Re: Olympia: Basic Flaw?

From: srt@aero.org (Scott "TCB" Turner)

Date: Wed, 13 May 1992 17:48:49 +0000

(Rich Skrenta) writes:
>srt@aero.org (Scott "TCB" Turner) writes:
>> To my mind, one of the basic flaws with Olympia is that players can
>> exchange information freely "behind the scenes".
>
>This isn't a problem specific to Olympia.  My philosophy is that
>this is a given, so let's work with it instead of against it.

Basically, I agree.  I think it is too hard to eliminate the free flow
of information behind the scenes.  I just think it would be interesting
if it could be done.

>> (1) Eliminate all the unrealistic information, like the "top ten
>> lists" and the deaths/new player listings.  (I mean, really, why
>> should someone in Drassa know about a death in Camaris?)
>
>Players like this a lot, I believe.  It's nice to see how you're doing
>compared to other players in the game.  It's only annoying when you
>get into a #1 spot, and become a target for people who want to push
>you off the hill.

I don't object to the Top Ten position ranking.  I do object to the
"whose #1" listing, and I *really* object to the "who died where by
whom" listing.

The "who got killed" listings basically take the steam out of one
whole slant to Olympia.  You simply can't play the game as a silent
assassin or as an evil warlord, because your every move gets announced
on everyone's turn report.  Why should everyone in Drassa be prepared to
jump Zyzak when he showed up last turn?  Because he killed a few people
in the outback?

I don't see the turn reports listing who made a lot of money each turn,
who reached a new skill level, or any of the other many types of "events"
possible.  So why should deaths be announced?  If people want to keep
track of this info behind the scenes and publish it in the Times - a
realistic month or two late - then fine.  But I don't think the game
itself should track and publish this information.

-- Scott T.

References

Re: Olympia: Basic Flaw?
skrenta@cbnewsg.att.com (Rich Skrenta)
Wed, 13 May 1992 16:45:51 +0000
Olympia: Basic Flaw?
srt@aero.org (Scott "TCB" Turner)
Wed, 13 May 1992 05:17:51 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Olympia: Basic Flaw?
skrenta@cbnewsg.att.com (Rich Skrenta)
Wed, 13 May 1992 16:45:51 +0000
Olympia: Basic Flaw?
srt@aero.org (Scott "TCB" Turner)
Wed, 13 May 1992 05:17:51 +0000