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Author Topic:   Multiplayer game - Commlink

athibaul posted 03-23-99 04:17 PM ET
In a multiplayer game, we should not be able to communicate (for trade and treaties) with a human controlled faction until we actually get its communication channel. That would make more sense.
tfs99 posted 03-23-99 08:35 PM ET
According to Brian Reynolds they chose to do it this way as a means to avert some forms of cheating in a multi-player game. That is, folks would exchange info on the side with their friends to get an advantage over those with no contacts whatsoever.
The value of this is somewhat debatable as two or three players can still collude, but at least the playing field is "level" with respect to who can access whom.
Anyway, that's what I read in a BR interview or posting somewhere.
Now, if you can get everyone to agree, perhaps it could be a "house rule" not to use anyone elses commlink until you have found each other.
athibaul posted 03-23-99 11:53 PM ET
You're right, it could be a "house rule", but maybe it could also be an option for multiplayer games.
Jeje2 posted 03-24-99 02:34 AM ET
I like the option idea.
In singleplayer the computer is interested in trading comlink for other factions.
Now in MP this trading (IIRC) don't happen, since I already have a comlink.
CaptComal posted 03-24-99 03:36 AM ET
Hey ... what about the other Multiplayer game COMMlink problem??
In patch 2.0 we were able to give a COMM link to someone in negotiations.
In patch 3.0 the COMMlinks do not even show up as something we can give!!!!
(however, it seems the other person gets them from you whether you gave them or not ... I "got" MORGAN's COMM even though my human partner never gave it to me (I know I got it since GAIA bought it from me a couple turns later and I had never met nor been anywhere near the MORGAN territory.)
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Author	Topic: Multiplayer game - Commlink
athibaul	posted 03-23-99 04:17 PM ET In a multiplayer game, we should not be able to communicate (for trade and treaties) with a human controlled faction until we actually get its communication channel. That would make more sense.
tfs99	posted 03-23-99 08:35 PM ET According to Brian Reynolds they chose to do it this way as a means to avert some forms of cheating in a multi-player game. That is, folks would exchange info on the side with their friends to get an advantage over those with no contacts whatsoever. The value of this is somewhat debatable as two or three players can still collude, but at least the playing field is "level" with respect to who can access whom. Anyway, that's what I read in a BR interview or posting somewhere. Now, if you can get everyone to agree, perhaps it could be a "house rule" not to use anyone elses commlink until you have found each other.
athibaul	posted 03-23-99 11:53 PM ET You're right, it could be a "house rule", but maybe it could also be an option for multiplayer games.
Jeje2	posted 03-24-99 02:34 AM ET I like the option idea. In singleplayer the computer is interested in trading comlink for other factions. Now in MP this trading (IIRC) don't happen, since I already have a comlink.
CaptComal	posted 03-24-99 03:36 AM ET Hey ... what about the other Multiplayer game COMMlink problem?? In patch 2.0 we were able to give a COMM link to someone in negotiations. In patch 3.0 the COMMlinks do not even show up as something we can give!!!! (however, it seems the other person gets them from you whether you gave them or not ... I "got" MORGAN's COMM even though my human partner never gave it to me (I know I got it since GAIA bought it from me a couple turns later and I had never met nor been anywhere near the MORGAN territory.)