Rise of Nations, MP

[Marmel]

Neuqua and I have had a few good battles (OK, I killed him) and I wanted to see if anybody else was interested in playing some MP campaigns. Leave your AIM name as well!

[MrBug708]

MrBug708

I don't have the game though.

[GoldenEagle]

Is the game worth the $30 on it? Do you have to buy the expansion pack to play MP?

[Marmel]

GE - yes it is worth it, no you dont need the expansion. You can get it for 25 also.

[Chief Rum]

I happen to have an unused Best Buy gift certificate handy, and I might use it on something like this. But I was wondering if anyone could give me the quick skinny on this.

Maybe a quick review. Particularly, if you can compare it with the Civ series, and contrast the differences, and also talk about the war parts (which, from the screenshots, seem more detailed and MTW-like). I like the all-around civ-building game, but I have to admit to being intrigued if we actually get controlled combat fighting as well.

CR

[Neuqua]

Ey Chief there are a bunch of RoN threads here at FOFC if you're willing to do a search.

[Chief Rum]

Ey Chief there are a bunch of RoN threads here at FOFC if you're willing to do a search.

Yeah, but then I would have to search for them and then read them. Can'tya just tell me? :)

CR

[Barkeep49]

I would love to play Thrones and Patriots sometime with someone here. AIM name is Maiz23.

Quick review: The new Conquer the World campaigns offer a ton of varied missions which adds a lot of fun game play. I have invested a lot of time (perhaps over 100 hours) playing through the campaigns, including a couple from multiple sides, and am still not bored. I haven't played it multi yet so I can't say how the new civs stack up, but they seem like solid additions.

[Bonegavel]

Neuqua and I have had a few good battles (OK, I killed him) and I wanted to see if anybody else was interested in playing some MP campaigns. Leave your AIM name as well!
i have RoN (didn't pick up the expansion) and would be ready and willing to give it a go.

I don't have AIM (shudders) but i can PM you my email address.

[druez]

I play RON T&P and it is great. I play multiplayer all the time on gamespy. If you don't have the game its well worth picking up.

[Tekneek]

I have RoN, no expansion pack. AIM would be DaddyOfNick. I don't know when I would actually be able to play, and am often on that AIM when at work as well. :) I have not played in a while and would be out of practice, so probably a quick kill.

[Ben E Lou]

I probably won't have time to play before I leave town this week, but I have the original and expansion pack. AIM is benelou. If I am able to play any, it would be in the 8pm-10pm EDT range on Mon-Tue-Wed.

--Ben

[cincyreds]

I love Rise of Nations.

When I have played too much Battlefield and other mods, RON is what is a nice change of pace for me.

The expansion is fun. I love playing as the indians.

[Marmel]

We will probably try to get a game going tonight. Not sure what time but it won't likely be until 10pm EST.

[Franklinnoble]

Bah. Life sucks with crappy dial-up access at home.

[Ben E Lou]

We will probably try to get a game going tonight. Not sure what time but it won't likely be until 10pm EST.If I'm online, IM me. The wife and I are about to watch RotK (came a day early), and I'm not sure when I'll go to bed.

[Tekneek]

Definitely message me as well. I won't get on AIM unless I know I am free from family/household obligations.

[Marmel]

i have RoN (didn't pick up the expansion) and would be ready and willing to give it a go.

I don't have AIM (shudders) but i can PM you my email address.


go ahead and do that, and i will try to get you a time and place.

[Bonegavel]

go ahead and do that, and i will try to get you a time and place.
PM away.

[Marmel]

Got it.

We had a good game last night with Neuqua, Tekneek and myself. :)

[Tekneek]

Got it.

We had a good game last night with Neuqua, Tekneek and myself. :)

I was quickly eliminated once the big powers set their sights on me. I managed to tinker around over in my corner for a long time, though. :)

[Raven]

how long does it take to play out a MP game of 2-3 players?

[Barkeep49]

If you play again soon please think about im'ing me. I would really love to join a game.

[Neuqua]

Raven,
Our games usually last a little more than an hour long, depending on how quickly Marmel wants to dismantle everybody :)

[Chubby]

I need to get better before I try MP :)

[Tekneek]

I need to get better before I try MP :)

I've found that no amount of outside work gets you really prepared for MP. It's something you have to dive into. All the strategy I ever used against the AI, even in the highest settings, does not yield the same results against real players.

[Bonegavel]

I've found that no amount of outside work gets you really prepared for MP. It's something you have to dive into. All the strategy I ever used against the AI, even in the highest settings, does not yield the same results against real players.
Indeed, which is why human MP will be hard to beat by any AI for quite some time.

[Marmel]

We had a very late night game last night. Neuqua is a fine player, but really made a huge error in judgement in this game.

6 nations, Neuq and I are seperated basically by 2 other nations. I am in the north, he in the south. I take out the nothern of the 2 AI nations in between us. I notice his capital city is tucked away nicely from my point of view, but is actually really close to the AI's border. So I propose an alliance with Neuq so I can move my troops into his land. I position them on that border, hoping to make him think I will attack the AI from that position. Instead, I break our alliance, declare war and start out on his capital's doorstep. I send in 6 stealth bomber, reduce the city to rubble, and stroll down the red carpet he had set up for my ground troops. Game over.

