Hovercraft Battles

Guess I'm not the only one who had an unexpected turn of events. I hereby join my humble appologies as well.

Sorry I wasn't able to make it to this, I was really looking forward to it. I'm hoping we can do another and have me actually being able to make it. Also, congratz Steelle for pickin up the win for us.

Will this program be at all impacted by certain changes in the air?

Neoteny wrote:

Will this program be at all impacted by certain changes in the air?

Looks like it. I am ready to host one (or two if things go well) last battle. Any suggestions?

It would be neat if we could have some kind of Commander Lock-like battle again.

Yasamuu wrote:

It would be neat if we could have some kind of Commander Lock-like battle again.

We did have a 3-way battle not too long ago. Participation wasn't what I hoped, with one whole side missing.

If there's a final battle going down, sign me up (depending on the time, of course). My skills will be rusty as anything, but I'll do my best for one last shot at victory!

If it's going to be a last hoorah, would it be possible to have unlimited participation on a big ol' battlefield? I think that might make for a big bang we could all ride out.

I also wanted to know if you would or wouldn't be adverse to the use of this system in an unofficial sense (well, still carrying over the stats, but not requiring your time as coordinator, unless you'd like to) down the line. There are certain events I would like to carry out using this system.

Neoteny wrote:

I also wanted to know if you would or wouldn't be adverse to the use of this system in an unofficial sense (well, still carrying over the stats, but not requiring your time as coordinator, unless you'd like to) down the line. There are certain events I would like to carry out using this system.

I will leave everything to those who want to use it, and will probably be able to help if it is needed.

I'd like to inform you that the last possible window of opportunity for a ranked battle would be tomorrow, Tuesday the 9th.

I've recently announced my upcoming retirement to the Syntax Machinists. If anyone is interested in discussing about how the hovercraft battles program could continue, please contact me.

Procurator wrote:

Yeah. That timing is one of the reasons I haven't been taking part in the hovercraft battles.

I could host a battle earlier today, but I'd rather not interfere with another important event. It's always difficult to make sure everyone will be ready for it.

I'm still not sure of the format for tonight however, since I don't know for sure who are interested, apart for Fenshire, Neoteny and Sieges.

I would then suggest Zion versus Merovingians, on Recursion, at 5 PM MCT, or 6 if it can accomodate someone better.

Tonight was the last official Hovercraft Battle, and Zion won.

Thanks to everyone who put efforts into it. Dedication across all organizations showed me how devoted you all are. What started as a vague idea ended up being a very good product overall. Despite the time required, the mistakes, the rule workings and the irregular participation, you were there, and I appreciate it. My only regret is in not being able to allow a maximum number of operatives to participate, for obvious restrictions.

Like I said earlier, the program is now yours. If you need the website, the database or the files, I can offer them. Same thing for my expertise on how to run them.

I give myself about a month before leaving public life, so if anyone is interested in setting up a project of some sort, I'll be glad to help. Countless hours went into it, and it's with great pride that I now step down.

Neoteny wrote:

EDIT: Just a slight error I just noticed - I think my ship should have 35 XP, not 36, as I was disabled during the battle. Additionally, Omega, Void, and Tekmon had their XP correctly incremented, but Sieges' hasn't been changed.

Yeah, the database crashed during the update process. This will be corrected.

Thanks for the kind words.

Thank you for all your work on this, Vogt. I was only there at the start, but the few battles in which I managed to participate will be fondly remembered.

Could you send me the files as well? I'll PM you my e-mail address. I won't host them as I don't want to get in the way of anyone else's initiatives to keep this going, but I would like, eventually, to create an interactive version of the battle system, be it Web-based or through networked clients.

Thanks again.

Thank you very much for running these battles, Vogt.  I really enjoyed them -- they brought some "real world" action into the simulation.

Illyria

Whew.  Now that I've slept and put yesterday behind me.  I was having a bad day yesterday at work, so it set me up to be grumpy the rest of the day.  Sorry about that.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the work you've done for us here, Vogt.  This hovercraft battle game has been a lot of fun, and truly gave me a reason to keep jacking in.  This has been perfect for mine and the Trust's RP, as we've always prided ourselves in being Zion's 'frontline' in the Real.  This game gave us the opportunity to actually put our money where our mouths are, so to speak.  It was an honor to be able to participate in the Lock battle, something that I will always look at as a defining moment in my character's story, as well as a defining moment for myself as a player.

