Hi there,

since I am reviewing Racefiles anyway, i could also take a quick look at the universe generated. If its really only 20-30 minutes as nmid says, I should be able to do so. After all, that way I can give back a bit the time Void gave me in SAS5

I'd just need a few sentences of advice how to prepare everything so that the game can be hosted correctly.


Torben

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torben wrote on Sun, 15 January 2012 22:29

I'd just need a few sentences of advice how to prepare everything so that the game can be hosted correctly. Torben

Heh. As "they" say, you better be careful what you wish for. A bored genie/fae folk might hear you

Well, I'll tell you how I did it.
You might find some more helpful corrections after I post mine

Ofcourse this depends on what Ashlyn has in mind !!

I created a set of batch files to create the universe with a random seed number.
Create a folder called V12.
Make a sub-folder called races.
Verify all races and then (if you want) rename them into player name files.
Go to the V12 folder and create a text file.
Use the following syntax

Help file + Ashlyn + Sample format = cond.def:

Vanilla 2012 2 3 3 "random_seed" 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 .\Races\****.r1 1 25 1 26 3 0 1 50 1 200 0 1 125 2 110 V12.xy

Save the file as cond.def (actually any_name.def)
Create a new text file with the following syntax

gen_map.bat:

E:\games\Stars\starsjrc4.exe -a Cond.def

Save the file as Gen_map.bat

Create 10 text files as following;

Run#.bat:

E:\games\Stars\starsjrc4.exe -p PASSWORD V12.m#

Save each file as Run#.bat

These steps will automate your file generation and file opening (really painful as all files will have their own individual passwords).

Copy your 1st universe generation into a folder and change the seed number in the cond.def file and you'll be ready to gen another universe easily.

Once you have 2-3 universes ready (I did just 2 for stone age slog), select all the Run#.bat files and press enter.
All the game files will open up... check the starting positions and write them down on a piece of paper on which you have a 9x9 box drawn out.
Helps to have a good look at how well races are distributed as well as secondary worlds.

After you have both maps ready, select the one that feels the fairest.

Took me about an hour or so to gen the files.
Writing the mail with the player names, SAH ids, email ids and race names took me a bit more time to get into the proper format as mentioned in the hosting instruction thread.

E:\games\Stars\starsjrc4.exe = Path you have saved your stars executable file.

game.def has the following format, with arguments appearing in the order and groupings listed:

Game Name
Universe Size (0-4) Density (0-3) Starting Distance (0-3) [Random Seed, any #]
Maximum Minerals (0/1) Slow Tech (0/1) BBS Play (0/1) .... (other check boxes)
Number of Players (1-16)
Pathnames to race files, or AI descriptions
VC # of planets (0/1) Percent of planets (20-100)
VC Tech (0/1) Level (8-26) Fields (2-6)
VC Score (0/1) Score (1000-20000)
VC Exceeds nearest (0/1) (Percent (20-300)
VC Production (0/1) Capacity (10-500)
VC Capital Ships (0/1) Number (10-300)
VC Turns (0/1) Years (30-900)
VC Must Meet (0-7) Minimum Years (30-500)
New universe file nameRandom SeedThe optional Random Seed number forces the universe to be created exactly the same each time, if you use the same Seed number.

[Updated on: Sun, 15 January 2012 12:25]

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fine with me thanks Torben.

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nmid wrote on Sun, 15 January 2012 12:12

Heh. As "they" say, you better be careful what you wish for. A bored genie/fae folk might hear you

*lol*

I've been the families IT guru for a while, so I very well know that I'll only get what I deserve


Thanks for the very detailed instructions.


Torben

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[Updated on: Mon, 16 January 2012 10:20]

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Current received Race File Status, all checked fine:

Little Eddie
Loucipher
Neil Howard
BeeKeeper
NMid
jscoble

Race File Deadline will be Wednesday Evening, 23:59 GMT (Autohost time). I will use the latest file I get until this point.

For new players, recommended Reading: http://starsautohost.org/gamesnew.htm#PLAY

I recommend using the Stars! Autohost utility for up-/downloads: http://wiki.starsautohost.org/wiki/Utilities/m_and_x_file_ma nagement#AutoHost_Client


Ashlyn: I will just collect the race files here and set up the game as we disussed, I don't have to send the files to you in this case I guess.

Also, I will randomize the player order, as there are no pre-game alliances this seems the fairest option to me.

Apart from that: From what I have seen do far, this promises to be an interesting game.

[Updated on: Tue, 17 January 2012 16:03]

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I just spent a long day rebuilding my crashed harddisk. As a result I've been unable to testbed my race(s) today. With a bit of luck I'll be able to do it tomorrow and have the definitive design before the deadline, with minutes to spare.

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hey Torben ... i'm gonna tweak my race when i get home from work.. i figure as long as I get you the race on Wednesday MY time, I'm good.



Cordially,

the Host

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The Setting says at least 6 players.

And there will not be a change so close to the deadline for a change of the univers.

But you could still change your own race settings for the new situation.

I am not sure if I will be in time is running and I have not done anything and dont want to anoy Ash with a HE

ccmaster

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Medium it stays then.

To give due respect to my 666th post and thus playing the devil's advocate, further discussion is merited :
There's a difference of 5% in density.per.planet(dpp) and about 4% in distance.between.planets (dbp).
Not as much as the 33%-50% reduction in planets.per.player(ppp).

Calculations:
90 ppp (6 players) to 60 ppp (9 players) or 45 ppp (12 players).
1200*1200/540 vs 1600*1600/910. (dpp).
2667 ly2 pp vs 2813 ly2 pp.
51 ly vs 53 ly radius between planets on an average (assuming it to be in the center of it's space and no galaxy clumping. (dbp).
Thus a theoretical warp8 either way.

The only really.relevant.reason (rrr) could be that it would be tougher for 2 teams to kill each other because of the additional 400 odd LYs

ps: pp = per planet.

Edit - 666 !!

[Updated on: Wed, 18 January 2012 12:46]

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Perhaps the deadline could be delayed a day or two?

(I'm still testing the race designs I couldn't test yesterday, and I just heard ccmaster needs more time for testbedding too)

[Updated on: Wed, 18 January 2012 14:00]

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Sent race file again. Using vmware to run Stars on a 64 bit Windows 7 platform. Maybe when I copied the file to Windows 7 it corrupted the file

Dave

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