[Marmel]

dola...

bonegavel, i got your PM, and will email you. Last night's game got under way at like 1am, so i didnt bother. I also have the AIM names of you guys who posted, and I do check to see if you are online when we are getting ready.

Rumor has it bsak has already ordered the game, so we are starting to grow a nice group here. Maybe one day we will have 8 human controlled teams in one game. *faints*

[Ben E Lou]

When I get back from Colorado, I am going to devote myself to kicking all of your tails. ;)

[Bonegavel]

dola...

bonegavel, i got your PM, and will email you. Last night's game got under way at like 1am, so i didnt bother. I also have the AIM names of you guys who posted, and I do check to see if you are online when we are getting ready.

Rumor has it bsak has already ordered the game, so we are starting to grow a nice group here. Maybe one day we will have 8 human controlled teams in one game. *faints*
Sweet. This should be fun fun fun. If you can avoid Tues/Thurs between 9-11 PM that would be appreciated - those are our FOFC City of Heroes nights :)

[RainRaven]

I had played the demo of RON not too long ago and was intrigued but not for 50 bucks it was then... might have to revisit it again :)

[Franklinnoble]

We had a very late night game last night. Neuqua is a fine player, but really made a huge error in judgement in this game.

6 nations, Neuq and I are seperated basically by 2 other nations. I am in the north, he in the south. I take out the nothern of the 2 AI nations in between us. I notice his capital city is tucked away nicely from my point of view, but is actually really close to the AI's border. So I propose an alliance with Neuq so I can move my troops into his land. I position them on that border, hoping to make him think I will attack the AI from that position. Instead, I break our alliance, declare war and start out on his capital's doorstep. I send in 6 stealth bomber, reduce the city to rubble, and stroll down the red carpet he had set up for my ground troops. Game over.
Uhh... that's pretty fucking cheap, dude.

[RainRaven]

Actually by that description I just find it to be one hell of a backstab. If at the end of the game the idea is to be the lone guy standing and you give another human opp. an oppurtunity to roll through your lands without any oversight then He had it coming anyways, it could've been damn funny to be on the recieving end of that after he relized what Marmel had pulled off :)

[Bonegavel]

[begins scribbling on piece of paper]
Note to self, "ally with Marmel only after removing left testicle with butter knife."

[Franklinnoble]

Actually by that description I just find it to be one hell of a backstab. If at the end of the game the idea is to be the lone guy standing and you give another human opp. an oppurtunity to roll through your lands without any oversight then He had it coming anyways, it could've been damn funny to be on the recieving end of that after he relized what Marmel had pulled off :)
Well, Neuqua was an idiot to make the alliance, no doubt. Why bother allying against an AI nation, anyway? They're not that hard to defeat in the first place. I sure as hell wouldn't grant a right of passage to any human opponent. If they want to tackle a nation that is on my border, they can take the long way around or just suck eggs.

Still, it's a pretty cheap tactic. Doing so against an AI nation would be considered an exploit...

[Neuqua]

The reason the victory ended up being so easy for Marm was when we are the only two human owners left, every other time we played a game, we waited to take out the other nations before we set battle against ourselves. The move was cheap, he knows it. It was my fault that I did not have more defenders against my capital but the RoN citizen cap was killing me and I could not build anymore soldiers.

He knows that should our countries have gone in battle last night, mine would have wiped the floor with his and that is why he made the move. Lucky guy. You'll get what's coming though.

[RainRaven]

I did indeed pick up the game this afternoon but not the expansion. Is playing single player going to be helpful at all or should I just jump right into the MP action and learn on the go that way?

[Chief Rum]

I have the game now, too. But Marmel scares me. ;)

CR

[Neuqua]

Rain,
I'd just check out the tutorial once or twice and you should begin to get a hang of what to do and what not to do.

[Marmel]

Sure it was cheap. But we never had an alliance throughout the whole game, and suddenly I propose one, and then suddenly I have a bunch of troops on his doorstep, and he never saw it coming? Plus he was so trash talking before the game it was not even funny.

And he is right, just based on army size, he could have wiped me out hard at that point in the game.

But, I think all these different options available to you are what makes the game great. Next time I could I play the good guy the whole way through, anf the following time I could forget the citizens and just build a massive ground army, and the next time I can build a huge air force....

[heybrad]

With all of this talk I'll be dusting off my copy of RoN. Do I have to have the expansion also to play with you guys?

[finkenst]

With all of this talk I'll be dusting off my copy of RoN. Do I have to have the expansion also to play with you guys?
as asked by GE previously and thusly answered by marmel:
GE - yes it is worth it, no you dont need the expansion. You can get it for 25 also.(referring to RoN)

[Marmel]

Hoping to get something going around 9:30ish EST.....who's up for it tonight?

