| OW tomorrow! - FuzzyLogic (Aug 31, 2008, 11:10 pm) |
Friendly reminder, missing a few sets going into the night before… No confirm from me means I don’t have your orders!
Enjoy,
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within - a fairytale - FuzzyLogic (Apr 11, 2008, 11:46 am) |
There once was a beautiful princess. She didn’t have moves in. So all her units held.
The end.
Fall 03: Monday 4/14, 2pm Pacific![Reply] |
| Once Within: Lighthouses & Watch towers - FuzzyLogic (Mar 21, 2008, 10:07 am) |
A reminder… Lighthouses and Watch Towers light up 2 spaces on your maps, but they don’t provide intelligence about what other players ordered. I may have mis-clarified that last round in the bit about orders… but your own orders and units (and a few special abilities) are the only things that learn of other players’ orders.
*************************************************
Some of you have asked what the um… “Oil Refinery looking” thing is on your map… (are my graphics that bad?)
These are either a lighthouse or a watchtower! (hopefully you can tell which it is – tho they are functionally equivalent, I just put watchtowers if inland, or lighthouses if coastal). It watches over the two spaces next to it, and keeps them lit up on every map you receive. This makes it harder to sneak up on these key cities. If it’s unclear, feel free to ask. This is a new feature for FOW IV, after having seen some brutal surprise stabs in games past.
If your lighthouse or watchtower is captured, it does NOT operate for enemy occupiers but will stop working for you. If you can liberate the city, it would resume operation.
Enjoy,
-mike[Reply] |
| Unknown - davidellsworth (Mar 21, 2008, 9:59 am) |
The world map edges moving? It must certainly be your races ability.
***Attention to the the World***
The Archers think so highly of themselves, that they move the world.
I'm just kidding....
Just having fun at your expense.  [Reply] |
| Once Within - f02 all out! - FuzzyLogic (Mar 21, 2008, 2:02 am) |
You should all have maps – if not, come find me!
Upcoming deadlines: (a bit slower due to spring break)
w02 builds: Tuesday March 25, 2pm Pacific
s03 orders: Tuesday April 1, 2pm Pacific
Winter may be sent out early whenever I get a full set.
Enjoy,
-mike[Reply] |
| Unknown (dc158) davidellsworth Mar 21, 09:59 am |
The world map edges moving? It must certainly be your races ability.
***Attention to the the World***
The Archers think so highly of themselves, that they move the world.
I'm just kidding....
Just having fun at your expense. |
| Once Within - More ?'s - FuzzyLogic (Mar 19, 2008, 11:28 am) |
Don’t forget the Once Within crucial Fall 02 results are tomorrow!
Opening builds out of the way, this is the round where true colors are usually revealed…
Some questions have arisen that I think are best answered publicly for fairness:
*****************************
Can we see the border art for the whole map?
- Unfortunately not yet… There are things that might be revealed. The map does not fit inside a nice shape.
*****************************
Are special abilities duplicated among races?
- Absolutely not. Every power is fundamentally different and curtailed to the individual race.
Many of them could probly be guessed just by thinking of stereotypical traits of the units.
(Having played D&D for 20 years would be a plus) 
*****************************
I was told of an enemy movement… but I only see the abbreviation (like A xxx–yyy). Can I get the full name of those spaces?
- By all means, YES. If you are told of an abbreviation, it’s just cuz that’s what I copy/paste from Realpolitik. If you want to know the name for any space you know of, feel free to ask.
*****************************
How did a unit move in what seems to be an impossible way?
- A) There are abilities.
- B) The map is not as flat as it seems.
*****************************
If a unit moves in a way that uses a special ability, then you would have been told that in the “Map Notes” section, with a somewhat cryptic one-liner from me. The things I put in the Map Notes (and the poems) are not the irrelevant musings that they might seem.
Remember one way to find out where units are moving around you is to HOLD. By holding, you learn every order or ability that affects every adjacent space to the unit that held. Consider the HOLD order to be like an OBSERVE order. Holding is much more valuable in this game for the intelligence you gain than in a standard game – especially with a well-placed unit amid a bunch of enemies. If you order A to support B, then A only learns of other orders / abilities that affect spaces A or B. However if A holds instead, it would learn of all the orders / abilities that affect every adjacent space – far more information. You even learn of special abilities / actions!
Also don’t forget your Lighthouse / Watch Tower will always tell you every order that affects either of the two spaces that it watches.
