to email or not to email

gravey101 · #1 November 1st, 2001, 11:41 PM

I was wondering if it were considered bad form to use regular email to discuss tactics/treaties/whatever for a PBW game as opposed to using the in-game communication method which is difficult to use at best becuase of the 2 turn lag. What's the consensus (if there is one)? I never see any game admins mention it one way or another in their descriptions.

Aristoi · #2 November 1st, 2001, 11:45 PM

I've used it in various ways in games. Usually it is to coordinate with allies, but I've never heard it considered poor form or anything.

Deathstalker · #3 November 1st, 2001, 11:46 PM

I've never really done this myself, just done the whole comm-thing in game. But most of what I read has admins allowing e-mail between races who have made treaties with each other. Then again some people really frown upon it as it allows really 'tight' strategy sessions. When in doubt, e-mail your admin of the game and ask him/her.

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geoschmo · #4 November 2nd, 2001, 12:01 AM

D is right on here. There really is no standard policy on this. It varies from game to game, and even from person to person within a game.

Personally I don't like it until I have at least met the other race in game, although I have even done that in one game IIRC. After meeting them though I usually don't mind at all. I try to keep my emails in character when possible though.

The worst thing that can happen is for you to do it thinking it's no big deal because you did it in another game, and then have someomne accuse you of playing unfairly because of it. It's best to talk to the game owner, and get him to set a policy one way or another and make it known for each game you are in. That way no one is suprised.

Geoschmo

gravey101 · #5 November 2nd, 2001, 12:06 AM

think I'll just make a practice of asking the host of any game I'm in to say whether it's ok or not. The in-game comms can be almost impossible to do anything other than make basic treaties.

Dracus · #6 November 2nd, 2001, 12:42 AM

if you use e-mail rather then the in-game Messages, then the comm taps for an intell project are useless. either way, I don't think you should contact a player until you have met them in the game.

Baron Munchausen · #7 November 2nd, 2001, 01:37 AM

Suggestion: As a 'convention' for fair conduct you could require that a 'diplomatic mission' reach one homeworld from the other empire before those two empires can engage in direct email contact. Once an ambassador arrives, after all, you can have all sorts of free-wheeling conversations that are much too slow and clumsy over long-distance channels. Exactly what constitutes a 'diplomatic mission'? Well, a single warship, at least. You could just possibly create a special component that does nothing but designate a diplmatic courier, though. Call it 'diplomatic quarters' or something like that?

[This message has been edited by Baron Munchausen (edited 01 November 2001).]

osb1014 · #8 November 2nd, 2001, 08:15 PM

I agree with most of the comments.

You should talk to the host of the game and follow his standard of rules regarding outside game contact.

Even if you know another player in the game you should (as a player) be honest enough to not talk about stratagies until the two of your races meet in the game.

***Question***
Can intelligence operations intercept Messages between other races?, that would be the only reason to keep the Messages in the game communication only.

Richard (osb1014@pacbell.net)

Puke · #9 November 2nd, 2001, 08:28 PM

answer: yes.

Cheeze · #10 November 3rd, 2001, 01:55 AM

I agree it's not a bad idea to have the host ask and set a form for email. I think it's necessary, as there are certain matters that can be resolved quickly. Try arranging a trade between two empires with the message delay...ick!

You must continue some comms in the game, at least to give potential "eavesdroppers" something to hear or block. Perhaps email can be limited to large discussions that really cannot be done only in the confines of the game's comm channels.