Re: ME-PBM: neutrals in grudge games

From: kazandar <kazandar@delphi.com>

Date: Thu, 29 Sep 1994 02:46:13 +0000

Unfortunately, I've yet to play in a game (team or not) where at least one
person wasn't concerned with racking up victory points.  I don't see anything
wrong with this, mind you;re's nothing unholy about wanting to win.  The
unfortunate thing is that GSI's victory point system encourages people to sit
on their ass and let others do the work - which in turn foments resentment
and sometimes intra-team war.

I do object to people who look down on others who try to win the game.  Again,
there's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to win and going for the gold.
But because of the game, it's up to us as players to leaven that with the
effort we put forward to obliterate the enemy.

An example:  as the Cloud Lord in a current game, I've done some rather
extraordinary things to keep Mordor alive and well in the face of mass allied
drops, as have my Dog Lord, Dragon Lord, and Ice King allies.  For over
twenty turns I've held the Ithilien against both Gondors and the Sinda - by
myself.  Part luck and part daring.  As far as I'm concerned, I more than
qualify for the team effort award.

Alas, two former neutrals and one Dark Servant, none of which have ever been
in real danger and who seem to be more preoccupied with conquering dropped
nations than actually fighting, hold 1st-3rd places.  I might take third
prior to the end of the game, but what about the poor Dragon Lord who held out
against all odds and fought all of Eriador to a standstill?  What about the
Dog Lord, who helped pull the Dragon Lord out of the frying pan on numerous
occasions - and still found time to keep the Gates secure?  They won't make it
unless I turn on my teammates and destroy them with my agents.  Easy enough
for me to do, but rather unsportsmanlike (at least for me).

Even with this, the less active allies haven't done anything *wrong*.  They
just haven't done enough to justify their scores.  But the game mechanics
don't care about effort, only ownership.

Tom

References

Re: ME-PBM: neutrals in grudge games
brian@majiq.com (Brian Lowrey)
Mon, 26 Sep 1994 17:11:59 +0000
Re: ME-PBM: neutrals in grudge games
kdmcgee@aol.com (KDMcGee)
Tue, 27 Sep 1994 22:35:02 +0000

Referenced By

Re: ME-PBM: neutrals in grudge games
brian@majiq.com (Brian Lowrey)
Mon, 26 Sep 1994 17:11:59 +0000
Re: ME-PBM: neutrals in grudge games
kdmcgee@aol.com (KDMcGee)
Tue, 27 Sep 1994 22:35:02 +0000