KOTF OOC Thread

Guys, I'm sorry to say that I've determined I am no longer able to play KotF.

With apologies to those who have been affected by my lack of participation recently, I've decided it's best that I take a break from our PBEMs, something I don't think I every really did. (Though admittedly, I would have in KotR if it had gone on any longer)

I'm not sure why, but I don't think I've ever really enjoyed myself in these games to the extent I did back during the Cataclysm in KotR. I'm not quite sure of the reason, but I'm hoping if I take a break then after a while inspiration will strike and I'll rejoin invigorated. As for Raymond, do whatever is best for the game.

Also, I intend to keep at it as librarian. That is a much more straightforward task than having an avatar, and now that I don't have to worry about Raymond I think I will have a much easier time keeping the Library updated.

Of course this means I intend to keep following KotF, so don't think you guys can lay of the shenanigans just because I'm not actively participating. :wiseguy:

I'm sorry to see you stop playing Cecil, but understand and am glad you will maintain the library. :bow:

Welcome, DrFitzgerald!

Oh no!

Is it me or does it seem that since I kicked up that IC "issue" with the adoption/Duchy lands; people have been dropping out left-right-and-centre :embarassed:

..have I jinxed the PBeM? :sweatdrop:

DrFitzgerald - can't say, not even sure about Vista compatability. Only used STEAM for Empire as you have to...don't like using it but noticed Kingdoms was cheap. Fleabay should have cheap copies of Kingdoms though!

I would recommend buying the disk. Actually you can't combine disc and Steam. It was actually cheaper buying MTW2 with Kingdoms on disc then trying to buy Kingdoms on its own. I am using Vista and it is easier and cleaner having a disc install and then adding mods rather then a online download and use.

Thanks, Northnovas. I will just buy the disk after Christmas then.

Just to report that my computer no longer recognises my disk drive and despite trying almost a dozen different things, I can't fix the problem. Consequently, Hermant won't be able to fight any battles and I won't be able to download any saves. He's moving to the "Upper House" in Will of the Senate terms until further notice.

Hi there all,

So I've made it to the end of the year and the last 3 months have been spotty at best here in the game.

I am not going to be able to do a better job next year. So I'd like to declare my retirement from KotF.

Apologies to you all, Alain can be handled in any way that makes sense and works for the story as it has been written so far.

I'll still be reading when I can and look forward to joining in when time is not in such short supply.

Cheers to you all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. :balloon2:

AG

I have a question: Who still plays KotF?

I'm running my game in the Gameroom and it takes large portion from my free time but I still consider myself part of KotF.

Not many it seems :shrug:

I'm still here though :yes:

Oh we're still here! I pop in every day to check if the save is back in flow.

I'm assuming we've stopped now for the festive break however but I'm ready to take a save file whenever the Seneschal puts it back into play.

Can no longer access these forums from work...blocked again...but every night, i'm here periodically to check for progress.

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Originally Posted by econ21

Just to report that my computer no longer recognises my disk drive and despite trying almost a dozen different things, I can't fix the problem. Consequently, Hermant won't be able to fight any battles and I won't be able to download any saves. He's moving to the "Upper House" in Will of the Senate terms until further notice.

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Time for that $30 250gb SATA HDD you promised yourself then huh? :yes:

I'm still in. Just pmed Ramses. While the turn probably wouldn't advance again until after the holidays I'm checking with him about moving at least to the next one to take care of a few things (like recruiting rgbs for DrFitzgerald).

I think a couple people are out completely for the holidays. We can do another roll call after New Years to get a cleaer picture of who is still in.

Well, I'm not going anywhere. Charles isn't even a Duke yet! :laugh4:

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Originally Posted by Zim

I'm still in. Just pmed Ramses. While the turn probably wouldn't advance again until after the holidays I'm checking with him about moving at least to the next one to take care of a few things (like recruiting rgbs for DrFitzgerald).

I think a couple people are out completely for the holidays. We can do another roll call after New Years to get a cleaer picture of who is still in.

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Works for me..I'm hear but will be distracted until after Christmas, not so much New Years (just drunk for that).

I guess I will be the first to everyone Merry Christmas and all the best in 2010! :xmas:

Yes, Merry Christmas to all, and I am still around. :yes: :knight:

Happy Yuletide to all!! And best wishes for the New Year.

merry Christmas! :yes: I am also here.

