Hmmm... I never considered a multiplayer game where all the players are anonymous. Sounds interesting
As for the reason the message option is in the game, I always assumed that it was there mainly for the treaties/demands/gifts/etc., and the General Message option was there simply because the mechanism is already there and it's amusing to see an AI with a home atmoshpere of "None" talk about the weather...
As for the patch (forgot the entire original point of the thread
), I haven't heard anything about a beta patch, and I just did a quick check of the FTP patch directory, and there is nothing new. I'd try an e-mail to Richard, since Aaron is likely busy (since there hasn't been a new patch in over 3 weeks, and nothing has been heard).
--edit, in reference to above:
Which one?
[This message has been edited by Will (edited 13 May 2001).]