Hello everyone! Well, this game has got so exiting that its drawn me out of my year-long lurking at this site. I kind of dismissed this Pitboss at the start, as Team 1 seemed to have it sewn up after the first dozen turns. But its turned into the most nail-biting ending I can remember reading on this site. Three team with a chance to win, and I love that Team 4 has just reemerged from obscurity with a potentially game-changing move. Whatever happens, I am so impressed by how doggedly everybody has played this out, and its great that we Lurkers are getting a climax that legitimately hinges on the actions on all 4 teams, rather than watching a clear leader run-down the clock until their opponents give in.
I can understand OleDavy's frustration, of course, about being invaded by Team 4, but I disagree with him that they should have tackled Team 1 instead. Just because they're coming in last doesn't mean Team 4 should act like a Mario Kart blue shell - they should keep playing to benefit their team as much as they can, and at this point I think taking advantage of Team 3's weakened border does just that. Attacking Team 1 with their tech disparity would be suicidal, hitting Team 3 might just net them some extra ground. Of course, it would be fascinating to know if Team 4 are aware of the upcoming culture win - and if so, if they would like to see it happen as a great, unorthodox ending , or if they're just taking advantage of knowing their opponent's attention is elsewhere.
On the subject of Team 2, I have nothing but praise. Choosing to go culture was unorthodox, interesting and brave, and has given us Lurkers something to cheer over. Especially since I'm a builder at heart. I would love if they scraped over the line, and I"m starting to think they might just do it. On the other hand, part of me really wants Team 3 to pull out the win. They've put their hearts and souls into this match, carrying on when I would have given up in despair. More than anything else, OleDavy's heartfelt posts have helped me, and I think a lot of Lurkers, see him as the 'Hero' of this game, and Team 1 as the Opponents. Nothing against Team 1, I have utmost respect for Sulla and CO, but if you're going to team the top players together and set yourselves up as the ones to beat, then you have to expect people will cheer for the Underdog. And, of course, their hubristic mistake about the Culture win is just too delicious.
Whatever happens, I vote OleDavy for Player of the Match. HIs reporting has been phenomenal, not least his last few posts. It will not be forgotten how hard he tried to save the world from Team 2's devilish artists, temples and libraries.
Final thought - how do you think Team 2 will respond if Team 3 does manage to take Beijing, or Team 1 seize MIlkshake? It would be so disheartening to be -that- close to victory, and then see your whole empire go down in flames,. I have no doubt they would continue to play on, but do you think they have the heart to keep updating? I suppose, either way, a Post-Culture battleground would be down to 2 teams anyway.
Oh, and Hello Everyone! I've really enjoyed reading all your posts these past months, and I'm looking forward to lurking more games with you all now that I Have been drawn out of the lurker folds. Cheers from Australia.
I can understand OleDavy's frustration, of course, about being invaded by Team 4, but I disagree with him that they should have tackled Team 1 instead. Just because they're coming in last doesn't mean Team 4 should act like a Mario Kart blue shell - they should keep playing to benefit their team as much as they can, and at this point I think taking advantage of Team 3's weakened border does just that. Attacking Team 1 with their tech disparity would be suicidal, hitting Team 3 might just net them some extra ground. Of course, it would be fascinating to know if Team 4 are aware of the upcoming culture win - and if so, if they would like to see it happen as a great, unorthodox ending , or if they're just taking advantage of knowing their opponent's attention is elsewhere.
On the subject of Team 2, I have nothing but praise. Choosing to go culture was unorthodox, interesting and brave, and has given us Lurkers something to cheer over. Especially since I'm a builder at heart. I would love if they scraped over the line, and I"m starting to think they might just do it. On the other hand, part of me really wants Team 3 to pull out the win. They've put their hearts and souls into this match, carrying on when I would have given up in despair. More than anything else, OleDavy's heartfelt posts have helped me, and I think a lot of Lurkers, see him as the 'Hero' of this game, and Team 1 as the Opponents. Nothing against Team 1, I have utmost respect for Sulla and CO, but if you're going to team the top players together and set yourselves up as the ones to beat, then you have to expect people will cheer for the Underdog. And, of course, their hubristic mistake about the Culture win is just too delicious.
Whatever happens, I vote OleDavy for Player of the Match. HIs reporting has been phenomenal, not least his last few posts. It will not be forgotten how hard he tried to save the world from Team 2's devilish artists, temples and libraries.
Final thought - how do you think Team 2 will respond if Team 3 does manage to take Beijing, or Team 1 seize MIlkshake? It would be so disheartening to be -that- close to victory, and then see your whole empire go down in flames,. I have no doubt they would continue to play on, but do you think they have the heart to keep updating? I suppose, either way, a Post-Culture battleground would be down to 2 teams anyway.
Oh, and Hello Everyone! I've really enjoyed reading all your posts these past months, and I'm looking forward to lurking more games with you all now that I Have been drawn out of the lurker folds. Cheers from Australia.
![[Image: pb6-oledavyhomage.jpg]](http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp323/jwmoore04/pb6-oledavyhomage.jpg)
