New PBW game : "Mediocrity" [Archive]

geoschmo

May 1st, 2003, 11:07 PM

http://seiv.pbw.cc Game Page (http://seiv.pbw.cc/text/index.jsp?menu=gamemenu.jsp%3fgame=18q5ac&body=gamebody.jsp%3fgame=18q5ac)

MEDIOCRITY

Game description

Some say games are won and lost at empire setup. If you want to try something different, join this game. All empires will be pure vanilla, no racial traits, no enhanced or reduced characteristics, and all cultures set to neutral. What happens next is up to you.

Starting resources: 20000
Starting planets: 3
Home planet value: Average
Score display: allied
Technology level: Low
Racial points: 0
Quadrant type: Mid-Life
Quadrant size: Medium
Event frequency: None
Event severity: NA
Technology cost: Medium
Victory conditions: Win
Maximum units: MAX
Maximum ships: MAX
Computer players: NONE
Other game settings:
All Empire cultures must be Neutral
All empire characteristics must be average (No reductions or improvments)
No Advanced Racial traits
36 Hour Fully automatic turns

For those of you that remember the "Neutral Challange" from Last year, this is pretty much the same idea. But you can use any shipset or racepic you want for this one.

Geoschmo

[ May 01, 2003, 22:57: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Ragnarok

May 2nd, 2003, 12:47 AM

This is a very interesting game idea. I'm tempted to join. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I'll have to think about it some more though.

geoschmo

May 3rd, 2003, 09:20 PM

Filling up fast. Four spots taken.

Geoschmo

mottlee

May 3rd, 2003, 09:32 PM

Geo, forgot to add in upload...ship set...Teran

Slynky

May 4th, 2003, 03:28 AM

Everything sounds kind of interesting 'cept for that "neutral" culture thing. If you're talking about the setting where you choose Bloodthirsty, Peaceful, or Neutral, then I've never had much success with a Neutral culture. Took it by accident a few time before I read that everything ticks them off... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

Gwaihir

May 4th, 2003, 04:54 AM

The concept is neat, but wh neutral? Oh, is that to make everyone equally uncomfortable, in case you have players used to fairly light race modification? I dunno, if another one of those starts up this summer, I might just join up. (Provided, of course, that the sanity of those in the first game is no more than 50% degraded . . . doncha love being guinea pigs?)

Random question, why the heck is it guinea pigs? experiments are chiefly done on albino rats (they're carefully inbred so as to ensure that they are genetically close to identical - - - you want repeatable results), and before that practice was started cows were used. Rats are so much better tho - smaller, shorter lifespan, much much faster breeding, easy to handle . . . I dunno why they used to use cows. Actually, cool trivia, the guy who pioneered using lab rats was my great great uncle Elmer "Dr. Vitamin" McCollum, the guy who discovered vitamins A, B complex, and D.

Hrm, methinks i got a bit off topic there. But i do want to know why the expression is "guinea pigs."

[ May 04, 2003, 03:55: Message edited by: Gwaihir ]

General Woundwort

May 4th, 2003, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Everything sounds kind of interesting 'cept for that "neutral" culture thing. If you're talking about the setting where you choose Bloodthirsty, Peaceful, or Neutral, then I've never had much success with a Neutral culture. Took it by accident a few time before I read that everything ticks them off... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .I think Geo meant neutral cultures (i.e. no Scientists, Warriors, Politicians, etc), not neutral happiness.

geoschmo

May 4th, 2003, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:
Everything sounds kind of interesting 'cept for that "neutral" culture thing. If you're talking about the setting where you choose Bloodthirsty, Peaceful, or Neutral, then I've never had much success with a Neutral culture. Took it by accident a few time before I read that everything ticks them off... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .I think Geo meant neutral cultures (i.e. no Scientists, Warriors, Politicians, etc), not neutral happiness.<hr /></blockquote>Yes, that is what I meant, and what I said. Happiness type is totally up to you. I do not suggest "Neutral" for that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geoschmo

geoschmo

May 4th, 2003, 04:37 PM

By the way, 8 spots taken, 2 left!

Slynky

May 4th, 2003, 04:38 PM

Well, as everyone is probably beginning to know, I am easily http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif .

Thanks to both for clarifying!

Slynky

May 4th, 2003, 05:20 PM

WELL !

