Planning for a European-timed game

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I'm posting this for ease of communication organizing a 'European morning' game (time wise)... Hopefully nobody has already started organizing anything or started a game yet, if so I'll find another group, but since I haven't been contacted by anyone yet I'm assuming nothing has happened! Wouldn't want the effort Mowers made to get us into contact go to waste, right? No, I'm not trying to be a power monger so if someone has already been 'elected' to start organizing this, just ignore me. End disclaimer.

That being said, I think the most important thing we need to figure out is how many of us can play and at what time! The best time for me (meaning I'll pretty much always make it) is to start around 5-9 GMT, any day. (Hopefully I have the time adjustment right!) In Europe I'm guessing that that's early to mid morning? Mowers has suggested 9 GMT but if most of us are okay with earlier than that, fine.

If that's not a good time, another suggestion: 18 GMT, which I believe is approx. the evening in Europe.

I'd like us to have at least a few 'veteran' players that have done this before so we know what we're doing, so the time should probably revolve more around that, IMO.

As far as gameplay rules, I think we should stick with the suggestions Mowers has made on the topic, as he seems to know what he's talking about--I'll post about that later.

I don't think it's a requirement that we're ALWAYS available, because I believe that a fun aspect of this will be the alteration of policy-styles and 'leadership' of nations. I think it'll simulate the natural changing of monarchs quite nicely, and of course there should be a little communcation with those playing the same nation. But I do think that those that do "sit in" for someone else should try and stick to the same country if possible. This'll all vary depending on availability/numbers.

So, the main thing I'm asking of those whom I've sent this link to is, is this time(s) good for you? 5 GMT, 9 GMT, 18 GMT? Another? Let's try to stick to just a few options, if possible, to keep this simpler... and again, if a time/etc is already decided upon, we can just ignore this rambling.

If noone has any objections to their icq being posted, I'll put up a list of those I've tried to contact.

 

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This is stuff Mowers has listed as advice for these large games, and it sounds like good advice to me:

1) Reloads are done via ICQ. Direct load is a waste of time.
2) Dont attempt to wait till you are all present- you will NEVER finish. My advise is that you play on with 5 permenant players and add 1 or, preferably 2 guests. Never play with less than 6. Expect new players to come in and join over time.
3) The host should be the best connection.
4) Austria and Spain need to work closely together to stop an automatic French victory in the early stages of the game.
5) If you need more players ask me and I'll supply them. Accept now that players will come and go as real life dictats.
6) You will all have a much more interesting game if you concentrate on the overall balance of power instead of SP AI bashing.
7) I strongly recommend that you adopt the standerd house rule we use. Players may not take more than 3 provinces from any European AI power in a peace settlement. Trade posts and colonies count as half.
7a) Spain may vassalise but not annex Portugal.
8) Running an AAR makes the game more interesting.
9) When crashes occur reload in a year unless the player was in a war. Dont attack players when they crash.
10) Dont run your country into the ground when you are losing. Settle and fight another day.
11) We can all exchange ICQ's when we start and I can fill in any gaps.

I suggest we stick to all of these, and I especially like the concentration on balance of power idea. I think we should avoid having too many set in stone rules, as hopefully common sense will be enough, but other suggestions can be added...

Also, from another thread.. (Mowers again! This thread may have even been referring to our exact group?) redundant stuff taken out:

I'm going to set up a 1492 game with standerd powers along the lines of the boardgame. SPA, ENG, FRA, AUS, VEN or POL, POR, OTT. With POR switching to RUS at the emergence of HOL ( who replaces VEN or POL) or 1570. Guest players should play SWE. Dont be bound by these selections but my advice is to adhere to them if possible. A few initial pointers that are based on my experience of running the MGC series.

I need the following information
1) Please advise if you are free at 9am on Sat or Sun or both.
2) Which country you would prefer from the LIST ONLY.
3) If you now dont want to be involved please let me know.