[Franklinnoble]

Hoping to get something going around 9:30ish EST.....who's up for it tonight?
Hang on, lemme go take my Levitra...

[Bonegavel]

Hoping to get something going around 9:30ish EST.....who's up for it tonight?I should be good to go tonight.

[edit]
Franklinoble, I'm married. I don't understand your joke?

[Franklinnoble]

I should be good to go tonight.

[edit]
Franklinoble, I'm married. I don't understand your joke?
www.levitra.com

Your wife will appreciate it.

[Bonegavel]

www.levitra.com (http://www.levitra.com/)

Your wife will appreciate it.Don't know if you read it the first time... i'm married, I don't get your joke. :D


Hey Marmel, is 930 still game time?

[edit]

just received and replied to your email... hopefully there will be others. Oh, I only have RoN and not the expansion.

[Franklinnoble]

Don't know if you read it the first time... i'm married, I don't get your joke. :D


Hey Marmel, is 930 still game time?
Ah... I'm a little slow today... I get it. ;)

[Shucker]

OK, Rise of Nations, great concept, great reviews. I pick it up, being an old Civ 3 guy. The problem I have with the game is that you seem to be able to rumble through the tech so damned fast, maxing out relatively quickly. That took the fun out of it when I could build these great weapons and go knock out a city, but didn't have enough to hold it. It became just a game of attrition and seemed to stalemate like WWI. I got tired of it and put it down not long after I got it.

I am admitedly a poor player. I was playing on like the next to lowest level, maybe one higher, I don't remember. It just seemed to easy to max the tech and then there wasn't much worth shooting for but anhilating the easy ones until it was a stalemate of titans.

What are your comments? Any patches I am unaware of? It would be cool to play MP, but I pity the fool that gets me on their team.

[Bonegavel]

I give in, i'm downloading AIM right now...

[edit]
My AIM name is [drum roll] Bonegavel.

[Marmel]

Great 3 person game tonight with Bonegavel, Barkeep and myself.

And no, I didn't break my alliance this time. :)

Good game guys!

[Barkeep49]

Overwhelming force is what is needed to capture and hold cities. You can't just take a few catapults (or their later age equivalent) and expect to hold a city. The idea of assimilation is really great on several levels. When you attack just make sure you bring infantry with you.

[Bonegavel]

Holy jesus, husband to mary magdalen, father of the Meriovigian line! That was fun. I think I went for 5 minutes at a time without checking my library and boy does that get you behind.

When I took on AI Hannibal, I was fairly sure the 2 of you (from your scores) were a bit ahead of me in the armoury dept, so i wanted to at least get out of last place and I succeeded at that. Once I saw Marmel's Mounted Missles it was only a matter of a few frames of animation that I was aware of my impending doom.

Great stuff... looking forward to the next battle.

[Ragone]

I plan on purchasing this tomorrow since i have some best buy bucks to spend.. :)

gimme a weekend to learn the game :P

[Marmel]

looks like we will have 3 or 4 for a midnight (EST) game. anyone else?

[Chief Rum]

I could play. But you guys will seriously kick my ass.

CR

[Chubby]

MP needs the gamespy thing doesnt it?

[Marmel]

I dont know Chubby. Neuqua had problems and mentioned that, but I just set it up and it worked. maybe because i was hosting? I dont know.

[Chubby]

I dont know Chubby. Neuqua had problems and mentioned that, but I just set it up and it worked. maybe because i was hosting? I dont know.

Hmm, I think it tries to install it when you install the game but I chose not to. I'll have to install it (the gamespy MP software stuff) and try another night since I know I can't play tonight. I'll prob get the XP tomorrow anyways :)

[Neuqua]

Yeah I did have a similar problem. Once I went ahead and just downloaded the gamespy, everything worked out fine. Although we usually connect by IP so I don't know if Gamespy really has much to do with that.

[Chief Rum]

Is that the Gamespy Arcade? I already have something set up, but I haven't even looked into that. Once I get to a stopping point in my other programs, I will try and load up multiplayer and see if I need to do anything.

CR

[Marmel]

Two totally kick ass games tonight. Neuq and I had a battle for the ages, wiping out probably a thousand troops on each side, and lasting for 30 minutes of non-stop straight action. I finally marched around to the other side of his capital and then sent another army to the front of his capital and took it from both sides.

Raven and Chief are doing well in their first tries.

[Neuqua]

It really was a battle of the ages. It looked like my guys were going to get wiped out within minutes but my guys ended up putting up one heck of a fight. Marm's right, ATLEAST a thousand troups had to have died there. All the while Chief and Raven were basically just growing larger and larger, wondering why there was no action taking place :)

[Chief Rum]

Heh...I still got the floor wiped with the blood of my soldiers, though...and women and children, too. Man, Marmel is ruthless...

CR

[Marmel]

i am getting a bad rep here for doing what Neuqua would do if he could take me out.

[Raven]

very fun couple of games.

the first round, Chief and I were both rookies. Marmel and Neuq battled it out while I just sat around and built up my forces. Neuq and I had an alliance, but Marmel was attacking him with tanks and planes, and I knew my horse and buggies weren't goign to do much damage there.

