I guess. I don't know, I assume It will just be like a HUGE version of the current world map.

I think that the first game should be a 1 point game - so that any issues can be ironed out.

good point... perhaps... although I am sure that the 1st game would only be about 2 phases in when the second one started...

if only I had more points...*sob

well hurry and finish a game than...

*barely audible growl at players who don't finalise.

^^agreed

seconded...

ah dammit butterhead... grrr.

who what when where? why dammit butterhead?

We now have 9 of 11. Just need two more. Little less than three hours left!

Only need one more! Lets make this happen!!!

wrong thread sorry

I have the variant-code ready so far. All we need is a solution how to remind people so they didn't miss the start of the game and a target-SC count.
More opinions here, please.

how about the game starts when the game timer says it would - however there is a "ready" box that if everyone clicks ready the game starts.

the time that it would take for the "ready" box to begin would be a tick box at the "new game" section ( )5 mins, (10) mins, (30) mins, (12) hours, (1) day etc...

It needs to work with the webdip-variant-framework, so no extra tick-boxes at the "newgame"-section possible.

I'd think either make it like a live game with the start not set too far away, or maybe make it so that the first round is extra long to the point that if people are checking once a day they will still have a full day to dip if they miss the start. So I guess a two day first turn. Or you could do it so the game starts winter phase? I guess that wouldn't help though would it?

I just say make the start phase twice as long. You really cant make it much more longer because then you run the risk of OTHER players missing the first phase will waiting for people who arent showing up to show up. Thats really the problem with large games. Its almost impossible to completely get rid of NMR's. Theres not much one can do so Oli I think you should just make first phase twice as long and thats it. If someones not getting on then it shouldnt penalize the rest of the players.

let me insist, I think it's a really BAD IDEA to make the first phase longer, it will just make it more boring and won't avoid NMR's.
If it's difficult to have the option of reopening the game if there ar cd's , then I like the Kaner idea.
If no rixkbox in the newgame section, then something with the same function.
The idea is the game doesn't proceed if there's not an extra confirmation of all players.
(by the way, this could be also useful in haven)

you could reduce the amount of turns missed to go cd to one turn, granted that might be a bit extreme

My ideas so far:
1. Don't start when the game is full, instead wait the full time (like it is with live games)
2. In the first turn if a country don't enter orders send them in CD and delay the processing a full turn length.
I could do both or just one of the two.

both are good. but I think a variable time for the "start" [phase would be better.

cé la vi

More opinions about this?
I'll finish a nice stats-page first, and than do the last bit of coding for the world variant.

I think both are good, and that together it would be enough so long as teh game has decent length turns.
I think the second one should even be a standard practice, except maybe instead of delaying it autopauses the game, and the players left can either vote to continue, or they can find a replacement.

People will always NMR. Thems the breaks. My original point was just that every big game I've played some idiot misses the very first turn and then they're out of the game period and quit. The set start time deals with my complaint. More people miss the first turn than one might expect and I think it has to do with there being this 10 day window to let people join and then the game starts after 4 days and they blame that for their NMR.

Oh and, "I WANT MY WWIV!!!!"

how about an e-mail sent to people to remind them a game is starting?

I'll do the following: Game starts with a build-phase and countries without an order get a default-build and are set CD so a replacement player can jump in for the first real turn.

my 5 cents:
--- "Don't start when the game is full, instead wait the full time (like it is with live games)"
I don't like it since it happens often that in a few hours people decide to launch a game, and it turns out to be a good idea and the number of players is reached quickly.. but one cannot know it in advance!
--- "how about an e-mail sent to people to remind them a game is starting? "
personally I think that several players don't check the mailbox more often than the website itself...
--- "Game starts with a build-phase and countries without an order get a default-build and are set CD so a replacement player can jump in for the first real turn."
this seems a good solution to me!

Are we almost ready then?