Attention Those in the Rubber Room!
Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2002 3:24 am
I agree. I always tried to force myself to plan any operation, collect assets manually, and provide a long build-up period to represent the long lead time required. But it required self-discipline and nothing game-imposed. And there were always times when my discipline would break down, and I would teleport fleets to invade half a world away to take advantage of a fleeting opportunity.
I think the game should impose some kind of limitations on performing large operations at short notice. The "get" function is good because it lets the computer handle some of the manual administrative stuff that players often hate to manage. Most players consider themselves generals and not logisticians; let the staff/computer handle it. But the "get" function allows teleporting. There should be some kind of penalty. Whether it is a built in delay, a requirement to declare invasion targets in advance, a limitation as to how many ships can enter a port in one turn, or something else, there should be some kind of limitation. Otherwise, we are left solely to our own self-discipline to maintain accuracy.
(Actually, the self-discipline model is a good one for Matrix. Players can then mount operations either way and satisfy both crowds. Having the game impose delays would only piss some players off.)
I think the game should impose some kind of limitations on performing large operations at short notice. The "get" function is good because it lets the computer handle some of the manual administrative stuff that players often hate to manage. Most players consider themselves generals and not logisticians; let the staff/computer handle it. But the "get" function allows teleporting. There should be some kind of penalty. Whether it is a built in delay, a requirement to declare invasion targets in advance, a limitation as to how many ships can enter a port in one turn, or something else, there should be some kind of limitation. Otherwise, we are left solely to our own self-discipline to maintain accuracy.
(Actually, the self-discipline model is a good one for Matrix. Players can then mount operations either way and satisfy both crowds. Having the game impose delays would only piss some players off.)