Early July Game of the Month!

from Stardock Forums
You may now download the Early July Game of the Month (if there's enough interest, I'll run two every month) from the following site:

http://home.ptd.net/~mpcasey/

This one should pose more of a challenge than previous months. All aliens are set to "Intelligent" and their alignments are randomized.

Your objective: conquer the galaxy as quickly as possible.

I've also updated the site so that it no longer looks like it's from 1995. Take a look. It's from at least 1998 now!
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Looks right down my alley, Michael :D

Thanks for carrying on with GOTMs. I will definitely play this once I complete my current game.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
looks good Michael !!! LOL

Harder, one victory condition .... should be much more interesting and intense !!! :sniff!:

BTW... is the website link you are using a permanent one? or will you be moving to another site soon ???
(thought I saw a message about this...) site looks good !!
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Hello!
Thank you for putting up the game, Michael.
I´ll download it right away and give it a try!
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Michael, I submit two scenarios that you may wish to consider for future GOTMS. The first is harder than the second.

The two scenarios were not designed for GOTM in mind so feel free to make amendments to the rules to fit the GOTM model.

[Message Edited]
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
*** War of the Ring ***

The Wizards of the White Tower were seated in council enjoying a much needed break between posting and playing-- indeed they were joined in celebration and marvelled at the great deeds they had performed, and the size of their new found kingdom.
Of course as in all tales of lore when the heroes gather in celebration and nothing could go wrong, something does. Without warning a large burly man bedecked entirely in green bursts into the feast hall. With a wild grin on his face he pounds his earthen cudgel on the table and abruptly the feasting stops. The strange wild eyed man looks RayChua in the face and says "I have heard your knights are among the bravest and most rightous in the Galactic Civ community. We shall see." Without warning the druidical figure grabs the nearest mug of ale, downs it in a single gulp, and continues.
Staring once more at RayChua he intones in a heavy voice "An evil has awakened in this land, that few would stand against, for it might tarnish their pristine scores. Yet every day this evil grows, and as men debate their petty metaverse ranking, it grows stronger still. Will you RayChua hear of my challenge?"
Quickly regaining his composure, and remembering his responsabilities as a host RayChua says "But of course, strange one, what would you have of us?"
"Here then is what you must do:"

Medium size
Tight Clusters
Occasional
Any race picks you prefer
Set Drengin AI to evil genius, pure evil
Set any two other AI pure good, bright
Set remaining two AI to chaotic good, bright
PLAY HUMANS ONLY AS GOOD.
Enable GC105 bonus pack.
Win and post a blow by blow account of how you did so here.

"Difficulty is only Tough, surely there must be one among you who could do this small thing?" The Green man sets his unrelenting gaze upon the assembled wizards and notices them quietly dropping their eyes.
"Redshift8? Maike Geng? KseAli? Will no one accept this charge?" The Green Knight lowers his gaze in disappointment, "Then Sauron has already won."

"And more more thing," The green figure pauses dramatically, "No using Ctrl-N, not even once. Take WHATEVER position fate dictates."


Theleb K'aarna
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
The Redemption of the Woods

Theleb,

An evil shadow has befallen the Dark Woods to the north of the White Tower. One of our Council adepts procuring spell components there a day ago found himself beset by wraiths. Overwhelmed by superior foes, he is now part of the Fallen. While we mourn his loss, we are duty bound as Guardians of Meta to deal decisively with this Evil.

We charge you to lead a force of Council members to eradicate this Evil and restore the Balance to the Dark Woods.

Your Mission

Medium Map
Tight Clusters
Occasional

Humans (rename as The White Council)
Dregs (rename as The Undead, Pure Evil, Bright)
Alts (rename as The Alliance, Pure Good, Bright)
Arcs (rename as The Orcs, Chaotic Evil, Normal)
Tors (rename as the Ents, Neutral, Bright)
Yors (rename as the Hobbits, Chaotic Good, Sub-Normal)

Only Conditions:
1.White Council must play as Good
2.You are considered to be victorious once the Undead and Orcs are destroyed.
3.The White Council must declare war on Undead and Orcs once contact is established

Intelligence from the Wizard’s Eye spell

The Undead is your key enemy in the Dark Woods. However, be warned that Orc patrols have been spotted and if you do find Orcs, you are duty bound to exterminate them as well.

The Alliance, comprising Humans, Elves and Dwarves has an outpost near the Dark Woods. Being pure good in nature, they are likely to be willing allies to the Council.

The carefree Hobbits have a little village nearby. They may be persuaded to join the cause to fight Evil but honestly they are better talkers than fighters. Be warned that if you allow them to be captured by the Undead or Orcs, the battle may turn against you.

The mysterious Ents have always been neutral but if they choose to join the conflict, they could tip the course of this battle. They will turn against you if you carelessly destroy trees in your battles.