Easiest empire I ever deliberated over http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

satandog

May 4th, 2003, 05:52 PM

Geoschmo,

Like the concept and have applied to join the game.

This is my first public play by web game but I think that Stone Mill and Cheeze can vouch for me.

I taught them everything they know http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

geoschmo

May 5th, 2003, 02:52 PM

Megawatte is using stock Cue Cappa.

General Woundwort

May 5th, 2003, 09:43 PM

YES! I have officially uploaded my first PBW game turn! Time to update the SEIV code in my sig!

mottlee

May 6th, 2003, 12:49 AM

Turn UPLOADED!!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Unknown_Enemy

May 6th, 2003, 01:38 AM

what is Megawatte's shipset ?

Gwaihir

May 6th, 2003, 07:02 AM

Congrats to Woundwort - you have now taken your first step to becoming majorly addicted, totally unproductive, and devoid of even the most miniscule sign of having a life! Enjoy! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif (I certainly do http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif )

mottlee

May 6th, 2003, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by Gwaihir:
Congrats to Woundwort - you have now taken your first step to becoming majorly addicted, totally unproductive, and devoid of even the most miniscule sign of having a life! Enjoy! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif (I certainly do http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif )You mean you can not be that way UNLESS you play PBW? ...Dang a day late and a dollar short! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Slynky

May 6th, 2003, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by mottlee:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Gwaihir:
Congrats to Woundwort - you have now taken your first step to becoming majorly addicted, totally unproductive, and devoid of even the most miniscule sign of having a life! Enjoy! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif (I certainly do http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif )You mean you can not be that way UNLESS you play PBW? ...Dang a day late and a dollar short! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif <hr /></blockquote>Well, you can be but once you start PBW, as the old saying goes, "resistance is futile".

geoschmo

May 6th, 2003, 11:07 PM

SEIV with no PBW is a highly entertaining, mildly habit forming game. With PBW it's a full blown life altering addiction. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Gryphin

May 6th, 2003, 11:19 PM

General Woundwort is there anybody you would like us to notify of your wear a bouts?

mottlee

May 7th, 2003, 12:33 AM

Turn 3 UP!

Slynky

May 7th, 2003, 01:07 AM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
YES! I have officially uploaded my first PBW game turn! Time to update the SEIV code in my sig!Uh-oh...what'd you do the the server? ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )

General Woundwort

May 7th, 2003, 02:06 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Uh-oh...what'd you do the the server? ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )Hey, I just logged on and it's working fine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Turn 3 is in. This is fun - or will be until I start running into you guys out there... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

General Woundwort

May 7th, 2003, 02:08 AM

Originally posted by Gryphin:
General Woundwort is there anybody you would like us to notify of your wear a bouts?Not yet. I'm going to try to get things set up so I can keep playing while on vacation. But I'll keep you informed. Thanks for asking. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

mottlee

May 8th, 2003, 01:15 AM

Originally posted by Slynky:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by General Woundwort:
YES! I have officially uploaded my first PBW game turn! Time to update the SEIV code in my sig!Uh-oh...what'd you do the the server? ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )<hr /></blockquote>Sent mine Email, could not log in

Slynky

May 8th, 2003, 02:07 PM

Speaking of mediocrity, does this galaxy type suck or what?!?!?

mottlee

May 8th, 2003, 02:11 PM

May be a short game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geo, could you Email me my site pass word (if you have it) I can not log on from work http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif (forgot password)

[ May 08, 2003, 13:13: Message edited by: mottlee ]

Slynky

May 8th, 2003, 02:15 PM

The PBW site seems to have a tummy-grumble this morning.

mottlee

May 9th, 2003, 01:09 AM

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

Slynky

May 9th, 2003, 04:11 PM

Game overdue. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

geoschmo

May 9th, 2003, 04:16 PM

Gravey is out of town till Sunday. He asked to have the game on ALPU till he returned. He said he would try to get his turn in remotly if possible, but it doesn't look like he was able to.

Geoschmo

Slynky

May 9th, 2003, 04:42 PM

Ahhh, seems faintly familiar now that you mention it.

I have to install a server and several workstations in Montgomery, Alabama Tue thru Thu of next week. But I plan to take my Gold CD and the patch and do turns after hours. BUT, in case something comes up (I call him Murphy), I'll let you know.

