NEW EA GAME - Server Is Up. Game has started.

[chrispedersen]

Mods: Worthy Heros.
Map: Random, Large. See attachment
Victory: VP. Each cap is 1. 8
for the win.
Independents: 7
Graphs: Off
Server IP: 74.236.0.134 port 1224
Stales: After 2 stales subs or AI will be sought.

Exploits: 1. If you capture Bogus and his friends, you can script those captured units to attack mages, but you cannot copy their "attack mage" orders to any other commanders or units.

2. You cannot cast battlefield enchantments that cause damage to enemy units, then retreat the casting mage before 5 rounds of combat passes. In other words, if you cast Wrathful Skies, you cannot order that mage to retreat before 5 turns has passed (your last available scripting order can be retreat). And this rule includes items that cast such spells.

3. You cannot overload someone’s lab with the purpose of maliciously filling it so they cannot receive or forge items.

4. Items that provide an unspecified armor bonus (such as bracers and some helms) will stack earth blessings, incorrectly.

To ban these items from people with earth blesses is unfair. To have others fighting SC's with prots of 38 is also unfair.

Proposed: Anyone with an earth blessing may have one item per SC that provides an unspecified armor bonus.

This will essentially give them +4 or so armor bonus from the bug, but limit it to one free bonus.

5. Guys, I can't police all the possible exploits. Play fair!

Standard Otherwise

Looking for 24 hour turn arounds, for first 40 turns or so, liberal delays if requested.

Abysia: hunt11 PreReceived
Agartha: Nozshand PreReceived
Arcosephale: Xanatos
Caelum: Zenzei PreReceived
Ctis: Electro88 PreReceived
Formoria: JimMorrison PreReceived
Helheim: johnarryn PreReceived
Hinnom: chrispedersen PreReceived
Lanka: XOX PreReceived
Malverni:Klagrock PreReceived
Mictlan: Secretperson PreReceived
Niefelheim: Aezeal PreReceived
Pangaea: Jazzepi PreReceived
Sauromatia: Griefor PreReceived
Tien: CharSep
Tir: Bwaha
Ulm: Calahan PreReceived Substitute
Vanheim: StrictlyRockers. PreReceived


We are at 15 players. Game has started. Just finished creating the script files. I'm new to hosting so please bear with me if there are a few kinks in the process.

[hunt11]

sure I would like to play as Abysia

[Zenzei]

Sign me in as Caelum.

EDIT: I think it would be a good idea to define the exploits a bit more clearly.

[parcelt]

I'd like to play Lanka.

'server hosted' means we'll ask to use e.g. the llamasever?

[Griefor]

I'd like to play as Sauromatia.

[Aezeal]

hmm I want in, I'm not that familiar with EA though only tien chi, niefelheim and lanka really .. lanka is taken and I didn't care much for Tien

so I'd like Niefelheim.

I'll look into EA more and maybe chance to whatever is free but ... so far let's make it Niefelheim

[Aezeal]

I need a few days to play the race to see what pretender I need though, without a guide out I'll need to look into more options so I'll really have to play more than only the few first turns I usually do.

When will the game start aprox?

[parcelt]

Aezeal, wasn't chrispederson looking to play Hinnom?

[Aezeal]

ow right the new race... completely missed that

well pretender design for that nation isn't all that easy anyway so a nice double bless doesn't go well with the O3 P3 I'd like. And then B highish for the lords.

I'm gonna kill him before he can release lords of civilization though

[Cadel]

I'll take ea Ulm. If there's still a opening.

[johnarryn]

Helheim, please.

[Jazzepi]

If you're going to host it on an IP server, I would recommend Velusion's. He had a really great system that sends out e-mails when the turns are complete.

Jazzepi

[hunt11]

post deleted

[chrispedersen]

Um, there is a guide to EA Niefelheim, as well as a lot of commentary, for example by Dr. P.

I'm looking to start ASAP: No one (me included) really knows anything about the new races either = ). Sooo I think as soon as we get 15 people.

I'd like to shoot for Sunday start, at the latest.

[secretperson]

still got room?

[secretperson]

if there's still room can i take Mictlan?

[JimMorrison]

Sign me up for Fomoria if you would, my good man.

[Xanatos]

well..since hinmon, helheim, and niefelheim are ALL taken:P I'll take arcosaphele!

[Xanatos]

i can tell you that new Hinmon race has some crazy good SC potential commanders...

Sacred Giants with holy 1 (self blessable) with like 50+ hp's and 18 pro/def and good stats...crazy!

[Jazzepi]

I'll take Pangea if you still have room.

Jazzepi

[Aezeal]

my weekend is kinda full there will not be a ready pretender this weekend.

[klagrok]

still got room? If so Ill take Marverni http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Bwaha]

hi i would like tir. Bwaha http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[parcelt]

Oops. I only play PBEM. So that means Lanka is free to take again.

[Aezeal]

I'm in no mistakes about that plz

[Lingchih]

Umm, has anyone actually asked Velusion if he willing to host this?

[chrispedersen]

Hey Ling;
No, I'm waiting on consensus on the players PBEM or Server.
I promised to ask velusion. If not I will host.

[klagrok]

Either works for me

[secretperson]

I'd prefer server but either way is fine

[Lingchih]

I'll play some nation if Velusion hosts. I don't generally play PBEM. I'll keep any eye on this thread.

[Cadel]

I'd prefer a server though I'll play either way.

[Xanatos]

Aye server is much simpler for me as well but i can do either now that I learned how PBEM works:P

[StrictlyRockers]

If you have room, I'll take Vanheim. Thanks.

[charshep]

I'm interested too as long as you don't mind playing with a n00b. I've only played one MP game and a few offline games. I'd also vote for server based host rather than PBEM.

[Aezeal]

you can also ask ich for a host non PBEM... he said he's always willing .. his thingie is down though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I prefer non PBEM though since I don't have one atm and it plays so easily

[chrispedersen]

Charsep,
new players are fine.. but you need to indicate a race = ).

[secretperson]

parcelt said:
Oops. I only play PBEM. So that means Lanka is free to take again.



This means Parcelt is out?

[charshep]

chrispedersen said:
Charsep,
new players are fine.. but you need to indicate a race = ).



Thanks.

I don't know the races well enough to pick so just sign me up for whatever is available.

[fictionfan]

I will be Tan no Org
If it is open

[chrispedersen]

Hey guys,

I think I have scripts worked out, to allow game backup, notifications, and perhaps statuses worked out, with many thanks to Velusion and Ich.

However, there may be some down time while I work out the kinks. Please bear with me.

I will try installing these things at Midnight EST. I will stop working by 2 AM EST.

Chris

[secretperson]

where do we send our pretenders, chris?

[chrispedersen]

Send pretenders to my dominions username@hotmail.com

[StrictlyRockers]

Looking forward to starting this one. Everyone should get a pretenderr ready so we can start quick.

[charshep]

Is Vanheim available? I think that's what they're called.

[chrispedersen]

I keep the first post updated, with who has what.
Waiting on pretenders = )

[Aezeal]

OK do we need to send today or are we still filling up and can I also send my pretender tomorrow? I really could use the extra day.

[fictionfan]

chrispedersen said:
Send pretenders to my dominions username@hotmail.com



I thought this was a Server game

[Xox]

I will take lanka if there is still room and it is a network game

[chrispedersen]

Hey fiction:

It is (and will be) a server game. However, I'm new to setting up servers for MP games. The only other game I'm hosting, ICH sent me all the pretender files - so since I"m new to this, I'd rather just stay with what worked.

