Maelstrom Test Game

[PTRILEY]

For testing, I would like to see various conditions like for example, trying to raise regional reactions to Loyal when you don't have Tight Control (should fail with both website and java program). Also, test again when you have Tight Control and both should work. Also, declare another kingdom an Ally who already has friendly in your region to test if he goes to Loyal or stays at friendly 

“Unable to raise regional reaction in Triumvia since the kingdom does not have tight control influence over the region.”

Tried to enamor in region that was friendly already.  Substantial control

[Wookie Panz]

Here is a question for RY Vor:
Do you want an early write up on this that only includes four turns?  I sounds like you do.  Then we could do some updates as the turns move along?

[Ry Vor]

Awesome UM..  I’ll try to raise reaction this turn and see if program running right, should not go to tight control, not enough populations.

RyVor: do you want us to do a right up on our kingdoms and likes/dislikes and post here?

Yeah, let's put it all right here for public consumption.  I may direct hiatus players to this thread so they can get your impressions on Maelstrom.

[Ry Vor]

Here is a question for RY Vor:
Do you want an early write up on this that only includes four turns?  I sounds like you do.  Then we could do some updates as the turns move along?

While for some obvious reasons I'd like to see Maelstrom open soon, I can wait until after T12 I suppose, but if we wait that long I do hope that all testers put in a reasonable effort to speak more to new and returning players as to how Maelstrom stacks up in the Alamaze lineage and why they should or should not be playing Maelstrom.  A mention of the new pricing is ok, too.  Again, a month at Scout (one game at a time, 10+ turns a month) at $9.95 is now less than a buck a turn.   And just think of all the other things you could do with a dollar....

[Wookie Panz]

Awesome UM..  I’ll try to raise reaction this turn and see if program running right, should not go to tight control, not enough populations.

RyVor: do you want us to do a right up on our kingdoms and likes/dislikes and post here?

Yeah, let's put it all right here for public consumption.  I may direct hiatus players to this thread so they can get your impressions on Maelstrom.

Would you prefer that we write something directed to returning players who already have a knowledge of 3rd cycle (easiest) or to brand new players who know very little about Alamaze
(a lot more difficult.)?

[Ry Vor]

Awesome UM..  I’ll try to raise reaction this turn and see if program running right, should not go to tight control, not enough populations.

RyVor: do you want us to do a right up on our kingdoms and likes/dislikes and post here?

Yeah, let's put it all right here for public consumption.  I may direct hiatus players to this thread so they can get your impressions on Maelstrom.

Would you prefer that we write something directed to returning players who already have a knowledge of 3rd cycle (easiest) or to brand new players who know very little about Alamaze
(a lot more difficult.)?

While we have several new players who have been holding off on their first game, in general we would like to get the Old Guard back on their warhorses.  For me, I don't see how even the best single player strategy computer games compare to Alamaze, and certainly the team shooter games are a visceral rather than cerebral challenge.  I don't think there's anything that compares to Alamaze.  Players of other PBM games should be able to learn quickly, strategy gamers who never have played episodic games (PBM style with days between turns) may need a willing mentor.

My impression is we lost many who came back with the Resurgence five years ago for a few reasons.  One was the adjustment from 2nd Cycle to 3rd Cycle (The Choosing).  Another back at that time was the new pace of Alamaze, at a turn generally every three days instead of one a week was too quick for some, and we lost them.  Another was the "noise" that was going on when we were migrating to the new system with automated orders and order checking, without which I don't think I could have continued running Alamaze.  Of course, here two years after that, everything runs flawlessly.  For some it was pricing, which a couple months ago was cut nearly in half.  There was some friction among some members of the community in 3rd Cycle, some based on rivalries, some on game changes, but that has long passed.  BTW, returning players can establish all-new personas if they wish, or continue with their original ones, at their choice.  So we feel all the issues that led to players being on hiatus have been addressed and resolved.

I've never heard of a player who learned Alamaze and had played through at least one full game who left because they thought Alamaze was not a good or great game.  We need those players back to get the strategy fix they can only get here.