Cheers!

mottlee

May 13th, 2003, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Gravey is out of town till Sunday. He asked to have the game on ALPU till he returned. He said he would try to get his turn in remotly if possible, but it doesn't look like he was able to.

GeoschmoI sent Email I will not be able to run next turn, will be in Chiago till thursday mid day, run this one on auto I do not want to hold up too much.

(edit) Dang!!! Captain now cooool http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

(PS) how to hide raitings?

(PSSS) Found it

[ May 12, 2003, 12:44: Message edited by: mottlee ]

Slynky

May 13th, 2003, 01:50 AM

Hehe...not much going on anyway. Well, at least in my world. Looked at Last turn and the turn log said, "Mineral facility built". That was it...LOL.

Slynky

May 26th, 2003, 04:03 PM

Speaking of mediocrity, the game sure moves at a mediocre pace. Is there any particular reason the game is still on "Last person upload"?

General Woundwort

May 26th, 2003, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Speaking of mediocrity, the game sure moves at a mediocre pace. Is there any particular reason the game is still on "Last person upload"?Might be because I am on vacation until Thursday. If it gets to be too much for you guys, have Geo run my turn with the AI until I can get back to my home terminal.

Slynky

May 26th, 2003, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:
Speaking of mediocrity, the game sure moves at a mediocre pace. Is there any particular reason the game is still on "Last person upload"?Might be because I am on vacation until Thursday. If it gets to be too much for you guys, have Geo run my turn with the AI until I can get back to my home terminal.<hr /></blockquote>Well, that's a different story! I can wait for that. Of course, it'd be nice to have some info so I wouldn't be scratching my head... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif .

I remember someone else being gone for something a few turns back...but didn't know someone else was going to be gone for a while.

Have fun!

General Woundwort

May 26th, 2003, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:
Well, that's a different story! I can wait for that. Of course, it'd be nice to have some info so I wouldn't be scratching my head... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif . Hint - check the in-game forum in 'Mediocrity's page at SEIV PBW. I posted my departure and return dates there Last Thursday (and even before that). Enquiring minds can know... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Slynky

May 26th, 2003, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:
Well, that's a different story! I can wait for that. Of course, it'd be nice to have some info so I wouldn't be scratching my head... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif . Hint - check the in-game forum in 'Mediocrity's page at SEIV PBW. I posted my departure and return dates there Last Thursday (and even before that). Enquiring minds can know... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <hr /></blockquote>I used to check in those forums a while back but they didn't seem to have much activity. I guess I got used to people posting info in this forum. Also, played in a lot of PBW games where anyone who had to be gone past a due date contacted the game owner and the game owner posted news (which sent out an email to everyone so they got the info without having to go looking for it).

geoschmo

May 26th, 2003, 05:30 PM

Mea culpa Slynky. I am game owner of so many games that I have trouble keeping up with all the emails and news Messages. I have gotten into the habit of whenever someone emails me about a vacation having them post in the game news. This is as much so I can rememebr as it is to notify the other players. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geoschmo

teal

June 5th, 2003, 11:32 AM

Teal (the Yawning Collective) will be out of town from Sunday June 7th through Thursday June 12th. I have asked Geo for a ALPU because the delay is relatively brief and I don't want the AI playing for me... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I apologize for the inevitable delay!

Teal

Slynky

June 5th, 2003, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by teal:
Teal (the Yawning Collective) will be out of town from Sunday June 7th through Thursday June 12th. I have asked Geo for a ALPU because the delay is relatively brief and I don't want the AI playing for me... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I apologize for the inevitable delay!

TealAhhhh...tks for the info.

BTW, I lived in Karlsruhe and Augsburg for about 4 years each. Beautiful country, Germany.

Slynky

June 14th, 2003, 05:39 AM

Originally posted by teal:
Teal (the Yawning Collective) will be out of town from Sunday June 7th through Thursday June 12th. I have asked Geo for a ALPU because the delay is relatively brief and I don't want the AI playing for me... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I apologize for the inevitable delay!