My username is chrispedersen. The domain is Hotmail.com. Please send the pretender files there, as there has been some confusion.

Finally, yes, the deadline for pretenders is 9pm EST tonight, after which I will set up the server. Many people have been chafing at the bit to get this started - so if we get 12 people by that time, its going with whatever 12 we get.

As of 4pm we are at 6/12... looking good for 9pm setup.

[hunt11]

i tried to send you my god but it send it was an invalid address

[Aezeal]

you should have mine now

[Zenzei]

I just sent Caelum pretender.

[Jazzepi]

hunt11 said:
i tried to send you my god but it send it was an invalid address



It's <HIS USERNAME>@hotmail.com

Jazzepi

[Electro808]

Can i join this game?
if so what civ should i go?

[Zenzei]

Downloaded the map in the first post, it has 150 provinces in total. Are we really going to use a map of this size with this many players as there's less than 10 provinces per player?

[hunt11]

i sent my god, anyway that map would be a very quick fight thats for sure

[Electro808]

If someone can't make it for this game can i take their place please?

[klagrok]

my pretender sent http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif correctly this time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[chrispedersen]

Zenzei said:
Downloaded the map in the first post, it has 150 provinces in total. Are we really going to use a map of this size with this many players as there's less than 10 provinces per player?



Hey guys, as I said, I'm new to the hosting bit. I chose a large random map; but as I said, I'm open to player suggestions. I just wish they were made a little earlier.

[Jazzepi]

chrispedersen said:

Zenzei said:
Downloaded the map in the first post, it has 150 provinces in total. Are we really going to use a map of this size with this many players as there's less than 10 provinces per player?



Hey guys, as I said, I'm new to the hosting bit. I chose a large random map; but as I said, I'm open to player suggestions. I just wish they were made a little earlier.



You should really set the map to something like 13-15 provinces per player to get enough breathing room for the non-bless rush nations to do anything.

Jazzepi

[chrispedersen]

Electro808 said:
Can i join this game?
if so what civ should i go?



Electra - look at the nations in the first post. Take any available nation - but preferably one you have experience with.

But you have to get the pretender in for 9pm - unless we don't get 12.

Chris

[hunt11]

glory of the gods is a great map for multiplayer

[chrispedersen]

Ok will do. (Referring to create a random map with 15-20 provinces per player)
Chris

[chrispedersen]

See the first post to see who I have pretenders from as of 8pm.

[Electro808]

I sent pretender for maverni hope im not too late

[Lingchih]

I back in the mega-game now, so going to have to bow out of this one. It's not like I had picked a nation or anything anyway.

[StrictlyRockers]

Submitted pretender for EA Vanheim.

[nozshand]

looks like no one is taking agartha, care to take one more?

[fictionfan]

did my pretender get in properly?

If it did what is the IP number and port number?

[chrispedersen]

Vanheim's pretender did not arrive.
As of 1 AM we have 12 pretenders, so I will bring the server live Tue 9pm Est. Players have until then to get pretenders in.

FictionFan - I don't know what race you sent in, or what your email address is.
Noz, you are welcome to join.

Please see first post for other details.

[klagrok]

Electro808 Marverni already spoken for...... think the bossman had typo....

[nozshand]

agartha pretender sent, plz confirm that if you got the file

[Electro808]

Ok sorry. I'll take c'tis then. sending pretender...

[Electro808]

do i have to install the worthy heros mod or will it done automatically when i play?

[chrispedersen]

you will need to download and install.

[StrictlyRockers]

" We are now at 12 players. Game will start Monday night. Also, by request, I created a new larger world. (Here attached) of 225 territories. "

The map attached to the first post is still the old map with 144 territories

[chrispedersen]

this is very wierd. 2nd time I've posted an update and it hasn't gone. I'll do it again tonight.

chris

[fictionfan]

As I have posted again and again and Emailed and Emailed and PMed and PMed I want to do Tan no Org is that so hard to understand! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

Edit: Opps I spelled it wrong http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Cold.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif I mean tir na n'Og

[chrispedersen]

Hey fiction -

As I responded in the forum, and on the game status post -someone had asked for that race before you.

That being said, I have not received a pretender from Bwaha so you either you or he can play the race - just send the pretender file in asap.

Send it to my user name from here, at hotmail.com

Good Luck to all the players in the game!

[Zenzei]

EDIT: Deleted because our host typed faster. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[fictionfan]

opps did not relized tir ment Tir na n'Og and I was spelling the name wrong

In that case can I be Ermor no one else seems to be doing it

[Xanatos]

im not seeing any link to this new map?

[chrispedersen]

Right, I haven't gotten home yet. I'll reload the attachment for BraveNewWorld as soon as I get home. Probably around 7pm EST.

Luck to all

Chris

[Xanatos]

is this going to increase the amount of water provinces rlyeh starts in?

[chrispedersen]

We do not have any significantly water nations. No atlantis, oceania, ryllah, ermor. One might consider agartha, I suppose.

Due to the composition, in both of the maps I reduced the chance of water terrain to 8%. This resulted in roughly 26 water terrain on the new map, (from memory).

So water territory will be a reward for the nations that invest in the energy to explore that route. Additionally, if someone had sent in one water nation, I would have been able to accomodate them, fairly.

[chrispedersen]

So, the map is uploaded. I am setting up the server now.
I promised people until 9:00pm. If someone gets it in before then I will have to restart.

Good Luck to All.

[StrictlyRockers]

Everything seems to be functioning smoothly. Thanks for hosting, Chris!

[fictionfan]

Jazzepi said:

hunt11 said:
i tried to send you my god but it send it was an invalid address



It's <HIS USERNAME>@hotmail.com

Jazzepi



[Edited by llamabeast to hide chrispedersen's e-mail address]

[Jazzepi]

fictionfan said:

Jazzepi said:

hunt11 said:
i tried to send you my god but it send it was an invalid address



It's <HIS USERNAME>@hotmail.com

Jazzepi



Do you mean it is censored



Yes, but please delete that from your post. He was trying not to give out his e-mail address to spam bots.

Jazzepi

[Electro808]

damn i get no scouts. :/

[chrispedersen]

fiction, can you please delete your post with my email address? I am already getting ridiculous amounts of spam....

[StrictlyRockers]

fictionfan, please edit your post above to remove the email addres.


We are waiting on Neifelheim to be done with the first turn.

[chrispedersen]

I was trying to be nice on the first turn, to try to give people a little leeway to work out connection issues etc.
But, I want to get this moving. So there will be a turn limit of midnight EST to get your turn in.

2nd. Fiction: I'm getting miffed about the email address - I'll be speaking to sysops to get the post killed.

I've put hours into setting up the machine, debugging the dsl, setting up the scripts and the games. The last thing I want is more than 3000+spam messages a day.
Please kill your post!

[Griefor]

Are we supposed to be getting emails when a turn has hosted?

Because I'm not.

[Xanatos]

sooo..i log in with that server info and there is no Arcosephele available? ...

[johnarryn]

I note that you're also in Glory, Xanatos. Both that game and this one are on the same IP, so make sure youre putting in the correct port, as that is the only difference in the address between the two games. Perhaps that is the problem?

[Xanatos]

nope, i entered the different ports - http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[chrispedersen]

Griefor - The turn has not hosted as noted a couple of posts ago as I was giving people an opportunity to work out connection issues.

Xan - I never received a pretender from you - as stated everyday in the orginal post.

As stated I am going to force the turn at midnight. I Personally would be happy to restart for Xan. However, I will leave it up to the majority of the players.