Enjoy,
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within - s03 all out! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Summer 03 retreats: Tuesday 2pm Pacific
Fall 03: Next Monday 2pm Pacific
Enjoy!
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within: Game End!! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Hi All,
What a fun and interesting game! Thanks Mike for all your hard work and dedication to keeping this game as close to schedule as you could.
I had a few discussions with Mike concerning my opinions on the 'special powers'. Basically, I felt that any team who had powers with any of the following had a distinct advantage:
1) Being able to use their power at least once a year
2) Being able to turn invisible
3) Being able to move to (or attack) several spaces from their current position.
Looking at the powers of the final winners, I believe I was pretty on target with who had benefits and who'd be eliminated (although the Elves & Ogres surprised me with elimination, as did the Magicians and Wizards survival).
Personally, I found my power (Rainbow to other parts of the world) very intriguing, until I learned it could only be used once every *3* years. That made it totally useless, and only applicable to help for emergency survival.
Although the powers seemed to be out of balance, the best tactic by far was to choose your friends wisely! Alliances are usually tough to break -- in this game they were downright impossible.
I didn't get a chance to play with any strong alliances, to my dismay. I began a shaky alliance with the Undead, but we never had a chance to play together. I was attacked immediately by the Elves and he was attacked by the Magicians and Dwarves.
By year 2 I knew I wouldn't survive, so I changed my goal to "be the first with the complete map". Unfortunately, I wasn't able to bounce around the board enough, and when I did, it was usually into the teeth of the enemy and my units were wiped out. I did gather 2/3 of the map, though, before I met my demise.
Congrats to the Hobbits, and the entire MMA. When I was eliminated, I had picked the Hobbits to Solo, they seemed so powerful and abundant. Well played!
I'd like to play this game again with a little balancing of powers (maybe allow a Rainbow once per year, owls to stray further, Faeries to fly longer or soar high enough on the same space to become invisible, etc...) and with the partial-gunboat rule where you can only converse with powers you've discovered. In real life, that is how Diplomacy works anyway. After all, it would be foolhardy to send an envoy off to a country that you don't even know exists.
Thanks again Mike!
Michael Hoffman[Reply] |
| Once Within - s03 retreats out! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
If you saw any retreats you’d have them by now!
Fall 03: Monday 4/14, 2pm Pacific
Enjoy,
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within - a fairytale - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Sure it isn't a "fractured fairytale" ?
--- Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com> wrote:
There once was a beautiful princess. She didn't
have moves in. So all
her units held.
The end.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com[Reply] |
| Once Within: To tide you over... - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
While we bear this slight delay, with players shouting, screaming, Hey -
I need my moves, it's time to play and see what fruits my orders bore
We look around and see what that is in our box tonight a status
of the game and what thereat is deep below the ocean floor
Let thy heart be still a moment as we hold for one day more
Results out soon, both sweet and sore[Reply] |
| Once Within - tomorrow! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Come on – you know you want to turn in some orders… everybody’s doing it! It’ll be great – trust me!
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within a buildless winter... - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
No more need be said! Get’em in, due tomorrow 2pm!
If you don’t have a confirm from me then I don’t have your builds.
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within - f02 all out! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Mike, what is with the edge of the world? It moves?
I have maps that have slightly different map edges!
----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com>
To: alwayshunted(at)hotmail.com; Gregory_Olson(at)brown.edu; David Ellsworth <davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net>; wecanworkthisout(at)yahoo.com; Jorge Saralegui <jorgesaralegui(at)verizon.net>; m_don_j(at)hotmail.com; nephilli99(at)hotmail.com; rjroddayjr(at)yahoo.com; jason4747(at)hotmail.com; clarklandry(at)gmail.com; cluffy123(at)googlemail.com; Gregory Bim-Merle <gbimmerle(at)gmail.com>; mrh(at)panix.com; Rolf Loschek <rolfloschek(at)yahoo.de>; finchleywomble(at)hotmail.com; Isaac Zinner <isaac.zinner(at)gmail.com>; jkudlick(at)gmail.com; gkotschy(at)gmx.at; Jason K <githraine(at)yahoo.com>; Timo Rebschloe <TR.office(at)web.de>
Cc: dc158(at)diplomaticcorp.com
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 2:52:19 AM
Subject: Once Within - f02 all out!
You should all have maps – if not, come find me!