The second game, Marmel and I had an alliance. I was concentrating on building up my techs, and him and Neuq got in to another huge war. This time I decided to make an attempt to take one of Neuq's cities, and he cleaned my slate. I was knocked out soon after that.

Those guys build up pretty quick and it's tough to keep up with them after an hour or so, but it's still a lot of fun.

Looking forward to our next couple of games, and highly recommend it to those interested. If we can get a game with 6-8 players, I think it will be a real blast.

[GoldenEagle]

I am really tempted to go buy the game tommorow....

I doubt I can come up with $25 bucks though - stupid college.

[Bonegavel]

Count me in for at least 1 game tonight.

[Franklinnoble]

Fuck... I wish I had broadband at home. :(

[Tekneek]

Man. I might be able to play on Sunday night. I am only possibly available for games on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights. A 6-8 player game with some rookies would be good. :)

[Chubby]

what countries are you guys using?

[heybrad]

I'll be checking in for games tonight, sat and sun. I got everything reinstalled and played a SP game, but I'm guessing that wont help me much against you guys.

[Neuqua]

Franklin:
Raven is on dialup and I do not think he suffered through any game ending problems, I say give it a shot.

Chubby:
Usually we just set it out to Random and then play with whatever the AI gives us.

[Chubby]

Cool. I got the XP today so I'm down with getting my ass handed to me in multiplayer :D

[Raven]

Frank, I didnt have any lag using a dialup connection. I couldnt even tell.

[Franklinnoble]

Frank, I didnt have any lag using a dialup connection. I couldnt even tell.
Don't tease me....

[Marmel]

We usually play with 2 house rules

1) No nukes.

However, we have relaxed the rules for rookie players and will allow them nukes if they so choose. Once you get the hang of the game though, that advantage is gone. :)


2) No attacking a human player until 1 AI nation is eliminated. If we get 5 or 6 human players at once, we might have to scrap this rule since we won't need AI nations.

[Chubby]

I hate nukes, they are LAME. What is the winning criteria? Last man standing?

AIM is Chubby3333 so I can get slaughtered tonight :)

[Ragone]

I got the game and the xp today.. i'll be learning it over the next 24 hours or so :)

[Chubby]

I'll be playing single player and not checking toe boards so IM me if people we're going to do MP tonight.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I suck at this game single-player (though I've only played 4 or 5 times), but I'd be willing to get into a multiplayer game.

[Marmel]

Game stwartingin about 10 minutes or so. AIM me: cusefan95

[Pumpy Tudors]

Whoops. I should've hung out on the board instead of playing Winning Eleven 7. I'll catch you all some other time.

[Chubby]

VICTORY! The good guys come out on top in game 1!

[Marmel]

I couldn't fend off two nations tag teaming me at the end. :(

Another game starting in 5 minutes or so for any late entries.

[HeavyReign]

Marmel falls to the combined forces of orange and light blue.

[Marmel]

The HR/Marmel tag team ruled all in game two though. :)

Chubby out real early that time.

[HeavyReign]

The highlight was chief rum nuking his own capital when I had it surrounded with tanks.

[Chief Rum]

The highlight was chief rum nuking his own capital when I had it surrounded with tanks.

I had to make a name for myself in this game somehow. :)

CR

[Marmel]

First, Chief's peaceful capital:

http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/chiefs capital area.bmp

[Marmel]

And then HR's squadron of stealth bombers approach:

http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/bombers.bmp

[Marmel]

While I am regrouping, HR is just letting Chief have it with tanks and choppers. But what's this? Look on the left, it says Nuclear Missle Launched!


http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/regroup.bmp

[Marmel]

Ground Zero at impact!!!!!! Uhh, chief just launched a nuke at his own capital!

http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/impact.bmp

[Marmel]

Look at all those dead bodies. :(

http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/death.jpg

[Marmel]

and finally, my ground troops come into to clean up the mess that HR made in the air and defeat Chief. :)


http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/cleanup.jpg

[Ragone]

Chief.. just because they called it the Manhatten project.. doesn't mean they tested it on manhatten :)

[Marmel]

Some other pics.....my navy:

http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/navy.jpg

[Marmel]

and finally, HR has his capital well guarded against a double cross. :)

http://www.jbl.ootp-leagues.com/hr.jpg

[Chief Rum]

Chief.. just because they called it the Manhatten project.. doesn't mean they tested it on manhatten :)

lol...hey, it bought me about five minutes of game time. :)

CR

[Tekneek]

lol...hey, it bought me about five minutes of game time. :)

CR

And that's what it is all about. When you are on the run, you do whatever it takes to stay in the game a little bit longer. Sometimes those desperate measures are enough to get you back on your feet, but probably not against these guys...

[Chubby]

The HR/Marmel tag team ruled all in game two though. :)

Chubby out real early that time.

Well that's what happens when my ally doesn't do anything :p

[HeavyReign]

Well that's what happens when my ally doesn't do anything :p
Raven actually took out a whole fleet of Marmel's ground forces crossing the water with his subs. Once you were gone he held us off for a little while but we eventually overwhelmed him.