Chris

[StrictlyRockers]

So what is the schedule for the next turn? Is it 24 hours every turn for a while, run at midnight EST?

[JimMorrison]

Shooting for somewhere around Aug 17.

>.>

[chrispedersen]

=P

Yes, midnights.

[Zenzei]

Regarding the restart: I would rather continue the game as is because I got a funky starting location. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
However, I won't object the restart either if there's support fot it.

[Griefor]

I'm okay with a restart, if you did receive a pretender for Xanatos by now.

I don't think I want to wait another couple of days for the pretender to be sent on a game that's supposed to have a 24h timer.

[chrispedersen]

Not as yet.

[secretperson]

I would prefer a non-restart but if the majority want a restart I'm ok with it

[Aezeal]

I would like a restart

[Xanatos]

im still not seeing in original post where it said we had to send the pretenders in, sorry i thought since it was server-hosted we just uploaded them the first time we logged in - however i check multiple times daily so i can get a pretender sent in - if someone can PM me the email addy to send it to plz.

[StrictlyRockers]

I would like a restart.

[Jazzepi]

I don't mind a restart. I would like the independents at 5 if possible, but that's just me. It wasn't listed at game creation so I figured it would be default.

Jazzepi

[chrispedersen]

Voting will continue until midnight. I have agreed to respect the will of the majority.. but man! I had the BEST start I've ever had in any game.

No good deed goes unpunished. =)

Move to restart failed on 3-3.

[klagrok]

I say we stay put---got hero already and good starting position--unless wc can get some locations no way Jose.

[Xanatos]

i don't mind if you guys want to continue its all good:)

[StrictlyRockers]

The game says it will host in seven hours. It just hosted about an hour or two ago. I'm not sure where on the globe it's going to be midnight in seven hours, maybe somewhere in Hawaii or New Zealand, but that's for sure not midnight EST.

[chrispedersen]

The clock seems to lag, so I'm having to correct it each night. But it will be midnight each night Strict

[Griefor]

chrispedersen said:
Griefor - The turn has not hosted as noted a couple of posts ago as I was giving people an opportunity to work out connection issues.



Are we still working out connection issues? I just staled without any email notification of anything.

[chrispedersen]

I'm at work at the moment... so if you staled, so did I Grief.

I'm not really sure whats going on with Dominions. - I am hosting 2 games on the same machine. Adequate resources, but the second game the clock wierds out.. sometimes Aug 17, sometimes 7 hours.

But I have said it will host midnights EST, and the game automatically backs up, so if you staled for server error, I will reload.

[Griefor]

I just waited way too long before I looked at the server again, so I would not be surprised if I timed out legitimately. The problem is that I *thought* this would be a game with emails being sent to me every time I was to play a turn and I have not received any such email until now.

The first time I asked about this you told me we were working out connection issues, now you tell me the clock is weirding out.

But my question is:
Does this game send out email notifications when I need to play my turn?

I would like either of these answers to my question:
1) Yes, this game sends out email notifications.
2) No, there are no emails and you are expected to check the server daily yourself.

[klagrok]

Pretty sure you check yourself as the other game Im playing on this server is the same way---got the notification the game was beginning but after that you gotta check--i have a post it up with deadlines on it for my games.....usually helps http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Zenzei]

-What's best in life?
-Getting attacked by heavily blessed Niefelheim on turn five of course!
It remains to be seen whether or not I can beat back those frostbeards. If not, I might be in for a short game.

As a side note this is my third game in a row where I'm starting right next to a rush nation. It's good practise on how to fight them but man this is getting comical. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[JimMorrison]

It seems weird that people are upset that they are staling..... I mean, I understand, just that I thought it was on quickhost, cause it seems like the turns are going by FAST, faster than 24h, that's for sure.

For those of you who are wondering, there is no automated function for email notification in Dom3. Llamaserver is designed to have full notices and confirmations, but is very heavily designed. Server games you can't expect any of that, someone would have to design a buddy program that would see what Dom was doing, and then interact with a mail client, it would be very complicated I think, probably more complicated than the way that Llama handles it.

The best suggestion I can give you, is just make a time that you check the games that you are playing. If they aren't hosting faster than 24h, you'll always have a turn up during your play time, guaranteed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Griefor]

I don't have a problem with lack of email notification.

The problem is when I believe I'll get email notification, I'll stale if I don't. The first time I asked about not receiving an email I got a response that implied there were email notifications, just not that time. I did not get a clear answer telling me there weren't any.

[Zenzei]

Partially relevant: I don't know if this is know to everyone but creating a new desktop icon for Dom3 and adding " -C --ipadr 74.236.0.134 --port 1026" to the command line causes the game to start directly into this game we have going on here. It's really handy thing to do with every network game as it saves the trouble of always typing the server ip/address and port number and checking the game status is literally only a doubleclick away.

[JimMorrison]

That is a good tip Zenzei!

Luckily the 2 server games I am in, are both on the same machine, so it's just a matter of changing the port back and forth. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[StrictlyRockers]

Maybe we can figure out the hosting clock issues and email notification before we restart this game.

[chrispedersen]

Ok.. it was news to me that emails aren't going! Jim, are you getting them in either game?

Strict, we're not restarting; the vote was 3-3.

[JimMorrison]

Nope, I haven't gotten a single email for either game, except the 2 emails on the first day, the test mail and the notice that the game had started.

[Griefor]

Actually, I did not even get those. I did not get a single email about this game from anyone - no test mail, no start notice.

[chrispedersen]

lol.. no one mentioned it.. I thought they were going fine..

[StrictlyRockers]

Jazzepi, Grietor, Azeal and SR all voted yes on the restart. I'm not sure how you are counting votes, but maybe we should have someone who is not having "their best start ever" count them.

I am happy either way. But I also know that in addition to Xanatos, Bwaha missed the deadline for his pretender and would like the chance to submit one and join the game.

[Aezeal]

I'm still in favor of a restart

[JimMorrison]

I really like my position and whatnot, but since some people have been inadvertently staling and whatnot, I'd be amenable to a restart. It sure beats the heck out of people getting annoyed and going AI, and other people not even getting the chance to play.

[Jazzepi]

Well. I'm going AI. That was fast. I thought a bless would help, but unfortunately I practiced it against level 5 indies and level 7 made them /just that/ much harder to kill. Then I got run over by Helheim, or Vanheim. I can never tell the difference.

Oh well.

Jazzepi

[chrispedersen]

StrictlyRockers said:
Jazzepi, Grietor, Azeal and SR all voted yes on the restart. I'm not sure how you are counting votes, but maybe we should have someone who is not having "their best start ever" count them.

I am happy either way. But I also know that in addition to Xanatos, Bwaha missed the deadline for his pretender and would like the chance to submit one and join the game.



Strict,

I find that an unworthy imputation. You want a restart, because I'm invading your capitol. Rather than voting against it, I merely said if a majority of people who voted wanted a restart, we would restart.

I didn't even vote - so for you to make the imputation that I can't count votes fairly - is really below the belt-especially since its so easy to check: Zen, secretperson and klag voted against restarting.

The point of all of this is to have fun - most of us are going to lose - but hopefully we can put up a good fight, learn something, make some friends and win or lose have a good time.

As for the the strength of the independents, theres nothing I can say other than when I started the game, the one thing I knew I wanted was a game against tougher independents, because I find expansion with an awake pretender - which is what I was going to have - too easy. And the strength of the independents was announced as 7 from the very beginning.