TealNearly Saturday the 14th here...how ya doing over there? Decided to stay on the French Rivera a bit longer? ( http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )

teal

June 16th, 2003, 03:05 PM

I posted my turn as soon as I got backon Thursday... Someone else didn't have their turn in which is why the turn didn't process... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slynky

June 16th, 2003, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by teal:
I posted my turn as soon as I got backon Thursday... Someone else didn't have their turn in which is why the turn didn't process... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Can you BELIEVE my stupidity?! (I just took a quick look Friday night and when I saw one remaining, I just assumed you were still photographing naked girls in St. Tropez....hehe).

General Woundwort

July 8th, 2003, 12:45 PM

Any word from Binford re: his computer and turn access?

Slynky

July 8th, 2003, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
Any word from Binford re: his computer and turn access?Last I heard, he was moving and didn't know when he'd have DSL access again (hope I'm not confusing him with someone else). I just made a treaty with him and he said to contact him by email till he got set up. Am a bit surprised that he has taken this long but...

mottlee

July 8th, 2003, 07:04 PM

IF he was waiting for DSL it can take some time..depending on if the phone Co need to install some Eq.

Geckomlis

July 8th, 2003, 11:43 PM

Binford uploaded a turn! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

General Woundwort

July 9th, 2003, 12:11 AM

...and there was much rejoicing. [yeeeaaaah, yeeeeaaaah.]

Slynky

July 9th, 2003, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
...and there was much rejoicing. [yeeeaaaah, yeeeeaaaah.]In the words from the "Poltergeist" movie, "He's Ba-ack."

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Loser

July 17th, 2003, 04:54 PM

Just wanted to let everybody in the game know that I'm in and that this is my first PBW.

Hey-a and whatnot.

Geckomlis

July 17th, 2003, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by Loser:
Just wanted to let everybody in the game know that I'm in and that this is my first PBW.

Hey-a and whatnot.Welcome!

Loser

July 17th, 2003, 05:50 PM

I can't find the mediocrity forum on the PBW page. Can someone throw a link in here to it?

geoschmo

July 17th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by Loser:
I can't find the mediocrity forum on the PBW page. Can someone throw a link in here to it?If you use the graphic UI you can get to the forum. Or go to the general forums and hit the "Show all game forums" link at the bottom. That part of the text UI is broken at the moment.

Geoschmo

BadAxe

July 17th, 2003, 06:15 PM

OT to Gwaihir http://www.animalaid.org.uk/youth/topics/experiments/cosmetics.htm

Guinea pigs are still #2 in England, anyway.

Loser

July 17th, 2003, 06:19 PM

I was using the test interface, but see I try the graphical one and I get

"Error

The following exception occured:

You were not authorized to that action."

And I'm not

geoschmo

July 17th, 2003, 06:34 PM

Ok Loser, check your email.

mottlee

July 17th, 2003, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by BadAxe:
OT to Gwaihir http://www.animalaid.org.uk/youth/topics/experiments/cosmetics.htm

Guinea pigs are still #2 in England, anyway.We have a different use for them here....[eg]

[ July 17, 2003, 19:23: Message edited by: mottlee ]

Slynky

July 17th, 2003, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by mottlee:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by BadAxe:
OT to Gwaihir http://www.animalaid.org.uk/youth/topics/experiments/cosmetics.htm

Guinea pigs are still #2 in England, anyway.We have a different use for them here....[eg]<hr /></blockquote>Perhaps you're getting guinea pigs confused with gerbils (bigger eg).

mottlee

July 17th, 2003, 10:52 PM

Nope...use pigs for testing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geo. Having problem with game error in loading Gam file...did add a new mod but I do not know what files (if any) that was over witten...any Ideas?

could I re D/L the patch you think that will work??

Fixed reinstall http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[ July 17, 2003, 23:01: Message edited by: mottlee ]

Lord Chane

December 10th, 2003, 12:47 AM

Hey Gravey101,

Nice backstab on that Last turn! I guess it's always easier to suddenly drop an alliance and attack on the same turn than it is to do the honorable thing and declare war first. Hope you enjoy the victory!

-- Lord Chane

gravey101

December 10th, 2003, 01:37 AM

Hey Lord Chane,

Yes, I will enjoy it. Probably more so now after your post than I would have done otherwise. Please try to remember that it's a game, not a matter of honour. I play to win. You are free to play however you wish, and I guess free to criticize me on public forums as well, instead of doing the honorable thing and sending a private email.

Gravey.

