PBW: my personal view

Mudshark · #1 October 5th, 2001, 02:30 AM

I have been playing SE3 and 4, mostly AI, Untill I found the play by web. Beyond the obvious advantage of Fleet details. I find the game to be much like Poker. I have had "Generals" stand down by complete BS. I would hope that this would cause a PBW Thread. There are few advantages, and if there is us know

Mudshark · #2 October 5th, 2001, 02:33 AM

BTW diff handle

Puke · #3 October 5th, 2001, 03:09 AM

whats wrong with poker? Id rather be playing a poker game against humans rather than a turkey shoot against the AI. besides, its worth it just to see the walls come down on someone when they find out they called the wrong bluff.

Puke · #4 October 5th, 2001, 04:54 AM

had a thought for a bluff-free game though, try playing with the 'omnipresent view of all systems' turned on.

------------------
"...the green, sticky spawn of the stars"
(with apologies to H.P.L.)

BeeDee10 · #5 October 5th, 2001, 06:01 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Puke:
had a thought for a bluff-free game though, try playing with the 'omnipresent view of all systems' turned on.

There are still ways to bluff under such circumstances, however. Change your ship designs every turn, even if you don't have new technology; your fleets will be composed of an enormous hodgepodge of ship classes that will be difficult for the enemy to keep track of. Is that group of 8 ships a roving construction fleet, minesweepers, or a killer attack group? Or are they just empty hulls with engines mounted on them? And which of their neighbours do they have mutual defence pacts with, and which are their enemies? Which of _your_ neighbours are allies and enemies, for that matter - are they loyal or are they conspiring with your other opponents? Which planets are full of research facilities, and which are resource storage worlds? Is he trying to build a ringworld, or is there a nova bomb on that "construction" ship just waiting for you to move your fleet into the system?

As long as it is possible to communicate with other players secretly, there is room for bluff and counterbluff

Puke · #6 October 5th, 2001, 06:30 AM

sure, but that takes slightly more skill and intrigue than simply forcing someone to wonder if you have a fleet sitting off of their border poised to strike. what you are describing is the human element, and the good part about playing against people.

in any event, knowing where everything is would certainly change the way you approach the game.