I would love if you could PM the files for running the hovercraft game...  I know The Trust is interested in continuing battles for our RPs, maybe even taking up the role for Recursion.

Oh, Procurator...  you should get with Void!  I know he was interested in something like that.

Oh, well, if it's going around, I suppose I'd ask if you could PM the files to me as well.

I've decided that, essentially, I could try to run battles every other Tuesday from 7-11 [and after] (eastern) (4-8 pacific [and after]) if anyone's interested. That's about the only space in my schedule where I've definitely got time, as I'm technically on the job, but as long as no one minds me disappearing for about 15 minutes at a time (less than the length of a planning phase), I think we could get things done pretty well. I'm sure there are others who would be willing to help host battles as well.

Would anyone be interested in this?

Thanks once again for all of your hard work, Vogt. You really did a great service to MxO here.

Well others have offered their help. Nevertheless, I still keep my intention to run this. Please Vogt, send me any relevant information that I might need. Better to keep some venues open than let this wonderful tool to rust.

Neoteny wrote:

Oh, well, if it's going around, I suppose I'd ask if you could PM the files to me as well.

I've decided that, essentially, I could try to run battles every other Tuesday from 7-11 [and after] (eastern) (4-8 pacific [and after]) if anyone's interested. That's about the only space in my schedule where I've definitely got time, as I'm technically on the job, but as long as no one minds me disappearing for about 15 minutes at a time (less than the length of a planning phase), I think we could get things done pretty well. I'm sure there are others who would be willing to help host battles as well.

Would anyone be interested in this?

Thanks once again for all of your hard work, Vogt. You really did a great service to MxO here.

You know I am.

For those interested for the files, please send me an email adress. I'll try to send you whatever I can.

Thank you for all your hard work.  I never participated in this, but I know many really enjoyed it.  The battles will be missed, but you will be missed more, sir.

My very best regards, and..

/phormalcurtsey

TekMon wrote:

Well others have offered their help. Nevertheless, I still keep my intention to run this. Please Vogt, send me any relevant information that I might need. Better to keep some venues open than let this wonderful tool to rust.

I approve this bid, for Tek as our new battle coordinator!

That said, last night's battle had a sad feeling to it, not because us Mervs lost (again, but we didn't go down without a goof fight), but because our dedicated battle coordinator, Vogt, is retiring from this series of events. I can't thank you enough for all the dedication and all the care you took in planning and presenting the battles, in coordinating all those moves, and in giving us this new addition to the MxO experience. The high point for me was and always will be Locke's transfer, and I think -- no, I *know* this has helped shape Sieges into a better character and leader and helped me become a better player. I can't thank you enough for this and I wish you good luck and many blessings in all that you do.

I am interested in putting on a special battle tonight, beginning within an hour or two. Would this be possible for attendees? It would be a three-way battle, and would be hosted on Recursion, though ships from all instances would be permitted. All sides will be permitted three entrants. If there are not enough people available, I will postpone it, but I would like to do it tonight if possible.

Also - thanks, Vogt, for sending the hovercraft battle resources. I hope our requests didn't come off as demands - I certainly didn't intend them to have any negative connotation to them. Thanks again for all of your hard work, dedication, and, well, dang, even your resources and help in continuation of your project. 

Neoteny wrote:

I am interested in putting on a special battle tonight, beginning within an hour or two. Would this be possible for attendees? It would be a three-way battle, and would be hosted on Recursion, though ships from all instances would be permitted. All sides will be permitted three entrants. If there are not enough people available, I will postpone it, but I would like to do it tonight if possible.

Also - thanks, Vogt, for sending the hovercraft battle resources. I hope our requests didn't come off as demands - I certainly didn't intend them to have any negative connotation to them. Thanks again for all of your hard work, dedication, and, well, dang, even your resources and help in continuation of your project. 

I should be able to make it, although it will be easier for me to be there at 7 P.M. MCT rather than 6 P.M.

We will begin ship placement at approximately 10 minutes past 6 PM MCT and will permit delayed entry since Zion participants on the Zion side have expressed a need to show up later and Machinists need to start sooner.

