tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.comments2019-04-04T08:24:24.104-07:00Stormy Port GamesMavis Cruethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-31948250557384698872019-04-04T08:24:24.104-07:002019-04-04T08:24:24.104-07:00You should start blogging again :-)You should start blogging again :-)Liz / Ventahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13862238806526363447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-6547942951395275292015-08-10T06:46:14.830-07:002015-08-10T06:46:14.830-07:00Ops. It was going to be a post but I decided it w...Ops. It was going to be a post but I decided it was just a facebook post about bag building.....Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-90355661000765750532015-08-10T06:38:11.303-07:002015-08-10T06:38:11.303-07:00Deep, insightful... :)Deep, insightful... :)Destrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794208127572216916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-81510185330743484582015-03-17T06:59:13.989-07:002015-03-17T06:59:13.989-07:00Interestingly I've always felt my role should ...Interestingly I've always felt my role should be devoted to empowering the warriors because that's the only thing that really counts...... A field where I've mainly failed. The success I have had have been Persian wide useful - not the scorpion useful......<br /><br /><br /><br />Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-62036660653706580472015-03-17T06:03:00.875-07:002015-03-17T06:03:00.875-07:00I wouldn't actually change anything in the are...I wouldn't actually change anything in the arena. As a stand alone element, it works very well. It's all down to how it sits with everything else going on in the game. I just think it's kind of jarring that the centre spectacle of the game has a diminished impact, or (worst case scenario) is actually irrelevant, to the final outcome of the game.<br /><br />In essence, it's like playing in a game of Risk where you're not actually allowed to win. <br /><br />I suspect that that may have been part of what fuelled the Persian apathy in the lead up to the big Hellas Phoenicia Vs. Persia fight last year. Before they'd even set foot in the arena, the Immortals had largely convinced themselves that victory was impossible, due to all the imagined buffs that they believed HP to have been given by the Gods. <br /><br />Ironically, it was the perception that almost guaranteed Persia losing, not disregarding the effort HP made in training like hell to ensure survival. All credit to them. I didn't mention this at the time because people were getting quite defensive about it, but after reviewing the video footage, it was pretty clear why Persia lost that battle.<br /><br />From my perspective, all the meaningful actions happen outside the arena (and for the most part behind closed doors), and we gladiators are there merely to entertain. The mechanics of the game prevent us from using effective tactics or strategy to achieve victory, and so the fights are basically exhibitions. xavhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15099727946093480926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-52212452145109585092015-03-17T04:02:51.165-07:002015-03-17T04:02:51.165-07:00I know you never quite settled in Odyssey - I'...I know you never quite settled in Odyssey - I'm not sure I was ever a good foil for the rest of the Scorpions as I was always meant to be the happy face of the Scorpions.<br /><br />You are not the only person I know who feels that way - and I'm not quite sure why. Arena changes alone would not change that.Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-67486925996530086372015-03-17T02:08:16.751-07:002015-03-17T02:08:16.751-07:00I think the underlying problem is that the focus o...I think the underlying problem is that the focus of the game is no longer the arena. The endgame scenario of the breaking of the World Forge takes precedence, since whole territories are being wiped off the map. You can't really account for that strategically. <br /><br />I also understand that early on, PD had to address the balance of the game due to the initial size of Persia and Greece; the end result of that was a lot of people not just changing class, but leaving the game entirely. There's no better illustration of that than our own group.<br /><br />For my part, death in the arena was never the issue. I enjoyed the fights, and had some great moments, but as a warrior I could never get any traction outside of the arena; and when I thought I was actually getting somewhere, the whole action just turned into vapeware. I noticed that regardless of my actions in the arena, kudos and reknown always seemed to go to other warriors, basically because they had a better PR/fanbase.<br /><br />Roleplaying wise, the most engaging role I ever had was one event as Prince Yunan. I didn't really get to do what I wanted to do with Izak, (ie be an assassin); partly because of a lack of framework within our group (a soldier needs orders!), and also that curiously, Philosophers in Odyssey make for better assassins. As such, I was ready to retire the character and was waiting for an opportunity to give him a grand exit.<br /><br />In conclusion, my experience of Odyssey has been bittersweet. I can see this great game unfolding before me, but never seem to engage with it directly; relegated to a supporting role in a tale of heroes, 3rd archer on the left.xavhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15099727946093480926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-15150105395079236552015-03-16T09:33:30.012-07:002015-03-16T09:33:30.012-07:00The high warrior death count at Odyssey may well b...The high warrior death count at Odyssey may well be a factor why there are more and more priests and philosophers over time....Die and either come back as the same stats or try another part of the game.... But priesting is a lot less dangerous so people tend to gather there......