I've always said that the two reasons I don't play MP are that I don't have a broadband connection and I don't have the time. We got DSL this weekend. Anyone have any advice on how to free up the time to play MP?
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Pick a game that starts nice and late. That way everyone else will've gone to bed and then the only time you're intruding on is sleep time. 
well, what are the causes you don't have time, ie. what does a normal day look like for you; if you see EU2 MP as a social thing, surely you can make some time free [either at the cost of other social things, or sleep, former is preferable]
if it's a few specific people keeping you from your well-deserved EU2 time , get them to play EU2, too
[either at the cost of other social things, or sleep, former is preferable]if it's a few specific people keeping you from your well-deserved EU2 time
, get them to play EU2, too 
Or send your gf away to study in another country, then you can play as much as you want :wacko:
I am a bachelor. Nowadays I play MP 5 evenings a week, Bridge 1 evening and the last evening, incidentally wednesday, well .... then I play EU SP of course o
o
Isaac,
An average session is four hours once a week. Assume limited participation in diplomacy and the thread takes up an additional hour (it can, of course, suck away a lot more)... That's five hours a week.
I've found I have no problem blowing off friends and relations, much less work, when I'm wrapped up in a game. The greater difficulty is with girlfriends or (in your case, perhaps) the wife. Here you can put the negotiation you've learned from EU II into practice, by offering A. Other time usually not spent with her (this is ineffective if she has it in her head that all your time is hers by default, to take as she pleases), B. Offering to stand aside for some activity of hers (this is ineffective if you haven't been together very long and you're the main activity of hers) or C. Offering to participate in an activity of hers. My one refusal has been the ballet, which she loves. So in order to get Saturday afternoons for Casual Saturdays and Friday afternoons for ToT V recently, I had to make the major concession of attending with her whenever she desires. For a Tuesday or a Wednesday, perhaps, I could've gotten off more lightly, so it's a good idea to try, wherever possible, to plan tactically.
Other things, like work, depend on what you do. For me, it's a matter of making creative excuses to myself. "EU II clears my head." "I have to relax." "I'm not getting anything done anyway." "Distance is beneficial." "If I weren't doing this, I'd go out drinking and wind up tied to a dumpster in San Deigo singing the second act from Camelot."
An average session is four hours once a week. Assume limited participation in diplomacy and the thread takes up an additional hour (it can, of course, suck away a lot more
)... That's five hours a week.I've found I have no problem blowing off friends and relations, much less work, when I'm wrapped up in a game. The greater difficulty is with girlfriends or (in your case, perhaps) the wife. Here you can put the negotiation you've learned from EU II into practice, by offering A. Other time usually not spent with her (this is ineffective if she has it in her head that all your time is hers by default, to take as she pleases
), B. Offering to stand aside for some activity of hers (this is ineffective if you haven't been together very long and you're the main activity of hers) or C. Offering to participate in an activity of hers. My one refusal has been the ballet, which she loves. So in order to get Saturday afternoons for Casual Saturdays and Friday afternoons for ToT V recently, I had to make the major concession of attending with her whenever she desires. For a Tuesday or a Wednesday, perhaps, I could've gotten off more lightly, so it's a good idea to try, wherever possible, to plan tactically.Other things, like work, depend on what you do. For me, it's a matter of making creative excuses to myself. "EU II clears my head." "I have to relax." "I'm not getting anything done anyway." "Distance is beneficial." "If I weren't doing this, I'd go out drinking and wind up tied to a dumpster in San Deigo singing the second act from Camelot."
The best idea is to restrict yourself to one game a week, at least at first, whether setting aside one evening or some time at a weekend. There are enough games around to cater for most of the obvious time slots.Isaac Brock said:
Think about when you are most often either available or doing something that you could do at another time; for most people who aren't at school any more, this usually means one of Monday to Thursday evenings, or perhaps Sunday evening if you don't go away much at the weekend. If you work a regular schedule, and you're thinking about a weekday evening, work out what time you can reliably arrive home from work. Once you've done that, look around the threads here to see which fit your schedule and look like a fun game with a friendly crowd.
Oh, and get ICQ.
