Re: New Pitboss Game Discussion (Jan 17/09)

**Munro** · 02-04-2009, 01:21 AM

I've installed the latest mod and logged into the test server no problem.

**emperor** · 02-04-2009, 01:48 AM

Can't download the mod. The link provided has been down the last few times I checked it.

**Bernout** · 02-04-2009, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by emperor

Can't download the mod. The link provided has been down the last few times I checked it.

Hmm....that's strange especially since it worked for Munro. Maybe it'll be one of these problems that corrects itself after a while.

In any case, I started up a new tester server since I forgot to set the admin password last time. A big thanks to everyone who has been taking the time to do some logins!

Now...I need some help with this map stuff.

I started up a single player game and used the map generator to get a big & small map in the format we want. Went into World Builder and saved off a file. From what I've played around with so far it looks like you can load this file in as a scenario when starting a new game. But the problem is Pitboss doesn't allow you to load scenarios. So I need some way to get that map into a MP Pitboss game.

Bernout

**oyzar** · 02-04-2009, 03:18 AM

You can start directly from a WB file in pitboss just fine(without using a map script)...

**Ebenezer** · 02-04-2009, 03:21 AM

? you are trying to check/edit the map beforehand?

**Bernout** · 02-04-2009, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Ebenezer

? you are trying to check/edit the map beforehand?

Nope. Unfortunately the map generator that Oyzar recommended won't run when starting a new game in Pitboss. It works fine for regular SP and MP but the customization dialog doesn't even appear in the Pitboss screen. And I'd really like to use the map generator because I think it will prevent anyone from having a really hosed starting position.

You can start directly from a WB file in pitboss just fine(without using a map script)...

And how would you do that?

Bernout

**Ronnie1** · 02-04-2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Bernout

Nope. Unfortunately the map generator that Oyzar recommended won't run when starting a new game in Pitboss. It works fine for regular SP and MP but the customization dialog doesn't even appear in the Pitboss screen. And I'd really like to use the map generator because I think it will prevent anyone from having a really hosed starting position.

And how would you do that?

Bernout

I believe the WB save just needs to be in the "Mods" folder when you start the pitboss app, and then choose the option that lets you start a new scenario. Unless I miss understood the question.

**Bernout** · 02-05-2009, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie1

I believe the WB save just needs to be in the "Mods" folder when you start the pitboss app, and then choose the option that lets you start a new scenario. Unless I miss understood the question.

That worked! Thank you! Not sure how I missed that "New Scenario" button in the Pitboss program.

I went and put up a test server using the WB file. Of course the first nation I logged in as had a bunch of units including a couple of Settlers. lol I'm guessing I'd need to edit that WB file a bit before we could actually use it. Will need to play around with that more to see what's going on.

Bernout

**oyzar** · 02-05-2009, 12:45 PM

Sounds like you need to start the game with the setting noble in SP, otherwise everyone start with 2 settlers...

**da_Vinci** · 02-05-2009, 07:56 PM

Off on a different tangent ...

There seems to me to be two models for pitboss games (at least that I have been in):

1. The massive multiplayer king of the hill type, individuals or teams of two in a large field (TG: TT and C&C II are examples, as were the oobs games). Backstabbing is almost a requirement for any chance of winning in these, it seems.

2. Preset teams with a small number of teams (Klammi teamer: 16 players in 4 teams of 4 inland sea; GK pitboss 8 players in 4 teams of two inland sea; oob's 4th for a while when some stable alliances were in operation). With a small number of winnable entities in these games, backstabbing is often less of an issue. Add always war, and it is even less relevant.

It looks like the current new game planning is going in the #1 model ... with some tweaks to try to add balance ... and with the mod investment made already, I would not change that.

I am curious what interest there is in model #2 (for other future games)? I think I enjoy the model 2 games more than the model 1 games, because the backstabbing issues (giving and receiving) are not my favorite thing (not that I have not done it reluctantly).

In particular, I have this vision of a two team game ... collect a set of players known to the group, pick two captains, they alternate picking from the pool (just like on the schoolyard). Maptype could have interesting implications: one member of each team on several small continents (initially, isolated 1v1 situations), or each team inhabits one continent (equal expansion or lopsided expansion ... which is best for the team?). Or a single landmass (highlands?). Could do this for 3 or 4 teams as well, I suppose ...