<br />Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-24297464565418202472015-03-16T06:25:13.519-07:002015-03-16T06:25:13.519-07:00It would be difficult to balance, yes. If I were ...It would be difficult to balance, yes. If I were to do it, I'd use a system that was significantly lethal (eg, without armour you get one hit and you're down) so that even if you are tooled up, there would be a fairly high of injury/mortality. I'd also factor in healing times that if you were injured, you'd have to sit out a number of battles, which means generals would be more cautious with who to out in which battles.<br /><br />Of course, a high turnover also leads to cookie cutter characters. Tricky.xavhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15099727946093480926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-37971832030971323572015-03-16T05:59:42.524-07:002015-03-16T05:59:42.524-07:00That might well work - but I suspect it might be d...That might well work - but I suspect it might be difficult to balance. How many grunts is one really good swordsman worth? How to I distinguish between these two people - and if I decide they are the same and one is better then the other - what happens to the worse one?Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-3551638276890936282015-03-16T05:42:01.089-07:002015-03-16T05:42:01.089-07:00(Dammit, just lost my post because i wasn't si...(Dammit, just lost my post because i wasn't signed in ¬_¬)<br /><br />One possible solution, have mercenaries as opposed to conscripted soldiers. Generals pay fighters according to their skill and a budget is set for each battle, wages increase with every battle survived, more if they were on the winning side. With the money, the soldiers can opt to buy better equipment buffs, but like mysteries they're one shots, or limited use so their upkeep costs increase as well. <br /><br />I'm aware that this is pretty much how Warhammer works but it does mean that a general can choose to take many unskilled, poorly equipped fighters against a less numerous but highly skilled and well equipped force, and still have a fair fight.<br /><br />You'd also need to have a pretty good in game economy to stop anyone from getting a monopoly and just throwing money at a problem but that would encourage other players to have a support role as armourer, alchemist, surgeon etc.xavhorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15099727946093480926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-31055968342609154692014-11-12T03:55:40.906-08:002014-11-12T03:55:40.906-08:00http://brazenduke.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/before-th...<a href="http://brazenduke.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/before-throne-of-bone-how-combat-might.html" rel="nofollow">http://brazenduke.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/before-throne-of-bone-how-combat-might.html</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-83687929046933725412014-11-12T03:53:58.515-08:002014-11-12T03:53:58.515-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-34078581850641520442014-11-09T05:15:56.745-08:002014-11-09T05:15:56.745-08:00I much enjoyed being able to comment on your ideas...I much enjoyed being able to comment on your ideas and bounce things back and forth. It's clear you have a great grasp on self-balancing game mechanics, more so that I.<br /><br />The important things you have to keep in mind is ensuring things remain balanced (because people will meta-game otherwise) and fun (smash the elves!). Unfortunately they're probably the two hardest things to achieve. :)<br /><br />I think you hit on some important aspects of the game - namely:<br /><br />1, Player bidding on important items of gameplay (buildings, spells, heroes) - this neutralises any impact of inflation from turn to turn.<br /><br />2, Ease of resolution for combat. You're right in saying you don't need dice rolling, because that requires the presence of people in order to roll the dice and that will just take time (and slow the game down). Far easier if the GMs just resolve fights using a prescribed sequence of events.<br /><br />3, Some form of catch-up mechanic that doesn't feel too obviously catch-up-mechanicy. The bidding for heroes is effectively indirect catch-up as there's no way to guarantee that you'll get the best hero (the current game leader could still achieve that, but it'll cost him to do so). One thing we might need to concern ourselves about is how we "explain" this in the language and flavour of the game. I quite liked the concept of rumours - that the strongest teams have more rumours generated, but corruption works as well. However, you would probably expect the player winning to be "more corrupt" and hence have more corruption to spend to influence the heroes. Whatever, it's a minor point. :)<br /><br />I suspect the next stage is to put some ideas for buildings, spells, combat units, quests, objectives (as in villages to raid, fortresses to smash, etc) and pick some numbers out of the air - try playing a few rounds, revise, repeat. For combat units specifically, we may need to match the flavour to the miniatures we have available (I have a copy of Descent, so can supply at least two dragons and a myriad of smaller creatures).<br /><br />The mechanics for combat sound good, and offer the potential for predictability and yet are complex enough that once the forces get large, there could be chaotic relationships and cause for some unexpected results.