Anyway, as a host, I want the players to have fun. And no position or start is going to be perfect. I regret that the start was not flawless. I wish it were - or that there was a perfect way to resolve issues. But to be fair to the players that are doing well and that are doing well, as long as they want to continue the game, then I will continue hosting.

Best to all.

[johnarryn]

Jazzepi,

Sorry about the early rush... that is Helheim's schtick, after all. Nevertheless, I can understand your frustration... I've never played Hel in MP before, but they do tend to be played as a one-trick pony.

[klagrok]

Yes I guess if I had a bad start Id vote for redo--so I vote for no redo http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Zenzei]

Well, my capital PD and army wasn't enough to prevent Caelum from getting sieged by Niefelheim. So now that I can't recruit anything and I don't have troops left(at least in any meaningful amount), I'm going to go AI. GG guys.

[Jazzepi]

johnarryn said:
Jazzepi,

Sorry about the early rush... that is Helheim's schtick, after all. Nevertheless, I can understand your frustration... I've never played Hel in MP before, but they do tend to be played as a one-trick pony.



Actually I believe the level 7 independents did me in more than anything else. The sacreds I was using were great at taking on level 5s by themselves in groups of 5 or so, but you had much much better sacreds, that were obviously cheaper to produce, and I was taking turmoil/luck. That makes an early rush even easier if I don't get a big gold event before hand. I couldn't mow through the level 7 ones as quickly as you could because of your better blessed units.

Anyways, drawing the "I'm next to the best bless rush nation in the game" card sucks, but that's the way it goes. This is actually the first time it's ever happened to me.

I probably just should have left the game when I saw that the independents had been changed from no announcement on their level to level 7. I feel that stronger independents just screw nations taking sloth, or a rainbow pretender even more in the early game because its so difficult to expand.

Jazzepi

[johnarryn]

While I agree with you about the independents at level 7 being perhaps a bad idea (I find it tends to harm the non-rush nations the most, making rush even more frustrating to deal with) I actually recall our host mentioning the level 7 independents, as I specifically designed my strategy around that level. But I don't remember when this was mentioned.

Although I didn't vote to begin with, I too am of the opinion that we should continue as is... it is easy enough to begin a separate game if folks are that upset, but many people seem to be getting their turns in without too many problems.

[Aezeal]

I need an extention for 24 hours if the game hasn't hosted yet!! Else I need an extention tomorrow I think.

[JimMorrison]

The front post, that states independents are at 7, was last edited over 5 days ago. So, I'm inclined to think it was intentional, not spur of the moment.

I find it funny, that the person who finds it funny that the "host who won't restart has said he's having his best start ever", is the person who the host with the best start ever is killing. If that isn't irony, I don't know what is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Jazzepi]

JimMorrison said:
The front post, that states independents are at 7, was last edited over 5 days ago. So, I'm inclined to think it was intentional, not spur of the moment.

I find it funny, that the person who finds it funny that the "host who won't restart has said he's having his best start ever", is the person who the host with the best start ever is killing. If that isn't irony, I don't know what is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif



When the game was first announced, and for a good deal of time afterwards, at least half a week, maybe more, the front page said nothing about independent strength. I joined when the game was first created.

Jazzepi

[secretperson]

hmm, I'm not sure when independent strength was put up, but I was lucky enough to see it and plan accordingly.

[klagrok]

It was 7 at the start--also you can always check during a game to see what the settings for indies are anyway.

[chrispedersen]

There has been a request for a delay; as stated at the outset, I want to be liberal on delay requests. So the game will not host tonight, but tomorrow night.

I will leave it set to quick host, so if Aezeal gets his turn in we will be good to go. That cover it Aezeal, or do you want to delay next turn?

Best to all

[Jazzepi]

klagrok said:
It was 7 at the start--also you can always check during a game to see what the settings for indies are anyway.



Actually, it wasn't.

Jazzepi

[chrispedersen]

Jazz, I'm sorry you feel that way, but the strength of the independents was set at the very start. Its position varied on the page, as I updated it- but it has never been anything other than 7 - as at least 2 other people can attest to.

No one even mentioned it as a problem prior to the game start. You did mention the number of territories - which I changed to accomodate.

Best.

[Aezeal]

I can start making my turn about 9 hours from now. if the delay is till then I should be good

[StrictlyRockers]

chrispedersen said:

StrictlyRockers said:
Jazzepi, Grietor, Azeal and SR all voted yes on the restart. I'm not sure how you are counting votes, but maybe we should have someone who is not having "their best start ever" count them.

I am happy either way. But I also know that in addition to Xanatos, Bwaha missed the deadline for his pretender and would like the chance to submit one and join the game.



Strict,

I find that an unworthy imputation. You want a restart, because I'm invading your capitol. Rather than voting against it, I merely said if a majority of people who voted wanted a restart, we would restart.

I didn't even vote - so for you to make the imputation that I can't count votes fairly - is really below the belt-especially since its so easy to check: Zen, secretperson and klag voted against restarting.

The point of all of this is to have fun - most of us are going to lose - but hopefully we can put up a good fight, learn something, make some friends and win or lose have a good time.

As for the the strength of the independents, theres nothing I can say other than when I started the game, the one thing I knew I wanted was a game against tougher independents, because I find expansion with an awake pretender - which is what I was going to have - too easy. And the strength of the independents was announced as 7 from the very beginning.

Anyway, as a host, I want the players to have fun. And no position or start is going to be perfect. I regret that the start was not flawless. I wish it were - or that there was a perfect way to resolve issues. But to be fair to the players that are doing well and that are doing well, as long as they want to continue the game, then I will continue hosting.

Best to all.



Chris,

The vote that we can all see on the forums was clearly in favor of a restart. How is anyone supposed to know that there were "secret votes"? It would have been nice if you could have explained to the players that there were "secret votes" that were not cast on the forums.You offered no such explanation, hence my confusion.

I am definitely not attempting to impugn your honor. I am just seeking some explanation. Thank you for filling me in. A concientious host might have decided to post something along the lines of, "Hey guys, just so you know, I'm counting some "secret votes" that no one gets to see, so the vote on the forums doesn't really mean anything." That would have helped to avoid the confusion.

It also might have helped to avoid confusion over the vote for the restart if you had made some final post about it somewhere after the deadline for voting passed. Or you might have offered people one last chance to get their votes in if they missed the deadline.

I said I am happy either way, and I am. I would like a restart so that everyone who wants to play this one gets the chance to. My desire for a restart has nothing to do with the cursed, crippled, chest wounded pretender you have attacked me with. But hey, good luck with that.

I know that Xanator and Bwaha both feel like the game's start was rushed, and they missed out on getting their pretenders in. Those two want a restart. I also know of another player in the game, a "secret voter" if you will, who wants a restart, but did not get the chance to vote because he does not check the forums regularly enough.

Even if you don't count those three, there are still four votes on the forum in favor of restarting, not three as you posted. I'm happy with playing on. I don't care too much one way or the other. I just want to be clear that this is your game, and you can play it any way you want to, and we are going to continue not because the majority's vote was respected, because it wasn't, but because you are "having the best start you've ever had in any game".


chrispedersen said:
Voting will continue until midnight. I have agreed to respect the will of the majority.. but man! I had the BEST start I've ever had in any game.

No good deed goes unpunished. =)

Move to restart failed on 3-3.

[chrispedersen]

No, Strict, it had nothing to do with my personal position.
It was entirely due to the votes I received by midnight. Jazzepis said "I don't mind a restart", which I took as a neutral position, aka a 3-1-3.

Effective immediately, I am going to look for someone to take over my position, and hosting. I will continue to host and play until a substitute can be arranged.

