Hello Everyone
I have just sent out a copy of the latest version of Automagic, version
2002b. If you're already using Automagic, please check your version number
and change to this if it is more recent. If you're not using Automagic,
please see if you can start to use it. This is a stable version, we don't
expect to make further changes for many months.
Automagic does require that you have Excel, though it works on Windows and
Macintosh computers. It is very helpful for checking that you don't issue
illegal orders, it allows us to use the MAIN automatic inputting system that
eliminates human input errors, and it also has a load of useful features
unconnected to turn writing. I use it and think's it great, and most
players I have found who have used it have found it very useful.
We really want to try and encourage everyone who can use it to try it. The
more turns we can automate, the more time we can spend on customer care and
Research and Development instead of inputting! This will also help us keep
costs down, including future turncosts rises.
If you are unable to use Automagic then please get in touch with us
informing us so that we can see what development work we need to do. If you
do not desire to use Automagic then please take the time to inform us as
well.
There are some helpful web pages dedicated to Automagic on
www.MiddleEarthGames.com including a step by step guide to using AM and a
FAQ. Feel free to ask us for help as well.
Thanks, and I hope you enjoy using Automagic.
The following new games are filling up.
Waiting List: When I get all 25 nations into the game I will allocate you
your choice of nation from the list of nations that you have sent me -
please send multiple nation choices.
Upto 2 nation game: You can play one or two Aligned nations, or one Neutral
nation.
2 nation game: You must play two nations.
Bofa: 2wk [Game 4] - Veteran or Beginners game - (Vet: ALL 1650 orders
available): 3 Nation taken, but FP nations available. (Please note FP have
been upgraded).
1650 2wk [Game 36]: Gunboat 1 player needed (2 nations). See below for
rules. Waiting List, 2 nations game.
1650 1wk [Game 135] : Waiting List, Upto 2 nation game. 24 nations
available.
1650 2wk [Game 37]: 1-7,9-15, 17-20, 22 (1 nation "any" in addition taken)
2950 2wk [Game 236]: Email game. Waiting List. 21 nations available.
1000 2wk [Game 147]: We have 8DS 7FP and 6 Neutrals taken so far. I could
do with 1 FP. The game is LAS.
Note please ask for variant games we can try to get you opposition for them
if you are interested - mostly Grudge teams though - if I get 10 players for
any single type of game then I will put it up for general availability below
and push it;
Grudge Games we need opposition for:
2950: Matt Ashley (FP preferred)
1000: None
1650: 1wk Mike Wilding (10or12), Steve Johnston (12 FP) (2wk)
Last Alliance: None
WoTR: None
World Championship team: None
I have drop-outs available - don't forget you get a free turn for taking
these up...
E [Early] = 0-10 turn, M (Midgame]= 11-20, L [Late game] = 21+ [A= Aligned
if a Neutral, N= not aligned if a Neutral, P = Postal and Email game, 1w =
1week game, 3w = 3week game]
Bofa: Veteran (NM - e)
1000: One
2950: Rohan (l-P), Dwarves (m-P), Quiet (e - P), Fire (e-P), (e - P), Long
(e - P), DarkL (e-P), Rhun (e-n)
1650: South Gondor (m), Dwarves (m), Dark Lieutenants (e), Dog Lord [m].
East (e-N)
News:
As we're going to have a big tax (VAT) bill this year due to changes in some
of the rules for digital exports. We're still thinking about this and the
impact it will have but this means a price increase.
�4.50 for UK
$6.80 for US
We're running another Gunboat game 36 - same sets of nations as before.
I will create a list of players that you CANNOT talk to about this game when
we get to filling the game. No discussing with potential team-mates nations
before hand please... 
2 nation game - you must play 2 nations.
Nation combos are below - no Easterling nation.
4+22 Arthedain +Harad, 6+23 N Gondor +Duns, 7+1 S Gondor +Wood, 8+2
Dwarves+North, 9+5 Sinda+Cardolan, 10+3 Noldo+Eothraim.
18+14 Fire King+Cloud Lord, 20+24 D.Lieut+Rhudaur, 16+19 Ice King+ L.Rider,
11+15 Blind + Witch K, 17+13 QA+Dog Lord, 12+21 DragonL +Corsair (Note
change to normal)
Rules for this game: Players are allowed to take offensive actions against
unknown characters upon their OWN population centres. In other words, if
Elrond, Erestor and John Smith appear on the Cloud Lord capital the latter
is now a legitimate target for challenge, curse etc by the Cloud Lord even
though the nation of the character is unknown.
List of Dropped nations once every two turns. List of players who are
playing but not nations nor side. No Diplomacy - under ANY circumstances
Note Game ENDS (then and only then are the players names revealed) after 50
turns - highest total team victory points wins (unless within 10% - then
draw declared) - Or one side has a greater than 4 to 1 player advantage.
Drop outs can be filled - but we will be discrete.
Individual victory points at end of game = average of your two nations (dead
nations = 400 )
Nations (normal WChamp rules except 21 +22 swopped around, Fort on 1910 &
4217, Easterling Capital with a camp - not to be affected by Players). If
you are playing nations 21-24 you will have a character called: Lead a-d
these are there for you to 175 (correct allegiance) and 740 - no other
orders allowed.
Trust the players not to try and find out who their team mates/oppo are -
and not to diplome even if they come by such knowledge - it being considered
unsportsmanlike. You are not allowed to use camp or character names to
exchange information.
No influencing, stealing, cursing etc on or from or to your team. No
influencing, stealing, cursing etc on or from or to your team. No ass/kid
if you do not know the nation of the character if you are not at your own
PC. If you think it is forbidden by the rules it probably is so don't do it
(ask us for clarification BEFORE the event). If you can provide feedback
that would be very useful - the first game is going very well so we hope to
make this one better.
Thanks
Clint
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