Häid Jõule! ~;)

Happy Holidays everyone. :xmas:

Hello everyone! Happy holidays!

I am interested in joining KotF, are there any characters available to take?

I believe we'll be doing a run of a few Generals (RGB's) after the holiday break when we restart.

KnD - hope you come back soon to the game as well.

Hey guys, posting from my parent's house, so here's my deal; I got sick, had to go to the hospital. Doc decided to do a procedure so I was there for three days. My wife took time off and stayed with me while our daughter was with my parents. It was really no big deal, just sucks that it happened this time of year.

When we got home our house had been broken into and vandalized/robbed. Not really robbed because it was done by someone we know who, to be blunt, was just being a %&$#&$^ unimaginable nut case. My computers were the real target, there was some minor damage and petty vandalism otherwise but nothing of consequence was taken except my machines and some associated hardware.

The guy was caught. He almost had to know he would be, and some of my gear is seemingly intact, but I'm effectively computerless at home until I can get things put back together. We're wrapping up our family holiday stuff and we're going on a trip for a few days for New Years. I may be able to get something up and working before then due to some last minute shopping and gifts, and I may not, but I do have a reliable backup of my data intact so it's just a matter of finding the time and energy to put things back together.

My health is absolutely fine, but Xmas and the whole situation has been crazy. I dunno what else to say except Happy Holidays!

:egypt:

Yeesh, I hope this isn't related to that Frontroom thread you posted some time ago, although I suspect otherwise. Glad you and the family are okay, Ramses.

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Originally Posted by Braden

I believe we'll be doing a run of a few Generals (RGB's) after the holiday break when we restart.

KnD - hope you come back soon to the game as well.

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Great news. I'll check out the rules more so I won't be a complete fool when I get around to playing. :2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Ramses II CP

Hey guys, posting from my parent's house, so here's my deal; I got sick, had to go to the hospital. Doc decided to do a procedure so I was there for three days. My wife took time off and stayed with me while our daughter was with my parents. It was really no big deal, just sucks that it happened this time of year.

When we got home our house had been broken into and vandalized/robbed. Not really robbed because it was done by someone we know who, to be blunt, was just being a %&$#&$^ unimaginable nut case. My computers were the real target, there was some minor damage and petty vandalism otherwise but nothing of consequence was taken except my machines and some associated hardware.

The guy was caught. He almost had to know he would be, and some of my gear is seemingly intact, but I'm effectively computerless at home until I can get things put back together. We're wrapping up our family holiday stuff and we're going on a trip for a few days for New Years. I may be able to get something up and working before then due to some last minute shopping and gifts, and I may not, but I do have a reliable backup of my data intact so it's just a matter of finding the time and energy to put things back together.

My health is absolutely fine, but Xmas and the whole situation has been crazy. I dunno what else to say except Happy Holidays!

:egypt:

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Ouch! and I thought my family having Chicken Pox over this week was bad :sweatdrop:

:laugh4: Two children with Chicken Pox over Christmas just doesn't seem too bad now...SO glad to hear your better now and that the visit to hospital was only short.

Good luck man...see you soon (virtually).

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Originally Posted by Potocello

Great news. I'll check out the rules more so I won't be a complete fool when I get around to playing. :2thumbsup:

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Good plan, as always getting the mods installed and checking their running ok are the most important. I'd try to get up to speed on with Council stuff as well if I was you as the politic side of this game got quite complex a little while ago. :wall:

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Originally Posted by Ramses II CP

Hey guys, posting from my parent's house, so here's my deal; I got sick, had to go to the hospital. Doc decided to do a procedure so I was there for three days. My wife took time off and stayed with me while our daughter was with my parents. It was really no big deal, just sucks that it happened this time of year.

When we got home our house had been broken into and vandalized/robbed. Not really robbed because it was done by someone we know who, to be blunt, was just being a %&$#&$^ unimaginable nut case. My computers were the real target, there was some minor damage and petty vandalism otherwise but nothing of consequence was taken except my machines and some associated hardware.

The guy was caught. He almost had to know he would be, and some of my gear is seemingly intact, but I'm effectively computerless at home until I can get things put back together. We're wrapping up our family holiday stuff and we're going on a trip for a few days for New Years. I may be able to get something up and working before then due to some last minute shopping and gifts, and I may not, but I do have a reliable backup of my data intact so it's just a matter of finding the time and energy to put things back together.