[ December 10, 2003, 05:17: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

General Woundwort

December 10th, 2003, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by gravey101:
Hey Lord Chane,

Yes, I will enjoy it. Probably more so now after your post than I would have done otherwise. Please try to remember that it's a game, not a matter of honour. I play to win.Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd:
They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.

Henry VI Part III, ACT IV Scene i

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

EDIT - new sig

[ December 10, 2003, 00:32: Message edited by: General Woundwort ]

Lord Chane

December 10th, 2003, 05:44 AM

Originally posted by gravey101:
Hey Lord Chane,

Yes, I will enjoy it. Probably more so now after your post than I would have done otherwise. Please try to remember that it's a game, not a matter of honour. I play to win. You are free to play however you wish, and I guess free to criticize me on public forums as well, instead of doing the honorable thing and sending a private email.

Gravey. One who shows no honor deserves no honor. Yes, it is a game and you should play to win. Stooping to backstabbing tactics though is a cheap way to win. But hey, if that's the way you prefer to win, then go for it. And if you don't like being criticized in public then maybe you ought to rethink your actions. You obviously had the power to win without resorting to that sort of tactic.

gravey101

December 10th, 2003, 06:27 AM

>One who shows no honor deserves no honor.

Hmm. One of us is talking about honor within the context of a computer game, the other about a personal attack on a public message board. Can you not see the difference here?

>Stooping to backstabbing tactics though is a cheap way to win.

Yawn... here we go again. There seems to be a small, but occasionally vocal, community that insist the game be played by their rules, and anyone who fails to do so is a cheat, or has no honor, or whatever. I've heard it all before...

[ December 10, 2003, 04:47: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

geoschmo

December 10th, 2003, 07:04 AM

Guys, this is not the place for this. Drop it or take the discussion private.

gravey101

December 10th, 2003, 07:12 AM

Certainly Geo. I for one would have preferred it to have been kept private all along... Mr Chane, email me privately if you wish to continue the discussion.

Gravey.

[ December 10, 2003, 05:13: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Lord Chane

December 10th, 2003, 12:06 PM

Fine. Consider it dropped.

Geckomlis

December 10th, 2003, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Unknown_Enemy:
Fun game anyway, at least for me and Gravey101. When both Serpent and Yawning players launched a surprise attack on me and gravey, he was not ready for war and I did not have a single warship able to stand the field. Despite loosing more than half of his planets, gravey (and me!) managed not only to survive the most powerful game alliance but finally to crush our opponents.As leader of the Serpents, I had a great game trying to be the mega-evil empire. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif The game was fun and challenging. Yawning was a stalwart ally to the bitter end. In regards to multi-player SEIV, Mediocrity was my most enjoyable game ever.

My only complaint: Intel projects! What a way to unbalance and wreck and a perfectly good game� http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

So, is anyone interested in Mediocrity 2 + No Intel?

Gecko

Unknown_Enemy

December 10th, 2003, 05:07 PM

Something I wondered, why did you not switch to beam weapons after your first attack wave ? What I was indeed fearing was a strategy to keep us off balance. A missile fleet, then a pure beam based fleet etc...etc..

Geckomlis

December 10th, 2003, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by Unknown_Enemy:
Something I wondered, why did you not switch to beam weapons after your first attack wave ? What I was indeed fearing was a strategy to keep us off balance. A missile fleet, then a pure beam based fleet etc...etc.. A legitimate question that I will happily answer. I like thinking and playing �outside the box�. Since everyone else uses beam weapons and ignores missiles/drones in SEIV, I have been trying to develop missile/drone strategies for a long time. I play to win, but my enjoyment of the game does not depend on winning. I had a great time being shot down in flames in Mediocrity. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

geoschmo

December 10th, 2003, 05:31 PM

Let me know when the game is done completly and I'll be happy to set up Mediocrity 2. And we can make it no intel if you guys want. The hook for Mediocrity was everyone had identical racial setup numbers, with no traits and 100% on everything. If you want no intel you will be wasting some racial points, but if you don't mind I don't.

Geoschmo

gravey101

December 10th, 2003, 06:37 PM

Gecko, I too have tried the misile/fighter/drone strategy and just cannot get it to be effective in the standard game. It is more effective in some of the mods, but still is a struggle apart from the surprise of the initial attack. PD is just too powerful to make it viable IMO. Intel definitely made the difference in this one. After we were able to break your alliance it seemed the writing was on the wall.

