Re: Olympia Question

From: rhdlamb@ix.netcom.com (Robert Lamb)

Date: Sun, 30 Apr 1995 00:00:00 +0000

In <CTSO17-280495090104@ctso17.comm.mot.com> CTSO17@email.mot.com (Mark
Common) writes:

>The game has sound mechanics (so far) and works great.  The GM gives
>excellent service to questions and the turns run like clockwork.

You're right. Unlike so many others, Oly is one of the very few
 _professionally_ run commercial games IMO.

>I just
>have this problem in that it seems like this should be closed game.

With player fortunes in constant flux, and with the amount of
 unclaimed territory, it'll be years before anyone can dominate or
 "win" the game.

>No or few random encounters.

Oly is the style of game where you interact mainly with other players
 rather than the environment or npc's.  Monster Island on the other
 hand is just the opposite, there you spend most of your time with
 npc's and terrain.  All my random encounters have significantly
 altered my goals or capabilities, usually in a positive way, but I
 don't think I'd want any more randomness.

>It would appear that the closest "unchartered" lands are very far away
>  would take many turns to reach (and by then they probably won't be
>  unchartered).

Well our group recently landed on one not-so-distant "charted" land
 and we've found that it's approximately 75% deserted!  One can go for
 weeks without ever seeing another faction.  During the ocean voyage we
 passed nearly a dozen uninhabited (or npc inhabited) islands that were
 just waiting to be explored and exploited.

>Studying and learning new skills is OK but no doubt will soon get
boring.

When you start _using_ those new skills you'll find that whole new
 areas of opportunity open up.

>Is the only way to achieve in this game to conquer other players?

No, and factions who tried that tactic earlier in the game are now
 feeling the wrath of other players who got tired of it and banded
 together to put a stop to it.

>Should I
>just pick a direction and explore (risky and kind of boring)?

Yup, get together with a couple other newer players and build a ship,
 learn at least Combat, Forestry and Magic so you can train and equip
 guards and earn some cash, then just head out in some direction and
 start exploring. Risky? A little (that's why it's called adventure!)
 but not that bad. Boring? Nope, before long you'll bump into someone
 or something that'll provide an opportunity to build, trade, etc.
 Contact the Pilgrims Aid Society (address in Times) for some advice to
 new factions.

References

Olympia Question
CTSO17@email.mot.com (Mark Common)
Fri, 28 Apr 1995 00:00:00 +0000