Empires hearken - show us your best pitch

from Stardock Forums
For those of us new independents who haven't yet committed to an empire (and don't have a high enough point total to be personally recruited - I've only posted 2 games), the assortment of major empires is daunting. Thought it might be interesting to ask the following:

What exactly do you do except add your point totals together and talk about the next empire to target?

This isn't a negative comment, by the way. The whole point of a ranking board is to move up, and if that's what you're after that's both fine and appropriate. But I'm looking for a bit more of a community flavor with an emphasis on talking about the game issues even outside of the Forum (regular emails, separate websites, etc.) and maybe even a bit of modding.

In particular, I'd like to collaborate with a group on new ship designs to flesh out the progression. After looking at the tools available, I can certainly handle the graphics and text editing, for instance, but I'm not up to writing an executable to install the darn thing on other people's PCs if they want to download it...

So, what do you stand for? Here's what I can pick up from browsing the posts on the Top 10 empires (as of the moment, anyway):

G.R.O.S.S. - Evil (?) pirates bent on having fun - also includes some darned experienced and knowledgeable members who regularly go out of their way to answer game mechanics questions for those of us at a lower level (fattening up the targets, no doubt...)

Canadian Star Federation - Sorry, not a Canadian.

European Alliance - ditto.

Mid-Western Confederation - As a transplanted Illinoisian living in Tennessee, I probably qualify. But this seems to be a scoring-oriented empire, pure and simple, trying to absorb everyone else. MWC, if you feel this is incorrect, please reply to this post!

The White Council - do-gooder Tolkien fans with a HUGE wealth of knowledge on the game - again, like G.R.O.S.S., ready to share it. Nice flavor, but I'm not religious about Tolkien and not sure if I'd fit.

ANZAC - neither an Aussie nor a New Zealander. (But I do admit you guys have VERY good beer. And hot chicks. PS - should retroactively add these comments for the Europeans - Germany and Scandinavia + France, respectively)

Apolyton - I know you guys have done great work supporting Civ and such - just don't know much about your level of commitment to GalCiv.

GammaSquad - haven't been invited, haven't seen much posted.

The Republic - Nice to see a new upstart. Is this the Star Wars Republic or the Roman Republic? Is it going to turn into an evil Empire if a Palpatine or Caesar arrives?

Space Arachnids - umm, who?

On a side note, I haven't posted a new game in about a week and have already slid 50 spots on the chart due to score degradation and the holiday postings. Worse, I'm away from my PC, which has the game installed, so I have no worlds to conquer at the moment. I often work 50-60 hours a week and can't promise machine-gun postings as many have.

We bugs have more fun in groups. Please advise.
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446 views 23 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I think I have the empire for you, Lone Locust.

The CDG Creations League. Empire with many modders and their own website. Not too concerned about Metaverse domination. Check them out http://www.galciv.com/metaverse/empires.asp?id=264. Their website url is within.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
The Whiskey Rebellion is a top 25 empire devoted to alcohol and its adherents.

Yeah, right now it's just me and my brother. But I guess there aren't too many drunks on this board, which is for the best.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks, Ray. I believe MadMaz tipped me off to their website in his Star Wars thread - didn't know they were an actual GalCiv empire, though.

How about the White Council? It's good, noble and respectable to suggest a fit in another organization (fits your motif, all right), and I definitely appreciate the info, but I'm interested in looking at a spectrum and thought other newbies and independents might be as well.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Hey, I'm a drunk, well sorta, I'm getting there...and I'm drinking whiskey (J.D.). Just that I try not to act liek it :p (i.e. stupid posts that says 'i want galciv serial number' he must've been blitzed)
[Message Edited]
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Michael, you caught me in mid-reply - sorry about skipping you...

As a Tennesseean (is that a noun? sounds good), home to the magical and wondrous elixir known as Jack Daniels - nay, SIR JOHN Daniels, and being a fan of George Thorgood tunes to boot, I can appreciate those points. I find that MOO3 is actually a fun game after a few shots, perhaps even washed down with one of those fine Aussie or German brews.
:d

But you spoiled it with the Jim Beam logo. Cain't have none o' dat 'round hyeah.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Wow, can't keep up on the posting here - and it's 2:25 AM, so I can't keep up much longer...!

Umm, EBZeroMatrix, I know y'all are pirates. If I sign on, do I get any benefits other than a bunk in the biggest, baddest chunk of sheet metal in the Metaverse and a share of the plunder? Can I take it in that wonderful, delicious J.D.?

And as for "galvic boy," he managed to get exiled, which must be some kind of an accomplishment...
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, the White Council is a fantasy/RPG theme empire. I adopted Tolkien/LOTR for the name because of the various references in Galciv. Someone in SD must be a fan.