Upcoming deadlines: (a bit slower due to spring break)
w02 builds: Tuesday March 25, 2pm Pacific
s03 orders: Tuesday April 1, 2pm Pacific
Winter may be sent out early whenever I get a full set.
Enjoy,
-mike
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.[Reply] |
| Once Within - More ?'s - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
The Elves are also taking some time to contemplate the recent
developments starting on Saturday until the following Sunday. Sorry for
any inconvenience, and I hope to catch up with all who desire my
attention as soon as possible after that.
- Greg -
On Mar 20, 2008, at 4:49 AM, Nigel PHILLIPS wrote:
In a similar mode, I as the wizards will be visiting a land of
strange spells and delights. I expect my PDA to work (hence there
should be emails),
but not having proper internet access, I won't be able to see or
share any maps.
Should be away Friday until Wednesday.
cheers
Nigs
[quote:7afd5f322a]Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:05:23 +0000
From: cluffy123(at)googlemail.com
To: mike(at)southwall.com
Subject: Re: Once Within - More ?'s
CC: alwayshunted(at)hotmail.com; Gregory_Olson(at)brown.edu;
davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net; wecanworkthisout(at)yahoo.com;
jorgesaralegui(at)verizon.net; m_don_j(at)hotmail.com;
nephilli99(at)hotmail.com; rjroddayjr(at)yahoo.com; jason4747(at)hotmail.com;
clarklandry(at)gmail.com; gbimmerle(at)gmail.com; mrh(at)panix.com;
rolfloschek(at)yahoo.de; finchleywomble(at)hotmail.com;
isaac.zinner(at)gmail.com; jkudlick(at)gmail.com; gkotschy(at)gmx.at;
githraine(at)yahoo.com; TR.office(at)web.de; dc158(at)diplomaticcorp.com
Greetings all,
I (the centaurs) will be away until a week on Sunday. It is unlikely
though not impossible I will have Internet access until then. So if
I'm not being very talkative then that s why.
Good luck in the coming turn,
James
On 19/03/2008, Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com> wrote: Don't forget
the Once Within crucial Fall 02 results are tomorrow!
[quote:7afd5f322a]Opening builds out of the way, this is the round where true colors
are usually revealed…
Some questions have arisen that I think are best answered publicly
for fairness:
*****************************
Can we see the border art for the whole map?
- Unfortunately not yet… There are things that might be revealed.
The map does not fit inside a nice shape.
*****************************
Are special abilities duplicated among races?
- Absolutely not. Every power is fundamentally different and
curtailed to the individual race.
Many of them could probly be guessed just by thinking of
stereotypical traits of the units.
(Having played D&D for 20 years would be a plus)
*****************************
I was told of an enemy movement… but I only see the abbreviation
(like A xxx–yyy). Can I get the full name of those spaces?
- By all means, YES. If you are told of an abbreviation, it's just
cuz that's what I copy/paste from Realpolitik. If you want to know
the name for any space you know of, feel free to ask.
*****************************
How did a unit move in what seems to be an impossible way?
- A) There are abilities.
- B) The map is not as flat as it seems.
*****************************
If a unit moves in a way that uses a special ability, then you would
have been told that in the "Map Notes" section, with a somewhat
cryptic one-liner from me. The things I put in the Map Notes (and
the poems) are not the irrelevant musings that they might seem.
Remember one way to find out where units are moving around you is to
HOLD. By holding, you learn every order or ability that affects
every adjacent space to the unit that held. Consider the HOLD order
to be like an OBSERVE order. Holding is much more valuable in this
game for the intelligence you gain than in a standard game –
especially with a well-placed unit amid a bunch of enemies. If you
order A to support B, then A only learns of other orders / abilities
that affect spaces A or B. However if A holds instead, it would
learn of all the orders / abilities that affect every adjacent space
– far more information. You even learn of special abilities /
actions!
Also don't forget your Lighthouse / Watch Tower will always tell you
every order that affects either of the two spaces that it watches.
Enjoy,
-mike
[/quote:7afd5f322a]
Think you know your TV, music and film? Try Search Charades!
[/quote:7afd5f322a][Reply] |
| Once Within - More ?'s - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
In a similar mode, I as the wizards will be visiting a land of strange spells and delights. I expect my PDA to work (hence there should be emails),
but not having proper internet access, I won't be able to see or share any maps.
