Rise of the Newbie games

[Xietor]

I think there should be games for casual players that are not newbies. Some players may play in 4-5 games, but because they are busy with real life, never master all of the numerous tricks of the game that hardcore players master.

I have heard some players that are not newbies say they dread playing against some of the hardcore players because they are at a huge disadvantage in not knowing what all the various spells/items do.

And they may hate being rushed by rush experts. So perhaps in the near future, someone can start a "casual" player game, rather than label it a newbie game.

[DonCorazon]

Good idea, I agree.

[Cerlin]

this sounds good to me too. Id definitely be in the catagory of playing several games but never knowing enough to do well.

[Valerius]

Great idea, Xietor. I'd very much like to join a game like this.

[llamabeast]

Sounds like a plan Xietor, I will set one up like that soonish.

[Zeldor]

Sounds great, I am now im my last newbie game and after that I rather won't qualify. But still, playing against hardcore players really limits all the fun and available options.

Maybe we should play it on bigger maps? That is more provinces per players? I do not like the idea of crowds, insane rushes etc and they are rather a must in hardcore games. Some more space to expand would make more strategies possible.

[Digress]

I think its a great idea. For those of us who haven't won any games since we were newbies .... come on I can't be the only one http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

My experience is you can become a competent early to mid-game player relatively quickly but moving on from there is difficult. I certainly haven't managed it.

Managing gem income, research and holding off one or more opponents is extremely difficult to master. I find I manage to get one of these right in mid to late game. Not that I see the late part of the game all that often
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[llamabeast]

Actually I don't agree that things like rushes are a must in games with good players. I've never rushed, never even been rushed, and normally make it to the late game. Although I suspect that might quite a bit to do with diplomacy, since I'm quite big on diplomacy.

Bigger maps aren't a lot of fun in my own personal opinion. They lead to considerable micromanagement, which I don't find fun.

[Zeldor]

llamabeast:

All my MP games where I survive to mid or late game depend on diplomacy. Like MA TC starting with 5 neighbours or MA Man between Arco and Ermor.

[lch]

Xietor said:
I think there should be games for casual players that are not newbies.


There will be games if there is demand. It would be nice to see that people that are waiting for games would take over subs or temp subs, because there is no fun in seeing a nation stale over multiple turns in a game, neither is setting them to AI. Maybe too many people underestimate the commitment it costs to play a game after the early stages and then get overwhelmed and have to quit from the game or do badly. I'd recommend only playing a minimum of games and planning ahead.

[Zeldor]

But that games can last 6+ months so sometimes it is hard to blame someone that he has much less free time, due to many reasons.

Xietor:

We would need a blacklist of that hardcore gamers http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Xietor]

I could certainly not claim casual gamer status. Maybe the test would be if you have won a mp game with 8 or more players, you cannot play in the casual player game.

A glance at the Hall of Fame would exclude many players.

[lch]

I'm waiting for "Xietor's hardcore gamer questionnaire" now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zeldor]

I guess all hardcore players love bog beasts...

[Aethyr]

Huh? Who does not love bog beasts?

[Digress]

That's the problem with us casual gamers ... we aren't willing to spend the gems required to empower our mages to summon bog beasts.

[Aethyr]

Indeed. Let alone cast GoR on them and make them our prophets!

[Aezeal]

I noticed I'm not good last game when my nr 1 nation (rushed some giants with my midgard skinshifters and then expanded a bit more) went up against 2 nations (against my will I must add) and on both fronts their large army beat my about as large army without loosing half the troop... I don't do the right stuff with mages.. for one I didn't have them with my army and if I'd had them I'd not have had any effective spells....

[Ylvali]

It is a good idea. It would be a great place to build further on your MP skill after the newbie phase.

I´m still there though...

[moderation]

Hey, I like this idea too, though I'm only on my first game, I spend a lot of time on my turns. Maybe it'd be nice to have games for people who just want to say spend 15 minutes or so on their turns, but not exactly in a blitz.

[Executor]

So, basicly you all want to start a game with no hardcore and newbie players. I would like to join if you are allready planing to organise a game, and by the way I'm not exactly a
newbie if youre planing to kick me out before you even start, I've played a couple of games just not here, but by mail with some friends, so I recomend a PBEM game, that is if you
all don't mind!?

[otthegreat]

I'd be very interested in a casual game also. Maybe the turns should start with 48 hour intervals, or switch sooner than normal to attract players with less free time and scare away those with too much...

[Real_friend]

Also interested in Casual game!

[Saxon]

This category of game is nice, it is sort of like beer league in several sports. A buddy of mine set up a third division in his local rugby club, even though there was no second division, because he knew it would attract the folks who like to play, but are not at the top of the game. They ended up having a problem with the good players wanting to join them because they were having so much fun!

I would put my name down for the game, but will have to wait until I finish my current game. I have learned that you need a lot of time to play...