How to be a good game owner

[geoschmo]

These are tips that I have picked up playing a lot of PBW games, many as the owner, and many as just a player. Although I am coming from a perspective of a PBW host, these apply to PBEM games as well.

1. Less is more
Grand epic role play games with hundreds of systems and 20 players look really good on paper. But the fact is the more players you have the longer it will take between turns. With lots of players, chances are good that everyday at least one person will be unavailable to do their turn, and then everybody has to wait, even if the game is on automatic turns. It's very frustrating being in a 48 hour turn game where everybody but one player gets their turn done in 6 hours, but you have to wait for them. It's even more frustrating when they never submit their turn and the AI plays for them anyway, because now not only did you have to wait, but the waiting was totally wasted. A game with a half dozen active players can have a lot more action, and interaction, then one with the same half dozen active players and two more that aren't really into it. I am not saying large games don't have a place, but use them sparingly, and monitor them carefully.

2. Keep It Simple Stupid
Complex backstories and intricate rules of engagement can be really fun to design, but they take a LOT of work to pull off successfully. They will require constant ongoing support and administering of the game, and arbitrating disputes. If you aren't cut out for it, don't even think about it. Many times it's better to simply set the stage and let the players develop the story. Afterall, that's the difference in a game and a novel.

3. Set the ground rules
House rules by definition are unusual and unenforceable. They can only exist by the mutual consent of all the players involved. Therefore it is absolutely critical that they are clearly defined, and posted in a place where all can see. If the game is on PBW, don't send them in an email. Put them in the game description, or in the forum. Actually put them in both places. And remember to draw new players attention to it. Don't assume they will see it, make sure they do. ASSUME NOTHING. There are NO established commonly held house rules for PBW games. NONE. I have been in more games on PBW than just about anybody, and I can say that with 100% clarity. Just because it was in the Last 3 games you were in, doesn't mean it's in every game. Make it clear to everyone involved. This includes bug exploits and the like. Is it Ok to have more than 100 mines in orbit around your planets? Is it ok to use colony ships as low tech minesweepers? Is it ok to trade colony ships in a no tech trade game? What about planets? These are things the game allows you to do that you may want to ban. If you do, make sure everyone understands this.

4. Restarts suck
Encourage your players to verify their passwords before submitting their empire files. Try to open everyone's empire from the players screen while you are setting up the first turn. If they forgot to set one, don't start the game until you get a new one. If they set a password but forgot it, then let them know you are really sorry and will reset it for them on the first turn. I don't think anybody ever lost a PBW game because they couldn't get frigate tech on the first turn. And if they did, it was still their fault for not setting their password correctly. Random starting position is one of the cornerstones of SEIV. It's part of life to play the hand you were dealt. Vegas dealers don't redeal because a player dropped a card face up on the table by accident. Restarting punishes the half of the players that did what they were supposed to and end up with a worse starting position for it. Don't punish them for the mistakes of others.

5. Keep your head
If something weird happens in a game, don't immediately go off the deep end assuming it's the work of cheaters, hackers, viruses, game bugs, etc. Look for a simple explanation first. If you can't figure it out, calmly collect all the facts, reassure your players that these things almost always end up being something really simple, and contact the PBW admin team. We have a lot of experience dealing with suspected cheating and bugs. We may have seen exactly the situation you find yourself in and be able to explain what is happening. But once you get your players all worked up and paranoid, it's hard to put the genie back in the bottle. Keep in mind someone in your game may be playing their first PBW game. They may not have the experience needed to understand this stuff.

6. Be flexible
If a situation arises that you had not expected and planned for in the house rules, be flexible. Get your players opinions instead of arbitrarily dictating to them. Respect their differences of opinion and different perspectives. If you decide to go against a particular persons wishes, or even the majority of the players, explain why you are doing it. Most of the time they will understand and respect you even if they don't agree. In the end it is your game and you are the one responsible, but it won't be any fun if you are the only one left in it.

7. Have fun
Duh. Remember it's a game. Remind your players too.

Geoschmo
PBW Admin Team

[AeoN2]

Very useful post... thanks...

I haven't tried PBW yet, but as soon as I'm sure I won't make a total fool of myself I'm going to try (as long as the AI can take me by surprise I haven't played enough )

--
AeoN2
--
Corollary to the First Law of Revision:
In simple cases, presenting one obvious right way versus
one obvious wrong way, it is often wiser to choose the wrong
way, so as to expedite subsequent revision.

[Taera]

Hey thats one great post. I suggest you put it somewhere in PBW because it would be the perfect place. Just keep it, dont let it be lost in the endless Posts of Here

[Gimboid]

Originally posted by Taera:
Hey thats one great post. I suggest you put it somewhere in PBW because it would be the perfect place. Just keep it, dont let it be lost in the endless Posts of Here

Good idea. I will add it to the next FAQ update for PBW

[Atrocities]

First and foremost thank you.

Encourage your players to verify their passwords before submitting their empire files. Try to open everyone's empire from the players screen while you are setting up the first turn. If they forgot to set one, don't start the game until you get a new one. If they set a password but forgot it, then let them know you are really sorry and will reset it for them on the first turn. I don't think anybody ever lost a PBW game because they couldn't get frigate tech on the first turn. And if they did, it was still their fault for not setting their password correctly. Random starting position is one of the cornerstones of SEIV. It's part of life to play the hand you were dealt. Vegas dealers don't redeal because a player dropped a card face up on the table by accident. Restarting punishes the half of the players that did what they were supposed to and end up with a worse starting position for it. Don't punish them for the mistakes of others

Good point.

[geoschmo]

No problem. These are just good suggestions to follow from my experience.

Please don't read this as some sort of rule book or the official policy of PBW or anything like that. We don't set official policies for these kinds of things. They are up to the game owner. This is just my effort to help you from my experience to have a smoother game and give you and your players the most fun possible.

Geoschmo

[Stone Mill]

Excellent Guidelines. Cheers, geo.