[LGM]

Perhaps it would be of use if PBW would keep statistics on players and hosts such as a list of games they have played in and how many turns they participated, whether they started, and how long the game ran or is running. For hosts, it could keep track of how many games they have hosted and how long those games ran.

I have hosted two games. The first one was mostly filled with friends with a few open slots. When a game looks like it will start soon, players are little more interested in signing up. My other game was purely by invitation to t allow teams of mixed experience to be a good learning experience from some friends that are new to the game.

Well thought out set of game parameters make a game more appealing. For example, advertising a game without certain technologies may draw people looking for a different type of game. I myself like to play without Intelligence because I think the whole model is bad. Many people like to play with some interesting parameters.

Also, advertising your player expectations can help draw players. Indicate whether you are looking for Advanced, Intermediate, or Beginner skill players. Advertise any house rules that you might wish to employ. For example, you might indicate that a player can not disconnect a system from the rest of the universe. In other words, he cannot partition the universe with Stellar Manipulation.

As for games needing replacements, one of the problems with PBW is a host can Finish a filled position, but not a vacant position. Some vacancies are just not worth filling as the race is not a factor in the game. One of my games has a vacancy right now. The civil disorder of the vacancy plays to the favor a few of the players. The other players ought to recruit someone to help out (setup a favorable government). In otherwords, players who have a vested interest in a replacement ought to advertise. It is not necessarily the hosts concern if the game is already developed a bit. I do not think I have ever rejected a replacement player.