The etiquette of surrender
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:48 am
Several AARs have discussed the problem of disappearing acts and when surrendering is acceptable in PvP, so I thought this topic deserved its own thread. Very few 41Gc games are getting beyond 10% of the 225 turns
This is NOT about when players have to withdraw for proper RL reasons but simply when they are not doing as well as hoped, or simply disappear without trace.
Most of my games have been plagued with opponents giving up without any warning or at ridiculously early stages. I should make it clear that I'm very lucky in that all of my current opponents are tenacious players who don't give up. I've even had 2 germans give up after 3 turns, for example and one of those promised before I agreed to play him that he would fight to the bitter end. One
I have surrendered 1 game early (out of about 15 or so server games) after being comprehensively thrashed by Michael T. I made it clear I would play on if M had wanted me to, but he kindly (and rightly!) agreed there was no real point.
this is only a game and there is nothing anyone can do to stop people giving up but in my opinion this should be discouraged, and ground rules set at the start.
Here are my suggestions:
1 Players wanting a fight to the end should make that clear at the start and those not prepared to do likewise should not ask to play them.
2 where 1 player has a point at which he would want to gve up, that should be clear from the start. For example I had one who said he would surrender at the end of '43 if his russians were still bogged down in trench warfare. I was happy to agree that. Sadly this was not Baelfiin but I hope he reads this and sees the wisdom of that approach [:D]
3 RL takes precedence but opponents deserve some sort of explanation.
4 When a player changes his mind because he is not dinig well and no longer wants to play, he should ask their opponents if it's OK to surrender and opponent should accept, unless a compromise can be worked out. A little flexibility on both sides can make a nore satisfactory experience for both
5 disappearing acts without explanation, stopping answering emails etc are never acceptable.
6 those who resign games must use the resign button to do so, so the winner does not have to email slitherine to remove the game.
7 Posters on forums (especially testers????) should neither encourage players to resign or criticise either decisions to play on or arrangements made between players about the basis on which they agree to play on. It's their game, no one else's. NB it is perfectly acceptable to express a contrary opinion without being critical of the players.
8 If you are not sure about your willingness to stick at it, go with your doubts and either play PvP in shorter scenarios or at least be open with your intended opponent so you both know where you both stand.
I do not believe that any of these suggestions go beyond basic good manners. They are not intended to.
This is NOT about when players have to withdraw for proper RL reasons but simply when they are not doing as well as hoped, or simply disappear without trace.
Most of my games have been plagued with opponents giving up without any warning or at ridiculously early stages. I should make it clear that I'm very lucky in that all of my current opponents are tenacious players who don't give up. I've even had 2 germans give up after 3 turns, for example and one of those promised before I agreed to play him that he would fight to the bitter end. One
I have surrendered 1 game early (out of about 15 or so server games) after being comprehensively thrashed by Michael T. I made it clear I would play on if M had wanted me to, but he kindly (and rightly!) agreed there was no real point.
this is only a game and there is nothing anyone can do to stop people giving up but in my opinion this should be discouraged, and ground rules set at the start.
Here are my suggestions:
1 Players wanting a fight to the end should make that clear at the start and those not prepared to do likewise should not ask to play them.
2 where 1 player has a point at which he would want to gve up, that should be clear from the start. For example I had one who said he would surrender at the end of '43 if his russians were still bogged down in trench warfare. I was happy to agree that. Sadly this was not Baelfiin but I hope he reads this and sees the wisdom of that approach [:D]
3 RL takes precedence but opponents deserve some sort of explanation.
4 When a player changes his mind because he is not dinig well and no longer wants to play, he should ask their opponents if it's OK to surrender and opponent should accept, unless a compromise can be worked out. A little flexibility on both sides can make a nore satisfactory experience for both
5 disappearing acts without explanation, stopping answering emails etc are never acceptable.
6 those who resign games must use the resign button to do so, so the winner does not have to email slitherine to remove the game.
7 Posters on forums (especially testers????) should neither encourage players to resign or criticise either decisions to play on or arrangements made between players about the basis on which they agree to play on. It's their game, no one else's. NB it is perfectly acceptable to express a contrary opinion without being critical of the players.
8 If you are not sure about your willingness to stick at it, go with your doubts and either play PvP in shorter scenarios or at least be open with your intended opponent so you both know where you both stand.
I do not believe that any of these suggestions go beyond basic good manners. They are not intended to.