We are into swapping war stories, contributing to the community/game in our small ways, role-playing for those who enjoy it and friendly metaverse competition. We are trying to develop a good community sprit and a sense of fun in our empire as well.

Take a look see at the last bunch of posts in our empire thread if you are interested to have a better feel. BTW, we don't believe in an off-site forum as we want our empiring to add to this main site.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Umm, EBZeroMatrix, I know y'all are pirates. If I sign on, do I get any benefits other than a bunk in the biggest, baddest chunk of sheet metal in the Metaverse and a share of the plunder?
End of quote


I think you answered your own question there ;) . But to go further, you get discounts at Kentucky Fried Drengin. Oh, and after years of scraping the barnacles off the ship, maybe Pontius can make you a senator.

Well with G.R.O.S.S., we just liek to have fun with what we do, I love this empire, and I really wouldn't want to be in any other one. It's not so much competition with us, even though we do have our competitors, but its more liek us being a happy family of pirates havin fun, selling KFD, and makin scallywags walk the plank! :)

I'd advise for you to inqure for more info. on the G.R.O.S.S. empire by posting on the G.R.O.S.S. comm thread. Pontius is sure to be much more convincing than me.

Btw, we're not all evil here, I guess its just our overall alignment. G.R.O.S.S. takes anyone from any alignment. And as you can see, you don't need to be a high scorer, or get in a lot of games to be in...just do what you can to be the best pirate possible.
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Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Join whatever empire feels right to you. If none feel right, then join whichever one is the least objectionable if you cannot wait for the right one. I'll be spying and meddling as always, no matter which empire you join.
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
OK, 5 scant hours of sleep and I'm back...(bad William Shatner voice) MUST - HAVE - MORE - COFFEE!

Mighty Wizard Ray, thanks for the info - also like the "personal challenge" idea I've seen crop up on your thread recently. This is a nifty idea that helps to keep the game fresh - let's see if it catches on elsewhere.

EBZeroMatrix - Glad I wouldn't need to keep up with your production, as four games in a DAY would make me cut back on other activities - working, sleeping, eating...

I will try to get a link to this thread on the G.R.O.S.S. page for Pontius' benefit, so that I don't clutter up your flagship, but no promises - there isn't a nifty "add hyperlink" button, and I HATE hand-coding in Java.

Gerakken - Lurking around the major shipping lanes and waiting for nice, rich targets is a worthy goal of any pirate. Thanks for the warning; I'll keep an eye on the sensors.

To all 3 of ya - As my original thread mentioned, I'm impressed by your respective empires' willingness to help newbies in need, as well as your overall experience levels. Your empires appear to be the "cultural" leaders of the Metaverse at the moment, and I for one appreciate your help. Let's see if anyone else cares to submit anything here; if they're not reading the main board, that says something in itself.
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
As a Tennesseean (is that a noun? sounds good), home to the magical and wondrous elixir known as Jack Daniels - nay, SIR JOHN Daniels, and being a fan of George Thorgood tunes to boot, I can appreciate those points. I find that MOO3 is actually a fun game after a few shots, perhaps even washed down with one of those fine Aussie or German brews.
End of quote


Too bad you can't actually buy Jack in the county where it's made. But you can drive to the nearest town and get it. It's over the county line... hehe.
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
In particular, I'd like to collaborate with a group on new ship designs to flesh out the progression.


SDC irc chat is a good place to start. The devs will steer you toward those that will help you with mods.
they are likely not going to be there untill they get power and everything back together though.
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Again, didn't know that Stardock Central had a chat area - skipped all of the details and went straight to the download section. Thanks for the tip.

Alcohol is fortunately available in the Nashville area, allowing me to easily stock up before an extended voyage into the galaxy.
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
Searching the forum for posts from my members and I land on this... I never saw it before! Glad you made the decision to become a Jedi Obi! :HOT:
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
I wish there was a nudist's empire - the catch cry could simply be . . .

The Nudist's Empire - We play in the Nude!

Inspired by the song 'Eternal Flame' which was sung by um . . . anyway (apparently) in the NUDE!

Sorry It's been a long day . . .
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
"I am who and what I am.. and thats all that I am.. and thats all we expect from you too... if you join the ANZACS just be true to yourself. and have fun

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
The Space Arachnids are just what they are: an invert themed empire that manages to be consistently in the top 10 with a fraction of the members and none of the babble and hype of the others.

Maybe I'm a curmudgeon at heart, but I don't see the appeal in grown men wasting time bantering about how they're playing a single player video game.

So, there's my pitch: if you want to be in a top 10 empire without feeling like you need to be in here engaging in pointless roll playing and BS, we're there, we're quiet, and we're effective.
Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
Who you calling grown?

