1
@HULK , I wonder whether setting HW distance to medium would help to reduce playing duration & reduce some of the stalemate problems ? A lot of stars would be lost during map generation because they are too near each other though.
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Any excess maps that you do not use could be shared on the 1v1 Friendlies thread.
Sorry the map didn’t work out @panblanco and @Dysp … rest assured I spent a bit of time trying to generate one exactly as you mention - fairly tight with lots of small gaps on the border. Keep in mind that sometimes the border is not “horizontal” … a good number of games end up being diagonal.
So standby as I’m going to use @Dysp’s excellent tool to try to delete a game in progress. If that doesn’t work, I’ll generate one manually for 'ya to try.
OK - so @Dysp’s tool didn’t allow me to delete the game in progress (which arguably is the “right” thing to do), so here’s a couple of maps for you guys to consider:
Password is “1v1” … so take a look 'em and if one is mutually agreeable, then “fight’s on!”
LOL some examples of not-so-good maps:
The next opportunity to participate in a 1v1 tournament game is here: Sign up for the 5th round of the Legendary Level League now! It’s only a 1-game-commitment 
@TheLastHero - @Keeves - @Cryptious - @ignaloidas - @Zatoc - @Tanktress - @Karmadrome - @SimonMiaou - @gaz123 - @Dysp - @wint3ermute - @DarkDragonwing - @FinrodFelagund - @LeDazz
I joined game 1. Seems alright to me.
Sorry for the delay…
No problem. I was busy for the last few days, I just jumped in myself. Should be more time tomorrow and afterwards to get things going.
Thanks for starting your game @panblanco and @Dysp - I have updated the OP to reflect the stalemate in the first game and that you are battling in a 2nd game.
A reminder @Trucriot that @plug is ready for 'ya in your game here.
@Karmadrome and I are 444 ticks into our LINK FIXED game here. I just got back from a week of travel and very limited Internet connectivity, so I can submit on a more timely basis now.
Opps ! wrong link. 
It is important to wear your safety helmets. LOL
The question is who of you represents which: PHL PA32 or EVY HELO*? 
Joining my game tonight.
Congrats @panblanco … especially since @Dysp is a worthy foe.
You will play the winner of myself and @Karmadrome - our game is currently in tick #504 and while I’ve had the lead in stars for a couple of hundred ticks, I haven’t been able to put the HULK SMASH on him yet, although I did get ANGRY in the NE sector!
I generated several games before I ended up with this one - please take a close look and let me know if you think that is playable - i.e. likely NOT to end in a stalemate.
I think the map looks alright. Let me know when you two wrap up 
Thanks for checking that game @panblanco.
@Karmadrome and I are at tick #540 and while I’m holding my lead in stars, he’s putting up a heck of fight despite my HULK SMASH attempts which have yet to yield a breakthrough.
The next opportunity to participate in a 1v1 tournament game is here: Sign up for the 6th round of the Legendary Level League now and influence its settings via the polls! It’s only a 1-game-commitment
@HULK - @TheLastHero - @Keeves - @Cryptious - @ignaloidas - @Zatoc - @Tanktress - @Karmadrome - @SimonMiaou - @BelSon - @Dysp - @wint3ermute - @LeDazz
I’m done, just conceded to @HULK
I thought I had him at one point, with a big ship advantage, but I just couldn’t break down his defences. Well played yet again @HULK
It’s kind of fitting that I got beaten again by @HULK as this may well be my last NP game.
I’ve had so many years of enjoyment playing this game all the way back to NP1, so a big thanks to @JayKyburz for that.
Time to move on, but of course I may have to check back once in a while if I’m feeling nostalgic, or to reignite old rivalries, or just if I realise I’ve made a huge mistake in leaving 
Finally, good luck to the rest of the 1v1 competitors!
There is a lot of work on the map, you are good, I wish you successful completion!!
I finally (!) defeated @Karmadrome in a game that could easily have gone either way for the longest time. It was certainly a top-10 game and definitely set the record for longevity at 678 ticks - I think if he had kept playing, it may have taken me a 1000 ticks to finally defeat him!
This was over four months of intense play - and a LOT of hours analyzing the map and trying different strategies - some worked (HULK SMASH!), a bunch of “Damn @Karmadrome, I didn’t see that coming!”, a bunch of “wish I hadn’t changed my moves - coulda/woulda/shoulda”, and numerous “just barely won’s” that kept me in the game.
I’m sorry to see @Karmadrome take a break from NP as he is a very worthy foe and we have had countless battles. A great long-time resident of the NP Universe.
@panblanco - Thanks for patiently waiting for us to finish. I send you a PM to see if you are ready for your semi-final match against the Jolly Green Giant! 
I’ve been chatting with @panblanco, and RL has gotten super-busy for him, so unfortunately he won’t be able to finish the tournament and play against @HULK in the semi-final. He agreed best to post in the forums … so as his opponent (plus the defacto tournament organizer), here’s a couple of choices.
We can further delay the start of our game, but @panblanco is not sure when he’ll have more time to properly devote to a game. Plus it looks like @Trucriot is close to winning against @plug in the other semi-final match.
@panblanco can simply concede and we’ll just call it a “no-game” for ranking purposes.
@panblanco recently defeated @Dysp who could take his place in the semi-final game.
Radical idea is it looks like @Trucriot is pulling away from @Solfyre in the Finals of the December/2020 game … so would @Solfyre be interested in subbing in for @panblanco?
Any other ideas that people think is the “right/best” thing to do?
I’m fine with any of the options 1 to 3. Don’t mind waiting for the final game. As for option 4, both Solfyre and I are quite busy which is why progress in our (very open, the stats lie on this btw) Dec game is also slow.