[Chubby]

Doesn't count when I'm already toast :) I was trying to get him to go after marm's capital to try and take him out while he was focused on attacking me. That's where all my troops were trying to go since I knew I couldn't fend off both of you.

[Marmel]

I put up double the defense around my capital this time anyway. The first time around, I had good defense there, but this time, I was stacked with SAM's and about 20 fighters circling the capital.

[Raven]

Chubby, I would have attacked his capital, but I didn't have enough ground forces, or planes.

I built up a sizeable navy, but was short on oil. The most I could do was take out Marmels ground forces while they were crossing the water to come after you.

By the time I got an army big enough to attack him, HR had already brought over his own ships, and I knew I'd be next.

[Chubby]

ahh,i knew you were short on oil. didn't know where your army was, i didn't have a huge one but started cranking up when they were chatting about invading (and not privately either heh)

[Marmel]

I wouldn't mind getting something going tonight. Contact me, or sign onto AIM or something.

[Chief Rum]

I plan on being on tonight, but I have to go out for a couple hours. I'll probably be baqck by 9 p.m. my time, but if you guys are already rolling, I understand.

CR

[GoldenEagle]

Damn I have to come up with $25.

[GoldenEagle]

Dola -

Does the game play more like Age of Empires or Civilization?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Dola -

Does the game play more like Age of Empires or Civilization?

Much more like Age of Empires, in my opinion. There are some technology advances that seem to be a bit more like Civilization, but the whole "turn-based/real-time hybrid" hype is a load of crap to me. I don't really see anything turn-based in Rise of Nations at all. It's still a good game, though.

[Chubby]

the turn based part has to be the conquer the world scenarios.

[Chubby]

I'm up for playing tonight as well

[Pumpy Tudors]

The "Conquer the World" scenarios weren't in the original RoN game, were they? Weren't they added in the expansion? If that is correct, then I'm stumped, because people have bene calling this a turn-based/real-time hybrid since the original game was released.

[Chubby]

There was 1 conquer the world scenario in the original, the xp are MUCH better tho.

[Marmel]

We will be starting one up tonight when Chief Rum gets here...midnight EST hopefully.

[HeavyReign]

Chubby and I prevail again. We held off attacks from 3 others during the game and then slowly took them down one by one.

[Chubby]

HOORAY for the good guys! It was 3 vs 2 but the 2 prevailed! :D

[Marmel]

another one starting in a few minutes. :)

[Marmel]

I finally take HR down in Game 2 of the night, with a little help from Chief Rum. :) HR and I had a crazy land battle since we were neighbors. :)

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, i was like this little gnat ont he other side of HR. He didn't bother but shoo at me a few times. The one time he turned to do a full swing at me, Marmel bit him in the ass. :)

CR

[HeavyReign]

So true. If I hadn't gone after CR, I would have had plenty of defense for Marmel's last attack.

[Eilim]

I have a Ventrillo(Voice coms) server that sees little action that I'd be happy to let you guys use during your game if your interested. While I ended up leaving the FPS clan it was originally intended for, I've had a blast using it during my weekly AoK matches.

You haven't heard smack talk until you've heard Brother(teamed with father) against Sister (teamed with husband) going at it in voice coms during a heated RTS battle. ;)

If your interested let me know and I can set up a couple passworded rooms for you guys to use. It can handle up to 15 people I believe.

-Eilim

[Marmel]

Midnight game anyone?

[Tekneek]

Maybe. AIM me.

[Chubby]

can't tonight, still at the parents house

[Tekneek]

I got in on the second game. When somebody dropped off, we all voted on what to do and I chose "Replace with AI", which is what I think everybody else did. Right after the vote, I was told the game had ended and I won by conquest...although I wasn't even close.

[Barkeep49]

If there is a game tonight I would love if we could start at 11 EDT as I would love to catch up on a little of my lost sleep :)

[HeavyReign]

I got in on the second game. When somebody dropped off, we all voted on what to do and I chose "Replace with AI", which is what I think everybody else did. Right after the vote, I was told the game had ended and I won by conquest...although I wasn't even close.
So that explains why your guys attacked me right after that. I was wondering why someone would attack with such a technology disadvantage.

[Marmel]

I'll see who is around for an 11pm game tonight.

Bsak will be joining the group tomorrow from what I hear. He is giving himself a day or so to get some practice in.

[heybrad]

I will be around tonight.

[Dr. Sak]

I'll see who is around for an 11pm game tonight.

Bsak will be joining the group tomorrow from what I hear. He is giving himself a day or so to get some practice in.

You guys will get some fresh meat to whip up on

[Pumpy Tudors]

Oops, looks like I missed my chance again.

[heybrad]

Ok... I learned that I suck at this tonight. I also learned not to trust Marmel and Barkeep. ;)

[heybrad]

Dola... is there anyway to watch the game after I've been eliminated?

[Barkeep49]

Hey Marmel said outloud to attack you... I voted against it, it's just that I didn't say everything to everyone.