Good luck everyone!

Chris

Also: John - could you pm me your correct email. I seem to have typed it wrong. Your email notifications are bouncing.

[Electro808]

is game not working?

i can't connect

[Electro808]

people who want to continue should not have to vote as that is the default position. People asking for restart should have to be more than half of the players in the game imo.

[chrispedersen]

Hey guys,

I have no way to explain it. I had a power hit last night and now I can not host on port 1026. I've tried rebooting, debugging everything.

The game is currently hosting on port 1224.
Since the game was down for a few hours, I reset the timer.
If anyone knows a good host, please have them contact me.

Chris

[JimMorrison]

Argh, both your games are at 19h now, and Llamaserver hasn't sent me a turn file for any games while I slept..... whatever shall I do??

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[chrispedersen]

Well, you could try to persuade everybody to do their turns quicker = )

On a serious note guys:
One thing I completely didn't think about when I started hosting. I live in Miami where for six months of the year its completely dry. Unfortunately we're just entering the wet season. Yesterday we had 60 mph winds and thunderstorms and the prognosis is the same for the next 2 days - and probably for the rest of the summer.

[Aezeal]

never mind

[johnarryn]

I haven't seen any evidence that chrispedersen isn't doing well in this game. It seems a bit of a jump to claim that it is not going his way. No reason to be discourteous.

[Aezeal]

why does he leave then?

[chrispedersen]

Aezeal,

Being fair and honest means more to me than playing a game.
I did the best I could at setting this up and hosting it.
And I am/was enjoying the game immensely.

However, if there is controversy over a decision I made I would rather resign than have people think I did anything untoward.

I do think in the future that if I host any games, that I won't play in them. Its just not worth the headache.

[JimMorrison]

That was exactly what I was seeing.

Someone who wanted out of a potential win, if people were going to accuse him of not being fair.....

[Jazzepi]

Please remove me from the mailing list for this game.

jazzepi

[Xox]

Chris please stay in. You are doing a fine job hosting, your only fault is not being firm enough about not restarting.

The game is fine. the wierdness about restarting has gotten too unfun and thats why I always say the game policy should always be, ***host rules*** and just leave it at that.

I vote for no restart if that matters and lets end the discussion and continue playing.

I would have voted before and almost did, but I don't think this sort of thing should be encouraged, for just this reason.

And lastly,

Demon Blood Monkey's Uber Alles!!!!!!

[Griefor]

The problem here is that people are jumping to conclusions. The events that took place offer very little indication of foul play if any. I feel it's not very nice to just assume someone is screwing the rest over for their own gain if it looks like it even just a little bit.

To the people crying foul: did you play in more games hosted by Chris? Did he pull stunts like what you are supposedly seeing here all the time? No? Maybe you should learn about a little thing called the benefit of the doubt. Seriously, if I didn't apply that in my life as often as I did, I'd be in an fight with more than half the people I know by now.

[Aezeal]

Well he did drop out kingmaker in 2 turns http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

anyway what is with Jazzepi now? Is he out?

Maybe extend the next turn 24 hours so we can settle all things nicely talk you out of leaving or give you time to leave etc etc...

I'd not mind an extension since I'm having login problem (not technical, but time wise due to a sudden attack of having a life (not used to that))

[chrispedersen]

Make no mistake, I'd rather keep playing. But if there are any hard feelings or anyone feeling slighted I am happy to relinquish my position to

Calahan, who has volunteered to assume the position =).

I haven't found anyone (yet) to host, with Velusion away and Ich down. But I was thinking of asking Gandalf.

Now, this is your last chance- after this I cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war.

On other topics, Aezeal has requested to delay the next turn (by which I think he means the turn after the one running in 2 hours, which he has already submitted).

So, if he does not get a turn in by midnight tomorrow, I will delay that turn 24 hours.

Best,

Chris

[Xox]

Please continue chris.

The main incentive to put up with all the administrative headaches of hosting is have a game to play in with settings and rules just the way you like. I would hate to see a trend start where it is considered inappropriate to play in the same game as you are hosting.

As it is we do not have enough games being hosted, especially network games. I think we all want to encourage hosting, rahter than discourage it.

[chrispedersen]

Cadel are you getting turns etc. ok?

[StrictlyRockers]

I think you should continue playing, Chris. You are doing great, and there is no reason for you to feel compelled to step down from the game. Let me be quite clear here, you totally squished Vanheim with that dragon. No doubt about it, you clobbered me. Sometimes you are the windshield, and sometimes you are the bug.

I don't really feel like your decision on the voting was influenced by your position in the game. So if that is why you are quitting, don't! Enjoy the fruits of war.

Xox has cast another vote in favor of continuing. I agree with his post that this kind of thing should be discouraged in general. I am just a very fair-minded person, and it sure looked like there were a majority of votes cast in favor of a restart. As a fair-minded person, I hardly think it's fair to you for you to relinquish your position as some kind of remedy.

If I should apologise for a brash jump to conclusions, then I am happy to do so. I think I will try to set up a server and host a game so I can see how much trouble it is to deal with everything. Then maybe I could have more to say.

SR

[chrispedersen]

A generous post Strict.
Thank you - I look forward to gaming with you in the future.

[chrispedersen]

As Ulm has staled for the last 2 turns, has not answered the forum, and has not submitted a turn for this turn, I am going to offer the position to Calahan and Xanatos.

I have no idea if the position is valid. To tell the truth, I have no idea how to use the master password either = ). Learning experience.

For this reason, absent objection I am going to delay this turn pending a response.

Chris

[Aezeal]

no seems fine..

Though I want to mention the fact that Ulm might complain since I see no post you get ditched after two turns...

It's not quite as bad as getting ditched after 1 turn when 2 was said.. but similar and in the aforementioned case .. someone was complaining a great deal http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[klagrok]

Pretty sure it was in the original post--along with 7 str indies.........

[chrispedersen]

Agreed Aezeal,
And I am sorry what happened to you in that game. Its one of the reasons I am delaying the turn to try to get a response.

Calahan has said that he will take a look at the position with the idea of playing it. If he has no interest, I then propose to turn it to AI. In fairness, I will probably do the same with Strict's position.

Lastly, does anyone have an issue with me giving the master password to him? Theoretically he could use it to rape all our positions - but I for one trust players.

If their is objection, I will just set it to AI.

Chris

[StrictlyRockers]

Do what you feel is best. There's no way I'm gonna win this one, but I am still having fun playing. I still have some rabbits I can pull out of my hat.

[JimMorrison]

..... Oh wait, you said HAT.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[chrispedersen]

Oh sorry Strict - if you are playing - by all means.
I thought you had abandonned it, as you staled.

And now I'll definitely have to keep an eye out for rabbits = ). If its not too late = ).

[chrispedersen]

Calahan has agreed to take over the position of ULM who was staling. (Thank you Cal!) As soon as I get the opportunity, I will reset the timer to midnight tonight.

Best wishes to all.

[Aezeal]

I'm still out after thursday btw.. noone interested in subbing

[chrispedersen]

Aezeal said:
I'm still out after thursday btw.. noone interested in subbing



eh?

When are you out and when do you return?

What do you want to do?

Chris

[chrispedersen]

On other matters:

I am in Chicago from Friday till Sunday.

I am not expecting to delay the game. My positions in all games will be capably handled by Mark Montero.

I am going to down the servers Thursday night at midnight, to give them a fresh reboot, and to install some remote management software.

That way if something happens while I'm away, there will be at least the possibility of resolving the problem remotely.