Should be away Friday until Wednesday.
cheers
Nigs
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:05:23 +0000
From: cluffy123(at)googlemail.com
To: mike(at)southwall.com
Subject: Re: Once Within - More ?'s
CC: alwayshunted(at)hotmail.com; Gregory_Olson(at)brown.edu; davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net; wecanworkthisout(at)yahoo.com; jorgesaralegui(at)verizon.net; m_don_j(at)hotmail.com; nephilli99(at)hotmail.com; rjroddayjr(at)yahoo.com; jason4747(at)hotmail.com; clarklandry(at)gmail.com; gbimmerle(at)gmail.com; mrh(at)panix.com; rolfloschek(at)yahoo.de; finchleywomble(at)hotmail.com; isaac.zinner(at)gmail.com; jkudlick(at)gmail.com; gkotschy(at)gmx.at; githraine(at)yahoo.com; TR.office(at)web.de; dc158(at)diplomaticcorp.com
Greetings all,
I (the centaurs) will be away until a week on Sunday. It is unlikely though not impossible I will have Internet access until then. So if I'm not being very talkative then that s why.
Good luck in the coming turn,
James
On 19/03/2008, Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com ([email]mike(at)southwall.com[/email])> wrote: [quote:438fed5682] Don't forget the Once Within crucial Fall 02 results are tomorrow!
Opening builds out of the way, this is the round where true colors are usually revealed…
Some questions have arisen that I think are best answered publicly for fairness:
*****************************
Can we see the border art for the whole map?
- Unfortunately not yet… There are things that might be revealed. The map does not fit inside a nice shape.
*****************************
Are special abilities duplicated among races?
- Absolutely not. Every power is fundamentally different and curtailed to the individual race.
Many of them could probly be guessed just by thinking of stereotypical traits of the units.
(Having played D&D for 20 years would be a plus)
*****************************
I was told of an enemy movement… but I only see the abbreviation (like A xxx–yyy). Can I get the full name of those spaces?
- By all means, YES. If you are told of an abbreviation, it's just cuz that's what I copy/paste from Realpolitik. If you want to know the name for any space you know of, feel free to ask.
*****************************
How did a unit move in what seems to be an impossible way?
- A) There are abilities.
- B) The map is not as flat as it seems.
*****************************
If a unit moves in a way that uses a special ability, then you would have been told that in the "Map Notes" section, with a somewhat cryptic one-liner from me. The things I put in the Map Notes (and the poems) are not the irrelevant musings that they might seem.
Remember one way to find out where units are moving around you is to HOLD. By holding, you learn every order or ability that affects every adjacent space to the unit that held. Consider the HOLD order to be like an OBSERVE order. Holding is much more valuable in this game for the intelligence you gain than in a standard game – especially with a well-placed unit amid a bunch of enemies. If you order A to support B, then A only learns of other orders / abilities that affect spaces A or B. However if A holds instead, it would learn of all the orders / abilities that affect every adjacent space – far more information. You even learn of special abilities / actions!
Also don't forget your Lighthouse / Watch Tower will always tell you every order that affects either of the two spaces that it watches.
Enjoy,
-mike
[/quote:438fed5682]Think you know your TV, music and film? Try Search Charades![Reply] |
| Once Within - f03 (you didn't think) - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
…we’d miss a poem this year did you?
Promptly to the game returning, less one empire adjourning
Taking from this loss a learning how to use the fog of war
Nothing further shall be muttered, not a feather will be fluttered
by their parrots - fried and buttered feeding those who played hardcore
Now the beaten pirates leave us as they ponder days of yore
Ladys, mateys... Nevermore
All are out!
Thursday for RETREATS and BUILDS (yes, both)
Next Wednesday for Spring 04.
And welcome back our Troll Chief Rolf!
Enjoy!
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within - w03 all out! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
All retreats, builds, and disbands have been processed.
Next: Wednesday 4/23, 2pm Pacific!