I'm annoyed because my internet decided to conk out tonight thus leaving Marmel on his own. Hopefully everything turned out ok.

[Marmel]

Hey, you were killing my men before we even went to war Brad! :)

[Neuqua]

Marmel, IM me the IP Address.. My Aim isn't working

[Neuqua]

... meaning i can recieve messages but not send them

[Marmel]

it doesnt even show you on AIM Neuq.,

[heybrad]

Hey, you were killing my men before we even went to war Brad! :)
I could have sworn that I saw your guys blowing away my mine. Its cool. I'll learn.

[Marmel]

last call for game 2w of the night.

[Barkeep49]

I accidently quit out when Marmel dropped in the second game. This is what being tired does to me. I feel very foolish. Can't wait to hear how the game turns out.

[Chubby]

It didn't, we all got booted. We would have won tho :)

[Marmel]

Not a chance in hell. Neuq had colossus and I was fully equipped with military. :)

[HeavyReign]

Don't let anyone keep the Colossus. That should be the first thing you take out if the nation you are attacking has it. The +50 population advantage is huge later in the game.

[Eilim]

You guys should demo-record the games and post them for posterity. Actually I'd just love to watch some of the matches. ;)

[HeavyReign]

You guys should demo-record the games and post them for posterity. Actually I'd just love to watch some of the matches. ;)
I think Marmel might still have the one where Chief Rum nuked his capital. He said he was going to save it.

[Barkeep49]

I automatically record all my games so if someone is ever interested in seeing one that I play in I would be happy to send it to them.

[Chubby]

i had +100 population and i could go over the cap by 25 so I wasn't worried about colossus :)

[heybrad]

Just curious... whats the point of the no attacking another human until an AI nation is eliminated? Maybe I'm taking the wrong approach, but wouldnt it be a good strategy to hit some resource points on your opponent once they start to pull ahead of you. Its your only shot to slow them down. As it is now, once you're behind, you're toast.

[Barkeep49]

The idea is to give players breathing time to get up to speed. Basically it's our own version of an anti-rushing rule.

[Marmel]

Yeah, what barkeep said. I don't care much about what rules we play by, this was just something we came to a consensus on at one time. We can do things differently of course, if people want.

[Barkeep49]

With the amount of players we are getting it might be time to dump the Computer players and come up with different rushing rules as brad suggests.

[Chubby]

well since no one takes out the comp players until they are at information anyways might we make that the rule?

[heybrad]

I'm cool with whatever we do. I had a blast getting my ass kicked last night. I just think we might try to find some middle ground on rushing as opposed to hitting strategic targets to slow down advancement.

[Marmel]

i have no problem coming up with something fair brad. Our little skirmish was fine, but you caught me totally off guard since i didn't even have a barracks up yet I don't think. :) It does make sense to knock out some bordering mines to use for yourself....

[Chubby]

The only thing i'd really go after would be oil personally.

[Marmel]

Trying to get a 10pm or 10:30pm game going tongiht.

[Chubby]

can't tonight as I fly out to Chicago at 6am tomorrow! I'll be back sunday so I'll be able to play then.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUBS!!!!!!!!

[heybrad]

I think I can play tonight. I'll have to drag my wife off of the PC. She's heavily into playing Casino Empire right now.

[Barkeep49]

I hope you have a nice time in Chicago Chubby. Too bad you couldn't get any suggestions about things to do around here...

I should be able to make the "10 o'clock game" which I assume is really the wink wink nudge nudge Chief Rum time.

Despite the fact that it would make my life harder I agree that border skirmishing seems like a legitimate thing we should be having.

[RainRaven]

If anyone wanted to play a more early evening type game let me know, I would't mind giving RON mulitplay a whirl and at 10 I am already committed to the Turbo Sliders league.

[Marmel]

bump for a 10pm game (or a bit later)

[heybrad]

So... who won last night. I showed my inexperience by completing ignoring Barkeep while preparing to take out ChiefRum. Just as I was getting ready to invade Chief, Barkeep hit me with a ton of Stealth Bombers and I was out.

[SirFozzie]

Hey.. anyone know if Rise of Nations supports the version offered through Yahoo! Games on Demand?

Considering the games they offer, (Civ3, etc etc), with unlimited play for like $9.95 a month, sounds like a cheap games hit :)

[Barkeep49]

I don't know what you mean by supports. I've always wondered if they patch the games and think I will d/l RON to test that very thing. Overall I've been really happy with Games on Demand as it has allowed me to play a variety of games I would've either never paid for or would have paid far more to play.

[Barkeep49]

Dola -- Brad the Germans (Chubby and I) won. Don't feel bad since pretty much everyone except for Butch was a rollover last night... It was kinda surprising actually. I am curious who won the second game which was having so many problems getting off the ground.

[Dr. Sak]

Don't feel bad since pretty much everyone except for Butch was a rollover last night...

