Sirian Sirian

Travel to Realms Beyond Your Ordinary Gaming Experience

Travel to Realms Beyond Your Ordinary Gaming Experience

This thread is intended to recruit new players to the Realms Beyond community through our Metaverse Empire. We don't exactly need a thread for discussion, as we have our own GalCiv forum attached to the RB website. (Realms Beyond is a veteran community of gamers with an established presence in several strategy and role playing games). However, some have suggested that our "meteoric rise" in the galactic standings represents a "mystery" and a possible threat to other empires. Surely not, says we. :)

Why not wait for interested parties to find their way to the RBGC forum, if they wish to communicate with us? That seemed wise at first, but the suggestion has been floated amongst our own that we should research "communication theory" and create a device called a "univeral translator" and seek to open communications with other empires on terms they are used to operating, through channels they are used to using. The ultimate wisdom of this idea, and this so-called translation device, remains in doubt among RB leadership, as the first attempt to use the wicked thing resulted in misunderstanding leading to combat and nearly kicked off a minor war, but we are an adventurous people and will give almost any idea a try, so here we go. :D

Our Empire Motto: WE SEEK CHALLENGE THROUGH VARIETY!

http://www.galciv.com/metaverse/empires.asp?id=555


We seek mastery over the game. The ideal at RB is to be able to beat the game on any map size, without choosing to abuse the AI's various inanities, without having to have perfect terrain conditions. Any alignment, any victory condition, any habitability range, any political party, any combination of bonus picks. If a challenge lies before us, we will embrace it. Mistakes, setbacks and losses do not represent failure, merely a chance to learn, from which greater success can sprout and flourish.

No skill level is too high or too low for RB. All we ask is that you play your best and have a good time.

RB players venture beyond the ordinary. If you are like unto our brother in the spirit in which you play, you would be welcome to join our empire. All you need is interest, an RB-style gaming attitude, and the desire to participate. Our mission is to have fun, to pursue excellence, to play fairly, to uphold the integrity of the game, to embrace variety and challenge, push the boundaries of the game and gameplay, experiment, learn, grow, and do it together.

Our passion is the AAR. We live to read a good AAR and to write our own. Fun shared is fun doubled. The RB Epics tournament for Civ3 sees every participant post their own AAR after each tournament game, with the chief entertainment value being sharing insights, experiences, and laughs. Whether we will hold a GalCiv tournament remains to be seen, but the possibility is out there.

We keep a list of rules for our GalCiv gaming. This list will grow and evolve as the game evolves and our understanding of it matures. We voluntarily refrain from (in our opinions) game-breaking tactics that unbalance a game or pigeonhole it into one "best" path to victory. Some game elements may be broken or have loopholes. Some moves may just be "too strong" and kill variety. We do not use these moves. We do not have to use them. Mastery over a game is established by taking the high road, by trudging uphill and building our strength and endurance. Our interests lie in seeing the game refined to where the game balance provides extended replay value and neverending strategic challenge. However, unless and until that state of polish is reached, we will set our own boundaries to create this effect for ourselves, whether or not it can be found in the game as currently programmed.

If this sounds like your kind of gaming community, we invite you to travel to Realms Beyond.

Our forum for Galactic Civilizations:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/237344

Players interested in joining Realms Beyond should venture to our forum, read the lastest version of our rules, and confirm their assent to abide by the rules we have set. We place the quality of our gaming experience ahead of our standing in the competition. Excellence brings its own rewards, its own forms of recognition and respect from peers. That is something no measurement or score could ever fully depict.

Anyone who agrees to our playing philisophy and signs their John Hancock pledging their allegiance to our posted rule set will be confirmed onto our roster. Come one, come all, for the time of your life. LOL Our star is rising. Our destiny is written in the heavens. :HOT:

We are also hoping to generate enough excitement to lure out some of the other RB players who have yet to pick up GalCiv. Surely when they see the grand party we are staging at our best starbase, some will be compelled to join in. And as far as "threat to other empires", that's purely propaganda. We have no hostile intentions. Now if some players are impressed with our culture and decide to emigrate to our worlds, that would not constitute hostile action against other cultures on our behalf. ;) We cannot help but to be ourselves. :D


- Sirian

[Message Edited]
15,413 views 354 replies
Reply #76 Top
I've written a new AAR. Have a look.

http://sirian.warpcore.org/galciv/index.html


- Sirian
Reply #77 Top
 Realms Beyond attacking the ANZAC Imperium 
18 Nov 03 061325.0 (94 battles against 166 )
25 Nov 03 119395.0 (15 new battles against 34 new)
End of quote

Reply #79 Top
MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

oh sorry, wrong thread. now where was I, ah yes, "When I have fears that I might cease to be before my pen has gleamed by teaming brain...."