Curious what others think of this, for some future game (other than this next future game) ...

dV

**Snarlin** · 02-05-2009, 09:21 PM

In particular, I have this vision of a two team game ... collect a set of players known to the group, pick two captains, they alternate picking from the pool (just like on the schoolyard). Maptype could have interesting implications: one member of each team on several small continents (initially, isolated 1v1 situations), or each team inhabits one continent (equal expansion or lopsided expansion ... which is best for the team?). Or a single landmass (highlands?). Could do this for 3 or 4 teams as well, I suppose ...

6MD (Bernout) hosted just such a game. I think it was 18 months ago or so. The game itself was interesting. 8 players. 2 teams. 2 continents. It really became a race to see who could circumnavigate first and get that extra ship movement/turn. Bern's team beat my team by one turn to circumnavigate. After that it was a massive buildup by both sides until Bern's team made it's big move...we responded and couldn't hold them off...and then I think we capitulated.

Essentially lots of time building up. A couple really interesting turns. And then a bit of a let-down. I blame myself as we probably capitulated a little earlier than we should have. I'd try it again though.

Snarlin

**Rusten** · 02-05-2009, 10:44 PM

What's the current situation regarding random events? I don't think I want to join another game with this option ticked on. Over the last 5-ish turns in TTT I've lost important buildings worth of 300 hammers and now this turn my capital went into a 2-turn revolt at a crucial moment (and no, it's not the slavery thing). I can't take this **** anymore -- it's completely stupid and very demotivating.

**Bernout** · 02-06-2009, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by oyzar

Sounds like you need to start the game with the setting noble in SP, otherwise everyone start with 2 settlers...

Yep, that did it!

Ok...I'm hoping this is the last test server going up.

It's set to 18 players, all Deity level and I did a couple of logins to make sure the nations are starting with 1 Settler and 1 Warrior/Scout like normal.

Mod: http://home.comcast.net/~bernout1/Files/NoScore.zip
CivStats: http://www.civstats.com/viewgame.php?gameid=1197

Let's talk map settings. For those who want to play, reference the map generator at:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=151629

The map I used on the test server had minimal changes:

Maps: Big and Small, Normal Continents, Islands, Islands Mixed In, Cylindrical, On the coast + Inland

Ground: Desert -> Dispersed, Tundra -> Traces, Snow -> Traces

So basically my idea was to lower the presence of unfavorable terrain which in turn will hopefully give everyone a better starting spot.

I'll be posting the signup topic on Sunday. But please do take a bit of time to log into the test server and play around with the map settings.

Bernout

**Bernout** · 02-06-2009, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by Rusten

What's the current situation regarding random events? I don't think I want to join another game with this option ticked on. Over the last 5-ish turns in TTT I've lost important buildings worth of 300 hammers and now this turn my capital went into a 2-turn revolt at a crucial moment (and no, it's not the slavery thing). I can't take this **** anymore -- it's completely stupid and very demotivating.

It sounds like you just got a string of bad luck? I remember the team game that Snarlin mentioned in his last posting where my navy started off ok and then lost a large # of battles in a row including some 90%+ odds in my favor. It made me furious. lol

In any case, aren't most of the bad events able to be offsetted if you have some gold handy?

The current plan was to include them with the mod removing all the barbarian events so noone gets overrun early on.

Bernout

**da_Vinci** · 02-06-2009, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by Snarlin

6MD (Bernout) hosted just such a game. I think it was 18 months ago or so. The game itself was interesting. 8 players. 2 teams. 2 continents. It really became a race to see who could circumnavigate first and get that extra ship movement/turn. Bern's team beat my team by one turn to circumnavigate. After that it was a massive buildup by both sides until Bern's team made it's big move...we responded and couldn't hold them off...and then I think we capitulated.

Essentially lots of time building up. A couple really interesting turns. And then a bit of a let-down. I blame myself as we probably capitulated a little earlier than we should have. I'd try it again though.

Snarlin

Hmm ... so maybe early contact is the way to go ... snaky continents? One from each team (or a few from each team) on continents. Might need to have a non-player set it up. Wonder if Master Yoda (oob) might be talked into that role?

dV

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