What!?!?! I take offense to that. My Biplanes were doing a good job fighting off your stealth bombers!
:p

[SirFozzie]

I don't know what you mean by supports. I've always wondered if they patch the games and think I will d/l RON to test that very thing. Overall I've been really happy with Games on Demand as it has allowed me to play a variety of games I would've either never paid for or would have paid far more to play.

I meant if it was possible for a Games on Demand RoN to play MP against a regular RoN player. If So.. I think I'll splurge ;) 100 or so games for $15 a month es goot~

[heybrad]

What!?!?! I take offense to that. My Biplanes were doing a good job fighting off your stealth bombers!
:p
Since I've been taken out in both of my games by hoards of stealth bombers.... What the hell kills a stealth bomber in the game?

[Barkeep49]

You need a whole bunch of fighters, preferably of the same age of the bombers.

[Franklinnoble]

SAMs don't work?

[heybrad]

SAMs don't work?
Here's the dialog in my head last night as I was playing...

"I'll put these SAM's all over the place to protect against air attacks. Hmmm... I wonder if they wont detect the stealth bombers. I mean, they are stealth."

** Barkeep bombs the shit our of me with stealth bombers **

question answered

[HeavyReign]

Dola -- Brad the Germans (Chubby and I) won. Don't feel bad since pretty much everyone except for Butch was a rollover last night... It was kinda surprising actually. I am curious who won the second game which was having so many problems getting off the ground.
We never did get to finish the game. In our last try Marmel got dropped early on but we tried to keep playing. It finally dropped everyone for good as I was getting close to finishing the last 4 research options.

[Dr. Sak]

Game tonight? 10-1030 pm EST?

[Marmel]

Sak has to back out, and I think I am going to get to bed a little early tonight and catch up on some sleep.

[Barkeep49]

I'm going to hang out in FOFC RON on AIM... If we get a few people (I don't have most peoples IMs) I'd love to get a game going.

[Barkeep49]

I'd like to aim for a midnight EST game if people are around. All are welcome and all skill levels can and do have fun. Join AIM Chatroom FOFC RON to join in the fun.

[Tekneek]

Chances for a game tonight? I've got permission from the financial controller (wife) to pick up the expansion pack today (I will probably get it this afternoon, if I can easily find it - without having to drive to Athens).

[SirFozzie]

I'm good for it.

[Barkeep49]

Well there are supposedly MP problems with the XP so we best stick to the original for now. Shall we say a midnight EDT game?

[heybrad]

I might be able to make it. I'll jump on AIM around 8:45 (edit: Pacific Time) or so.

[Marmel]

I might be able to play a late game, but might also be on earlier for a 9 or 10 or 10:30ish game.

[Tekneek]

Ah. I'll just get the expansion pack for my own fun then. We can play the original. I may be on around 10.

[Raven]

I also don't like the whole "can't attack humans, until an AI is eliminated" rule.

It seems to limit strategy, and becomes a "first to tech - wins" game. Especially since it basically allows you to not build any military units until you are almost done teching. While the AI on the other hand, builds up a lot of military units, and is slower to tech. Then, the first to tech takes out the AI, and gets all their cities and resources, and usually ends up the winner.

I think things could be a little more interesting if we eliminated the rule. I could see two guys having little mini-battles all throughout a single game. It could definitely open up some new possibilities, and make the game more strategic as opposed to a race to get those stealth bombers first.

[Marmel]

Raven, I tend to agree wth you. I also wouldn't mind seeing a cap put on techs, say to the modern age instead of info age and beyond. Basically, that would prevent the nearly unstoppable stealth and limit you to regular bombers and fighters. It would also get rid of world government which means you can't just take a capital, but must work your way towards their capital and then keep it for a few minutes. Might make the games take longer, but there would be much more strategy involved.

[Butch2522]

i like that idea as well. But keep it at modern age because anything lower then that the game would take about 10 day to play. i played a game to gun powder this morning on gamespy against someone and it would have takens a few hours to built a army big enough to go take out his citys. I think this well take alot more strategy then what we was playing. It will take long but be more fun i think because the battles wont be so quick.

[Neuqua]

Raven, I tend to agree wth you. I also wouldn't mind seeing a cap put on techs, say to the modern age instead of info age and beyond. Basically, that would prevent the nearly unstoppable stealth and limit you to regular bombers and fighters. It would also get rid of world government which means you can't just take a capital, but must work your way towards their capital and then keep it for a few minutes. Might make the games take longer, but there would be much more strategy involved.

I have been saying these things to you ever since we first started playing RoN. I can't stand the "take your capital, you're gone" rule. If we all had a lot of time one night, I would love to have some real battles without the stealth. Then the winner can really feel he deserved it.

But then, without stealth Marm, how will you win?

[SirFozzie]

Bumping to the top.. let's get a game going :)

[Barkeep49]

Bump again as I too would like to get a game going... Will be in AIM room FOFC RON in the hopes we can get something going.

[SirFozzie]

That stunk. ANyone for a Saturday game? :)

[Tekneek]

That stunk. ANyone for a Saturday game? :)

I'll be on and ready to play after the Flames/Lightning game. I couldn't find anybody last night. I went into FOFC RON and bsak was the only person in there, and he wasn't responding to my questions. It was rather strange.