As of yet, there are no Merovingian participants.

What this means is that you will simply start in a starting square if you show up late and your team is not already full (this includes disabled ships).

EDIT: There are currently 2 Machinist ships on the field (room for 1 more), 1 Zion ship on the field (room for 2 more), and 1 Merovingian ship on the field (room for 2 more).

Join in when you can, Omega. I have received word that another Zionite should be joining in as well.

The same goes for anyone else!

Thanks for starting to host the battles again Neoteny. My bad luck with the dices is yet my bane. Nevertheless, if you allow late entrances at next battles, such participants must have their actions handled in a different way, because as you saw, when Omega entered, he immediatly chose a position and course of action that backed the work of Eyes0nly, leaving me in clear disadvantage, as I picked my own position to battle again Eyes0nly first.

However, it was a good way to start a new age on the battles.

TekMon wrote:

Thanks for starting to host the battles again Neoteny. My bad luck with the dices is yet my bane. Nevertheless, if you allow late entrances at next battles, such participants must have their actions handled in a different way, because as you saw, when Omega entered, he immediatly chose a position and course of action that backed the work of Eyes0nly, leaving me in clear disadvantage, as I picked my own position to battle again Eyes0nly first.

However, it was a good way to start a new age on the battles.

This was only permitted because of the unnanounced nature of the battle. In future battles, the old rule of be there on time will be in effect, as I'll intend to announce other battles well in advance.

I also wanted to try it out and see how it would work, since it was a new style of gameplay.

Zion won.

Illyria1, Stanislava, and TekMon received 1 XP each.

Eyes0nly received 3 XP.

Omega02 receved 3 XP and one additional XP for disabling one of the two unidentified craft on the field for a total of 4 XP.

An updated .htm file can be downloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?iwmiizzz345

The following is the basic map for this battle: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y1...cenarioBase.png

The other unidentified craft disappeared on the second phase without being identified.

The second ship was revealed both by Stanislava and Omega02 independantly, and was searched by Eyes0nly and Omega02 following the battle. It was found to be the hovercraft Damascus, a Cypherite vessel, operating on autopilot with a fully charged EMP heading towards 01. They disabled its reactor and elected to tow the craft out to New Zion.

I would've loved to make this, but I was recharging in New Zion.  ((My internet was out.  ))

I would like to know if there is interest in a battle tonight at around 6 or 7 PM MCT.

It would, again, be held as a 3 v 3 v 3 with special, but differing circumstances.

I will try to make it at 6:00 PM but it will work better if it's at 7:00 PM

I can't make it tonight.

It's more do-able for me if it's at 7 PM as well.

I'm game.

By general consensus, then, the battle will be at 7 PM MCT.

Merovingians won and Neoteny escaped.

Sieges and MetaLogic received 3 XP for winning and surviving.
Neoteny received 3 XP for escaping through the right of the map.
TekMon received 2 XP for winning.
Deffdog received 1 XP for participating.

Here are the images from the battle:

The updated Ranks.htm file can be found here (just make sure you click the most recently updated one).

Anyone going to do this somewhere else than Recursion? Right now it's twice a month with the regular group of hovercraft battlers on Recursion, so they basically powerlevel themselves to rank 5. No-one will want to do inter-server battles if that's the case, but eh, ./shrug. I actually think XP should be scaled much higher than 50. Just throwing a few points around.

Bayamos wrote:

Anyone going to do this somewhere else than Recursion? Right now it's twice a month with the regular group of hovercraft battlers on Recursion, so they basically powerlevel themselves to rank 5. No-one will want to do inter-server battles if that's the case, but eh, ./shrug. I actually think XP should be scaled much higher than 50. Just throwing a few points around.

Every battle I've hosted so far is interserver. I just host them on Recursion because that's my home server. But I actually have an empty character slot on Vector, so I might start doing them over there.

It's my belief that all battles should be inclusive, so I don't really intend to host server-exclusive battles.

Can we vary the nights of the battles? 

Lyr

Illyria22 wrote:

Can we vary the nights of the battles? 

Lyr

I can try. (Every other) Tuesday is what works best for me, since I have duty and can't leave my building anyway. Most weekends as well as most weeknights. There was a battle last night because I'm on spring break right now and have more options.

