[NO PLAYERS] PBEM 7 Map Making & Lurkers

[MJW (ya that one)]

Mikeforall has logged in for some reason? I noticed because he set his status to away. I think he lurked around because he thought that Japper or Cornflakes might need help but now it's obvious that they are going to die soon so they don't need help. He set his status to away to show he won't be back anymore. That's what I'm guessing.

[Shimomo]

Sullla is playing the great scientist minigame well, but Archduke seems to be playing it better.

[Japper007]

Mikeforall has logged in for some reason? I noticed because he set his status to away. I think he lurked around because he thought that Japper or Cornflakes might need help but now it's obvious that they are going to die soon so they don't need help. He set his status to away to show he won't be back anymore. That's what I'm guessing.

Mike has been reading along with my threads from time to time just because he's my friend and likes to see how I do. He genlurks so I expressly forbid him from posting stuff or chatting to me about the games while they are ungoing. I do not condone cheating in any way (mostly cause I couldn't care less about winning as long as I'm having fun), I was truly oblivious to his cheating and was utterly soul-crushed when it came out (I even put our IRL friendship on the backburner for a week or so after I heard, we've since made amends though I still tease him about it occasionally) Probably just Google still having his account saved or something, think nothing off it. IIRC he's not been banned or anything right? So it's perfectly legit for him to be seen on the site?

[MJW (ya that one)]

Mikeforall has logged in for some reason? I noticed because he set his status to away. I think he lurked around because he thought that Japper or Cornflakes might need help but now it's obvious that they are going to die soon so they don't need help. He set his status to away to show he won't be back anymore. That's what I'm guessing.

Mike has been reading along with my threads from time to time just because he's my friend and likes to see how I do. He genlurks so I expressly forbid him from posting stuff or chatting to me about the games while they are ungoing. I do not condone cheating in any way (mostly cause I couldn't care less about winning as long as I'm having fun), I was truly oblivious to his cheating and was utterly soul-crushed when it came out (I even put our IRL friendship on the backburner for a week or so after I heard, we've since made amends though I still tease him about it occasionally) Probably just Google still having his account saved or something, think nothing off it. IIRC he's not been banned or anything right? So it's perfectly legit for him to be seen on the site?

When you get banned your name looks like this so he isn't banned. You set away status on your profile page. That causes an obvious orange circle to appear next to your name. It has nothing to do with Google. The main reason I commented is that I've never seen "away" status before.

[Japper007]

When you get banned your name looks like this so he isn't banned. You set away status on your profile page. That causes an obvious orange circle to appear next to your name. It has nothing to do with Google. The main reason I commented is that I've never seen "away" status before.

The Google part of the comment was refering to how Chrome has that feature that automatically saves your passwords and keeps you logged in.

[Cornflakes]

It doesn't matter who wins the game. The winner is only important insofar as it makes the game more interesting for the players while it is unclear. The important part is that they have fun while playing the game. If that happens I'm sure they'll call it a good outcome.

I'm really surprised at how oblivious Japper apparently is to the pain train coming his way from Sullla. I mean, he's even playing Rome in PBEM5, I would think that would at least kinda clue him in to just how strong legions are.  At the very least he's about to really wish his swords were not off attacking Nan Madol

This is of course CMF/Woden's question too, but Japper/Cornflakes have already answered it in their thread:  They are intentionally ignoring the possibility that Sullla might attack them because CMF/Woden have telegraphed their intentions even more heavy-handedly, even further in advance, and in such a way as to encourage a revenge mindset.  Japper/Cornflakes already know with certainty (and of course correctly) that CMF/Woden will attack them at the next convenient opportunity, and their assessment is that if Sullla also attacks, it doesn't matter what they do:  They're going to be the meat in a pain sandwich, and will rapidly be eliminated.

This is actually the same (correct) calculus that Woden made when you complained about his failure to help you against [the "runaway" leader of the moment] in PBeM4:  Thinking about the game from the perspective of a team with a shot at victory, you're failing to appreciate how the calculation differs for a team with nothing to lose.

If you can't [help to rein in the runaway] or [try to defend a second frontier] and still retain any hope of eventual victory, you have to cling to the chance, no matter how slim, that something will break your way: The second- and/or third-place team reining in the runaway without your help while you build up your civ (as actually happened in PBeM4, so quickly and thoroughly that Woden still couldn't catch up anyway, only partly because he wavered in his resolve) or your second powerful neighbor letting you fight your bitter enemy instead of claiming a share of your carcass for themselves (looks like Cornflakes/Japper won't be so lucky in this case, but it's still their only hope).

Realistically though, the distant-fourth-place team in question wasn't going to win the game in either of these cases.  They probably each made the right decision to preserve any microscopic chance they had ... but they may also just be doing whatever they think is most fun at this point:  Not a terrible response to a guaranteed loss.

I think these two posts sum up the situation very well. For me at least I enjoy a hard fought loss than a walk in the park victory (hence why playing against the AI lost it’s entertainment value very quickly). Given the razing of the city in the east and the extremely weak Khmer when I took over, we were guaranteed a resumption of war after the DOF expired. Might as well hope for the best that Rome + China would support us against their enemy, we’re doomed anyway if they attack.

I genuinely thought I had a sliver of a chance at catching CMF off guard, assuming that he would pursue naval techs and delay crossbows + knights. I was expecting an attack from Woden with just a single GGeneral, with a power rating of around 700 (double my pre-upgrade strength, and equal to my post upgrade strength). With a GG of my own I thought maybe I could push off upgrading until Woden committed far beyond his supply-line capabilities, and then crush his attack in my territory thus allowing me to make gains against CMF. Truly a long-shot, but something to play for and a mini-goal to enjoy planning around. I haven’t had a chance to read through the threads fully (just skimmed quickly through the war turns) but was impressed by Woden’s commitment of resources to the war effort.

No grudge or hard feelings against Woden or CMF, just setting a goal to survive as long as possible and enjoying the struggle to keep my head above water as long as possible Sure, Woden and CMF ended up getting the worse deal, but I might have done them a huge favor by  the slowing their conquest of Khmer just enough to tip Sullla and Singaboy into giving them a DOF 1 turn before they completed VA

[Trasson]

First Jesuit Education.

Then the Venetian Arsenal.

Now Darwin.

Not gonna lie, Rome's plans constantly getting the rug pulled out under them is becoming my favorite running joke.

[rho21]

Great call on timing from TheArchduke.

[Shimomo]

Great call on timing from TheArchduke.

Yes, incredible awareness. However, I overestimated his planning, as I thought his projects would come through for him. Trading 1000 gold for (a probably 1000  ) Darwin, while it certainly is a win, isn't a huge win for a team in need of a lot of gold. But it was definitely the right play, considering Sullla would have popped him for 2000 

[Brian Shanahan]

Great call on timing from TheArchduke.

Yes, incredible awareness. However, I overestimated his planning, as I thought his projects would come through for him. Trading 1000 gold for (a probably 1000  ) Darwin, while it certainly is a win, isn't a huge win for a team in need of a lot of gold. But it was definitely the right play, considering Sullla would have popped him for 2000 

Depends. As Sullla keeps saying in the thread (unaware, of course of the real purpose for the gold), that much gold and more is needed to keep the Russo-German armies and fleets relevant.

No point getting Darwin if it denies you the ability to defend yourself.