I can empathise with your great suffering, Philo. The agony of waiting for a game you really want. For this, I will grant you provisional membership in the White Council. Your vote will be considered unless you subsequently decide not to join the Council.

Since you have mention you would like to contribute to all 4 objectives, I take it that you vote for Metaverse competition.

Current votes for Metaverse competition:
Aye - bostonrpgmania, philopoemen
Nay - gezz
Abstain - ray

I haven't figured out what to do if there is a tie so I hope it will not be the case.

Popup Target, Keith - I see you guys posting on the board. What's your vote?

J4, redshift, Sergey - If you guys are still active, your voice is needed.

Bigwheel - Welcome to the Council. Use your vote wisely.

Council Members,

I present to you smok-n-joe's http://www.galciv.com/info.asp?accountID=631277 application to join the Council. As usual, consider his request within 24 hrs and speak out if you object. Else he will be inducted tomorrow.

It was the sheep that did it....damn, I must improve the detonators on our latest models......

Council Members,

I present terry morgan's http://www.galciv.com/info.asp?accountID=673520 application to join the Council.

Terry, don't think I've seen you around before. Interact a bit with us with ya?

Council Members,

Let's decide on the Council's direction in 24 hrs time.

The only contentious issue and the one that requires your specific vote is the Metaverse competition. I think all of us can agree that swapping war stories, contributing to the community and role-playing are things that we have done and should continue to do.

I have also found a new cool icon for the Council. It would also be revealed in a day's time.

I'd say it depends on our ability to resist the dark side (with the dark side being having the metaverse overshadow the enjoyment of the game). We've been in first place, which was quite an achievement seeing as we did it with fewer people than all but one of the current top ten empires. However, now that we've been there, I don't feel the need to be cometitive about it. On the other hand, I really want to make it into the top 25 personally, just long enough to see that new medal next to one of my posts So I have to agree that the pull of the dark side is powerful. As a side note, I've hit 31 several times, 29 twice, and 26 once back when there was only about 120 people on the metaverse, but I never finish my next game fast enough, and I've dropped back down to 80-150 before I do finish it.

I don't see any reason to stay out of the metaverse, personally or as an empire, so long as we can maintain an irreverant attitude about it. I cheer whenever a new empire hits #1 for the first time, doesn't matter who it is. But I'd still like to have a presence there, as it's part of the community. I've never joined an empire/clan/whatever before, so maybe that helps me have a warped attitude about it.

On the other hand, I agree that if the competitiveness starts getting in the way, we should pull out. I don't see that happening in mass, and I thing as a group, most of us are self-aware enough to realize what we're doing, and pull back after a short visit to the dark side.

Thanks for your inputs, Popup. I'll log in your vote as let's play with fire then run before we get burnt.

Council members,

We welcome smok-n-joe to the Council. Looking forward to your participation in the discussion, Joe.

Personally, I have made my peace with the Metaverse. I have brought myself to agree with Pontius in that the Metaverse is not about ranking Galcivers by skill. In its present incarnation, it is about ranking Galcivers by their commitment and time spent on the game. Don't think it was the intention but it is becoming more like progressquest to me

However, the trade-off is very clear. Milking and getting high scores now will simply result in a overall shorter game life for you as opposed to playing for fun and getting lower scores over a long haul.

So if the Council decides to compete, I will rejoin the Metaverse. I will see if RayChua's deadweights are still around for me to reclaim, else I will restart.

Alright!!!!

Nothing like spitting out a quick alliance victory to get the ball rolling.

Finally got my game and just had to play before I upgrade to the newest version LOL

Glad to see your game deprivation has been cured, philopoemen.

Good one, philopoemen. If you are an experienced TBS/4X player, I would recommend playing next at Normal.

If you are still keen to join us, now's a good time to click this http://www.galciv.com/metaverse/empires.asp?id=329

Message is on it's way.

Council Members,

I present philopoemen's http://www.galciv.com/info.asp?accountID=668664 application to join the Council.