Enjoy,
-mike
From: Michael Sims
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:07 PM
To: 'Warren Fleming (alwayshunted(at)hotmail.com)'; 'Gregory_Olson(at)brown.edu'; 'David Ellsworth'; 'wecanworkthisout(at)yahoo.com'; 'Jorge Saralegui'; 'Mikael Johanssen (m_don_j(at)hotmail.com)'; 'nephilli99(at)hotmail.com'; 'Rob Rodday (rjroddayjr(at)yahoo.com)'; 'jason4747(at)hotmail.com'; 'clarklandry(at)gmail.com'; 'James Clough (cluffy123(at)googlemail.com)'; 'Gregory Bim-Merle'; 'mrh(at)panix.com'; 'Rolf Loschek'; 'finchleywomble(at)hotmail.com'; 'Isaac Zinner'; 'jkudlick(at)gmail.com'; 'gkotschy(at)gmx.at'; 'Jason K'; 'Timo Rebschloe'
Cc: 'dc158(at)diplomaticcorp.com'
Subject: Once Within - f03 (you didn't think)
…we’d miss a poem this year did you?
Promptly to the game returning, less one empire adjourning
Taking from this loss a learning how to use the fog of war
Nothing further shall be muttered, not a feather will be fluttered
by their parrots - fried and buttered feeding those who played hardcore
Now the beaten pirates leave us as they ponder days of yore
Ladys, mateys... Nevermore
All are out!
Thursday for RETREATS and BUILDS (yes, both)
Next Wednesday for Spring 04.
And welcome back our Troll Chief Rolf!
Enjoy!
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within: Game End!! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
From A Hobbit’s Memoirs …
“with a hidden map, should come hidden players”
I tossed this idea back and forth many times prior to game start. It may have made it more interesting, but ultimately my goal was to keep the game “Diplomacy” and not “Civilization”. In Diplomacy, you can do just that, and agree w 3 surrounding neighbors to pummel a poor soul between you. That happens in standard games all the time.
FOW 5, I will likely try the opposite approach for the first time. So stay tuned for even more to discover.
Attached, is a bit of history of the map creation, from the early days and some initial rough drafts. At one point the world was square, and then it got rotated about 60 degrees, and wrapped around and rounded off to connect the edges.
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within: Game End!! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Well, for the start, I knew this would be fun.
I quickly made a pact with the Faeries and the Gnomes, the Faeries bringing the Dwarves along (who I now see were steeling all my map work as well!)
I spent more time negotiating for map pieces then moves and had a 90% complete map sometime around April.
The Archers expanded quickly, and by Mikes clues were in the top tier for size for the first 3-4 years.
Then I ran into the Nomads. I tried to get the seemingly neutral Wizards to assist as all my allies were to far north to assist, bet he sided with the Nomads and that began the end for me.
For those who asked, the initial set in the North was the Barbarians, Knights, and Centaurs (the 3 bordering the north pole) and then the Faeries, gnomes, Archers & Dwarves with some minor support from the Rogues and Trolls.
A great game, one I would play again, anytime!
Thanks all!
Jason
----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com>
To: Githraine(at)yahoo.com; alwayshunted(at)hotmail.com; cluffy123(at)googlemail.com; gkotschy(at)gmx.at; Gregory_Olson(at)brown.edu; rjroddayjr(at)yahoo.com; isaac.zinner(at)gmail.com; davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net; jason4747(at)hotmail.com; mrh(at)panix.com; clarklandry(at)gmail.com; gbimmerle(at)gmail.com; finchleywomble(at)hotmail.com; wecanworkthisout(at)yahoo.com; m_don_j(at)hotmail.com; jkudlick(at)gmail.com; rolfloschek(at)yahoo.de; jmsaralegui(at)gmail.com; nephilli99(at)hotmail.com
Cc: dc158(at)diplomaticcorp.com; Former Trout <former.trout(at)gmail.com>; Stephen Lytton <stevelytton(at)hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2008 12:14:42 PM
Subject: Once Within: Game End!!
Once within a fog so dreary, embarked a group of 19 leery
of what they’d find behind this eerie curtain of cryptic rhymed décor.
From them grew the MMA, a group of six… we saw them lay
The premise for a brighter day – then looking back they did no more.
Allegiance proved the winning tide as all the others did subside
And grant the six their greatest pride… A brilliant end to this our war.
Congrats to all who dared explore this game that now is Haven lore.
Shall quoth this Raven, Nevermore
**************************************************
That’s right, after 11 mysterious years, the game comes to a close with a 6-way draw of the Map Makers Alliance:
- Dwarves
- Hobbits
- Nomads
- Magicians
- Rogues
- Wizards
The other remaining players get survivals:
- Barbarians
- Centaurs
- Faeries
- Knights
**************************************************
End-Game-Statements are definitely encouraged, as this was a playtest in many regards… by far the largest FOW game I’ve attempted to run, and my personal favorite map creation. For me, the task of adjudicating the game became quite daunting toward the midgame, around years 3 to 5, since there was so much going on, and making 19 maps turned out to be a lot more work than I’d imagined. A full adjudication took about 3-4 hours during this time, and was down to about 2 hours each by the end once there were fewer players remaining.
