FG discussion: Why do you play?

[Theben]

We've seen quite a few forum games here, some are tried-and-true and look to remain for awhile (Mafia, Nascar, Nuclear War, Hangman), others have died out (Assassins, Disease, HOMM). Gladiator seems to be teetering towards oblivion since fewer and fewer sign up for it. Some have complained that it's too complex, but games like Society and Galactic Overlord are more complex and seem to be doing well.

So why do you choose to play the games that you do?

[Tuberski]

I started in mafia game one and have played most of them since.

The reason is simply it's easy to play.

ACK!

[Kuciwalker]

Gladiator just seems pointless.

[Theben]

They're all pointless. Care to expand on that?

[Tuberski]

I don't play forum games that require me to think. Big reason I don't play any of the others.

ACK!

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Theben
They're all pointless. Care to expand on that?

It's just a few numbers that seem completely abstract. In GO, etc. the numbers actually seem to have a concrete meaning.

[Kassiopeia]

Kuci may be onto something here. It's not unlike the battle system of a Japanese-style "RPG" only with everything else ripped out from it. And I never play such a game just because of the battles.

[Nikolai]

Because they're fun!

[Tuberski]

Originally posted by Kassiopeia
Kuci may be onto something here. It's not unlike the battle system of a Japanese-style "RPG" only with everything else ripped out from it. And I never play such a game just because of the battles.

Yeah, kinda like Civ 3.

ACK!

[DrSpike]

Gladiators is far from pointless. I think of the forum games it's the most brilliant, with it's mix of skill and luck.

GO I also like a lot, but that's a game of alliances and sometimes piling. Gladiator is one on one, and great fun with all the mindgames.

[Theben]

Originally posted by Nikolai
Because they're fun!

Should have written, "why you play some games and not others."

Gladiator is one on one, and great fun with all the mindgames.

And taunting?

[Sparrowhawk]

First of all, I think that the GM in most of the Forum Games is key for my enjoyment of the game. A good GM keeps the game moving without causing players with limited online time to have to drop out (a delicate balance) and just as importantly, provides an entertaining description of the turn which can be amusing or outright funny depending on the GM. A bad GM can kill a game by slowing it down and losing players or my making significant mistakes resulting in confusion and conflict/arguments between the players.

The Players as well, while some are in many of the Forum Games, are different in others which provides variety of playing styles to help keep the games interesting.

To summarize what I think of the various games, and why I play them (or don't play them)......

Nascar
This was among the first I played, it has a simple concept that I like, some but not a lot of strategy. Perhaps the reason I enjoy playing is as much for the concept (a Nascar Race) as for the actual gameplay.

Mafia
I read this for a while without playing and I am still not certain I like the game though I have played a few now. I think a few players are in as much for the +1's as for the game itself. I think this game perhaps more then any other is dependant on a Good GM (and there have been more then a couple in the few games I have participated........and at least one whom turned me off of the game and whom I am not sure I would sign up for another of their games). This game is good for a distraction and I will continue to play (not a big time commitment) but I don't as highly of it as many do in the Other Games Forum.

Gladiator
I read this game more then I play, and find it an interesting read. I made the mistake of subbing in the most recent game and likely won't play again but I hope it doesn't die as I enjoy the read. Again a game which is highly dependant on the GM to provide the story which is interesting for the players and lurkers to read as reduced to the math, this game is very boring, the story of the math is what makes this game interesting. (IMHO)

Nuclear War
While not quite as simple as Mafia or Hangman, NW is far from as complex as Society, Gladiator or Galactic Overlord. A simple diversion, a game I don't care if I win or lose, NW is a game I enjoy whether I get nuked in teh first round and read the rest or if I win the game. Again a good GM is key both in keeping the game moving and in make the story that accompanies the turns interesting (and often funny).

Hangman
When I am out of the other forum games, or waiting for others to start, I play Hangman. It is a simple traditional concept and good for my poly fix when my involvement in other Forum Games is low.

Galactic Overlord
In a word........Frustrating. I have played in 2 games, in the first I was eliminated early, in the second I have enjoyed often but just as often been confused and frustrated. I expect to watch and read the next game and see what I am misssing as it seems that of the "Strategy Forum Games" that Galactic Overlord is most popular. Perhaps the most frustrating for me is working in an alliance where negotiations is necessary and by it's very nature slows down the game. I would like to see an established format for orders to ensure that everyone sends in acceptable orders and if they wish to attack as an alliance that they do so, and if they fail to do so it is by choice (treachery) rather then by error. It seems that alliances are necessary in this game, but limit your options, it was suggested that the next game have no alliances, I would be interested to see how that turns out if it is tried.

Society
Society is my personal favourite of the Forum Games, it has the most strategy in my opinion, multiple possible outcomes of every turn. This game reminds me in many ways of a very basic version of Civ, which is what brought me to Apolyton. While basic compared to Civ, it is the most complex of the Forum Games (IMHO). If I could only play one Forum Game, it would be Society, hands down. I spend a significant portion of my online time (read: too much) after every turn working out possible outcomes, and trying to guess the strategy of the other players.

-----------------------

Conclusion.........while Civ is the reason I came to this site, with the slow decline of Civ 2, I would not be here nearly as much as I am without Forum Games, they have rejuvenated my interest in the site, and are a big part of the reason I am now a plus member. I play in the different games for different reasons, and put different amounts of time into each, depending on my level of interest.

/me , the Apolytoner who talks to much.......but Theben the Treacherous* did ask the question.

See Galactic Overlord VI

[FlameFlash]

When I have the time to sign up and play, it's just fun to partake in some extra socializing and fun on 'poly. Especially since I don't do much OT at all.

[Skanky Burns]

Nascar (Don't play)
While fun the first few times around, it either became a game of luck where a slowly revealed map was concerned or a test of who was the most bored where a fully-revealed map was concerned. Too much effort when planning your next moves, frustrating when an accident occurs and you have to replan your moves.

Mafia (Play)
I enjoy this game quite a bit, and would play even if the GM just reported who died and how. Of course, with a story it is so much better. This is a social game as much as anything, the fun in both the back-and-forth banter and the attempts to deflect votes away from you towards others. Even as the mafia, the game doesn't require a great deal of thought or time for you to have fun, while even as a villager the game's setting gives you enough fodder for socialisation.

Gladiator (Don't play)
Number-crunching. The pure math of this game doesn't appeal to me as the thought-requirement per unit of fun is much too high.

Nuclear War (Play)
Another light game, this is rather simple and only requires you to keep track of how many spies and shields you have, plus if you have stockpiled nukes. Knowing that, you can easily plan your next move whenever the turn is posted from a relatively small number of options. Of concern though is that the winning strategy is to build, build, build which could cause the end-game to stagnate. Should that happen often, I will not continue to play.

Hangman (Rarely play)
This can be fun when the GM and several other players are actively playing the game, but tends to be too slow.

Galactic Overlord (Play)
This game is rather complex, but the complexity is easily handled. Information needed to plan your next turn is given when the turn is posted and only numbers of spies/shields need be remembered. The necessity of alliances makes this a more social game but unfortunately slows the game down significantly. Very significantly. While saying I actively play this game, I haven't posted a turn order for over a month due to the current game still dragging on...

Society (Don't play)
In a word: Complex. Too much complexity for me to easily keep track of, so I don't play the game. There is a possibilty if I find myself with more time that I will rejoin this game.

[Tassadar500]

I agree with Skanky except for the GO part, although I might join up for it one of these days.