My health is absolutely fine, but Xmas and the whole situation has been crazy. I dunno what else to say except Happy Holidays!

:egypt:

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Yikes! Well, at least you've got a trip to look forward to and relax on. I hope the fates are kind to you for the foreseeable future. :wall:

Yeah Merry christmas and crazy new year to you all and hope you all recover quick from your ailments eg. drink:dizzy2:, spicy food:inquisitive:, falling in the snow:balloon2:, wild girls:oops:, angry wives :help:, hangovers :smash:.

Also Ramses hope your back to your usual tricks soon mate.

Hope things are better soon Ramses. :yes:

Just to let everyone know, I'm working on some plans for KOTF for the New Year.

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Originally Posted by Zim

Hope things are better soon Ramses. :yes:

Just to let everyone know, I'm working on some plans for KOTF for the New Year.

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Should we be scared? :inquisitive:

Nahhhh...fear is for the weak..:wink3:

:laugh4:

happy holidays and new year to all. :2thumbsup:

must admit i've not been very involved with KotF of late, but I see its a common sentiment. Let's see what the new year brings.

Well, work has blocked these forums for me so my input will be reduced in 2010. However, I'm still eagerly awaiting a restart! :2thumbsup:

Alright, we're getting further and further into the New Year. I'm going to try to contact Ramses again. If I can't get ahold of him I'll go ahead and move forward one turn to get those rgbs for the new players. Then we can decide what to do about the remainder of Prince Louis' term (continue waiting, appoint or elect a surogate to finish the reign, etc). :yes:

Sounds like a plan Zim

Zim-bada-bim!

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Originally Posted by Zim

Alright, we're getting further and further into the New Year. I'm going to try to contact Ramses again. If I can't get ahold of him I'll go ahead and move forward one turn to get those rgbs for the new players. Then we can decide what to do about the remainder of Prince Louis' term (continue waiting, appoint or elect a surogate to finish the reign, etc). :yes:

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Excellent! Can't wait to start playing :2thumbsup:

Hey, this rpg looks good. I've done a few rpgs in the past, so i'll like to join this. What spots are open for me to take?

We're just waiting for Zim to get back with the save and we'll be releasing some Avatars for use.

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Originally Posted by Braden

We're just waiting for Zim to get back with the save and we'll be releasing some Avatars for use.

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Sounds good, can't wait. :2thumbsup:

Sorry for the wait everyone, work had been eating up my time but I'll move things forward tonight after my twelve hour shift..

New save!

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5178

RGBs recruited in:
Zaragoza
Valencia,
Marseille
Rennes Caen
Frankfurt
Metz

All settlements that didn't have a general in them (to make it easier for people picking rgbs, the only general in each of those settlements is up for grabs).

We need to figure out what to do for the rest of the term. I was thinking we could have an emergency session to elect someone, although maybe noone would want to run for a short term.

Any news from Ramses? Must admit that with him stating about illness etc can't help feeling a little worried. :embarassed:

(yeah, soppy bugger aint I)

Unfortunately, I still can't run for Seneschal as my HDD is still not SATA set (meaning no pictures from in-game, or rather impractical anyway). Other than that, being Prince I don't think that it'll be good IC.

Nothing yet, but I'm sure he's busy right now. Hopefully everything's going alright with him.

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Originally Posted by Braden

Any news from Ramses? Must admit that with him stating about
illness etc can't help feeling a little worried. :embarassed:

(yeah, soppy bugger aint I)

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:hide: Anyone out there?

Boo! :curtain:

I'm here (well, I visit each day).

We gunna do summit? :yes:

I was hoping to start things back up but it seems a bit lonely in here. :sweatdrop:

If you'll forgive me for saying so Zim, KotF seems to be going the way of LotR. It seems we need to do some soul searching.

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Originally Posted by Zim

I was hoping to start things back up but it seems a bit lonely in here. :sweatdrop:

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wait are we not waiting for Ramses? :sweatdrop:

Still here and still willing to keep going, does seem we've lost 98% of the players though! :oops:

I think I am going to have to drop out of this one - my computer no longer recognises I have a DVD drive and so I can't play M2TW (or 90% of my games). It may be best to call this PBM a day.

I realize that the last thing this PBM needs is another player dropping out, but while I've been checking here regularly I'm quite busy at the moment. Too busy in fact to put the effort into this game that would be needed to kickstart it back into life again.