[Ry Vor]

Because we have just agreed to wait a couple additional weeks, so maybe a month from now before Maelstrom is out, let's not stay on the sidelines - let's get back in the game with The Choosing.  There's a Steel game needing about five more kingdoms selected.  Next we might do a new format of Primeval, and maybe get some of the new players to finally start their Primeval.

With Mike able to create a separate Valhalla for Maelstrom, two obvious advantages and lots of other cool things too:
1.  Everyone starts fresh.  Everyone begins with 0 points and its like the starting gate opening at the Kentucky Derby or the Green flag dropping at the Indy (or Daytona) 500.
2.  Now is the time to consider a new persona for Maelstrom.  No matter what your persona's current reputation, too strong or too weak or too aggressive or timid, now is the perfect chance to begin anew and have no preset disposition against you (but then again, none for you either).  This would seem almost as living a new life, and I think I would recommend it.  You will need a new email address as there is only one persona per email address.

Meanwhile, we can see as well a new starting place for all kingdoms, rather than traveling with a history of changes and prejudices.  Again, you will see changes simply now that geography is not specific to kingdoms.  Kingdoms like the Halflings, Atlantians, Cimmerians see some significant gains.  Stalwarts like the Dark Elves and Underworld will fall a bit more in line with the others as some traits have been removed.  And we should see a resurgence of some favorite fantasy kingdoms that faded a bit when The Choosing relegated them to second choice in a region, such as the High Elves and the Dwarves.  And we will see all new strategies, whether that happens quickly or evolves over several months.  And I hope connoisseurs appreciate the differentiation of the mage kingdoms.  For example, with changes to the undead brigades, being about 20% stronger, with greater limits on how many can be in a force, and with the negative aspects of Nazgul, Wraith and Liche removed, and animating undead not a common ability among kingdoms, the Necromancer now is distinct.  Though a dark thought, I wouldn't mind if The Necromancer becomes most popular or rises to first in standings.  As always, I hope all 24 kingdoms are considered viable candidates for victory, and more importantly for our game of Alamaze, fun to play and present different challenges, making Alamaze a complete world, that now has existed for 32 years, and counting.  Thanks for being in our community!

[gkmetty]

Rick, here is some feedback on the existing games and on maelstrom. Alamaze players put a lot of time and passion into the game therefore it is disheartening when a bug causes a negative impact. While 3rd cycle is 99% bug free there are still some issues and to be told that the bug wont be fixed and the documentation wont be updated is disheartening. Several long time players left because of this situation.

I have praised Maelstrom on this forum already but my early experience is that the regional benefits need to be balanced. There are some regions that get barley any benefit and then there is the Diamond Coast. If I understand the bonus, the player starting in this region has the gold production of their capital increased by 20k. If this is simply a 20k addition to initial treasury then this is fine but the term upgrade makes me believe the production is increased. This is extremely out of balance. The gold production of this one pop center is more than the production of all my holdings on turn 3, minor city, capital town, town, and 2 villages. The benefit of this bonus comes every turn and in fact increases as the game progresses. It starts at 24k as the region grants a 20% bonus. If the capital is coastal that adds another 20% or 28k. Add a bazaar and you are at 28k, minimum, 32k if coastal, and with a port it produces 38K gold minimum, 42k if coastal. This is just the bonus gold it does not count the normal starting production from the capital. The full gold production from this pop center with all upgrades is likely near 57K gold. I reiterate, this is every turn. If left alone my guess is that the Diamond coast will be the first region taken every game and a large portion of podium finishers will come from this region.

[unclemike]

Clear browser cache to pick up the new order entry website to handle Rule of Law changes. Download new release notes under UM Corner if you like. I also added Maelstrom map and notes under the Help Guides web page (reach it by clicking on the Help Guides link from the Login page).

[unclemike]

Rick, here is some feedback on the existing games and on maelstrom.  Alamaze players put a lot of time and passion into the game therefore it is disheartening when a bug causes a negative impact.  While 3rd cycle is 99% bug free there are still some issues and to be told that the bug wont be fixed and the documentation wont be updated is disheartening.  Several long time players left because of this situation.

Send support on what you think is wrong with 3rd Cycle. I haven't heard anything for the past 3 years of any issues, certainly not something that was so major that players left because of it, but send your thoughts to support anyway. I'll see what I can do after Rick reviews your concerns...