LOL :rofl:HolisticGod said:
This is a dream case for a shrink HG, they would earn alot of money on you
i ve solved mine issues with my GF playing 2 of my 4 week's games at 2 30 am in the morning
the only matter is at work
the only matter is at work
It's just a matter of picking an evening you can schedule for a campaign. See it as a social issue, you are going to play a fun game with a group of friends or people that can become your friends.
An alternative option is to not start as a permanent, but to offer your services as a substitute for campaigns in evenings which suit you most of the time. Almost every campaign can use a reliable sub. This is also a good option if you want to test the water a bit before taking a dive
And finally, as Owen already said, get ICQ and add at least the known GM's to your list.
An alternative option is to not start as a permanent, but to offer your services as a substitute for campaigns in evenings which suit you most of the time. Almost every campaign can use a reliable sub. This is also a good option if you want to test the water a bit before taking a dive
And finally, as Owen already said, get ICQ and add at least the known GM's to your list.
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Isaac Brock said:
Spend less time talking about Italy in the AGCEEP forum.
HolisticGod said:
:rofl:
Owen said:The best idea is to restrict yourself to one game a week, at least at first, whether setting aside one evening or some time at a weekend. There are enough games around to cater for most of the obvious time slots.
Think about when you are most often either available or doing something that you could do at another time; for most people who aren't at school any more, this usually means one of Monday to Thursday evenings, or perhaps Sunday evening if you don't go away much at the weekend. If you work a regular schedule, and you're thinking about a weekday evening, work out what time you can reliably arrive home from work. Once you've done that, look around the threads here to see which fit your schedule and look like a fun game with a friendly crowd.
Oh, and get ICQ.
Owen offers good advice, as he often does. Also, FAL's idea of subbing first to get you started is a good idea as well.
Isaac Brock said:
Seriously, we all have around 15 hours a day when we are not sleeping or eating. It is up to each one of us to decide what we prioritize.
A lot of us feel the need to get money and thus put some 9-10 hours a day into work (incl commuting). That leaves 5 hours for other activities in weekdays.
I've prioritized in my life and found that I put EU MP very high, even the number 1 on the list. Now it is up to you. Make your list. You do have the time, the question is how to assign it. And you are your own master when it comes to answering that question and only you know how important other things are for you.
It would be great to see you playing MP!
I usually play only one game, four hours a week. It mainly takes away time from watching TV, something many people do a lot. I use that comparison when justifying it for my girlfriend.
I usually play only one game, four hours a week. It mainly takes away time from watching TV, something many people do a lot. I use that comparison when justifying it for my girlfriend.
As a father of three and being married for 10 years, being an active gamer (both computer and table-top games) I have one question:Isaac Brock said:
What is your reason to watch TV?
Try for one week not to watch TV at all. Listen to the radio and and read news (paper-versions or the Internet versions) so that you don't fall behind in real life. I am pretty sure, that if you don't watch TV you'll notice you have lots and lots of time
Daniel A said:Seriously, we all have around 15 hours a day when we are not sleeping or eating. It is up to each one of us to decide what we prioritize.
A lot of us feel the need to get money and thus put some 9-10 hours a day into work (incl commuting). That leaves 5 hours for other activities in weekdays.
I've prioritized in my life and found that I put EU MP very high, even the number 1 on the list. Now it is up to you. Make your list. You do have the time, the question is how to assign it. And you are your own master when it comes to answering that question and only you know how important other things are for you.
9-10 hours? I wish
I leave the house at quarter to six and get home at about 5:30 most days - between 11-12 hours. Living in the outer suburbs is a good move financially, but tough on the recreational side.I get around it by scheduling my EU2 game on my day off - that's about the only practical way to go. I'm not someone who's comfortable with going about my day with only a couple of hours sleep.
artemis667 said:9-10 hours? I wish
My dear Artemis. I thought you were a sheep farmer and thus lived on a barn in the countryside. You just had to open your frontdoor and see, there was the sheeps
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BTW, let's be friends on Thursday. I got Iraq since the evil perm Mulli forced me to grab it, but I have no further plans but friendship with you, mighty Sultan!
Norrefeldt said:
I use the same argument
And everytime she ask "How did you know that?" My answer is Eu2! Even if it's about the Roman Empire.