PBW Game Rules Rant

[Gandalph]

I can say, as the originator of the thread, that I hope this doesn't degrade to another Fyron argument. It is not the reason I posted it.

[gravey101]

I agree with your initial post Gandalph. I too have had games spoiled that I have invested a whole lotta time. The onus is on both sides.
Same goes for folk who quit games. If you;re not in it for the long haul, then show respect for the other guy's time and don't bother joining in the first place.

[Atrocities]

I agree that the rules should be posted clearly for all to see. In some cases rules are broken by accident or simply dilibrately but I feel most rule violations are not intentional.

A year ago I was in a game that prohibited colony trading of any kind. I then recieved Gas and Ice colony tech in ruin and proceeded to colonize the area. That was on turn 5 or 6.

I was protested and the game was halted because many other people felt I traded for technology. The game files were reviewed and I was cleared. The problem was that NO ONE told me I was under suspicition and it really soured me to the game. People wanted to restart the game and others did not because they were in a great position. I compermised and held off colonizing Ice and Gas worlds for 20 turns and it cost me the game.

I value good player conduct and adherance to the rules of the game. I even understand that some people may choose to intentionally violate these rules, but for the most part until Aaron includes a method to prevent colony tech trading the only two option are to limit the game type to OWN atomsphere or no Tech trades at all.

As for conduct such as sneak attacks and such they are ligitimate, yet un-favored tactics.

You can state in the rules of the game a Code Of Conduct or Rules of Play that clearly outline what is or is not allowed under the guise of diplomacy.

In other words, if you do not want to be attacked by an ally who is planning such a thing then state it in the rules that sneak attacks are prohibitted. Then sit back and what no one join your game.

I firmly believe that when a player joins a game they acknowledge that they will follow the rules of the game. That they will not gray the meaning of the rules to suit their own ambitions.

There are known rules of good player conduct and everyone who plays at PBW should know them and follow them. Past that, it is up to the players and the game host to determine additional rules for the game. And once those rules are fleshed out, abide by them. If a dispute or problem arises, then work toward solving it without bitterness. Remember in the end LTS. (Lifes To Short)

If it is not fun, why be involved with it?

[tbontob]

I agree most heartily with Gandalf.

But it would help if the host would put in large flaming-red colors the rule(s) which are not to be broken.

This would set them apart in a very obvious way.

Then it is in the players face and the player is much less likely to ignore or forget it.

Also, the "not to be broken rules" would be easier to find for those of us who happen to be a bit absent minded and needed to look them up later.

[ June 30, 2003, 15:31: Message edited by: tbontob ]

[tbontob]

Atrocities, I hear you when you speak about being under suspicion.

Nobody likes it and it certainly is an uncomfortable feeling, no matter how innocent the person may be.

Yet, how is a player to phrase it (if it can be phrased) so as to have the host look into a situation where there may be a "contravention of the rules".

Saying nothing allows the cheat and the player who innocently makes the mistake to get away with it.

IMO, the player who asked for the inquiry was quite proper to do so. Not doing so risks the cheat or the innocent player to have an unfair advantage.

As I see it, part of the problem derives from the stigma from being unjustly accused. In real life, being investigated and/or charged with a crime follows the person throughout his life even if the charges were dropped or not even filed.

But we are not in real life and this is just a game. You have a fine reputation and I for one would not think the suspicion diminishes your reputation in any way when you are cleared of it. If anything, it reaffirms my belief/feeling that you are a honest player who wants to abide by the rules.

The above being said, there is a problem where a player cannot be cleared of the suspicion of "contravening the rules" such as playing 2 or more empires in a game. In the example just given, seldom can we prove whether a player is cheating or not. Such things like IP addresses, etc are useful, but do not conclusively prove innocence or guilt. They are circumstantial evidence which are equally consistant with innocence or guilt although the probability leans more heavily to one side.

But probability is not proof of guilt and the innocent player who is exposed to such a situation would be under a very dark cloud indeed.

[Rojero]

Being that I am relatively new at the PBW game setup...I dont know exactly all the details? Are there certain thingfs that really bug the heck out of you guys? So I would not know the real problems...Is it simple etiquette or the rules?