I would be interested in Mediocity 2 as well. Don't really care about intel one way or another.

teal

December 10th, 2003, 06:44 PM

As leader of the Yawning collective I was always in pretty bad shape (yet another reason why the scores as such are screwy! They kept saying I was number #1 when I KNEW I was really in very bad shape...). I had three (count em, three) systems to myself (basically, my home systems) because of being right next to other players and having nebulaue wherever there wasn't another player... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I always thought that Gravey was really in first place and sided with the Serpent against him on that regard. My biggest mistake was waiting too long to attack Gravey, I had basically the same fleet I attacked him with in place 5 or 6 turns before then and was just waiting to attack simultanuesly with Serpent. But my one advantage was that since I did not have anywhere to expand TO, I had been building many more warships than everyone else. I should have pushed my advantage then as hard and fast as I could and hoped for the best. This is just so counter to my usual playing style that I was caught of guard... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Fun game, I just wish someone would come and kill my remaining planets (still in full riot), so that I could withdraw... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slynky

December 10th, 2003, 07:14 PM

I guess I don't even matter but will post my comments on the game.

I guess my empire didn't matter much because one empire I had a partnerships with dropped the game with no warning and never set the "AI taking control" setting which resulting in the partnerships being dropped and war being declared and me scrambling to deal with enemy ships and lost planets in the rear of my empire.

BUT, I still had one other partnership going on. WHOA! Change #2...that empire dropped the game and guess what...same thing!

Now, I understand people have RL things that interrupt their games but some warning would be nice AND setting the AI switch would be a plus.

Same thing happened in the Anklebiters game (although I didn't have a partnershp)...I get a T&R agreement, then war is declared, then the same empire asks for a T&R agreement again.

Suffice it to say I have lost much of my interest in multiplayer games. I have a tough enough time playing most people without having my game and efforts messed up by others (RL or not). Just too many variables that can come along and ruin your game.

Not to mention they seem to move much slower than other games.

So I will be very selective about future group games I join. I don't think Mediocrity II will be one of them. It was interesting but I can tell you 8 turns to build a DN at a low-pop planet is a real drag http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif .

Best of luck to the rest of you who strive to rise above mediocrity http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif .

geoschmo

December 10th, 2003, 07:28 PM

Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse. It unbalences the game because whoever is lucky enough to be in position to "harvest" it's empire will get a significant leg up on the rest. Of course this is true to a lesser degree even if the AI is doing it's best, but at least then it can be a nusiance to the players if not an actual factor in teh game.

Alneyan

December 10th, 2003, 07:42 PM

I would rather give some areas under AI direction while leaving other fields outside of the AI rule. What seems to bother Slynky is the AI tendency to break treaties with every single neighbour, and I have to concur with him on this one. Having five wars going on when you take over an Empire can be somewhat annoying. I don't mind if the AI is attempting to build some defences, but I don't want these non-entities to even look at the diplomacy screen.

Or perhaps it is already possible to do so with a few tweaks in the AI files? I cannot say as I haven't delved into these mazes regulating what the AI will *try* to do once left alone.

gravey101

December 10th, 2003, 07:55 PM

Slynky it is a shame you have soured on multi-player. I too have endured the same frustrations that you have, but probably to a lesasr extent. Over the years I have deveoped a pretty good feel for who is reliable and who isn't. I wont join a game where I only know 1 or 2 of the players. If I know that 75% or so are probably ok then I will go for it.

gravey101

December 10th, 2003, 07:58 PM

teal, I think you played it fine - I just got lucky. I managed to catch your fleet on that WP. I was one turn away from destruction. 9 times out of 10 you had me beaten.

[ December 10, 2003, 18:00: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Slynky

December 10th, 2003, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse. It unbalences the game because whoever is lucky enough to be in position to "harvest" it's empire will get a significant leg up on the rest. Of course this is true to a lesser degree even if the AI is doing it's best, but at least then it can be a nusiance to the players if not an actual factor in teh game. I think I disagree. When the treaty is dropped, my colony ships killed, and my planets attacked, I can tell you right away, I'd MUCH rather the AI did nothing. NOW, if the position is not filled soon and the AI plays at its usual weakness, then I (and others) can decide to carve it up and I can tell you it's much easier to do when I can prepare for it and drop the treaty myself (when I'm ready).