I played a game with the expansion pack through Gamespy, and there were not any oddities (other than two of the players being completely dishonest - it was supposed to be a 'newbie' game, and the way they dominated would indicate they were not n00bs). I would have sworn they were cheating somehow, the way they advanced so damn quickly. They seemed to be teched to Modern in about 15 minutes.

[Marmel]

I'm up for a game if it starts by 10pm tonight. I have been pretty busy lately and would like to squeeze one in tonight.

[Dr. Sak]

I'll be on and ready to play after the Flames/Lightning game. I couldn't find anybody last night. I went into FOFC RON and bsak was the only person in there, and he wasn't responding to my questions. It was rather strange.

Sorry Tekneek. My girlfriend was over and just about to leave, I popped into the room to see if there was anyone there and by the time i walked her out and came back in you had come and gone. I did type something but I dont think you saw it before you left.

I am up for a game tonight around 9pm or 10pm, anyone in?

[Chubby]

I'm in for tonight, now that I'm back from my trip I'm ready for some RoN goodness.

[Tekneek]

Anybody playing tonight?

[Ragone]

I'll play if someone gets ahold of me via aim :)

ragone76.. i'm playing cm at the moment trying to keep from going bankrupt hah

[Ben E Lou]

I'd love to play tonight, assuming I don't fall asleep at a ridiculously early hour. (I'm still pretty tired from my trip...)

[Chubby]

I'm in tonight. AIM me, I'll be on.

[Butch2522]

ill like to get a game going tonight around 10-10:30

[Marmel]

I'll try. I have been so damn busy lately. I can't wait to play again though.

[Chubby]

I'll be on and up for a game or 2. I'm not good with setting up the chatroom thingie so if we go that route then AIM me Chubby3333. Now off to do some more XP CtW missions :)

[Marmel]

bump. hoping to get something started in the next 15-20 minutes or so. Come join us!

[Chubby]

come on and play!

[Marmel]

I got bitch slapped.

[Barkeep49]

Chubby nice job with the defense. Good game all tonight!

[Chubby]

bah, I wasn't ready for the fighting to start then got pulled in a couple of directions trying to send forces to help Marmel while fighting off the stupid AI who wouldn't take a peace for a while. By the time I had a good strategy it was too late :( Good game everyone!

[Dr. Sak]

Thanks for the help last night barkeep. Once you got kicked off they both ganged up on me and took me out pretty quick.

[Barkeep49]

Does anyone know if the game is spawnable?

[Marmel]

What does that mean?

[Barkeep49]

It means that another person can play the game, without the CD, as long as they are playing with the person whose CD they used to install the game. It was something you could do with Age of Empires. This makes it possible to have larger multiplayer games than otherwise possible.

[Marmel]

We need a few more for an early game tonight!

[Butch2522]

bump...would like to get a game together tonight around 10-10:30

[Marmel]

We are going to try and get a game going Monday night at about 10pm EST. Just trying to give some advanced notice so we can try and get a larger group than normal!

[Butch2522]

im in for monday night

[gstelmack]

If anyone ever gets a game rolling at around 9:00 Eastern, I might be in.

[Ben E Lou]

If anyone ever gets a game rolling at around 9:00 Eastern, I might be in.Same here. It isn't very often that I'm willing to *start* a multiplayer game at 10:00pm. I'm usually getting close to heading to bed around then.

Y'all must watch TV. ;)

Seriously, once dinner time is past (7:30pm or so), I'm usually available during the summer. At that point, SWMBO usually heads over to the TV, and I head to the computer.

[Butch2522]

bump

[Neuqua]

I should be able to play tonight as well.

[Chubby]

i'll be up to play tonight too

[Barkeep49]

Did a game manage to run last night? If so anything exciting happen?

[GoldenEagle]

Does anyone still play. I have the game now and even though I would get pwned I would still like to play MP sometime.

[Chubby]

I still have it but haven't played much, been doing more Civ 3

[chinaski]

damn, wish i had this. If anyone is down for a little Age of Mythology, gimme a shout :)

[GoldenEagle]

I dfo have Age of Mythology I just have never played it. Does it have DM?

[Mr. Wednesday]

I'd be up for getting my ass kicked in MP sometime, but I'm not sure when I'm going to have the free time for it.

[Coffee Warlord]

I'd have to reinstall it, and I probably suck, but I'd hop in on a game.

[Marmel]

I'd probably jump in even though I have not played since this thread was started and we were playing nightly. :)

[Pumpy Tudors]

I have Rise of Nations and I'm pretty horrible at it (I stink at RTS games in general), but I'd give it another shot. Chubby's comment reminds me, however, that I have Civ 3 and haven't even played it yet. I should give that one a go, too.

[Dr. Sak]

Let me know...i havent played in awhile but I want to.

[Neuqua]

I'm available on the weekends.

[Marmel]

bump...

I stumbled upon the disks for this game last night and had fond memories of the MP games from 9 years ago! I should re-install and see how the game has held up!