Unit only empires

[LeTharg]

In several of the PBEM games I've played empires have been reduced to all units (mines). They have no planets, ships or population. Two things happen. First they lose all contact with other empires so they can't surrender and, secondly, they can't destruct their mines because this is simultaneous play. Bummer.

In fact in my Last game, there were two empires left in that state. Since it was a "Last player standing' game, the only way for me to win officially was to sweep all of space hoping to find the mines. Fortunately the host was a good guy and called it a win anyway.

Seems to me that an empire without ships or planets isn't much of an empire and should be automatically terminated. The leftover units could be destroyed or put into some sort of leftovers list waiting to nail anyone who found them.

On the other hand, if you want to be sure of staying in the game until the bitter end, scatter a few mines where no one will look for them. You'll stay around.