Idea for an "SP Challenge" game

[sansanjuan]

Has anyone ever tried to create/run an SP challenge game? The game could have many variants but the gist would be to have everyone start and finish the same SP game (against identical AIs) in the shortest amount of time.

A few variants.

1. "Hand you're dealt" -- Where the game is set up with a fixed player nation/scales (e.g.) Nation "X". All players then see what they can do with Nation X against, say, 4 (identical) AI opponents. Again Map/pretender/nation/scales/"AI nations" and starting position for each player is the same.

2. "Roll your own" -- Same as above but players declare a Pretender scales before given identical maps/AIs and starting location. Again fewest turns wins. Only players that declared are elible for "Curtain #1".

3. "Stunted Rutabaga" -- As #2 except *no* declaring a starting nation/scales/pretender. Try everything. Could even be a follow up series from Variant #2 (same map). Make a case why your pretender/scales rock the casbah!

Certainly many will reload and replay bad battles (and that could even be allowed). Holler if I'm full of hooey here. Would not be the first time...

-SSJ

[Ming]

sansanjuan,

It is a very interesting idea but I am afraid it would only be a test of patience and tenacity instead of skill. With sufficient number of replays one can win battles against incredible odds and get good events that could be game-breaking even without any luck scale.

I suspect it would not be fun.

[PvK]

I've had an idea to post some of my tough SP games as SP challenge/puzzle scenarios. Can you prevail (or even, survive) against the AI in this situation?

[Lingchih]

I've recently taken to playing both sides in duel games. Just set it up as a hot seat game, and play both sides. It's quite fun, although you have to be a bit schizophrenic as you switch from side to side.

[JimMorrison]

Hey now, I know a way this could work.

Either host the games yourself, or see if Gandalf or Llama would have room on their server for several small blitz sized maps, knowing that they're going to essentially be SP games.

But in any case, taking the hosting away from the players, so they can't reload old saves, or monkey around with things at all - they have to play the game through.

I'm intrigued by this idea..... Would be neat to do with a preset scenario, with some interesting encounters on the map that you would plan around, needing certain power to win them, but with nice rewards to gain in needed power as well.

[Saarud]

Sounds like an excellent idea and JimMorrison expand that to something I have always thought about. Preset scenarios.

I've even started making my own scenario using the old game Warlords map and factions with preset scales and pretenders for every nation. The scenario would be SC and magic light and would more be focused on troops and battles between troops.

Anyhow I would welcome any challenge game regardless of how it's done. Since I don't have time to play MP games this would suit me just fine.

[Herode]

The idea sounds interesting, and more interesting again with Jim's suggestion if llama or GP can handle the hostings. Obviously, replaying battles shall be strictly forbidden, or they wo'nt be a lot of challenge at all...

I would give my preference on a #2.5 variant : the nation is fixed, maybe the pretender's physical form is fixed, but his magic and scales are left at the option of the player.

Anyway, the other options will also be fun in a challenge serie. Of course, AARs will be encouraged ^^

[calmon]

2 weeks ago i started my (unreleased) hunting ground mod to make some SP challenges. Its based on my also not revealed training ground mod where all non battle-spells cost nothing , all (incl. national) spells are available and some other approvements like typical equiped SCs and magicfull armies for the reason of testing.

Both are still in work at the moment. The hunting ground mod is something like gear up some adventures out of a big pool and clear the field with them. The opponent starts as a 'human' player and get scripted orders in the first turn. The mod delivers a savegame and starts on the second turn.

Main problem is i found no way to "save" the orders i gave in the first turn. So after any change in my mod i've restart the game and realocate all orders + positions on battlefield which is ...somehow stupid! Any hint here is welcome.

[sansanjuan]

All,
Thanks for the feedback.

JM - Great thought. A controlled environment would make a win much more meaningful. Llama? Gandalf?

PvK - Also a nice idea. We could call that scenario "Go ahead and reload".
-SSJ

[Gandalf Parker]

There have been a number of great idea threads. The game supports many more variations than most players ever experience. This is one of my favorite threads..
Sitting on the Fence

One that might work well for your idea would be a tower map. Really tall but only wide enough for about 10 provinces. All nations would be placed specifically with the player at the bottom. You would have to fight thru them one at a time (hopefully) and see how far up the tower you can get in xx turns.

I have created a few AI challenges and run them. I remember D.A.R.E. (Deadly Atlantis, Rlyeh, Ermor alliance) Where Ermor was in the corner of the map behind multiple castles, and allied with a water nation on each side of it. The players all could only start on the upper half of the map far from the deadly AI alliance.

Another created a bunch of little AI nations which were all feeding Eaters of the Dead. You were in a push to try and take as many out as possible before they broke loose.