PBEM4 - Email and Technical Issues

[seifer_md]

Ok so no one signed a contract stating they will have their turn completed by the 24 hour cycle. We did however spend time determining a coordinated playing order and allocating times to play such that this would be achievable. Because of this I believe there is no reason why a turn shouldn't be completed per day. Yes things pop up in real life to upset this but rarely do we get explanations for why there is a delay and while I can't speak for everyone, this leaves me feeling like the offending player thinks their time and enjoyment is worth more than mine.

Every player who signed up for this game was looking for a challenging and fun experience competing against fellow Civ-lovers because of the enjoyment we get out of it. Obviously we get to experience this every time we play our turn. With that in mind I think every player needs to be a little more selfless and be aware that there are 5 other people involved in this game that want that same experience, and they miss out on this opportunity the moment you neglect completing your turn in time for them to play. We are part of a community and we have to be courteous to one another. If we want everyone to enjoy this than it really is that simple.

While we are on the subject of replacements I want to make it very clear that I have absolutely no intentions of giving up on this game. I never said I was going to quit, I'm a responsible person and I stick to my commitments. If Malakai chooses to leave us then he needs to be replaced, and at this stage I just don't know what level of spoiled-ness I would turn a blind eye to. The other side of the coin is finding a replacement for Strike, or rather a turn player.

Strike, please don't take my quarrel with you too personally, you are just in a shitty situation and unfortunately it's affecting everyone else playing this game. You have every right to play this game (as much as anybody else) so don't let anyone tell you otherwise, but at the same you have to realise how your slow pace is hurting everyone else. As far as I'm concerned you basically have two options:

a) you say "meh" and we continue playing slowly just how things are now at the detriment of the other players, or

b) we all happily organise a turn player for you until your circumstances improve.

Maybe I'm just overly biased but I can't see option b) being too harsh upon you. Already it potentially sounds like Twinkletoes can play your turns here, although I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard finding someone else if that weren't the case. At the very least can you please respond to this thread with your opinion because only through discussion are we going to be able to sort this hiccup out. Apologies for the length of this post.

[Malakai]

And for the record I have sent a few mails chasing this game direct to people by email but I am not going to mail people to chase them every turn.

From the start we have had problems with the pace of this game, originally it was cull who regularly held the game up a day or two before playing his turns, but just as cull started to get ALOT better at playing his turns in a timely manner (well done to him), strike took over as being the thing holding the game back.

Before the turn that took strike a week or so due to his laptop being stolen he was very quick to play. but ever since then (and it was a month or so ago) he has had the turn for at least a day or two before passing it on each time, in some cases longer.

When you have 6 players in a pbem, a single person holding the turn for a day or two every single turn gets old quickly.

I have done everything i can to speed up the game, from complaining to people, to ensuring i play whenever i can even out of my slot, I was getting up early to ensure i had time to check for the save before work even though i said i would only be able to play after work. If i knew the turn was only a couple people away from me i would check for the progress many times in a day....I am more than commited to see things though but i have my limits.

No offense to the players out there who do their best to play their turns

I doubt i will get involved in any more games on here, at least definately not PBEM ones.

Good luck and best wishes to everyone though

[Adlain]

Just thought id say, i helped out earlyer in the game with Cull - and stayed a dedicated lurker for him, but as i have not had any posts to tell whats happened in game scince July 17th im hapy to help out with a differant team if wanted to.

[Jowy]

Malakai, we're solving the speed problem atm. Honestly, and I think I can put this here now since you pretty much posted an official goodbye message, once you told me you had only played Civ4 for a month before this game I knew there would be a very high chance of you dropping out, especially with Civ5 on the way. Most players play a game for a little while and then lose interest, and those shouldn't really play a PBEM that can take a year. Just putting this out here since I don't think it's really fair to blame the slower players for you dropping out since the real reason isn't the speed, but that you just got bored of Civ4 and PBEM style long games. The fact that you're pretty much running off instead of trying to solve it just enforces the impression. Anyway, good luck with your future endeavors

[Malakai]

I am not going to get into an argument with you but your way off the mark, it was completely the game speed issues, I was really enjoying the game and have not lost interest at all. Now I think you should drop this.

PS:- I made it clear that if the speed issues can be resolved i would still play and there was no response forthcoming from the persons concerned so its apparent the speed issues, that i have requested people sort out for literally months now, will not be resolved.

Have a good day

[Strike700]

I had typed out a longer response but I'm not sure where it went.

Anyway the tl;Dr version is that it doesnt look my speed issues are going to be solved anytime soon unfortunately so I would gladly welcome any help that would prevent this from stalling.

Sorry guys.

--Strike700

Edit: I'm on my phone right now but ill play the turn as soon as I get home.

[Kyan]

Ok, so if TT turnplays for Strike and Adlain assists Cull, then we're all good and maybe we can continue.

If we can guarantee at least 1 turn per 2 days (aiming for 1 in 1) then i assume Malakai would be happy to continue playing.

I don't really mind too much about the level of spoiledness to be honest.

Whilst we're on the subject, i wouldn't mind a dedicated lurker just to help out now and again (i do have blackspots where i can't play for a chunk of time. Luckily, so far these have all been covered by others' slow play ). If there's nobody unspoiled then just an occasional turnplayer would do and i'll ask in here if i fore-see it happening.

Furthermore, whilst we're all around and reading the thread, i personally would appreciate a report at the next big turn milestone (75?) so i can see after the game how things have developed. and where i can improve for future.

[Twinkletoes89]

OK then, I'll cover for Strike until his issues are resolved.

[Jowy]

I think Malakai pretty much resigned from this game and RealmsBeyond altogether. So we might need a replacement for him, too. Also, I'd like to hear Cull's opinion on all this before proceeding on.

[Malakai]

If TT joins strikes team and play speeds up i would happily continue, am pretty sure my previous posts already said as much, and i am continuing to monitor the situation as i do not want to ruin the game for other people if it can be avoided.