Monday nights might be a possibility.

Neoteny, any way you would be able to give us more of an advance notice than the day of?

Fen wrote:

Neoteny, any way you would be able to give us more of an advance notice than the day of?

Yeah, I endeavor to be better at this. The only reason this one was as impromptu as it was, was because the Dead Winter Dead event was coming to an end, and I wanted that hovercraft battle to be a part of it.

Alright, since I'm finding it kind of a pain in the asss to keep uploading things to mediafire (and I'm sure you don't look there anyway) I registered hovercraftbattles.110mb.com as a way of mirroring Vogt's hovercraft battles site (all the work there is his - Vogt, if you have a problem with me running this, e-mail me ASAP and I will take it down) with updated stats. I don't have the money to fund a page like the awardspace one, so this one is free, and pretty damnn functional.

The only problem I've been having, since I'm no pro web designer and I'm working with someone else's code, is that registration buttons update the awardspace page and not the 110mb page. Login buttons also redirect to the awardspace page. So long as the awardspace page remains active, this shouldn't be a problem. If it goes down, however, I'll simply ask new participants to tell me their chosen stats in-game before a battle, and will update the page manually.

Everything else is functional, and since I believe this will pretty much only be used as a rank/stat reference, it should pose no problem.

If you are a pro with form submission and editing, let me know if you can give some of this a crack.

I'm all ok with how things are going on so far Neoteny. If you need help, I can provide you some.

Vogt wrote:

I'm all ok with how things are going on so far Neoteny. If you need help, I can provide you some.

Essentially, I don't understand form submission across files. I know enough java to get by (never really dealt with javascript and it's been 2 years since I've done anything). I think I've got a lot of stuff okay, though I don't think the way my copying worked was the most efficient, it works in the necessary ways. The only things that won't work are registering hovercraft and logging in.

I'd be willing to take any help and/or advice you can offer, Vogt. My e-mail is still the same - please contact me! (I have your e-mail buried in a lot of spam, I think).

Additionally, I have made a new change to the site and, to an extent, how the battles will work today. From now on, the mostly unused combat page will now feature the battle currently being played out, or, if there is not one, the last scene from the last battle.

This should streamline things a bit more, since there will not be a new page for every battle. There will still be periods of map downtime when I upload the new image, but it should make it possible for spectators and participants alike to find the battle without a question.

http://hovercraftbattles.110mb.com/combat.htm

EDIT: Rules have been slightly updated due to incorrect links and to explain the /roll macro and other necessary/recommended resources for playing the game online via MxO.

http://hovercraftbattles.110mb.com/Rules.htm

EDIT: Bolding errors fixed. Other minor color/formatting fixes.

The rules have now been updated to be more clear and correct (the current awardspace rules indicate that a ship without an action in a phase can still fire turrets, which is not accurate).

Hopefully, this will make the game easier for new players to learn.

http://hovercraftbattles.110mb.com/Rules.htm

Neoteny, send me a PM. I can help you with the switch over the new web address, modifying any reference that might still point to Vogt's site.

I would love to take part in these battles again, however, the only days I can participate are Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

~Bindi

Mondays and Tuesdays will probably end up being the standard faire because they're the days I have the least to do. I have children in the morning on Wednesday (and usually a host of other crap later on), night class Thursday, and generally a bunch of social things to do Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. As such, if I am to host a battle those days (which I will aim to do at least at some point, since I know the weekends are probably best for everybody) notification will probably be impromptu, though I'll aim to have it sooner rather than later.

I'll be trying to do regular battles on Mondays and Tuesdays (probably either or). However, this week is pretty much hell, as is the next, though it might be possible for me to do a battle next Tuesday starting as early as 4 PM MCT. I would like to know if there is interest in this. If it needs to start later, it can. I would like to keep this battle to a 3 v 3 (one org against one other) and would like for it to be all-inclusive server-wise, which means I can host it on any server you like, but will allow participants from any server. For this battle, you'll also have to excuse me for a few small periods of time, since I will be on duty and will have to go monitor the dorm hall or switch locations.

As opposed to my previous two battles, this will not have any special conditions or objective. It'll just be by the books.

I simply need a reply from three members of two organizations.