I will certainly run another game on this map, but this time open map, and not fog, to see how it plays out any differently.
There are lots of other open games on the site…
- Seismic Diplomacy, run by Adam
- Southeast Asia , run by Vegas
- Wheel of Time, run by Jason
- The Original 1958 Diplomacy Game, run by Paolo
- and a 34-player Chaos game where each player starts with 1 sc on the standard map – by Matt
Check them out, at www.diplomaticcorp.com/recruiting[Reply] |
| Once Within: Game End!! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
A Hobbit’s Memoirs
Let me start by saying thank you to all who participated in this grand adventure. Most of all thank you to Mike, whose Haven map and rules were the focus of this game.
I would like to open a few ideas for discussion. First, I would like to talk about a hidden map game communication. Then I will explore the success of the MMA. Finally I will offer my opinions.
I may have taken advantage of the rules of this FOW game, but I am not convinced that it made a better game. I now am completely convinced that with a hidden map, should come hidden players, and here is why. At the outset I asked if we were really allowed to talk to the other players in the game even if we had yet to meet them in the world. The answer was yes. So I did. So did some others. I believe some stayed to a more “realistic†view of only talking to those they had met, which I am afraid, may have placed them at a disadvantage. I figured, since I can talk to anyone, and we are allowed to trade information, why not set up a small group of players who would pool their collective vision to see more of the world. Sure this would reduce the excitement of individual exploration, but the knowledge gained would surely be greater. Well after some exchanges of emails, I had a group of 6 to include myself eagerly awaiting our first maps. Thus the MMA knew of 18 SC at game start. We didn’t at first know our exact position in relation to the others, but by comparing boarders of unknown land and sea zones, we quickly had a pretty good idea of where we were. Through other short term alliances, we had gained enough map fragments to map the entire Haven world by May! Yes this knowledge was one major element for our success, but I think it greatly unbalanced the game as a whole.
Stemming from what I saw as an exploitable advantage in map knowledge, the Map Makers Alliance was formed. I was new to diplomaticcorp and feared entering a large game with players who would likely have played other games together. (An assumption that turned out to be a bit misguided.) So coming off an excellent first game and entering The Haven with one other player from my first game, I quickly contacted Greg (Nomads) to see if we could work together. He was very receptive to the idea, and I thought why not look for another player. I had talked with Mikeal (Rouges) just briefly at the very start of the game, as I did notice that he was a veteran of diplomaccorp, and I figured I would gauge his interest. He was interested, but cautious. So with maybe three of us, I thought I would try for maybe a quarter of the players. But how to choose? Here is the really dumb luck part. My first ally was red. I was orange. Mikeal was pink. Hmmm….what do I get if I look for races with some degree of red in their color? Well I add, Wizards and Magicians. That is five, but with a game that includes Dwarves, I like others guessed that some sort of underground tunnels would exist, so despite being red pigmentedly challenged, I contacted the Dwarves. (That may have been the MMA’s greatest stroke of luck due to Georg’s amazing mapping and his website where he updated and compiled all our maps each turn). The details of all our emails between us is somewhat lost in my memory, but I do recall having the hardest time with the darn Dwarves. Typical of their race they stubbornly tried to keep the underground secret. In an effort to create a lasting alliance I even wrote a set of “laws†that we all agreed to abide by. Sure anyone could have said screw that, but it didn’t happen! (whew!) While I am not really sure if everyone was on board by the time the game started, I would say that by the end of year 1 we were all pretty much on the way to a very successful game.
Now for my opinion on a few things. I think Haven has too much water. Just my opinion, but I like to have the differences between navies and armies a little more defined. I think the special abilities were an interesting addition, but as we were warned at the start, they may need some tweaks. Some of the abilities were great in the FOW game, but would be nearly useless in a regular game, so if Haven is to be played that way, keep that in mind. I really liked the success of the MMA, but I would offer that we shouldn’t have been allowed to contact each other. Finally I want to say I am sorry to the Pirates. They really didn’t have much of a chance with Greg and I playing him like we did. Partly it was just because it was early in the game and everyone had limited knowledge, and partly because we fed him so much misinformation, anyway, I just felt really bad. As a side note, the fact that 6 of us were not attacking each other, sometimes left us with limited choices as to who we could attack. The Pirates fell squarely between me and the Nomads.