;)
Reply #80 Top
Hey! Who forgot to lock the front gate? I just saw a nasty Anzac critter in the backyard! :SURPRISED:

~SDC~
Reply #81 Top
MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, i iz on da loose. clang, a sirian, clang anuvver sirian........woot, woot...ooh i iz all dizzy. i better have a bex and a lie down

LOL
Reply #82 Top
Drunk Kangaroos are certainly entertaining to watch. :)

Although it's the latest Special Forces logo that looks more like a drunk kangaroo. LOL

Welcome to Frostblade. We're now within 100k points of the Anzacs. We'll see who gets the last laugh. :)


- Sirian
Reply #83 Top
I heard that! Drunken kangaroo indeed (hic)...I'll have you know that (burp)...Evil Steve and I enjoy the odd wine, but...oops... :VOMIT:
Reply #84 Top
For those interested in AAR, there's a thread with a couple added on our website forum here:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=237344&messageid=1069731445
Reply #85 Top
Oh, I am a watchin' these folks. Getting into the top 10 is pretty good, but now you are sneaking up on the ANZACs as well. But even if RB can get passed them in short order, it will be time to face the Evil Ones. And I get this feeling that they do not always play nice... :)
Reply #86 Top
;p
Reply #88 Top
even if RB can get passed them in short order, it will be time to face the Evil Ones. And I get this feeling that they do not always play nice...
End of quote


Check our motto: We seek challenge through variety! :) That means we strive to do it all, to be complete players. We will not shrink from a challenge. :) Heck, we're not even afraid to pet the drunken roos... with the proper equipment of course. (Ten foot pole, gloves, electrified fence, etc). LOL

Evil Empire might stay out in front for a good long while if they continue to get new recruits, although if Charis ever shows up here and "gets the itch" we might shoot up a bit faster. No worries, though. All in its own time.


- Sirian
Reply #89 Top
Greetings, RBers. Thought I'd post this response here instead of over at the wizards' thread - from their comments, it looks like they're trying to get some sleep, and I wouldn't want to wake them up. ;p

Sirian,

But then, FotR tolerates Pontius (the same guy who openly suggested I was a liar, in another thread, for reporting a game experience he had never seen) calling us pipsqueaks? That too is bad form.
End of quote


Sirian, Pontius is often a trifle...blunt. Think of that "pipsqueak" comment as a "welcome to the Metaverse" bit of trash-talking, and I think you'll see that there's no real insult intended.

There is a lot about this game that we, as players, don't see. So, when somebody pronounces an opinion as hard fact, it's natural for others to respond negatively. I've found that there are a lot of people on this board - Pontius and Ray, just to name two - who have been playing the game a lot longer than I have; this gives them an insight into issues that I don't necessarily have.

Not to say that Pontius hasn't ruffled my feathers from time to time. But his insights into the game are noteworthy.

Personally, I'd like to see more of your regulars appear. Apolyton was already on its way down when I joined the Forum here; it would be interesting to see a dedicated group of genre players making a run for the top. And remember that the higher you get on the leaderboard, the more of these comments are likely to be directed your way. A thick skin is going to be a requirement.

Apologize for interrupting your thread with these observations.
Reply #90 Top
Pontius and Ray, just to name two - who have been playing the game a lot longer than I have; this gives them an insight into issues that I don't necessarily have.
End of quote


Likely. I've benefitted from several of Ray's observations, to be sure, both in terms of things I do and things I wouldn't ever consider doing, but which are good to know about anyway.

The need for thick skin may cut both ways, though. :) If Pontius wants to play rough, he will find me a frustrating target well capable of turning the tables unless he is scrupulously careful. I've been around a ladder or two before, it seems, although I'm unusual among RBers in that regard. ;)

it would be interesting to see a dedicated group of genre players making a run for the top.
End of quote


You'll have to look elsewhere for that. We're not interesting in playing the system. We're more concerned with impressing each other than outsiders. If there's a little fun to be had joking around about it, that's fine, we'll poke some fun in other empire threads for a grin, but when it comes to the gaming, we'll each be playing to our own tunes, and those will even differ from one another. Just wait until we break out the variants. :)

Sirian, Pontius is often a trifle...blunt. Think of that "pipsqueak" comment as a "welcome to the Metaverse" bit of trash-talking, and I think you'll see that there's no real insult intended.
End of quote


I grok blunt, believe me. :) Well... you've put about the best face on that. For insults to bite, they have to hold a kernel of truth to them. Pontius hasn't come close yet to pushing any of my buttons, but I don't quite buy that his intent is harmless. We'll see. If he had wanted to say Welcome to the Metaverse, a guy of his ability ought to be able to say, "Welcome to the Metaverse." Clarity is an asset. :)

Personally, I'd like to see more of your regulars appear.
End of quote


Yeah. I'm hoping that will happen post-holidays. I'm glad Zed's here, though. He's one of two of our players with a need for quick-paced, shorter games, and GC fits the bill on that, better than all the other 4X strat games now out. Having him around will balance out my shortage of tiny and small maps, so I don't have to feel guilty about playing fewer of those. :D


- Sirian
Reply #91 Top
Forgot about the Metaverse competition, RB.