May the Light be with you, Theleb as you journey on this quest.We await your tales of honour and courage when you return victorious to us.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
I will play it as soon as I have tested around enough with the Diablo 2 Beta Patch 1.10...

Your lucky that I lost my credit card and have no bargain. Otherwise I'd have puchased the WC3 expansion and probably not have found the time for that.. ;p
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
Never got into WC3--or any RTS games for that matter--but once the Diablo II patch comes out my GalCiv time will likely decrease as well.

How is that beta patch?

I'm also on the fence about picking up Star Wars Galaxies. I've never played in an MMORPG before, but two of my friends are crazy about it, and I never see them anymore.
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
The Beta Patch is increadibly hard and still somewhat buggy.

My Lvl 67 HC-Druid was in Act 4 Hell at the River of Flames and when I went there now, I had to quit the game after beating 9 Monsters (I could count them because I had to isolate em in order to have a chance) because it became too hard! I went back to Nightmare to search some of the much improved Rare-Items (they can now have up to 450% Enhanced Damage :SURPRISED: )

Anyways, I started playing the GotM and yes, it's gonna become a tough one since the starting position only looks good at the very beginning.
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
Anyways, I started playing the GotM and yes, it's gonna become a tough one since the starting position only looks good at the very beginning.
End of quote


Hehe, that´s true...
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
I am done... save game is at: http://apolyton.net/upload/files/AIL/EarlyJulyGotMAILST.zip
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
I finished the game in one sitting yesterday. Michael I must congratulate you on the game set up. It really was a lot of fun. I don't normally play the war party so it was diffferent than my usual games.

I actually did take some notes and could write up how the game went. Where would be a good place to post it?
Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it.

If you'd like to just discuss the game here on the forum, I've set up a thread where you may do so: http://www.galciv.com/forum.asp?BID=GF&ID=77211

If you have a more in-depth text-only After Action Report, I can host it on the GotM Site if you wish. Sadly I can't host pictures as my ISP is somewhat stingy with storage space.

If you have one with screenshots in HTML, like this one here: http://geocities.com/russellmz/AAR-GOTM-May.html I'd recommend getting a free throwaway web page, like on Geocities or Tripod or something like that.

And don't forget to upload your saved game to http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91030

Hope to see you next time! :D
Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
I posted a write up of my game in the discussion thread.

More people should try this GOTM. It is a very interesting scenario.


Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
Hey Michael!

Just finished the game last night! thanks again for doing this stuff.

I uploaded my game to Apolyton, but forget how to attach the file to my reply >:( <- Did it last month, but can't remember how I did it.... Can you just let me know please ? thanks!

Not too many people indicating they are playing... I am quite surprised, especially given all the posts about Metaverse being unfair etc.. This game gives everyone an equal footing to play with....oh well gives me a shot a being in the top ten LOL
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top
I uploaded my game to Apolyton, but forget how to attach the file to my reply
End of quote


Okay. Go to "Upload" on apolyton, then "View Files." If your GOTM saved game is there, there will be a link to it. Next, right-click on the link, and go to "Copy Shortcut" in IE or "Copy link location" in Mozilla.

Next just go to the upload thread and hit Control-V to paste the link into your message.

Alternatively, now that I think of it, you could just email it to me, although others won't be able to download your game (I don't know if they do anyway).

mpc220@yahoo.com
Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for the game, Michael. I've sent my savegame to your email.

Military victory, Mar 2189.
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
Military victory, Mar 2189.
End of quote


Awesome "Ray the Wanderer" it truly boggles my simple mind how you accomplished it so quickly :sniff!:
I need more practice !!!!

Speaking of practice, Michael, any hints on the settings for the Late July Game of the Month?? I could use this time to practice before the next GOTM.
What are you thinking about??? I kinda like the "only one method of victory stuff"... here's a thought:
Tech win, All aliens Evil, human Good, higher AI intelligent level than last GOTM. Human has to stay Good througout game, can't turn Evil ????

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top
Speaking of practice, Michael, any hints on the settings for the Late July Game of the Month??
End of quote


Well, I'll say this: better brush up on your diplomatic skills.

The next one will have you doing things you generally don't even think about in GalCiv.

August... well, something like your idea will probably be the August game. The problem I see with only a tech victory is that the quickest way (and someone correct me if I'm wrong on this) to get one is to conquer all stars but one and then plow your money into research... so since it's really more of a military rush, why not just make the game a military rush?
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
The problem I see with only a tech victory is that the quickest way (and someone correct me if I'm wrong on this) to get one is to conquer all stars but one and then plow your money into research... so since it's really more of a military rush, why not just make the game a military rush?
End of quote


Personally, I've never done a tech victory, but I agree with the point you are making. In fact, it looks like all of the possible victory conditions can be accelerated by doing a military rush >:(

I don't know if that means we're kinda pigeon-holed into a set of victory conditions or not...

BUT it sounds like you have something different in mind for Late-July LOL no further hints eh? :d