Alpha Centauri PBEM club

[Garson007]

Hey guys.

There seems to be a lot of interest surrounding Alpha Centauri still, yet the only active forum based PBEM game I can find on the Internet is one hosted on SomethingAwful. It does look fun though, so I was thinking, why don't we try it?

Firstly, I'm no expert on the game. I love it, but I've never been /that/ good at 4X games.

Basically the idea is that we have at least someone to play every faction known to the vanilla game. The leader of said faction can then officially share his game with someone else, if he feels he needs an extra mind or two (or goes on vacation, etc).

We will also need a DM, who will hold all the password keys (in case someone disappears/gets kicked) and serve as an auditor of sorts if someone is suspected of using exploits/cheats (the workload should be /really/ low.) The DM can also work as a narrator, if he so wishes, or whatever tickles his fancy.

The basic rules for now:
1) No use of known exploits that will decrease the fairness of the game.
2) Completing your turn within 24 hours of receipt of email. Exceptions can and will be made.
3) A turn can be retracted, but needs to be done within 30min of sending the game on in email, with a new email saying that the previous one is invalid. This as long as rule 2 is still satisfied.
4) No communication with the members of the other factions out of game, while still in character.
4a) An exception to the above rule is that this thread is a FFA and if you're willing to part with sensitive information on here, then you are welcome. However you are still obliged to not discuss diplomacy on here.
x) Rule placeholder.
9001) Have fun.

How to join? Firstly you need to install the vanilla game (personally I'd suggest in a folder not inside Program Files as that will require you to run the game in administrator mode). Then you need to go here: http://www.civgaming.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7511 and install the patches in order that they are given. I'm not sure if that works with the GoG version, but it should. Optionally you should add "DirectDraw=0" below [Alpha Centauri] in Alpha Centauri.ini, which will force the game to run on your desktop resolution.

Secondly you have to commit to the rules above, with the knowledge that the popular vote or DM can kick you from the game at any time. It is also of importance that you play your faction in character; what that however means is up to you.

Okay guys, let's see if this can work. Factions will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. I also need suggestions on possible rule changes both on here and in-game (or anything else for that matter). For now the in game map will be huge, standard rules will apply and the map set to the highest difficulty level.

Note: This is a repost of the same topic on RPS - I expected that forum to be a bit more active. :S

[JohnnyRocket]

This could be interesting. Can I play a rioting drone>?<