Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

Well the once rising nation of Vanheim is all but snuffed out. It was a privilege to play, and I hope to offer a better showing in the future.

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

Hello:

Turn 43 is out.

Deadline is Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. Boston time; (Wednesday instead of Tuesday due to the delayed hosting).

Thanks.

Pasha

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

Hello:

Turn 44 is out.

Deadline is Friday at 9:00 p.m. Boston time.

Thanks.

Pasha

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

Hello:

Turn 47 is out.

Deadline is Thursday at 9:00 p.m. Boston time.

Thanks.

Pasha

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

I must say that based on Land and other RAND games that format really does not work at all, except very limited situations. No diplo makes it pretty much impossible to take down leaders or organise anything, thus starting positions and nations you get are huge factor. And when there is difference in skill level there is almost no skill factor - there are few good players that can just easily annihilate all remaining players. And it's up to nation they get + skill of neighbours to determine who will get bigger and stronger.

I think that for RAND to work you need:
- small map with
- very balanced nation selection [that was a huge problem in last RAND]
- and players of same skill level
- that do not get subbed out by weaker players [here we should proably introduce rule to not talk about that game to anyone outside, so it does not kill the pool of potential good subs]

I like LAND and RAND games, but the more I play them, the more I think that normal games are better and more fair.

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

I have a long experience with RAND games and I personally agree with you Zeldor. I've noticed that with no gem gens and small maps and diplo I'm having the most fun games. I also agree with your suggestions to improve the format.

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

I think it might be better allowing players to choose there nations, those can still be awarded in secret. I got a nation in this game I really did not want to play, yet was stuck with. I have done a decent job but being, 'uninspired' I feel I have only played to 70-80% of my normal ability.

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

Sorry for little OT.
If I want to participate in the next RAND game, how do I get in?

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

Sort of agree with Zeldor. I have noticed that most of the remaining players are longtime veterans (certainly excluding myself), so i definitely think there's a skill factor involved. But there is also a 'usual suspects' aspect to which nations are left, although some quite powerful nations are dead or dying at the moment.

Re: Land Rand (pbem)
 

MB, this is an excellent idea. I share your sentiment re. getting a boring/weak/ nation or a nation that you down right don't like to play. Happened to me as well in this game, in the past RAND, and in the past past RAND :)

I sucked it up and did the best I can but I was anything but inspired.

Perhaps a semi random assignment system would work. Each player chooses 3 nations and conflicts are resolved by a die roll.