However, if you are a map-maker (you've edited a .scn file locally) or you want to try some of the wackier maps we ship with the game, you can start the game locally. These instructions will tell you how to do that.

First, you should choose "new game" from the startup screen.

You will be given the option of going to the website and starting a game there. Unless you are a mapmaker or playing one of the non-standard maps, you should start the game from the website.

But, no you want to keep going, so you'll get to choose a map from this screen:

The maps are divided up into numbers of opponents, complexity levels, and so forth. You can sort the columns by clicking at the top. You can also choose other maps (say, ones you built or downloaded) using "Browse" and choosing the .scn file from the browser.

For this example, we choose "Cargo".

Since you've already filled out your preferences, it automatically fills out the first team as "My Team" (in this case, it's our team name), and then lets you fill in the other box with the second player's team name.

(It is possible to just type someone's email address in if they do not have an account on lggwg.com, but it's not advised, since there is no way for them to resend missed moves or change their email address.)

Don't worry about setting team colors; the Servinator will set you to your team's correct color based on your lggwg.com account. If two teams have the same or very similar colors, you will get default colors.

You can then pick a game name (just the title you'll see attached to every filename) and decide a variety of options. These include:

• Scoring: There is only one kind of scoring right now, so you don't have a lot of options. Scoring is discussed in the rulebook.
• Trade and place units: Do I want to choose my own units, or just use the default units for the map?
• No fog of war: Do I want to only see what spaces my units can see (are in line of sight), or should everyone see everyone at the same time? Using fog of war is more fun, generally, but it depends on the map.
• Scramble starting positions: If you check this, each side will get assigned one of the starting teams. This is very important on non-symmetric maps (since which side you get matters) and on maps where there are more than two teams playing (since it will matter who your neighbors are). You normally want this, and it is on by default.
• Servinator Game: This is generally disabled. All games are Servinator games now.

The Servinator address should always be "servinator@technomagi.com". You can check to be sure you have the right address at lggwg.com. If it ever changes you can set it by default in your prefs. However, you will mostly be connecting through the web, so you won't need to set this.

When you hit "OK", you will be prompted to enter a start-of-game announcement. This will get shown to all players before they choose units and/or make their first move.

When you hit "OK", you one of two things will happen. If you have set up your preferences to use SMTP (i.e. automatic mailing) or website upload, the client will send mail to the Servinator automatically and all players will get their first moves. If not, you will get a message like this:

You should then send that file (in this case, "Cargo9-request.tak") to "servinator@technomagi.com".

NOTE: All email going to the Servinator needs to have "LGGWG:" (no quotes necessary) somewhere in the Subject line, or else it will be ignored. Even the Servinator gets spam, you know?

NOTE: All game files need to be sent as attachments. Don't cut-n-paste the contents of the file into your email. That will get ignored.

To: servinator@technomagi.com
Subject: LGGWG: Hello

[attached file Cargo9-request.tak]

After the time it takes for your mail to get to the Servinator, get processed, and then sent back, you will get email that says your game has started (or hasn't started, for whatever reason), and you and your opponents will get the chance to send in your first set of orders.

If you don't get email back, ever, something has gone wrong. Popular explanations for this include:

• The Servinator has gone down (again) and needs to be kickstarted. The crack staff at lggwg.com should notice this.
• You have the wrong Servinator address, often because it has changed. Check lggwg.com to be sure you sent it to the right place.

That's how you start a game of LGGWG! Read more about how to play LGGWG in the rulebook.