Multi-player PBEM reserve list

[Kingmaker]

HiHi

Having played a fair amount of ‘Medieval Diplomacy’ in the past I know from experience that these Multi-player games can be cursed with dropouts [:@] , sometimes for valid reasons like Ill health, Job change, Girlfriend/wife wanting attention etc , but most often it seems to be a case of folk biting off more than they can chew.

So, do folk out there think it may be a good idea if we have a list of ‘Reserves’ established in the ‘Opponents wanted’ thread whereby, in the event of dropouts, brave souls could step in after a game has started and take up the extra challenge of sorting out the previous players mistakes.[8|]

I have done it and it can be a Nightmare, but sort of, “Fun!!!???”, in a weird way, initial reaction on taking over is often something like, “WHAT the ####!!!???” but as I suggested ,“Challenging”. [X(]

Thoughts ?

All the Best
Peter

[Anthropoid]

I've had some really fun times with PBEMs . . . probably about 6 times or maybe 7 to be exact!

In contrast, the other 50-some-odd games just faded out.

In theory, if we were all retired and had nothing better to do, I think PBEMs are a blast (as long as you are not being trounced, at which point them become a drag to just plod through turns . . . at least in many games where it can be very difficult to recover from major losses). But in the realworld they are fraught with problems.

So having said all that, I will, quite tentatively and with some reservation, through my hat in the ring as a 'reserve.'

ADDIT: my most annoying experience in a PBEM was in FoF. I had my name on some list over at Blitzkrieg or some place, and some guy sends me an email. I say sure, and (foolishly) say "ah whatever rules is fine" figuring he'll just hit default, or if he doesn't he'll clue me in (being a good sport and all). Then after a few turns I realize that he had the economy settings, etc., set to be TOTALLY in favor of the Union (the side he was playing) . . . . ahhh, _THAT_ explains why those "incompetent" Union troops are trouncing my Johnny Rebs right in the very first battles of the game! He's got money coming out of his ears and he has already bought lots of promotions, artillery, etc. Within 10 or 11 turns, he had the CSA on the ropes, and I threw in my hat. He got his win, but I'll never play another PBEM with him.

Any game engine can be exploited, even in a PBEM, for the sake of gaining an unrealistic and ahistorical advantage and quick, massive win. That is not what a PBEM is about IMHO. A PBEM is about good comraderie, role-playing (optional), and a fun and fairminded matching of wits. If you any of you guys are the sort who like to figure out the "trick" that makes you a bad ass in game, you can count me out.

[Mus]

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

ADDIT: my most annoying experience in a PBEM was in FoF. I had my name on some list over at Blitzkrieg or some place, and some guy sends me an email. I say sure, and (foolishly) say "ah whatever rules is fine" figuring he'll just hit default, or if he doesn't he'll clue me in (being a good sport and all). Then after a few turns I realize that he had the economy settings, etc., set to be TOTALLY in favor of the Union (the side he was playing) . . . . ahhh, _THAT_ explains why those "incompetent" Union troops are trouncing my Johnny Rebs right in the very first battles of the game! He's got money coming out of his ears and he has already bought lots of promotions, artillery, etc. Within 10 or 11 turns, he had the CSA on the ropes, and I threw in my hat. He got his win, but I'll never play another PBEM with him.

LOL.