Seems like we have enough food not to starve but too little too live, as the saying goes. :shame:

oh dear...I'll just go off and cry in a corner now.

Crap. I'm afraid the course of this pbm has basically been a result of my failures as gm. First my absence from computer problems, and then I should have acted much faster on the issue of how to continue when we lost our Seneschal.

Let's keep the thread going a few more days to see who is interested in continuing. In the meantime, anyone interested in a discussion on a new game, starting with an (initially) smaller group and maybe further out from Europe, pm me.

Well I'm still up for something what you got in mind?

Well, I'm happy to continue this one but also happy to start a new one.

Not sure if Empire is suitable yet so we could stick with Medieval or roll back a bit to Rome or similar. After all, to me its the Role Play aspect that appeals more than anything.

nooooooooo, not another one biting the dust ~:mecry:

I was thinking a BC game would be fun, although what I'd really like is to continue this one...

well, as said before I'm still here and willing/able to continue (though to a slightly less extent seeing as the forum is blocked again at work). Perhaps a Roll-Call is in order for active players Zim?

I am here (ish. about to leave for a few days), but somewhat against continuing this. Don't think there will be the numbers anyway. I think what we need to do is really look at what we can do to improve the longevity of these games. I think Cecil said a page or so back that nothing has recaptured the fun of the Cataclysm in KotR and that is certainly a feeling I share. Personally, I also think we need to move away from vanilla, though I realise this will cost us those players who cannot or do not want to mod. But playing Gondor in TATW is going to be more of a long term challenge than any faction vanilla can throw at us.

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Originally Posted by deguerra

playing Gondor in TATW is going to be more of a long term challenge than any faction vanilla can throw at us.

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Say what!? Where is this Mod, point me to a LOTR's mod!

Third Age: Total War. It's a great mod. :yes:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=654

If we are thinking of starting a new game (and staying wtih some mod of MTW2) we should discuss what the last game was missing (including, very obviously, me for a couple months...:embarassed:).

One idea I played around with is that since there's a hotseat workaround that allows defensive battles in hotseats (utilyzed in KOTF in case we wanted an AI faction played for any length of time), it would be fairly easy to have players play more than one faction. With something like the HRE mod that might make things more interesting. Or something like TATW with one group as a faction on either side.

Of course, with longevity a problem with these games splitting players might just make things harder... or would it create more copetition and make things more interesting?

Thanks for the link, I've started downloading...hey, only erm...a few days to go on that.

This game, it certainly seemed to start dying when key players dropped out...through no fault of their own certainly...but when core players, players who have the save or were in commanding positions have to drop out the vacuum caused is like an air bubble in a vein. Shortly after this there were some long pauses in play. Firstly, that was partly my fault as I contested the Kings choice for IC reasons and the politics (which some people just don't enjoy) went back and forth for about a week. This wouldn't have caused the death of the patient but immediately after that was resolved we had:: Death of the King, a Looonnng pause for the Holidays and then another unforeseen pause when the save holder was detained.

I can't see how these things could be avoided unless you have a big core of players and a mechanism in place to swiftly move a new save into play with the minimum of fuss.

Another key point was the Holiday break..perhaps starting a game nearer the start of the year so that it doesn't clash with either Spring / Summer break or Christmas holidays would be a good idea.

Zim. Been thinking about the multi faction thing as well, and also think it might be a good idea. If we go with the TATW hypothetical, something like Rohan and Gondor might work well, seeing as we don't really want to be fighting each other much. I agree that a dedicated core is needed. I am fairly certain a fairly dedicated administrator is needed, something like what we had in the Cataclysm. This being a large and onerous role, it might be an idea to switch this OOC role as much as we switch the IC chancellor role. But most of all, I think we need a way of roleplaying more. The "personalized decision" system we had in the Cataclysm is what I think provided the great fun that people had. It's obvious flaw is that it needs an administrator with a lot of time. I also think it might be an idea to move away from a throng of recruitable bodyguard characters, and I think mutliple played factions might be an idea in this regard. It would give each character more things to actually do.

Braden: try out TATW. Very well done mod. Recommend the Real Combat/Real Recruitment submod if you're willing to brave another large download. Otherwise, vanilla is pretty sweet as well.