Best to all


Chris

[Aezeal]

I'm out 3 weeks starting friday. Asked for a sub for a week but that Xietor business made finding a sub a bit harder since half this forum or more are hypocritical types.

[chrispedersen]

Lets leave it until Thursday to find a sub; if no one volunteers by then I will set it to AI.

With regrets, but I am fairly sure after three weeks of staling, your nation wouldn't be there...

Regards

Chris

[JimMorrison]

Comments like that do wonders for inspiring empathy in random forum members. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/redface.gif I noticed you have an impressive knack for that.

(Edit: Oops, meant to quote Aezael.....)

[chrispedersen]

That was an excellent rabbit. Congratulations!

Now I have one for you.. wait for it.. wait for it...

[Griefor]

I'm not able to connect to the server.

[chrispedersen]

will reboot when I get home.
Still working for about 2 more hours

Server is back up.

[StrictlyRockers]

Yep, that worked. But I am still doomed, I think.

I understand your thinking that I may have decided to bow out of the game. My position is hopeless. Also, I did stale a few times, but that had 100% to do with my starting a new job last week.

I think I will start looking for a new game to get into in a week or so, or maybe I could find one that needs a sub. I'm liking this new job, and it takes a lot of my time and energy. I think I am good for only one game at a time for a while.

[Aezeal]

you could sub my nation strictly if yours is doomed.. mine is going reasonably well and it quite easy to play (EA niefelheim with a bless.. just pump mages, niefels and niefeljarls http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Griefor]

Great, I staled again.

That's just awesome. I tried playing my turn 12 hours ago, the server was unreachable, it was acknowledged that the server was unreachable. Then it just goes ahead and hosts without letting me play my turn. I am not available 24 hours a day to play my turn whenever the server feels like being up, you know. Resetting the timer after something like this would seem like a nice idea.

Added to that stale I had before my desire to keep playing this game has reached a new low. I'm not doing all that awesome to begin with.

[JimMorrison]

Yeah I was doing my turn when the server went down, and I didn't get it redone before the host..... 8 \

[Calahan]

All

Is there an on-line status page for this game that can be checked to see who has or has not submitted their turn yet, and to see how long there is before hosting. I know some server games have a status page and was wondering if this game was one of them.

[Xox]

Yeah i staled too, ALhough last time i checked was less than 10 hours ago. Server was still down. That happens to me a lot though, part of the gaem i suppose,

I do see others did not stale. What is best is too have the timer reset on server reset, but I am not sure that is always possible, since I have not hosted a game myself.

[chrispedersen]

Hey guys,

First, the game is backed up prior and again after hosting.
I am not at the computer, but I believe it should not be an issue to restore; and I have no objection to doing so.

I would ask everyone that submitted a turn to be honor bound not to change it. And just allow that did not get a turn in to submit one.

Please discuss. It is possible that some battle outcomes might change (Read: I don't want any grief if we *do* rerun the turns. And for the record, I believe we should rerun them.)

Second, as I advertised a few days ago, I am in hurricane territory, and I get 12-15 power glitches every day. I have great backup power supplies and filters - but there is nothing further I know how to do to guarantee more uptime.

Third: Please understand I have a job too. And it is simply not possible for me to monitor the server 24x7. I do check it as often as I can. There was a connection when I left this morning at 7am.

Regarding the server hosting: I suspect the local internet was down; the computer was up. And of course, by the time the turn ran, the internet was back up so turns ran.

[Xox]

Restore would be great, but If not, That's ok too, as that is the way the game sometimes goes.

[JimMorrison]

chrispedersen said:
I would ask everyone that submitted a turn to be honor bound not to change it. And just allow that did not get a turn in to submit one.



Not sure if that's kosher, I mean those of us who witnessed what our neighbors did, could really make sure to screw them over, much more than I think they would affect the stalers by changing their plans. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

But I dunno, other than missing out on recruitment, it wasn't the end of the world. I'm just annoyed I missed it by only a few minutes - I did my turn, and it timed out when I submitted it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Griefor]

Okay, maybe my reaction was a bit harsh. I overreacted there.

My issue was not with the downtime. My issue was with the fact that if downtime causes me to miss my turn, I would like to get another 24 hours after the server is back up to get my turn in.

I vote restore.

[chrispedersen]

Griefor,
In the starting notes, I put liberal delays. Aka if you want a 24 hour delay, pretty much just ask for it.

The issue here was - no one asked for a delay, and I didn't know one was needed - and it caused 4 people to stale.

Jim, about 1/4 of the people in the game could not impliment a turn, due to no fault of their own. I understand that people could take advantage of the situation. I'm hoping they won't.

Discussion stays open for a few more hours.
I will pm the people that staled a port number. If we proceed I will allow them to submit a turn on the new port after which we will resume on our usual port.

PS: We have major road outages due to local flooding, with more rain forecast.

Chris

[chrispedersen]

Courtesy of Ich (incredible!)
Status screens for our games.

http://dom3.matryx.org.uk/game.php?game=19

http://dom3.matryx.org.uk/game.php?game=20

[Griefor]

Well, I figured the timer would be reset when the server was.

I never needed more than 24 hours.

[Aezeal]

chris, I hope you can find someone to sub this game.. the nation is going very well and it would be a shame to waste in on an AI.

Just give it to someone permanently if needed.

[chrispedersen]

Strictly, why not (play Aezeal's).

I have no problem with it.

[lch]

chrispedersen said:
http://dom3.matryx.org.uk/game.php?game=20


That's the one for this game. The other is for the Glory game.

Also, the service is provided by Matryx for the SA Dom3 goons, I only registered chris' games on there. I'd still think that it would be best if chris gets his own webserver up soon, tho.

[chrispedersen]

Hey guys,

Part of Velusions scripts includes dumping out a file called 'stats'. In this file it includes the status of every race at the time of the execution of the turn.

The turn that ran at 4:56 am EST says that everyone submitted a turn.

So just as a check, I compared to the stats file for other turn. For example, I just downed the server. The current stat file correctly indicated which nations had submitted turns and which had not, and which were computer controlled.

So I then checked from 3 turns ago, 4 turns ago - again all correct.

Don't get me wrong - I believe the people that say they staled. But the computer logs them as completing a turn.

Additionally, there is usually *2* backups - one done before processing a turn, and one done after. In this instance there are three. One at 4:55 one at 4:56 and one at 5:14.

The turn at 4:55 is the unprocessed turn, the turn at 4:56 looks processed, and the turn at 5:14 is processed.

I am going to attach the last three turn files to ich and to illwinter and ask them to examine the files, as well as see if its possible to log ip addresses.

Chris

[chrispedersen]

Due to a death there has been a request for a delay until Monday.

[hunt11]

guys i am going to be going to camp shortly so i am getting a sub right now

[Calahan]

Ich, that really is one great status page!

A big thank you from me for that, and for all the tireless work and effort you put into many areas of the Dominions community.

[JimMorrison]

chrispedersen said:
The turn that ran at 4:56 am EST says that everyone submitted a turn.




Not sure what's malfunctioning with the script then. I contacted the server, received my 2h file, played my turn, hit End Turn, and the connection timed out.

When I got this last turn, it informed me that I had staled, and no armies moved, no units trained (imagine that http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif).

[lch]

chrispedersen said:
I am going to attach the last three turn files to ich and to illwinter and ask them to examine the files, as well as see if its possible to log ip addresses.


Run "dom3 --verify BraveNewWorld" and the game creates *.chk files for all the game files which show you info about them. You can open them with any text editor. You'll see for which turn number their uploaded 2h files were ("turnnbr"). I tried it on the last archive and two players had outdated turns.