So when it comes to a person dropping from the game, in my opinion, to keep the game going as truly as it was, the least harm should be to those empires allied with it. Any long-term effects of the drop can be dealt with much easier that way.

mottlee

December 10th, 2003, 08:13 PM

Geee....I guess I will take my ships and planets and go home! Was my 1st pbw game and at least I did not die!

Loser

December 10th, 2003, 08:27 PM

Planets? You have planets? I thought we'd already addressed that issue.

And the game isn't entirely over. I don't know about the other players, but I'll be very disappointed if the victorious conquerors do not make some attempt to clean up one particular little threat in their backyard.

Bring it.

Slynky

December 10th, 2003, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse.Actually, not sure but, the switch stops the AI from making "major" changes. They still build ships and colonize, right? At least it seems that way to me. Here is what the manual says:

This is used when you are playing a simultaneous game. Normally, if you do not submit your turn file when the host processes your turn, the computer will automatically take over your turn and play it for you. Now it may be that you don't want the AI to make any major changes to your empire while you're away. Turning this option on means that if the AI does take over control of your empire, then it won't make many change.

geoschmo

December 10th, 2003, 08:46 PM

Keep in mind the manual was written at a time when that option didn't even work, so whatever it says should be taken with a grain of salt. It was fixed at some point along the way, but I don't recall whether the AI does any of the things you suggest. I think it does not, but would have to test it. I think it will continue building what you start, but that's it. And will not send the colony ships when they are done being constructed.

Geoschmo

Geckomlis

December 10th, 2003, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by gravey101:
Gecko, I too have tried the misile/fighter/drone strategy and just cannot get it to be effective in the standard game. It is more effective in some of the mods, but still is a struggle apart from the surprise of the initial attack. PD is just too powerful to make it viable IMO. I agree with the following caveats:

1. If the opposing fleets do not start combat at point blank range or interleaved, missiles/drones can work. Unfortunately, they do start in those positions 19 out of 20 times. Kaboom.

2. Once the fleets get over 20+ ships each, the combat map starts getting crowded �especially with seekers flying around. Missile/drone ships can not get the maneuver room to use their range advantage effectively. Kaboom.

Geckomlis

December 10th, 2003, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Let me know when the game is done completly and I'll be happy to set up Mediocrity 2. And we can make it no intel if you guys want. The hook for Mediocrity was everyone had identical racial setup numbers, with no traits and 100% on everything. If you want no intel you will be wasting some racial points, but if you don't mind I don't. Geoschmo, considering the lead time it took to populate Mediocrity 1, why not set up Mediocrity 2 now?

I vote for No Intel. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Gecko

Unknown_Enemy

December 11th, 2003, 02:21 AM

Anyway, we are reaching the end game.
Fun game anyway, at least for me and Gravey101. When both Serpent and Yawning players launched a surprise attack on me and gravey, he was not ready for war and I did not have a single warship able to stand the field. Despite loosing more than half of his planets, gravey (and me!) managed not only to survive the most powerful game alliance but finally to crush our opponents.

Ssssoo swwwet, as would have said the serpents.

We were scorewise 1&4 when we were jumped on(I was 4), the Serpents and yawning were 2 and 3. I remember some of gravey's mail, telling he believed he was almost dead. I remember starting to build up a defense line beyond gravey's frontier, as I feared he was about to be stormed.

As of alliances, those of you I am military allied with know who they are. And it will definitely NOT be indicated by a TR alliance. So do not hold the treaty grid in high estim.

Loser

December 11th, 2003, 02:29 AM

I'm ready for the endgame.

Bring it.

gravey101

December 11th, 2003, 02:39 AM

Yes, as UE says, I have never come back from such a desperate position. Planets rioting, a large enemy fleet in my home system, no time to train new ships... It was desperate for sure. Somehow I managed to scrape together a few ships and won a WP battle against the odds...

gravey101

December 11th, 2003, 02:51 AM

Here was an email from that time;

>Well, this really is some game... just when I think I am dead and buried once more, I destroy the entire Yawning Fleet at the Mentocka WP. I have to divert everything I have against him now while he is on the back foot and try to take him out. I underestimated him before. Can you keep the Serpants quiet in the meantime...

