I'm done subbing for GJ now that he has posted. I assume he's back on the job.
I was pretty meticulous on reporting turns to explain decisions based upon information available in game. I have not read OH/Fin's thread in several weeks (although to be fair with the recent turn pace that isn't many turns). Their reputation as predatory neighbors is well known so it is not a big leap of intuition to infer that Joey's civ is on the menu, if not now then soon. I specifically did not reinforce coastal cities beyond what Joey was already doing, due entirely to my knowledge that OH/Fin were contemplating an attack with Galleons. Since Joey had not prepared for that eventuality I did not allow my spoiler knowledge to benefit him. I did continue what was his obvious intent to produce more knights. I also repositioned forces in a way that makes more sense, in the direction of the stronger, more aggressive, and more competent neighbor. Geography supports this decision as well, as the southern cities are less important and there is a lot of cultural buffer and jungle to slow down any advance from DZ in that area, allowing time to reposition stacks again from north to south. A prudent veteran player would have done no differently given knowledge of both opponents' skill and relative strength of their civs.
I think your criticism of my play is inaccurate and the characterization of actions taken as "far from being neutral" is unwarranted. Would you rather the game have just languished until Joey finally got around to posting? Or that the civ was converted to AI and became an immediate buffet for OH/Fin? A spoiled sub is an imperfect solution but is much preferable to the game just dying on the vine, as it has nearly done already.
What BGN said. Nothing that's reported is unreasonable for a vet to have done. You tech guilds, you build in ghts and you place them where they are useful.
BGN, sorry if my post was a bit too harsh. I'm sure you had only good intentions and you've done a lot to help this game moving along.
But I also understand Fin/OH being sour on this situation. Their opinion as predators was also known to GJ and still, he positioned his troops the way he did. If they gave you a specific clue, they are about to attack, it's a different story. But in this case I just feel repositioning was unnecessary as a short-term sub. Anyway, it probably doesn't metter for the game too much.
Perception matters in emotional responses. This is why making detailed turn reports is the perfect opportunity to show no malfeasance occurred, and that the perception of the "wronged" party does not match reality.
As a side note, trying to play a game as the "reasonable vet" is a hell of a role play challenge.
Haram, OT and Fintourist are ruthless. Just read PB13 where they burnt Ichabod's entire navy in a single turn, or PBEM where they took out Pindicators entire core in 2 turns.
To acknowledge them as a threat does not require spoiler knowledge. It requires general knowledge that is forum specific, so to act on that knowledge is acceptable play expected from a reasonable vet.
See also that I specifically did not reinforce where Joey knowingly left coastal cities completely undefended. That seems a choice he made. Repositioning units included gathering up individual and small stacks of units that had likely been fortified forever due to apathy or neglect. If invaded, I would have needed to account for all available troops anyway. This was instead done proactively in a way that eased administrative duties for turnplaying by consolidating several small sets of units into a more manageable (and useful/effective) stack.
It is obvious that Joey has not cared about this game for a long while and it's hard to blame him. I just made it more manageable to play turns in a way that made sense. Thanks, krill, for your thoughts too.
(October 6th, 2018, 05:40)Old Harry Wrote: In contrast I couldn't feel less WTF towards BGN - we have no idea if he or GJ would have put more effort into preparing defences but I know that the Mongols can see almost everything that we've been doing and if Boldly hadn't made the moves that he did it'd be negligent.
Accept my apology, BGN. I didn't know it was that obvious.
NP. It's hard to get a full read on the situation and what a player can see without logging in yourself. As expected, the first turn strike from the sea was pretty catastrophic, but with Joey's 10 minute turn I don't feel bad at all. May it be a quick, painless, and ultimately fruitless death for Joey.
(October 1st, 2018, 01:38)mackoti Wrote: I think is time to end this game. I vote yes, please other say your opinion...
(October 2nd, 2018, 09:21)Gavagai Wrote: I just want to point out that instead of this game we could be playing two 12-players Pitbosses. Think about that.
(October 2nd, 2018, 10:47)spacetyrantxenu Wrote:
(October 2nd, 2018, 10:16)Rusten Wrote: I'm happy to end it, but people who have something to play for should have a bigger say.
I'd like to hear from TBS before making my own comment. Ultimately he has to be interested in continuing, conceding, abandoning, or whatever. Consensus is obviously important and I don't want to waste anyone's time playing out the string, but there's still life in the game as long as the contenders are engaged.
(October 5th, 2018, 07:30)Commodore Wrote: Hey gang. Mackoti just declared war on TBS.
(October 8th, 2018, 07:49)Commodore Wrote: Can we kill this please? I don't think TBS cares to, you know, defend.
(October 7th, 2018, 18:00)The Black Sword Wrote: Yeah, I officially concede. I keep tabbing out of the game every 10 minutes, I can't make myself play any sort of reasonable turn.
I'd put the players' vote heavily in favor of conceding to mack and ending the game. The only folks who seem to have an interest in continuing (rather than fulfilling duty/playing out of obligation) are Xenu (culture attempt but stated ambivalence due to turn pace), DZ (guess he likes to sandbox), and Team Old Tourist, who it may be said have just had their only possible win condition become viable (TBS/mackoti world war), but if TBS isn't up for the grueling fight then it's mack in a walkover anyway.
Gavagai wants to be done babysitting my civ, Mr. Cairo seems pretty ambivalent but has nothing really left to accomplish except to stay alive. The same goes for naufrager. Adrien hasn't posted in ages and I don't see any indication that he's interested in keeping this alive. His position in game is unlikely to change or matter for the outcome. Commodore is obviously not going to win and he has stated a preference to quit. William, Joey, Rusten, Elkad are all ready for this to be done as well.
I feel bad for players who have built up for some interesting turns coming up: Dreylin can still have some fun with his war vs. dtay, who certainly would like to be done with this game; Team Old Tourist will find the fun in the micro, but actually have a feasible conquest underway and could, if allowed time, expand that conquest to sweep down the peninsula until someone (no one?) makes them stop [counterfactual scenario is that mackoti beats them to metal boats by many turns and razes their coastal cities to force concession in 50 turns anyway]; PindiLew vs. plako will be 75% fun for them and ~3% fun for plako (who knows since he never reports).
I hate to agree...but I agree. Too many people aren't enjoying it anymore, and the outcome isn't really in doubt. It was worth going on while TBS had a shot, but if he doesn't have the morale to fight, then he can't win.
My only hesitation is that I don't see it being easy to organize another game for the people who are still having fun. But on reflection, that's probably because so many of the other participants aren't enjoying themselves.
