PBeM For PBeM Noobs

[econ21]

What I do is make contemporaneous notes as I play a campaign. So I keep a record of any battles, other important events and decisions (declarations of war etc). I'll often have half a dozen to a dozen sides of A4 with scribbled notes. But personally, I think it is a bit dull just to try to transcribe such a record. Instead, when my reign has finished, I try to think how it could make a readable story. Where possible, I'd start by reviewing all the screenshots I've taken, on the principle of "show, don't tell". Reviewing the notes and the screenshots, some salient events or characters will present themselves and a story begins to tell itself, although sometimes the muse fails.

[Monarch]

Thanks Simon, that's very interesting. For future pbems, I might adopt that. For now though I'm just screening everything with fraps, basically for 'triggers' in my mind to remind me of things, some are for the write up itself though.

Just to say I am over half way through my reign, with a sketchy write up that will of course be revised of the events so far completed too. I'll have it done by the end of the week probably. Tonight I dont think I'll do any more campaigning, I'm going to concentrate on the write up. I've just downloaded GIMP to resize/convert to JPG my FRAPs screens, and this will take quite a while.

[Ignoramus]

I may be able to some PBeMs soon.

[Monarch]

Ignoramus, you can join this PBeM if you like :)

PS. Ok, it's now the weekend. Meaning I'll be able to get loads more done, no more school holding me back lol. ETA: Saturday for save to be uploaded. Sunday for write up to be posted.



Just to say we have a great economy (though on the final turn I had a spending spree, we did have 70000 denarri, but lots of towns expanded and such so I had to build expensive governors /villas/palaces and what not. Though because people get currupt in your empire when you have more than 50k, I suggest future players spend spend spend, keep the money low. Though considering at 260bc my spending meant we had 30 denari at one point, 70000 is not too shaby :)).

[Tricky Lady]

Sovereign, not sure if you added me to your list for this PBM in the end, but I think you better not count on me (cf. my post in the WRE Pbm thread).
If you didn't add me to the list, than this post is quite useless

[Ignoramus]

I'm probably going to get BI again soon, I got BI the first time, and didn't think it was worth the $50 AUS, but now I'll probably get it again soon, so I won't need to download 1.3, I'll only need 1.5. I don't know how PBeMs work exactly, so if someone can fully inform me that will be great.

Edit: I'll try to have everything in time for this current one, if not, I'll be ready for the next one for sure.

[Monarch]

Ignoramus, this should answer your questions on pbems:

A PBeM, is a Play By eMail campaign, however as we are going to be using the Orgs upload feature, we will not be using email. So it's just a name really.

Basically, one person starts a standard RTW campaign. S/he will play for an emporers reign, or a set number of years. When s/he has finished thier reign they will write up about their reign, including screenshots, up in a designated thread. The write up could be in role playing (where you like it in a kind of diary from the point of view of an emporer form or in a narrative (just describe what happened, perhaps the easier option for newcomers). An example of pbem write ups can be found at>> https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=59706

Then the person will go into their 'saved games' file in the RTW folder on their hard drive, they will find their saved game containing their campaign and put it into it's own random folder, then zip it up. They will then upload the folder at>>> http://www.totalwar.org/Downloads/Up.../pbmupload.php . Then another player who has joined the pbem will download the file into their saved games folder, they will then continue campaign for the established number of years. They will then repeat the write up/upload process and then the next person will have a go. This continues until the campaign has been completed.

You may also want to read>> https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=30871

[Zomby_Woof]

Sovereign, you still need to upload your save game so that RabidGibbon can begin his reign.

[Monarch]

He's got it. For some reason the upload didn't work. I tried a .sav and a .zip. So I uploaded it to Ripway.com and sent RG the link, he's had it for a few days now.

[RabidGibbon]

I never used the Ripway link. I downloaded it off this site on Friday...

Honest Guv'nor. I've started playing but we've got a pretty big empire and tends to take a while to wade throught the turns. I'll get finished quick as I can though.

[Monarch]

I never used the Ripway link. I downloaded it off this site on Friday...