An empire focused on playing the game instead of the Metaverse is one worthy of admiration. :)

~SDC~
Reply #92 Top
MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

now where was i?.....
Reply #93 Top
My latest AAR: playing without any bonus abilities!

http://sirian.warpcore.org/galciv/no-picks.html


- Sirian
Reply #94 Top
Greetings, Sirian and company.

I am but a casual player of GalCiv, currently-- but if you're actively seeking members for Realms Beyond, I'd be interested in joining. I've taken a preliminary look at your operation, and I like what I see.

I once contemplated forming my own empire. But I just don't have the time to devote. I could *make* the time, I suppose-- but then I fear that it would either become an obsession, or that it would wind up being an abandoned project down the road.

Now, here, I finally see an empire that would represent my interests well. No, I'm no die-hard player-- but I'd like to belong to an empire for when I do contribute, nonetheless. As for me, I upload the results from every single game that I finish (though admittedly, that hasn't been very many, so far). Every game that I play beyond the opening moves, anyway-- I admit that I've been deep-sixed financially by the fifth turn before, and have just called it quits then and there. And in regard to the rest of your "laws", I take advantage of no exploits.

So, if the invitation is open, please consider me. I honestly can't say how active I'd be, but if I were to give up GalCiv long-term, I'd be sure to let you know.

Thank you for your time.
Reply #95 Top
Sudy Nym? Cute nick. :)

Sure, we'll take you in. Just go to our empire page and join/apply, so that we can add you to the roster.

- Sirian
Reply #96 Top
Well, that sucked. >:( I just got my first Zero score. Also my first tiny Maso (rare). I thought I should do at least one Tiny. Well, that may be all I ever do, if the game is going to deny me score credit for no apparent reason. SURE AS HECK WOULD BE NICE IF IT TOLD US WHY IT THINKS A RESULT IS OUT OF BOUNDS.

I have no idea why the game thought this was an anomalous game. I had one crash to desktop. I sold techs out the wazoo to both Cari and Alex, who were both buying. I stored up over 25k in cash by the late game, almost all of it minor cash. (Could that have been it?) And I went about conquering. I conquered the Yor earlyish, with battle cruisers. Then I racked up some wonders, and did not go after the Arceans until I had battleships, and did not finish them until I had dreads. The other races were single planets. I paused to clean up a few more wonders, and then I finished it off. Zero points? Blah.

Well, now we're even with the ANZACs. Their emperor had a zero score game a few days ago, too. I figured we owed them one, just to keep it even. Um, yeah, that's it. We owed them one. :SURPRISED: Now we're all even. :HOT:


- Sirian
Reply #97 Top
We owed them one
End of quote


Shouldn't that be "We owe them nothing."

:notsure: :notsure: :notsure:
Reply #98 Top
Here's an interesting factoid for new RB members and for visitors to our thread. Initially there were two "major" Civ3 tournaments: CivFanatics and Apolyton. The Apolyton tourney dropped off the map after six games, and RB players weren't especially warm to the exploit-and-milking ways of CFC, so we started our own tournament for Civ3: the Epics. So this is not, in fact, the first game where we've gotten started late and taken over turf once held by Apolyton. :D

http://realmsbeyond.net/civ/


- Sirian
Reply #99 Top
Player "MeatSac" has applied to join our Empire, but I did not get the usual application email the Metaverse sends out, and I've not seen him post anything yet.

MeatSac, are you out and about? Lurking? Need your confirmation that you're good with the local rules before I can confirm you onto the roster. :)


- Sirian
Reply #100 Top
Interesting. I was wondering why I had a 'Join' button for an "invite-only" empire, and as RB seems much more my style than the other majors, I clicked it. I sheepishly backed out of the e-mail window without sending, but I guess the Metaverse system is too efficient for my hamhanded curiosity. Ah, well...

Sirian, I apologize for the somewhat noobish approach, but yes, I would like to join RB. Your rules and general philosophy agree with my gaming style. I'm playing the smaller maps, as I'm still exploring the dynamics of the game, so my score contribution won't be huge...but that seems to be a refreshingly secondary concern with RB.

If need be, I can submit a formal application on the RB forums.

-MS