<br /><br />I'll do some thinking this week and get back to you with some ideas :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14171140425351150247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-28472770672202668502014-11-08T06:20:13.712-08:002014-11-08T06:20:13.712-08:00Realised I'd missed something important - alli...Realised I'd missed something important - alliances.<br /><br />So if two sets of evil overlords troops are at a location - they will fight each other before they fight the location. Unless one of the two is willing to 'serve' the other - at which point there forces are joined to that player for the duration of the resolution. The player 'in charge' overlord gets all of the benefits...... Which is a terrible deal - so you'd almost certainly need to offer something to them to make that deal - but since everybody is evil then no deal is binding......Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-79862749658510149662014-10-27T23:00:37.151-07:002014-10-27T23:00:37.151-07:00I do like the way the ideas are coming together. M...I do like the way the ideas are coming together. My instincts are pulling in a slightly different direction in three areas:<br />(1) The choice of where to send your minions has to be significant, but, right now, you have four four-man teams and four locations to visit. Essentially, I could comfortably have a team-mate at each table, every turn. I'd increase the pressure by having five three-man teams. Problem solved.<br />(2) One significant element of being a Dungeon Overlord is the distrust and paranoia about one's own servants. I'd build in a mechanic whereby Minions usurped their Overlord. That way, empowering one's Minions would have the double-edged effect of making them more useful and more dangerous, while strengthening your own position is of little value in the competition with your rivals, but critical in maintaining order within your team.<br />(3) Megagames seem to thrive on different factions having access to different kinds of information, non-equivalent ways of applying it and victory conditions that are only tenuously connected. I would definitely swap out one Dungeon team for a team representing the Heroes of the realm. They could be bribed, tricked or otherwise manipulated, but they'd also be unpredictable. And, if designed well, they could function as an optional balancing mechanic.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-45904909891011255912014-07-07T22:32:26.446-07:002014-07-07T22:32:26.446-07:00Eight Minute Empire sounds intriguing, and now I w...Eight Minute Empire sounds intriguing, and now I wish I'd seen it while I was at Stabcon. I like a certain minimalism in games, rules simplicity leading to tactical complexity and/or fast-moving games. Will have to keep an eye out for that.<br /><br />And while I haven't played Caverna either, anything that makes Agricola less of a stress-fest has to be good.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05020704424758036311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-53437776555544205632013-11-11T01:17:22.935-08:002013-11-11T01:17:22.935-08:00It's ok - I had the solution over night. To g...It's ok - I had the solution over night. To get people to treat it like information - make it information.<br /><br />So each person has a card that will impact on how prices will change - for example. Which is useful. But - there are 4 other cards which might well impact more then yours does.<br /><br />Gossip is showing each other your card - so you have more info. No complicated mechanic or booking. :-)Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-5355910355520701052013-11-11T00:48:02.091-08:002013-11-11T00:48:02.091-08:00But if, say, 50% of people know the gossip it is n...But if, say, 50% of people know the gossip it is no longer gossip, really. So you can only swap it with a certain number of people, or it becomes valueless?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17789836887286019319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-74597068970864798212013-07-28T16:17:23.850-07:002013-07-28T16:17:23.850-07:00Hmm, at StabCon I always seem to combine two thing...Hmm, at StabCon I always seem to combine two things that I do well separately and poorly at the same time: drinking alcoholic beverages and loudly expressing my opinions. Ho hum.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-18978066216127493022013-07-28T16:11:24.310-07:002013-07-28T16:11:24.310-07:00The game took a long time because all of our brain...The game took a long time because all of our brains had melted and trickled out of our ears! I'd love to have a game some time when we aren't teaching somebody the rules and can just play. :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-12160940459779720192013-07-28T16:02:56.518-07:002013-07-28T16:02:56.518-07:00Last week Andy and I had a little reminisce about ...Last week Andy and I had a little reminisce about Infinity Dungeon. It was a pleasure and an honour to be included in that game, my friend. I'm looking forward to January's StabCon already. :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-86000049638656575682013-07-05T06:49:12.192-07:002013-07-05T06:49:12.192-07:00See you tomorrow :-)See you tomorrow :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-73992250775010366962013-05-14T14:42:02.991-07:002013-05-14T14:42:02.991-07:00Indeed - I liked this version quite a lot. Am hop...Indeed - I liked this version quite a lot. Am hoping the play test tomorrow will help.Mavis Cruethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193144501899579868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-949902335120121115.post-82344292946564896202013-05-10T17:35:38.098-07:002013-05-10T17:35:38.098-07:00Great to hear things are still progressing. :-)Great to hear things are still progressing. :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257142219439899938noreply@blogger.com