(May 21st, 2013, 08:43)NobleHelium Wrote: And what does the successfulness of the PBs have to do with anything? It's not like the mod has some quality that makes people less likely to get pissed off at each other or behave in a ridiculous manner like completely ignoring the spirit of the rules. The new PBs are played under AI diplo, and they don't have Lord Parkin in them. That is the difference.
Success can define numerous values, in this instance I'm using it to mean the following: That the games last beyond 150 turns without 1 player being an obvious runaway. I know that a lot of players appreciate not having to play games that are already effectively lost, because it's viewed as wasted time. PBs 5 and 8 (have) lasted a significant length of time whilst providing fresh game play challenges for the majority of players. PB8 map for instance took 4 hours to find, constantly regenerating maps, and would still have been unplayable using base BtS. The fact that players wish to play on different map types, with additional randomness, and enjoy doing with the mod but do not want to do it with base BtS is measure of the success.
Note I'm not saying that the mod is the best thing since sliced bread, or that it is perfect. I'm saying that it fulfils a niche for a segment of the player base. I personally do not care that not everyone appreciates that niche, nor do I have any reason to, but so long as the niche is still wanted there is no reason to alter the mod to meet other players wishes.