer be able to play this game. I have submitted my last turn (mainly to avoid a stale turn, no big strategic decisions made) and need a replacement. I am struggling with time and they are already very complicated and time-consuming to do. This situation has already been dragging for far too long. If someone wants to sub, send me a PM.

For the record, Caelum is one of the strongest nations. This is the good point. The bad one, is that almost everyone is waging war with Caelum. The thorn in Caelum's side is Pangaea - one of the strongest if not the strongest nation - and especially its Gorgon that is proving to be a neigh-invincible foe. More details (whatever I can remember, at least) when I send the password.

If no one sends me a PM, I will turn AI - unless somebody has a better option. The deadline is somewhere saturday afternoon (GMT).

Once again, my appologies everyone.

Ewierl

July 11th, 2007, 02:59 PM

Good thing I have that Gorgon too, I don't have a lot else. Numbers are deceiving when your research and magical diversity are crummy and your army is overwhelmingly Maenads! The long war with Ermor slowed me down a lot on every axis except those I needed to destroy Ermor...

Ewierl

July 14th, 2007, 01:27 PM

I'd hate to see Caelum switch over to AI, he's in one of the game's stronger positions right now. I'll go post something in the "new players needed" thread, and tell them to contact you for the password Sorlakind!

Might be worth extending the current turn timelimit, to give a chance for a new player to sign up?

Sorlakind

July 14th, 2007, 06:59 PM

Ewierl said:
I'd hate to see Caelum switch over to AI, he's in one of the game's stronger positions right now. I'll go post something in the "new players needed" thread, and tell them to contact you for the password Sorlakind!

Might be worth extending the current turn timelimit, to give a chance for a new player to sign up?

Heh, didn't even know there was such a thread; thanks Ewierl.

I'll submit a half-played turn tonight and extend the deadline until wednesday afternoon (GMT) - counting 96 hours from now and subtracting a little.

vfb

July 18th, 2007, 11:04 PM

Does anyone have any objections to Man going AI? Any NAPs we had have expired a while ago. Basically it's late game, and I pretty much did not plan for the late game. Oops.

If the Man AI invades anyone, it should be relatively easy to destroy.

Ewierl

July 19th, 2007, 03:25 PM

vfb said:
Does anyone have any objections to Man going AI? Any NAPs we had have expired a while ago. Basically it's late game, and I pretty much did not plan for the late game. Oops.

If the Man AI invades anyone, it should be relatively easy to destroy.

Who needs a late game plan? Not I! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I'd be sad to see the played-nation count drop so precipitously to 3, though it wouldn't be the end of the world- not like I'm anywhere near you on the map. Unless you really think your position wouldn't be fun for anyone to play, want to make a forum post recruiting for a replacement?

vfb

July 19th, 2007, 10:29 PM

I did post for a replacement a couple of times. I had one tentative offer, but then the host suggested that since it was pretty late in the game, it wasn't worth it.

I think Arco or Caelum might get invaded if I go AI. Or if I get a replacement. But it's not like I have an effective late game army or anything.

Edit: I've gone AI, so I don't hold up the game any more. Thanks for the fun!

Ewierl

July 24th, 2007, 02:34 PM

Well, there is one upside... with 3 live players, the turns come pretty fast. I like http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

LoloMo

August 3rd, 2007, 09:21 PM

Arco just turned AI. Pangaea and I are the only two players left, and we have been working together for a long while, and he is much bigger than I am. I proclaim Pangaea the winner!

Congratulations Ewierl, well played! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Ewierl

August 3rd, 2007, 09:40 PM

It's over? Damn! I was so looking forwards to playing out the endgame! But, yeah- despite my low research, I'm kinda mighty over here, so I'll accept victory. Woo, my first MP win- half of it seemed kinda cheap, since I never had to face Arco, and Caelum got much easier after AIing, but my victory over Ermor was real.

All hail Celetra, and thanks everyone http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

(Hmm, did I forget to cast Haunted Forest this past turn? I meant to. That's how I was going to turn my maenad hordes + huge dominion into pure victory.)