Anyone willing to accept a newbie?

[Jayalin]

Hullo there.

I've been a loyal fan of the series since SEII. I currently own the SEIV Gold edition, and I was hoping to get involved in some of the multiplayer action going on out there http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

My schedule provides me with problems if I were required to do anything like a Simultaneous game, anything where I have to remain connected for the entrity or until a save (and I'd hate to interrupt). So, if there are any PBEM games out there or starting shortly, I'd be much obliged if I could get in on it.

Also, as the subject suggests, I am indeed a newbie. Whilst I've been with the series and particular game since close to they've been around, I frankly just aren't too good at this. I know how to do pretty much anything and are well aware of the dynamics of much of the game, but frankly the AI beats me down quite easily. However, once I get into the swing of things, I hope to adapt.

Thanks, to anyone willing to let me join http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Gozra]

"Make Friends and Kill them" has an opening. Over on PBW you are quite welcome to join. But the game is skewed a bit. E-mail me for details if you are interested.

[Pablo]

If the unmodded AI beats you - well - keep on trying. Try to find counter weapons to their attacks. Read as much of this forum as you can because almost in any thread there are at least some advice or suggestions or observations but first of all - read the newbie guides. After that when you will start becomming MEE after let's say 20-30 turns, try playing with TDM or DevNull Mod AIs.
If you want real challenge - go to http://www.seiv.pbw.cc and try searching for a newbie game. Soon we're starting a game called LastHope5. This is SEIVGold game humans against unmodded AIs. Just what you're looking for. The game is just for trying some new ideas and/or racial techs and/or whatever interesting you can think of. There are already 3 players in and they are a bit experienced so if you'd need help on something - just use the diplomacy or the game's forum.
This applies to everybody. Come & join the game. If htere will be more than 10 players - just tell me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
Edit: I will tell the game admin to change the description to English but there is nothing very important.

[ January 09, 2003, 18:35: Message edited by: Pablo ]

[Ragnarok]

Hey Pablo, so that game is humans vs. AI the whole way? Is it for newbies? I have been playing PBW for awhile now, and I am currently in 6 or 7 games. But a couple are about to finish up (for me at least) and I would like to get into a new game. I have not won a single PBW game so I guess I am still a newbit. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif If ya'll don't mind I wouldn't mind joining this game. I just might learn something from it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[atari_eric]

Hi, Jayalin, I'm about to become someone's Fresh Meat Entree soon too. I believe that PBW works by transferring turn files before you start and after you're done. You don't need to stay on for any length of time - you just need to D/l and U/l your turn file. I think the files are something in the 100's of K, not too bad for dial-up unless you're still running at 14400.

I tend to be a push over for the Unmodded AI as well, though lately, i seem to be getting better thanks to some tips on this site as well as #se4 on gamesnet IRC. Building a couple of space stations with spaceyards in them, cranking out Colony Ships from all three, and spreading your seed like a sports figure is a good way to up on the game early. It also seems to cause the AI to "respect" you more - they'd rather ally with you than crush you out of hand. Your Mileage May Vary, of course. You do need to be a fairly agressive player - that was my problem; I was willing to grow slowly, and the AI ate planets and excreted ships. Guess who won those games? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Keep at it though; even if you lose, as long as you learn something and/or have fun, it's not a waste of time.

[Pablo]

Ragnarok come & join the game! Will be nice to see you there http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
As you see this is LastHope5. Four games already gone (1 of them on a few turns left limit actually) and only 1 of them - defeat http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif
That was a cluster map with DNM AIs with all bonuses for AIs and technology research at medium for us. We just couldn't get in touch with each other and then those monsters... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif
This is an unmodded plain SEIVGold game against AIs. Well you will see the game settings there. Come!
Edit: typos

[ January 09, 2003, 20:17: Message edited by: Pablo ]

[Suicide Junkie]

Yeah, PBW is basically an automated PBEM system.

There is an option for it to email you your turn; you then reply, attach your completed turn, and Poof! The rest is automatic!

[Ragnarok]

Alright, sounds fun. With me here you won't lose against those pesky AIs. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif
Well... You may lose more with me.. J/K...

