rules.txt in MP??

[kent-jo]

When a guy changes his Rules.txt, the changes are the same for everyone.

Am i right?

I experianced this in a Zone game, and now when i read the post from Carnide_ i don't understand why he did'nt notice it when he where playing.

[Crustacian]

Supossidly the hosts rules apply to everyone else.
This is fine if all agree to and understand the modifications. Otherwise it is an unfair advantage to the one(s) who do.

[finbar]

Very true. It's also hard to determine whether a host has changed rules.txt. Unless you're looking for it. You play assumingall the usual parameters - riot factor, shield cost, etc. You probably wouldn't notice that certain aspects of the game have been changed.

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[Spider]

Yeah, I played a game just for fun with someone, in which I just "assumed" we were playing on Deity level. We were well into the game before I noticed we were actually on King level. DOH!! I hadn't played or thought about king level in nine years.

My point being: If you're not looking for it, things like this can go right past you; so, I can see why someone would miss a change in the "rules.txt" if not looking for it.

[Hydey]

IMHO if the host wishes to play with changed rules.txt then he MUST discuss it and have it agreed to by all players.
Failing to do this then the host must be prepared to be called a cheat.

[cavebear]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by kent-jo on 10-17-2000 05:41 PM</font>

I experianced this in a Zone game, and now when i read the post from Carnide_ i don't understand why he did'nt notice it when he where playing.

<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

The problem is that the changes that were made would not *be* noticed by someone playing the game properly. And it catches both experienced and casual players. Sat that the threshold for unhappiness is lowered in the rules.txt. An good or experienced player avoids the *normal* threshold for that, and so would never have cities riot even under the normal rules. An average or casual player would not likely realize that his cities *should* be in riot.

I know that I myself often have cities go into riot by surprise because I forget how many units I need to maintain martial law or how many cities I can have without problems in Monarchy, etc. If that *failed* to happen on a few occasions, would I notice? Doubtful.

Still, you might argue that if my cities don't go into riot (because I'm playing the game right according to the normal rules.txt), what loss have I suffered? After all, my cities didn't riot.

Believe me, I *have* suffered a loss! I've built temples I didn't need. They cost shields to build and gold to maintain. I've built units and kept them garrisoned in the city. They cost shields to build and sometimes shields to maintain. And while I was building those units, the host was building settlers and new cities. While my units were locked up in the city, his were out tipping huts for gold and techs, and finding me.

A big part of this game is the incremental advantage you gain from more cities, techs, units, etc. By "allowing" me (in my ignorance of the altered rules) to waste shields and gold, my cheating opponent has gotten a headstart that only grows as time goes on. While I am balancing my development, his cities and units are out there multiplying like rabbits on a lettuce farm.



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[Mercantile]

Well put Cavebear. I think the biggest advantage you mentioned was the gradual growth rate the host will achieve. Reality dictates that one needs to match early cities with ones opponent to have a chance at winning especially in a duel, where lopsided victories are not that uncommon.

That said, it now appears that rules.txt is something that must be discussed with "new" opponents. Its a shame that starting a game requires so much effort

Please people, no more cheats, just play the game it was supposed to be played.

[cavebear]

Well, I will *always* assume the standard rules.txt. And if someone *does* tell me it is altered, I will back out of the game with "no thank you".

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[rah]

Me too.

Now if it's agreed to prior to start (fat chance for me unless I'm really really desperate to play) then it's something different.

RAH
Any game I host will never be modified.