[chrispedersen]

Hey guys,

Ich made a comment offline which I wanted to share:

They said that the game server hung after they hit end turn. Seems like they use to play their turns directly online, which is not advised to do. They should do turns offline and connect to the game server again when they're done to upload them

This is true; there is a FAQ on this exact point, and how (and why) to do it. Can someone please locate the faq and post the link here?

But I can tell you from personal experience, that if I connect directly to a hosted server and you disconnect, crash, or even just quit without saving - the host will still treat it as if you had submitted a turn.

Essentially, the preferred way of doing it is connecting until you see the nations icons, then quitting, and play an existing game. When you are finished with your turn, you then go back to the network, connect, and upload your turn.

The exact step by step instructions are in the FAQ.

Best,

Chris

[chrispedersen]

Regards

Chris

[effeDom]

can i sub for EA abysia? (hunt11)??? or did he get a sub?

im new to MP though i know EA very well and LA less so...

let me know. i setup an email just for dom3 so waiting to get into MPs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[chrispedersen]

I'm okay with you subbing for him; game will not run again till monday. Contact him directly, to arrange please

Chris
(host)

[Griefor]

I can't play my turn. I get "error reading ret turn".

I already tried deleting the game folder.

[Aezeal]

Ok strictly will take my position I guess.. chris you contact him to change e-mail and whatnot.

[chrispedersen]

Okay
Good luck in mexico Aezeal. Sorry to lose you.

We'll do the maintenance next week = )

[secretperson]

I'm not able to connect to the server anymore- is it still port 1224?

[JimMorrison]

I found it on Port 2000.

[secretperson]

woah, so we rolled back a few turns or what?

[secretperson]

sorry, i'm a bit confused here-

on the server status when i connect it shows everyone as having played their turn but on the little status page it says i've submitted my turn.

Do I need to give new orders?

[chrispedersen]

Jim!
I gave the port # to only those people that complained they had staled, specifically to avoid this problem.

PLEASE DO NOT RESUBMIT A TURN. ONLY THOSE THAT MISSED A TURN. I will only discard them anyway.

[JimMorrison]

Well I just found the whole thing terribly confusing, since the other port isn't even responding. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

I don't know, I apologize for my err, though I don't see a big issue with the other people changing their plans as well.

But besides, the turn that was posted there was 2 turns ago. So, to avoid giving a spoiler about what happens next, my initial attack on Agartha hasn't even happened on the posted turn, whereas the turn with the stales happened the turn after I made that first attack, and Agartha's first counter attack was there on the last real turn I got. So..... as I was saying before, I didn't see it fair to let us stalers redo without the other people changing their minds, as for example I could beef up PD and move one of my forces to meet Agartha, and probably badly embarass him, winning the conflict in one stroke.

I hope that the amount of detail here helps clarify my perspective on this. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Electro808]

did you try every port jim? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[effeDom]

i already sorted with hunt11 to sub, however, i cannot connect to server (on port 1224 or port 2000 as someone above ^^^ said...)

so....im guessing, server down?

ah yes i did install the map attachment and all, but, what about mods?
anything i need other than the map?
plz let me know, im new to MP so...

and lanka, i know of our 3 turn warning system, hunt11 told me...until i get into the game a few turns to even realize whats going on i dont intend to change anything http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

hi everyone btw http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[chrispedersen]

Ok guys.

I am waiting on:

1. Those that staled got their turns in.
2. Strict confirms he has the informaiton for Aezeals position.

I have put the server back up: (only for those that staled)I will host the turn at midnight. And resume on port 1224 shortly after midnight.

[chrispedersen]

Thank you Matrix!

As Ich did it for me, I didn't know; So thanks again. Its a great looking page and a lot of work has gone into it.

At some point Ich, I am going to get that webserver up - however I have a lot to learn still - I doubt it will ever look as good as Matryx's page.

However, I just got back (4am) and work is slamming me so it will be a while....

Thanks again Matryx!

[StrictlyRockers]

i m ready to go. I will play aezeal's position.

[chrispedersen]

Ok.
A few people submitted turns that did not stale. So after resetting their turns back, I think we're ready to go. I hope.

It should host in a few minutes.

Edit: Well, I tried guys. But as of this moment, I am just restoring the game back to where griefor, xox and Jim staled.

The problem was that apparently people used different .trn files to create their .2h files - which lead to inconsistent data.

[JimMorrison]

That sucks..... I tried to tell you I thought something screwy was going on. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif But we're sent the file when we contact the server, and like I was saying I don't leave the server until I have played my turn out. Not sure how human error factors into that.

We'll get it worked out though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif You live in Florida, right? Remind me again not to move there, I would die if my broadband connection wasn't rock solid.

[chrispedersen]

Yep, you were right - and it was your email that sort of alerted me to the problem. Your files - and a few others were different days than other peoples.

As for internet and hosting - yeah it isn't bad for me, usually, because when lightning starts, I usually just get off the computer. But it really has been kind of eye opening, the number of lightning hits, surges etc. Which you never think about when its usually off.

We record about 45 lightning hits an hour during a storm; it storms virtually every day now...

[StrictlyRockers]

It's always sunny in California. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Griefor]

I couldn't get in the game on the server last friday, I can't today.

I don't know what to say, but I'm afraid that with the cryptic and tiny error message I get I really can't fix the problem, and judging from the response I get, neither can anyone else.

I'd LIKE to play my turn but I simply cannot.

[chrispedersen]

Grief,

I don't mind delaying processing again. If you can, I suggest you install Dominions again into a different folder, then download the game trn into that folder.

I would also suggest contacting Ich and letting him look at it - and see if he can aid in this.

[Calahan]

:-( :-( Didn't realise the game was back up and running :-( :-( So stalled a couple more turns :-( :-(

Don't think I'm alone though, as there appears to be several people who don't realise this game is running again.

Was expecting there to be some sort of announcement on the thread to indicate that things were running normally again after all the turn re-doing that went on.

[chrispedersen]

Game paused to allow comment.

[Calahan]

It might be worth PM-ing everyone who is supposed to be playing in this game, to find out if they ARE still playing this game. As I've just checked the game status page, and Marverni, Sauromatia, Abysia, C'tis and Agartha, are still outstanding for the current turn. And I'm pretty sure that at least Abysia and C'tis stalled the last turn as well.

Also, according to the forum messages, 'effeDom' is currently subbing for 'hunt11' as Abysia, but on another thread, 'effeDom' has said he's about to move from Spain to Sweden, plus he has a tech problem with the game, so he won't be doing any MP games for a while.

My own story with this game is that I was checking this forum and the game status site regular last weekend (20-22 June), Monday (23rd)+Tuesday (24th) waiting for the 'the turn re-doing problems are now sorted - the game is running normally again' message, but nothing appeared, and nothing seemed to have happened. According to the status page, the game was still where it had been for about a week. On 'Turn 15', with one or two turns still outstanding.

I didn't check the game status site after this, as I was checking the Dominions MP forum regular anyway, and I'd be sure to notice a message on this game thread saying that the game was 'running normal again'. Anyway on Saturday (28th) I had some free time so I decided to check the game status page to see what was happening, since there had been no messages on this forum thread.

But low and behold, the status page said 'Turn 17 - turn deadline 4 minutes!!' So then it was a mad dash to connect-up to the game, waste all my stored money on PD, end turn and upload. (another stall would have been better for me on reflection) So did that, checked the status page, and it had received my turn 1 minute before hosting! As close as it gets! But I did notice that there were at least 3 other nations who hadn't submitted a turn, and were certainly about to stall, probably for the second time in a row (with a third coming up now)

Think a few things need to be clarified here, as the game will become very unbalanced and meaningless if several nations are simply stalling. Even an AI existence for them is better than a non-existent stalling one.