Come joining I am.

[Gryphin]

I will be starting a PBEM game with another new player. This will be a "Learning Game" or "Open Hand" played with no passwords. The intent is I will look at their prograess and how they are doing it. They will look at mine. We will exchange notes.
I guess we could make this a PBW.
Anyone else interested or have I really gone out the airlock this time?

[Krsqk]

MEE in 20-30 turns? Is that possible? What am I doing wrong? You have to hit 500K in score before you can be MEE, as I understand Settings.Txt

[capnq]

MEE in 20-30 turns? Is that possible? <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think so, but it requires a 10 planet start.

I've got a 10 planet PBW game that's only at turn 28, and at least one player is over 500K, but 2nd is close enough to not make him MEE. [Edit] Well, this shows how much attention I usually pay to the score. It's turn 30, and all five players are over 500K.

[ January 11, 2003, 21:11: Message edited by: capnq ]

[Puke]

Originally posted by Gryphin:
I will be starting a PBEM game with another new player. This will be a "Learning Game" or "Open Hand" played with no passwords. The intent is I will look at their prograess and how they are doing it. They will look at mine. We will exchange notes.
I guess we could make this a PBW.
Anyone else interested or have I really gone out the airlock this time?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">thats a really good idea. it would make it easier on you guys to take it to PBW, and with any luck, you will generate some more interest for similar games of the type. You might even get people interested in running 'teaching' games where novices pair off with veterans to learn all the tricks.

[Gryphin]

Ok Puke, I'll try it.
I'll have to learn how to setup a pbw but it seems worth a go. Are you in/ Anyone else? Any ideas?
Outline
Victory Conditions:
Learn or teach as much as you can
Enjoy the game

Game will be played till outcome is clear or a consensus is reached to end the game and possibly start a new one where the Lessons can be applied.
If you want to drop out it is ok
If you miss a few turns it is ok

Gentleman’s agreements:
Keep in mind the Spirit of this game is to help novice players learn to play. The Newbie you train today may be a worthy opponent tomorrow.
War can only be made against veteran players or consenting “Newbies”. Once a war is started the Veteran player is encouraged to accept peace terms. If the Newbie did serious damage to the Veteran then reparations would be in order.
At some point during the game the Glassing of Planets may become outlawed.
You may only trade minerals / rads / organics with the AI. Veterans are discouraged from doing this.
All other trading with the AI is forbidden
No Passwords. Your “hand” may be looked at by any Newbie player at any time. Veterans are forbidden from looking at other Veteran players “Hands”

As you can see this game is more about helping out than military victory. I’m sure I have overlooked quite a bit. I’m open to suggestions here.

[ January 13, 2003, 12:48: Message edited by: Gryphin ]

[Trailblazer]

Gryphin and Pablo, I'm interested in both of your games. I definitely consider myself a newbie; while the AIs don't give me many problems, and the AI I'm working on seems to perform as well or better than all the others I've found, I've never played multiplayer before and have a lot to learn. I'm tempted to join the Imperator's game, as I role-played a lot in the past, but perhaps I should start slowly.

[Pablo]

Trailblazer, I'll tell the game admin to increase the number of players to 6. Now we're thinking about making the game DevNullModGold because the AIs are stronger and it's more interesting. But that's to be decided in the game's forum.

[Trailblazer]

Thanks very much, Pablo! I'm in now. Someone used my favorite shipset already (the Taeron), so I had to create a new race concept for use with a different shipset. This will give me an excuse to try out the Devnullmod too.

[rdouglass]

Originally posted by Krsqk:
MEE in 20-30 turns? Is that possible? What am I doing wrong? You have to hit 500K in score before you can be MEE, as I understand Settings.Txt<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">ISTR there was a percentage chance as well - something like 170%. I thought it was an EITHER/OR situation not a BOTH situation. IOW 500K score OR 170% of 2nd place (AI).

Do I remember this wrong?

[capnq]

I thought it was an EITHER/OR situation not a BOTH situation. <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, it's definitely AND.

If it was OR, you could become MEE if you had only 17K and second place had 10K.

[tesco samoa]

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