Re: Olympia - Time for G2?

From: cedman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Carl F. Edman)

Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000

In article <44esrj$bae@saba.info.ucla.edu>,
Rob Rodgers  <rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu> wrote:
> Thanks, Carl, for proving my point that G1 may be "dead" more eloquently
> than I ever could.  In a open ended game, it should be possible for every
> player, if he/she survives, to perform any possible act allowed by the
> rules.

I agree hat G1 is probably pretty much dead, in particular in light of
last months events.  A few more lose ends to tie up, but that's all.  Not
that I'd consider BtAs boast proof enough.  Maybe they are empty.  Maybe
he is just trying to stir up some opposition.

> If the first player to reach the highest level act can
> effectively (and yes, Carl, we all know how effective you are) keep ANY
> OTHER PLAYER from performing that act, then he has won the game.  I once
> posted an anonymous rumor about a mythical "Tome of Advanced Sorcery"
> just to see how much such an item might be worth, and only one person
> responded.

That might as well have been because most people realize that there is no
such thing.  But then that is true of half the items advertized in the OT.

> If BTA is the only person
> who can transport dragons into my castle (which he is likely to do after
> this post) then the game is over.

BtA might or might not be transporting dragons to your castle.  However
that decision will have nothing to do with your or anybody elses post to
this forum.  Personally I consider everything in rec.games.pbm to be
obviously out of character.  RUMORs, POSTs and PRESSes are fair game of
course.

> Others, notably John Morrow, have been posting about possible "fixes" to
> G1.  Well, if I were Carl Edman I'd scream bloody murder about that.
> After all, the game has loopholes--all complex systems do--and he has
> found them and taken full advantage.  However, my $2.50 ought to go as
> far his, and it doesn't in G1.

It might interest you to know that some months ago, I pleaded with Rich
(and he can confirm that) to make a number of rules changes along the
lines suggested by John Morrow.  I felt then that the AOO was growing too
powerful and the oppositon too ineffectual for the long term good of the
game and that the only way to save it would have been a major shakeup,
even if that shakeup would hurt primarily the AOO -- after all they had
the most to lose.  Unfortunately I could not convince Rich.

As far as loopholes are concerned, it has been the policy of many AOO
members (including myself) to only exploit features which could be
regarded as such after mailing Rich, pointing out all the consequences
and giving him a chance to close them before they are used by anyone.
I pointed out what you consider the "loopholes" in the magic rules to
Rich more than a year ago.  Only after he made it clear that these were
intentional features, I concentrated all my resources on getting into a
position to make the best possible use of them.  It was that (in addition
to some luck) which put BtA into the position he is now.

Carl Edman

References

Olympia - Time for G2?
Rob Rodgers <rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu>
Mon, 25 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Olympia - Time for G2?
cedman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Carl F. Edman)
Thu, 28 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Olympia - Time for G2?
Rob Rodgers <rrodgers@unex.ucla.edu>
Mon, 25 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Olympia - Time for G2?
cedman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Carl F. Edman)
Thu, 28 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000