[JimMorrison]

You know, all things considered..... As favorable a position as I have in this game, I'd be in favor of a restart, if it looked like a good idea. I'm not going to push for it, just saying that if the majority of the players are in favor, OR are AWOL, then maybe we should do it. It sucks to even think about, this late in the game, but I think if there were enough problems that a lot of people have dropped out (or just had their position made irrelevant due to inadvertent stales), we might have a nicer game if we had a full roster of players.

<3

[johnarryn]

I am opposed to a restart. I don't know what has been causing all of the complained-of problems and delays. I have not been having any trouble keeping up with turns, and have not felt confused by the hosting system. I certainly don't mean to minimize other people's complaints, but it seems to me that most of my neighbors in the game have also been playing actively and have kept up.

[Calahan]

A re-start would certainly solve a lot of problems, but probably create too many new ones in the process, mostly in the 'bad feelings' department. So I'd personally vote no for a re-start

Several players appear to have had some problems at various stages, me, and Ulm's former incumbent being amongst them. I'm just sad that some of them could have been avoided with a simple message or two.

My only request for this game is that the stalling nations are sorted out ASAP (3-4 nations stalled last turn, and roughly the same number since turn 16). It's not going to make for a very fair game if some nations are playing a genuine game, battling it out with 'active' neighbours, while other nations are simply waltzing through undefended lands, and possibly being on the verge of securing themselves a second capital or too.

It's also not exactly clear what's going on with regards hosting either. Since 'chrispedersen' posted that the game would be paused to allow comments, but the game then continued to host on schedule. I'm just finding a few things that are going on slightly confusing.

[chrispedersen]

Hey Calahan (and interested others)

Friday John(I believe) requested delay till monday due to death. I complied, and the game was set to monday.

Monday, Griefor said that he wasn't able to process a turn. I paused the game (24 hours) to allow him to work that out. I heard no additional messages from him.

When you notified that you staled, I did the same thing, I announced that I was pausing the game for comment. The game went from hosting in 2 hours, to hosting in 24.

No one made any comments during that time period or requests in that time period.

I know for my part that I haven't attacked sauromatia specifically because I didn't know what griefor was going to do. But I agree with your suggestion that we sort out the stalling nations and set them to AI. I will do that, without objection, when I get home.

Who is/isn't staling?

[Calahan]

Hi Chris

Thanks for clearing up some of the things that went on.

Don't know exactly who has stalled and when over the recent turns, but my best guesses for who has are:-

Abysia - Very sure they've stalled turns 16, 17, 18. And like I said above, if 'effeDom' is supposed to be controlling them, then he's already stated on another thread ('FreshMeat') that he's moving plus has tech issues.

C'tis - Pretty sure they've stalled turns 17, 18, and guessing turn 16 as well. 'Electro808' is down as controlling them, and his last post on any forum was on 20th June (during the turn re-doing issues). Maybe PM him and see if he's still playing.

I know for definite that one other nation stalled on turn 17, (I saw the status page with a minute to go, and remember seeing three red boxes) but I can't be sure who else it was. I think it was either Marverni or Agartha. All the other nations seem to be actively playing (apart from the four mentioned here).

Do you get any info regarding who's stalled as host? If so you probably have more accurate info than me on who has been stalling. Maybe delay the game for 24hrs to PM all those who have stalled to see if they're still playing. Then either turn AI any orphan nation that has stalled for 3 turns in a row, or delay a further 24hrs to look for subs, and then AI any nations that remain orphan after that.

All the above of course is provided people agree with it :-) and if anyone is reading this who is controlling one of the above four nations, then please post a message saying whether or not you are active in this game.

[Xox]

I am not positve, but I think abyssia did a turn in the last three turns, they took an indie provionce. At least I thought they did.

XOX

[chrispedersen]

abysia has missed one, and 2 of last 4
marvnie missed last one
ctis missed last 4
agartha missed 3
griefor has missed 4, and due to problems I don't think will restart.

I believe that agartha and ctis are being conquered. I wish that someone had gone AI. So in keeping with the ai after 2, unless someone says something (quickly) I will AI ctis, argath, and sauro.

[JimMorrison]

Weird, Agartha struck back at me once when I started attacking them. They got all quiet after I killed their pretender, but that's kind of typical. >.>

This game has just been terribly ill fated..... I hope no one holds it against Chris, since there are two games running on the same server, that both started around the same time, and Glory is doing just fine.

[secretperson]

Just a streak of bad luck, I'd say.

Even glory had it's share of bad luck when Ich's/Gandalf's server crashed and we had to restart. But Chris rehosted it and it's been going quite well since.

[JimMorrison]

Oh it had its share, right at the start. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Just, this one has had far more than a fair share. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Calahan]

I second Chris being an all round top host and administrator :-)

This game certainly seems to have had a Misfortune 3 setting from the start though. ****e happens I guess :-(

(Edit) Just checked the status page and the sleepers have come alive! Agartha, C'tis, and Abysia have all submitted turns for turn 19. Any news from these players Chris? Only Marverni appears to be still AWOL. But 6 hrs to go before hosting, so you never know :-)

[StrictlyRockers]

I also think Chris is a great host. He has proven his worth.

I'm easy. I'm in favor of a restart, but happy to play on.

[JimMorrison]

I just sort of wish that Graphs were on, so we could get a sense of how "healthy" the game is as a whole at this point.

Isn't there a command the host can run that gets similar stats, and can be posted somewhere for us?

[chrispedersen]

Cal,

They only showed alive, as I set them to AI. The nations seemed to be viable. So, I suppose they were voting with their feet.

I consider the game to be tainted by all the problems. And while I love the race I'm playing, I don't like problems or bad feelings.

So, if I were to vote, I'd vote to start another game - and honestly, preferably one not hosted by me =). I'd be happy to play with each and every one of you. And I'd really like to play the same race. But I don't want to encourage a game to fall down, especially for john, and other people that are doing well, and hopefully enjoying it =P

my .02!

[effeDom]

well sorry for not getting back to you yesterday, but, i had no problem with this game (technically), i played the 2 turns up til yesterday, though i was forced to miss a turn because i came up to north spain to stay with a friend and until just now we couldnt get my computer working with his internet (router problem, but just fixed it)...

so i stalled last turn but the turns before that were no problem, however I do see that ive been put on AI already so considering that is unchangable, oh well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
the technical problem i was having was only with that other MP game that i was starting. thanks for investigating though as I seem to be a bit unreliable on putting in turns everyday, i think i will opt out of playing any serious MPs until i really get situated with a job and living permanently somewhere again soon hehe http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

i wasnt expecting to lose connectivity for the remainder of this game, because I'd still be in spain (just in bilbao, now) for the next 2 weeks or so and it looked like abysia would be dead by then anyway regardless of what i do, or even game close to a finish....

i opted out of the other game because i didnt want to start up a new one, not knowing if id have every-day connectivity about a month from now.

anyhow.
good luck the rest of you on the rest of this game, looks like its going to be over soon anyhow.

[chrispedersen]

Well, I'm glad to know other games have technical problems too. =P

No problem effeDom.. was a pleasure to play with you. I would be fine with playing with you again. I just suggest you be clear you want a game with no or loose turn deadlines.

Bleh! The only option is to reset to turn prior to AIing.

Chris