Honest Guv'nor. I've started playing but we've got a pretty big empire and tends to take a while to wade throught the turns. I'll get finished quick as I can though.

Oh it acutally worked? Cool I couldn't find it myself

[Zomby_Woof]

Heh, I found it, twas at the very bottom. I guess capitalizing the first letter determines where it ends up on the otherwise alphabetical list...

[RabidGibbon]

File uploaded to the Org as Selucid240.zip.

Write up to follow.

[Zomby_Woof]

Alright, that means Mount Suribachi is up. I know that he's got his hands full with the WRE campaign right now, so we should probably see if he plans on juggling both at once or if we should go ahead and skip him for the time being...

[econ21]

I think Mount's about done on the WRE campaign (his Emperor was age 62 last time he posted) so the timing may be ok for him.

[Mount Suribachi]

Yeah, I may only have a few years left, but then I gotta do the write ups. Feel free to bump me down the list one.

[Monarch]

Actually bumping you down the list would result in Zomby Wolf getting another go. As only four people are participating. So you want to let ZW have a go, then take your turn?

[Zomby_Woof]

Well if I go next I won't be able to start until Sunday, so maybe you can take my place Sovereign?

Bah, I can't believe I'm bolding names now.

[Mount Suribachi]

Yep, start the go-around again if no-one else steps up to the plate. You could PM Divinus Arma, he's expressed an intrest in the stickied thread above.

[Monarch]

I'm currently in the begginings of an Alemmani Bi campaign at the minute, kind of got me hooked. So I dont really want to take on this one so soon, especially since it's only 10 years on from my last go. Zomby Wolf, we're in no rush so can you please take it?

[econ21]

If you want more players, I'd be happy to join in. Not exactly a noob, but I really like PBMs adn I have never played the Seleucids this far into a game. However, it's Sunday already, so if Zomby_Woof wants to play now, that's fine with me. I'll wait to hear from him.

[Monarch]

If you want more players, I'd be happy to join in. Not exactly a noob, but I really like PBMs adn I have never played the Seleucids this far into a game. However, it's Sunday already, so if Zomby_Woof wants to play now, that's fine with me. I'll wait to hear from him.

Bit of an understatment

But yeah this isn't just for noobs, that was the title because I was trying to encounrage more people to have a shot at pbem, since it looked great. But I dont think anybody else will be joining, so it'd be great if you would take the next round

I dont think antybody has started yet, so i'll add your name to the list and feel free to start when your ready

[Zomby_Woof]

Actually, I don't even really feel like doing another write-up at the time, so why don't you go ahead and take your turn Simon.

[econ21]

Just a holding note to say that I am well into my 10 years (it's Winter 234 now). It was getting dull just mopping up in the East, so I attacked the Romans in Greece. Hope I don't leave a terrible mess for my successors to clear up.

[econ21]

OK, I finished my 10 years. The file is uploaded as Seleucid230S.zip. The next player is going to have a very busy but fun decade. We are in the middle of a stand-up fight against the Romans. We have 37 provinces, including most of Greece but the Romans are far from being down. I was often having around 2 big battles per turn, so the next player should appreciate what they are letting themselves in for. That said, I have not had such an epic, challenging game for a long time.

I will post a write up in due course. We are also waiting for one from RabidGibbon.

[Zomby_Woof]

So should I go next or is Mount Suribachi?

Also, where did the write-ups disappear to?

[Mount Suribachi]

You go mate, I'm still playing the WRE.

As for the write up, check your settings at the bottom of the page for the "show threads from" field.

[econ21]

So should I go next or is Mount Suribachi?

My write-up may take a while, so a quick heads-up: we have an army just off-shore in Greece, so don't forget to disembark it. And the Scipii have a full strength army embarked off Lepcis Magna - try to sink it.

[Ignoramus]

Put my name down on the list.

[Zomby_Woof]

You can pick up from where Simon left off since I haven't gotten around to starting anyway. Besides, I just downloaded Rome: Total Realism and I'm currently enjoying a nice (if rather long) Roman campaign.