Well, thank you for reading my ramblings, and enjoy one last Hobbit Feast!!!
DaveE[Reply] |
| Once Within: Game End!! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Heya folks!
My game was taken away from me pretty early on; Centaurs were hostile, Faeries didn't really help and Knights stabbed me for a home sc in fall 01, leaving me with no builds. Things were looking bleak. The game continued in this fashion, untill I was approached about the MMA. Since I was pretty much doomed at this point, I accepted and prayed that I could be pulled out of the fire. The rest is pretty much history, surviving was more than I could ever dream of. By all rights, I should have been taken out, but fate was with me this time. Thanks to all of the mma and to Simster for a great and enjoyable game!
/ Mikael
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 11:42:28 -0500
From: gbimmerle(at)gmail.com
To: mike(at)southwall.com
Subject: Re: Once Within: Game End!!
CC: Githraine(at)yahoo.com; alwayshunted(at)hotmail.com; cluffy123(at)googlemail.com; gkotschy(at)gmx.at; Gregory_Olson(at)brown.edu; rjroddayjr(at)yahoo.com; isaac.zinner(at)gmail.com; davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net; jason4747(at)hotmail.com; mrh(at)panix.com; clarklandry(at)gmail.com; finchleywomble(at)hotmail.com; wecanworkthisout(at)yahoo.com; m_don_j(at)hotmail.com; jkudlick(at)gmail.com; rolfloschek(at)yahoo.de; jmsaralegui(at)gmail.com; nephilli99(at)hotmail.com; dc158(at)diplomaticcorp.com; former.trout(at)gmail.com; stevelytton(at)hotmail.com
Hey Guys,
First off I want to thank Mike for creating, GMing, and putting in those long hours adjudicating this game. You're Awesome! Also Haven was a great map. I really enjoyed exploring it and discovering all the unique peoples and races that inhabited it. I can't wait to see what Mike's next fog map will look like (hint, hint). 
ESG:
The Nomadic people of Haven were very blessed to have found the Hobbits to be a friendly people and to be included in the Map Makers Alliance. The benefit of having a World Map and five committed allies early in the game proved to be a invaluable tool while exploring the foggy lands of Haven.
The MMA wasn't the only major alliance in this game. The Nomads were also involved in the TRL Alliance (Three River Lake) with the Ogres and Elves. Unfortunately I ended up having to betray the TRL Alliance due to the expansion of the MMA (Sorry guys, nothing personal).
Along with MMA and TRL, I'm sure that there were other alliances that I wasn't aware of. If anyone know about the politics and alliances in the north I'd be very interested to hear about it since I had little to do with the north until late in the game.
I really enjoyed playing with all of you and I hope to see you all again in some future diplomatic endeavor.
Thanks,
GB
On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:14 AM, Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com ([email]mike(at)southwall.com[/email])> wrote:
Once within a fog so dreary, embarked a group of 19 leery
of what they'd find behind this eerie curtain of cryptic rhymed décor.
From them grew the MMA, a group of six… we saw them lay
The premise for a brighter day – then looking back they did no more.
Allegiance proved the winning tide as all the others did subside
And grant the six their greatest pride… A brilliant end to this our war.
Congrats to all who dared explore this game that now is Haven lore.
Shall quoth this Raven, Nevermore
**************************************************
That's right, after 11 mysterious years, the game comes to a close with a 6-way draw of the Map Makers Alliance:
- Dwarves
- Hobbits
- Nomads
- Magicians
- Rogues
- Wizards
The other remaining players get survivals:
- Barbarians
- Centaurs
- Faeries
- Knights
**************************************************
End-Game-Statements are definitely encouraged, as this was a playtest in many regards… by far the largest FOW game I've attempted to run, and my personal favorite map creation. For me, the task of adjudicating the game became quite daunting toward the midgame, around years 3 to 5, since there was so much going on, and making 19 maps turned out to be a lot more work than I'd imagined. A full adjudication took about 3-4 hours during this time, and was down to about 2 hours each by the end once there were fewer players remaining.
I will certainly run another game on this map, but this time open map, and not fog, to see how it plays out any differently.
