What is a Democracy Game?
Democracy Game (Demo game or DG) is a game physically played by a single person if single-player or more if multiplayer, but practically managed by more people. Several other people are affecting the game, by participating in discussions and casting their vote in polls, that form the way it is played. The person that does the actual play, the president, is elected by the people for a specific period, after a voting has taken place. You can think of it as a simulation of a real democracy.
What version of the game are you using?
Civilization IV Warlords v2.08.
Is this a single-player or multiplayer?
This is Multiplayer using the PitBoss technology to take the turns. People are split into teams and each team is assigned a single civilization. No AI is included. This is the first Demo game to use PitBoss.
What is PitBoss?
PitBoss (Persistent Turn-Based Server or PTBS) is a piece of software that enables people to login and play their turn at their own pace. It incorporates an internal timer that can be optionally used to set a time limit within people should play, ranging from an hour to days. The turn rotates as soon as all have played their turn or the time limit is reached, what ever comes first. If the time limit is reached PitBoss will automatically end the turn and proceed to the next one, so everyone that hadn't played up to that point will miss the turn. People can also meet online and take their turns simultaneously advancing several turns in short time. You could say PitBoss is a bridge between PBEM and Online (Internet) games. You can read more about PitBoss by visiting 2kgames' respective web page here or by downloading snoopy369's guide in Word format here.
How do I play it?
That depends on how much you want to get involved. First you have to join one of the available teams. Then the least you can do is reading posts but that is kind passive. The most likely to do is to form the future of your team by participating in ongoing discussions and voting to polls, all aiming on deciding how to manage the civ run by your team. If you want to get further involved you can run for minister or even president of your team. A minister is assigned to manage a particular area of expertise while president does the actual play.
How much work is involved after I join?
That is for you to decide. No obligations are made unless a particular team specifically demands more involvement from its members.
By joining the game do I commit to finish it?
No, not really.
What kind of people play this kind of games?
Fun people, people who like to talk, people who like team play, people with ambitions, curious people, civ addicts, you name it!
How many teams are participating?
There are ten (10) teams involved, including two (2) from other sites.
Are any rules in effect?
Each team will have a set of rules consisting their constitution and there will be another set of rules common to all. They are all yet to be defined.
Do I have to own a copy of the game?
No, but it would be useful to own a copy in order to have a better view of the game. Unless of course you want to do actual play. Then you must have the game installed.
Do I need to install any special software or alter my files?
No.
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