:)
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Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
hey... I resemble that remark.... :)

Plz dont use my initials in vain....

The metaverse is multiplayer... if you want to just play for yourself then why join the metaverse... Competition, Excitement, Learning, having fun .. is what the Metaverse is all about.. and you'll get lots of it if you join the ANZACS.. and besides women prefer men in uniform to Space Arachnids... Arachnids are spiders arn't they.... I hate spiders... {Squish....} oops... sorry... was that a relation of yours...... :SURPRISED:
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
The metaverse is multiplayer... if you want to just play for yourself then why join the metaverse...
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Competition, yes, banter, no.

Look, I'm glad that people have fun with the empire interaction, it's just not why I started the empire or why I continue to play the game. In fact, why I started the empire is largely irrelevant at this point anyhow (as my internet "home" turned out to be a bunch of RTS junkies >:( ).

Besides, the subtleness can be appealing to someone who just wants to compete in a decently ranked empire without feeling like they need to engage in what seems to make other empires tick.
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top
Just like in the Game GalCiv.. there are the minor races (empires) that don't seek Metaverse domination.. and then there are those that do. when the free space is all filed.. or empires encroach on each other then I for one won't be saying here you go... i'll help you take over my empire... sure.. take it i don't want it... different empires different means of playing the gamew.. and after all thats all it is.. a game... no one is saying that they have to join in... however when push comes to shove there are going to be casualties and bad feelings.. just like in a game on monopoly.. or any other multiplayer game... I help where i can as you have seen.. but I am not a pacifist.. nor am i evil.. I'm looking after my empires interests... and i'm doing that as best as i can.. and i must be doing something right because we are climbing the ladder again... insperation is 50% persperation, 10% imagination, 10% co-operation, 10% deceipt,10% bluffing, and 10% stubourness... If we don't stand up for ourselves and try to stand up against the likes of GROSS then we are all doomed... so pull your fingers out... everyone has to pull their own weight or get killed or assimulated in the process. This is war.. not play school.

There is nevewr anything personal ment in ANY of my msgs .. I am after all only playing the Game... I take the abuse as well as i receive it... if you don't believe me then ask others.. especialy the priates of the southern seas.. which now are in GROSS.. I give them hastles and they do the same back.. and i accept and add their banter into my game play.. I've even designed a pici of a ship.. based on what one of their banters was about... I havn't yet started on anyone that hasn't started on me first.. I incorporate ppl into my stories as they present themselves.. the Poss were different as they used to be a part of the ANZACS..

Sorry about going on.. I'm tired of the ppl joining the metaverse and then complaining that they don't want to read our muisings... all our bantering serves a purpose.. especialy like in this msg or empire related threads... (which are clearly marked) if ppl don't want to read them then they don't have to... there are also help msgs and tech msgs.. But no..... then they wouldn't have anything to complain about... This msg is asking us everyone "Empires hearken - show us your best pitch" and thats what we are doing keeping to our own methods...

I respect the way that you advertised your empire.. I suggest you do the same to the others...

my original reply was because it was in a polite way to ask you to stop swaring ie: "BS" and i turned it into a joke (or so i thought) along the lines of my charactor does in all the other msgs i write..

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
Searching the forum for posts from my members and I land on this... I never saw it before! Glad you made the decision to become a Jedi Obi!
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Wow, started this thread when I was but a newbie - ALMOST a month ago. Time flies.

The metaverse is multiplayer... if you want to just play for yourself then why join the metaverse... Competition, Excitement, Learning, having fun .. is what the Metaverse is all about..
End of quote


Excellent points, BlueSteel. I wound up joining the Republic (soon to become the Jedi Republic, at that point) because:

- They weren't in the Top 3 - that whole "help out the underdog" bit.

- They were small in number for their accomplishments. Not just being a Top 10 empire in terms of score submission, mind you, but also taking a leading role in player activism. Yoda may not post many games, for example, but he's always hanging around the Forum and the Stardock chat room, and has been a big voice in the War of the Worlds, the whole point of which is to raise the interest level of the Metaverse and empiring in general...

If you're after a single-player game, fine. GalCiv is a particularly addicting one, in the mold of the original Civilization or MOO1. But the Metaverse is all about participation. Empires aren't just about posting game after game, even though that seems to be taking a leading role lately. They're also about posting strategies here in the Forum, working on mods, writing prose stories, or chatting with new friends in the chatroom; all to have more fun with a game that we enjoy the heck out of playing. The point is that GalCiv is a COMMUNITY and empiring is an outstanding way to reach out to that community. Why not jump into an empire - as Gerakken would say, ANY empire - and try it out?
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
Why not jump into an empire - as Gerakken would say, ANY empire - and try it out?
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And, on that very point I will expand. Always leave you can!! ;p