Just a reminder to all members that the deadline for casting your Metaverse vote draws near (1030 Stardock time). As it stands, the Council will be going to war.

Which method do you like best?

I have posted this message in the forum as well but
among council members, which way is most attractive way to win the game?
I had never experienced tech vic since it becomes quite time consuming at the end..

BTW, even at painful level (highest I have tried),
it seems the initial position determines the result of the game. If yours is good, the game is not challenging and you will easily win.
Isnt this a little bit of a problem for our beloved game? Opinion would be appreciated

Cultural victories usually come too quickly so I switch that off. Tech victories are tedious especially on smaller maps.

For me, Alliance victory is usually the quicker win on bigger maps. Else I will go for Military, on smaller maps and when I am in "Rush" mode.

Yes, as in all 4X games, starting position has a tremendous influence on the game. If you are want a challenge, don't Ctl-N, don't take speed or try a more balanced slider positions 60/20/20.

Council Members,

We welcome terry morgan into the Council.

Terry,

Welcome, you have 3hrs to vote on the Metaverse issue if you choose to.

Our new logo will soon be unveiled.

The Calling of the War Council

Council Members, we have been called to harness the collective powers of our magicks to bring order to the chaos that is the Metaverse.

To provide fresh impetus for our new mission, I have a new logo for the Council.

It is the symbol of the One-Ring, the artifact that would grant us the power to be victorious in the Metaverse.

We will also be adopting the Motto – “One Ring to Rule Them All”.

"The Summoning" has been made to call forth like-minded Wizards of various colours, powers and skills to join us in this quest.

Our first target would be the Apolyton hordes. Though each of us would need to battle 8 of their Overlords, I am confident of your individual prowess in magic.

Oh Council members

I am moving now and i might not be able to play the game 3-4 days
But I will keep eyes on this forum
Good luck to all

Bring it on, magi. GROSS always loves good competition, and you folks were good in the previous incarnation. So I have no doubt that your magicks are still quite powerful. Just have fun while using those spells of mass destruction.

(Yikes! SMD! We got to watch out for those.)

Now, onto that aggressive role-playing empiring stuff of mine: Avast, ye mangey mages, GROSS is going to send you back to yer tower with broken staves after we steal all yer magic items

Didn't we steal em all in the last raid Gunner?

Hail White Council,

I see you also fight for the forces of good. I also fight for the forces of good within The Bruin Empire, but alas, my empire consists of only myself. If your invitation is still open, I would be honored to join your guild in fighting the forces of evil.

bruinb77

~SDC~

Hail Bruinb77,

I can sense your power and purpose even as you approach from afar. You are most welcome to join us in this great endeavour to bring Light to the Darkness of the Meta.

Council Members,

In view of the Summoning, I have changed the Empire to an Open status. We will review subsequently to see if there is any need to return it to Invite only.

Welcome to the Council, philopoemen. Take your seat as the 12th Wizard on the Council.

Bruinb/Philopoemen,

If you like role-playing/story writing, you could continue the story of the Summoning by describing how you have answered the Call. You can also then flesh out your own character, their powers, skills, inclinations, etc.

It would also give our recruitment thread some colour and a good bump.

Glad you are back in the swing of things Ray, and glad to be on board.

I can still put together that 'Modder's Wish List' I mentioned back in the original 'Call' thread, if Project #1 is still active.

I've been meaning to document all the quirks of the data files anyways.

~SDC~

Welcome again, HFO.

I have KIVed Project #1 due to the fact that only Gezz and yourself have indicated interest to support.

Yes, let me see if I could drum up some support for that again.

It would be good if you could show us how much you have already done so that we could direct our efforts to build upon that.

I have it in outline format only at this point, and notes like 'neg PQ evt no work' aren't too useful for the general populace.

Allow me a few days to get my notes in order and I will have something to present to the Council.

~SDC~

Thank you for allowing me to join your fight against the dark lords. I will join as soon as it will allow me (I just left my empire and it seems I cannot join another yet).

~SDC~