[chrispedersen]

Originally Posted by vfb

Chris, if you're going to complain, please make some sort of effort to get the names right. I'm MA Marignon, and I don't need to be prodded.

Um, Dude - I *did* spend a little effort - more than anyone else in fact, to try to make sure that everyone AND THEIR PARTNERS got their turns in ok.

From the Second post in this thread....


6. Ossa - vfb

MA MAri + EA Sauromatia


It makes it look as if *you* are playing EA-Sauromatia, which with three hours to go, hadn't submitted a turn. I have no way of knowing that you and Ossa switched.

But cmon man - I was just doing everyone a favor....


On other topics - Zeldor, I have to say that you did an absolutely AMAZING job with the map, AND with setting up the game.

And before anyone criticizes, if you haven't tried admin'ing a game you have NO idea how hard it is. And generally how thankless.

Now, I know that zeldor did delay hosting for a few hours. But I really do think that everything leadiing up to the game - Zeldor gets an A+ - but I do think a little bit more time and care should have gone to the starting of the game. I have tried to suggest this to others - that ANY time there is a glitch in the forums, or in the game server that extra time be allocated to make sure that everyone is on board. This is another time I think that advice prudent. By my earlier email, I was trying to suggest that with 24 players, it would be a better plan to wait a few hours to get everyone on board than to host on time and risk a game meltdown.

(Game Plug: missed turns are why I created the game Mulligan. Go look at that thread).

I do know that with the structure of the game - many lesser nations were bid on - I know that I have spent weeks learning viable strategies for my weak nation - so I fully believe that Jim, being a better player, would do the same.

Now, there was some mention that Jim and Mad Francis are playing on the same CD key, being room mates. I do not know the legality of it - it seems legal to me - one computer has it. They being roomates can play separate nations on it. Huge advantage for coordination of course.

But Jim claims that he has not received a turn. I do know that lama was looking at preventing multiple turns from going to the same ip / email address. This may be the cause for Jim not getting a turn.

Had Jim gotten turn notification, he may well have prodded his partner.

So, here are my suggestions:

First, I got a *great* start - and I can't imagine any start being better for me.
However, I play this game to enjoy it - and I play it to play against humans - to cut my teeth against other breathing and presumably, thinking opponents. I dont think there should be *any* stales in any game.

Every player should be informed of a turn deadline - but just that - a turn deadline. Set the game to just quickhost when all turns are submitted.
If a player is routinely missing turn deadlines, its incumbent on him to find a substitute.

When making the decision about the game, as game admin, I try to decide what is best for the game itself. Our option is to proceed with some nations staling, restarting, or finding a substitute.

Personally, I find proceeding with staling nations unpalatable as it gives a huge advantage to the staling neighbors. Likewise, I think finding a new team to choose nations and play - would require a longer delay than to just restart the game.

And yes, I don't' want to hear anyone who didn't get a national hero on turn one complaining!


Chris