Proposal: Inter-Team Council

[Hot Mustard]

After the events of December 1st, it is clear that there is a need for some kind of game authority outside of the teams. I propose an Inter-Team Council for this purpose.

The Council would be composed of 1 or 2 members from each team. They would be responsible for conducting, and deciding on, official OUT of game affairs, such as:

- Save file handling
- Save file turn around
- Maintaining important game information threads
- team details
- turn order and current save holder
- schedule
- Handling Inter-team disputes

They would have to have the power to punish teams that disobeyed Council orders (decisions). Something like having to skip a turn, maybe.

The council would discuss matters of import internally and then vote on them, one vote per member.

OK, that's the proposal - Discuss.

[Arnelos]

I wholeheartedly agree with this proposal... I wasn't here, but my impression of what I've been told about what has taken place is that there is a distinct lack of inter-team organization concerning the timing of turns and how to keep the game moving...

Considering I was just chatting with dejon about this idea, I guess it's no surprise I'm coming out to support him on it

[Panzer32]

I support this idea, although it is important to keep in mind the fact that teams have very limited membership. Some of the members cannot be involved very much due to RL/other interests. Creating more official positions puts more strain on the active members.

I do think we need a governing body to run the game, rather than just teams collaborating. I am just remarking on something in general, not specifics.

[notyoueither]

A council may be a good idea. Agreements to speed things along are wonderful.

Making teams skip a turn, or many other forms of punishment you can think of are not. I am not here to spend hundreds of hours in a project only to have victory tarnished, or defeat ensured by some vote among teams. Think about it. It would be open to the most vile forms of abuse by mob rule.

[notyoueither]

btw, from my experience such committees can be very slow to act. Getting everyone together can be a major undertaking.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Originally posted by Arnelos
I wholeheartedly agree with this proposal... I wasn't here, but my impression of what I've been told about what has taken place is that there is a distinct lack of inter-team organization concerning the timing of turns and how to keep the game moving...

Considering I was just chatting with dejon about this idea, I guess it's no surprise I'm coming out to support him on it

We finished the first turn in something like 6 hours. Several teams had to replay the turn because of a few people who were inexperienced with the PBEM system, but I don't think we need an Inquisition yet.

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Panzer32
I support this idea, although it is important to keep in mind the fact that teams have very limited membership. Some of the members cannot be involved very much due to RL/other interests. Creating more official positions puts more strain on the active members.

I do think we need a governing body to run the game, rather than just teams collaborating. I am just remarking on something in general, not specifics.

I agree, Panzer32. I would support 1 member per team. The Council's duties would be largely "up-front" - coming up with the much needed OUT of game procedures/rules. Afterwards, they would just be stewards.

[Jon Miller]

I agree with NYE

Jon Miller

[notyoueither]

- Save file handling

Isn't this up to each team? I am part of a team, I have to make the save available to my mates if only for the reason that they may need to play any given turn. I have not made the turn 1 save available to anyone, except the DG rep I mailed it to.

- Save file turn around

We already have a rule for this. 24 hours, isn't it?

- Maintaining important game information threads

Good idea, but people could just step forward as has usually happened.

- team details

Which details of my team do you wish to have some authority over?

- turn order and current save holder

Turn order is already set, no? The players of each team seem to be the likely holders of saves.

- schedule

Covered above, unless I am mistaken.

- Handling Inter-team disputes

What sort of disputes can arise outside of the game?

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by notyoueither
A council may be a good idea. Agreements to speed things along are wonderful.

Making teams skip a turn, or many other forms of punishment you can think of are not. I am not here to spend hundreds of hours in a project only to have victory tarnished, or defeat ensured by some vote among teams. Think about it. It would be open to the most vile forms of abuse by mob rule.

I see your point, notyoueither. However, a powerless Council is precisely that - powerless. Have you any ideas on how agreed-on decisions, by Council or otherwise, might be enforced?

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by notyoueither
- Save file handling

Isn't this up to each team? I am part of a team, I have to make the save available to my mates if only for the reason that they may need to play any given turn. I have not made the turn 1 save available to anyone, except the DG rep I mailed it to.

This was meant as loading instructions, to prevent accidents and cheating

- Save file turn around

We already have a rule for this. 24 hours, isn't it?

Always? What about for turn-rush weekend days?

- Maintaining important game information threads

Good idea, but people could just step forward as has usually happened.

Agreed.

- team details

Which details of my team do you wish to have some authority over?

- turn order and current save holder

Turn order is already set, no? The players of each team seem to be the likely holders of saves.

- schedule

Covered above, unless I am mistaken.

These were sub-points - examples of information, not all of it is set in stone.

- Handling Inter-team disputes

What sort of disputes can arise outside of the game?

Do we want to wait and find out?

I'm not saying the game desperately needs this, just that it may help. Especially for those that are not veterans.

[notyoueither]

No, I do not. How do most MP games get along? By getting along.

In some cases you have people quitting and games bogging or becoming unbalanced due to that. In this case there are multiple players for every team. I have respect for many that I know on other teams (at least 1 person per team is 'known' to me, including ND sortta). I doubt we will be left high and dry.

In the unlikely event that we do get left with an abandoned position, then I could see a reason to have a meeting of team leaders and seconds to appoint someone to take over. I am hopeful that that would be a solution and that at least one member of the leaving team would be kind enough to supply the password.

[notyoueither]

I fear I've been too negative. Yes, a council of some sort would be very useful. We had that, sort of, a while back. There was a meeting of the team leaders in a chat during which many things were worked out and agreed to.

Although RPS was never necessary (for real) that came from that meeting. As did the Dec 1 start date, or something else important I may have forgotten.

At any rate, yes. A council to speed the game is good. I have reservations about 'police' of some sort though.

[Dis]

a council may be too big. If anything it should consist of the leaders of each team. I don't agree with punishments. just keep the game moving.

[vondrack]

Originally posted by Dissident
a council may be too big. If anything it should consist of the leaders of each team. I don't agree with punishments. just keep the game moving.

I would also tend to create a body of team leaders (which would perhaps appoint their deputies, to ensure there is always someone available on behalf of the team). Such a body should hopefully be able to act swiftly enough and had sufficient authority. Besides, there are 7 teams, thus 7 members of the High Council. Good for votes, should it come to them.