Looks like we have another player drop from the game. No surprise really I guess.

Slynky

December 25th, 2003, 06:30 PM

I think it's time to surrender my position. I had built some ships to see if I could have any chance of doing some ship captures at warpholes but they don't seem to be very good...untrained...and the fleets running around my homeworlds are too big http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif .

Congrats to Gravey and Unknown Enemy for working their way to victory...especially among rioting (gulp).

I wasn't trying to prolong the game for "you gotta wipe me out" purposes...I wanted to see if I could do any harm against that bully fleet...hehe.

So, should I just withdraw from the game?

Unknown_Enemy

December 25th, 2003, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by Slynky:

So, should I just withdraw from the game? Game is almost done, so yes a withdraw should be fine. Sometime, the game is unfair, it should have been Gecko and Teal in our position. But hell, better me and gravey than them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thanks to all players for that wonderfully weird game.

General Woundwort

December 26th, 2003, 02:55 AM

Of course, it would have been nice if my fleet had managed to damage just ONE of Gravey's ships in our Last dust-up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

Some fleet commander is gonna get busted down to doolie for this screwup...

[ December 26, 2003, 00:57: Message edited by: General Woundwort ]

Slynky

December 26th, 2003, 03:36 AM

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
Of course, it would have been nice if my fleet had managed to damage just ONE of Gravey's ships in our Last dust-up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

Some fleet commander is gonna get busted down to doolie for this screwup... I think I damaged a ship, I can't remember... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif .

Geckomlis

December 26th, 2003, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by Unknown_Enemy:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slynky:

So, should I just withdraw from the game? Game is almost done, so yes a withdraw should be fine. Sometime, the game is unfair, it should have been Gecko and Teal in our position. But hell, better me and gravey than them. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thanks to all players for that wonderfully weird game. <hr /></blockquote>I do not think the game was unfair. I had a lot of fun playing a "mega-evil empire". I would love to see a Mediocrity 2 game started. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif In addition, the game ended with almost all of the original players and the replacements (like Loser) were fine players to boot. My only complaint regards the Intel system in SEIV... hec, I have not started a new game with Intel enabled for months.

Gecko

Unknown_Enemy

December 26th, 2003, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by Geckomlis:
]I do not think the game was unfair. I had a lot of fun playing a "mega-evil empire". I would love to see a Mediocrity 2 game started. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif In addition, the game ended with almost all of the original players and the replacements (like Loser) were fine players to boot. My only complaint regards the Intel system in SEIV... hec, I have not started a new game with Intel enabled for months.

Gecko I understand your complain, but I would say that I made the choice to heavily invest in intel facilities because all of you did not. And indeed, the price has been worth it.

mottlee

December 26th, 2003, 04:04 PM

I gather the game is at an end? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif just when I was building up again http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Loser

December 26th, 2003, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by Unknown_Enemy:
I understand your complain, but I would say that I made the choice to heavily invest in intel facilities because all of you did not. And indeed, the price has been worth it. Indeed, a strong strategy.

In addition to limited resources and poor decisions, your intel attacks have been putting the big hurt on my empire. A good job.

[ December 26, 2003, 17:10: Message edited by: Loser ]

Loser

December 28th, 2003, 05:44 AM

Okay, I'm done. It is finished.

A good job, Gravey and UE. It appears that I am defeated by you in two games.

Though you will have to chew on me a bit longer in Adamant009 if you wish to ensure that I remain dead. That empire is so large that it is capable of coming back from the dead. It already has, once.

Unknown_Enemy

December 28th, 2003, 09:46 AM

I think you were the Last to oppose Gravey and me. Shall we call it quit and declare the game won ?

Victory credits in Adamant9 will go to Gravey. In that game I am just a minor ally to him (power speaking).

Loser

December 28th, 2003, 04:27 PM

I'm thinkin' it's done and won.

But all I really know is the I'm done, I didn't win, and Gravey and UE seem to be the winners. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

mottlee

December 28th, 2003, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by Loser:
I'm thinkin' it's done and won.

But all I really know is the I'm done, I didn't win, and Gravey and UE seem to be the winners. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Drat i lost (but still alive) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Great game if done