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Originally Posted by deguerra

Braden: try out TATW. Very well done mod. Recommend the Real Combat/Real Recruitment submod if you're willing to brave another large download. Otherwise, vanilla is pretty sweet as well.

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Going to try as soon as I can, had some problems getting the downloads to work but someone was kind enough to add a torrent downloaded version for me to try...hopefully, when that's downloaded I'll get to try TA. Also, being a dedicated Mod means I can keep the mods for THIS game intact.

Also, as a side note, if a new game started with TA:TW then I'd be onboard (assuming I get it to run ok). I've done online LOTR RP before, even free-form type.

It is indeed a good mod, can't believe I'd never heard of it before. I'd be up for a multifaction game on TA:TW. Though the fact that it's such a long download may make it difficult to get a lot of players.

TA:TW downloaded via torrent link and working fine.

Initial impressions are good but I'm not sure about its suitability for this type of game as the timeline and allocation/status of characters is a bit screwy and that might annoy some purists. Still, I had a silly smile on my face when i found out I could recruit HOBBITS!!! lol

actually, and im a little embarassed to admit this, I liked the mod enough to do a bit of modding myself. Nothing fancy, but I changed the timeline to more moveish times, added Boromir, Faramir, Eomer, Theodred and some others like Eomers father and the Princes of Dol Amroth. Certainly happy to update that to the latest version if this ever does happen.

While I am sad to see this game dying, I am not surprised. I think a major problem with the current rule system is that it requires a lot of players to work well. Unfortunately, a lot of us (myself included) have drifted away from the TW games over the years and that's had a huge impact on our desire to play more of these things. I think it would be wise to come up with new systems of running games like these that concentrated on fewer, more dedicated players to make them work. I would suggest perhaps disposing of most of the rank system and instead making players more equal to one another in powers and abilities, and requiring competition by horizontal alliances between equals rather than vertical power bases.

I have to admit, I wouldn't play the game at all without thesePBM games and the current hotseats. I don't play ETW at all. I've been trying to get into a single player MTW2 game, trying different mods without much luck (Rusichi TW is quite impressive, although Im not sure I can take the frequent kingdom destroying rebellions). As far as SP games, I'm just waiting for a new copy of EU3 to arrive now.

I'd be up for helping start a more scaled down game if people were interested. We'd have to make some decisions on how to keep the game going, though.

Another option is to simply use another game. While in-game avatars wouldn't be possible, there's a lot of room for using a game like EU3 as a platform for a RP-power struggle for a nation game. If we can manage these kinds of games in the TW engines, we could certainly do it in a Paradox engine as well. We could even create our own worlds and use other games as 'battle' platforms to resolve wars. There's no reason we couldn't have a 'world' map that exists only on the forums with any random multiplayer game (Mount and Blade: Warband?) filling in for battle resolution.

What about the empire campaign?
We can recruit generals from the start and some can be admirals.

ETW? I've been wondering about that. Would the fact that different people might have bought different DLCs (or none) cause any problems in passing the save around? What about the automatic updates through steam, are they generally save game compatible?

I'm not sure but what I've read is that those updates are not save game compatible.
Though, I could be wrong here since I don't have ETW myself :shrug:
Anyway, I like that EU3 game idea that TC proposed.
Might even buy the game then. :beam:

I'd rather steer clear of ETW, it's just not as good as M2 or EU3...

It seems like we've all agreed to begin discussion on the what to do with the next game. If everyone agrees, I believe a new thread should be created where we can all do some soul-searching on the future of these things.

I'm not sure what to do with KotF, though. A lot of people dropped out right before it stopped, I'm not clear as to what the IC situation we'd be leaving it at is, which is making it difficult to update the Libary. Right now I'm working on screenshots, when I'm done with that should I try to list provincial ownership and feudal relations as they were when everyone was still active?

I hate leaving a story partially untold myself but we're clearly not going to move further forward. I agree though a new thread needs starting to discuss the next big thing.

Just wanted to chime that I'm moderately available at the moment, be it to continue KotF (even if it seems unlikely to continue) or to start a new game.

Hi guys - sorry to post here off topic but I thought some of you might consider joining one of the hotseat games we have going on in the Throne Room while you decide what to do with your PBM.

We need players in both 'Wrath of the Khan' and 'Dogs of War' - post in the game threads if you are interested.

Hotseats are fun and can involve a lot of RPing if you like that kind of thing.