There are lots of other open games on the site…
- Seismic Diplomacy, run by Adam
- Southeast Asia, run by Vegas
- Wheel of Time, run by Jason
- The Original 1958 Diplomacy Game, run by Paolo
- and a 34-player Chaos game where each player starts with 1 sc on the standard map – by Matt
Check them out, at www.diplomaticcorp.com/recruiting
[Reply] |
| Once Within: Game End!! - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
Hey Guys,
First off I want to thank Mike for creating, GMing, and putting in those long hours adjudicating this game. You're Awesome! Also Haven was a great map. I really enjoyed exploring it and discovering all the unique peoples and races that inhabited it. I can't wait to see what Mike's next fog map will look like (hint, hint).
ESG:
The Nomadic people of Haven were very blessed to have found the Hobbits to be a friendly people and to be included in the Map Makers Alliance. The benefit of having a World Map and five committed allies early in the game proved to be a invaluable tool while exploring the foggy lands of Haven.
The MMA wasn't the only major alliance in this game. The Nomads were also involved in the TRL Alliance (Three River Lake) with the Ogres and Elves. Unfortunately I ended up having to betray the TRL Alliance due to the expansion of the MMA (Sorry guys, nothing personal).
Along with MMA and TRL, I'm sure that there were other alliances that I wasn't aware of. If anyone know about the politics and alliances in the north I'd be very interested to hear about it since I had little to do with the north until late in the game.
I really enjoyed playing with all of you and I hope to see you all again in some future diplomatic endeavor.
Thanks,
GB
On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:14 AM, Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com ([email]mike(at)southwall.com[/email])> wrote:
Once within a fog so dreary, embarked a group of 19 leery
of what they'd find behind this eerie curtain of cryptic rhymed décor.
From them grew the MMA, a group of six… we saw them lay
The premise for a brighter day – then looking back they did no more.
Allegiance proved the winning tide as all the others did subside
And grant the six their greatest pride… A brilliant end to this our war.
Congrats to all who dared explore this game that now is Haven lore.
Shall quoth this Raven, Nevermore
**************************************************
That's right, after 11 mysterious years, the game comes to a close with a 6-way draw of the Map Makers Alliance:
- Dwarves
- Hobbits
- Nomads
- Magicians
- Rogues
- Wizards
The other remaining players get survivals:
- Barbarians
- Centaurs
- Faeries
- Knights
**************************************************
End-Game-Statements are definitely encouraged, as this was a playtest in many regards… by far the largest FOW game I've attempted to run, and my personal favorite map creation. For me, the task of adjudicating the game became quite daunting toward the midgame, around years 3 to 5, since there was so much going on, and making 19 maps turned out to be a lot more work than I'd imagined. A full adjudication took about 3-4 hours during this time, and was down to about 2 hours each by the end once there were fewer players remaining.
I will certainly run another game on this map, but this time open map, and not fog, to see how it plays out any differently.
There are lots of other open games on the site…
- Seismic Diplomacy, run by Adam
- Southeast Asia, run by Vegas
- Wheel of Time, run by Jason
- The Original 1958 Diplomacy Game, run by Paolo
- and a 34-player Chaos game where each player starts with 1 sc on the standard map – by Matt
Check them out, at www.diplomaticcorp.com/recruiting
[Reply] |
| Once Within: DipWiki & RW - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
The DipWiki (www.dipwiki.com?title=Haven) is updated with all the Haven info. We’re hoping to turn the wiki into a truly interactive database of variants and diplomacy information, so if you have comments about the game, map, playability, etc, feel free to post them on the relevant wiki page.
And much anticipated, the game’s .dpw file is attached, showing all moves throughout. You can now download the RealWorld variant files from the variant library, at www.diplomaticcorp.com/variants. You’ll need to have RealWORLD, not RealPOLITIK, since RW allows for more players and colors – this game file will not load in RP! If you don’t already have this adjudicator program, you can find it in the downloads page.
Enjoy,
-mike[Reply] |
| Once Within: Poem - test_gm (Sep 13, 2007, 12:00 am) |
The full poem that developed over the course of the game, for those who got eliminated along the way.
Stats are online, www.diplomaticcorp.com?game_id=dc158
-mike
Once within a fog so dreary, embark a group to test their theory
O’er many a quaint and curious set of foggy maps galore
Begins this game of warful scrapping, alliances, and clever stabbing
Of unfortunate souls that are caught napping, mapping at the very core.
Tis a neighbor you’ll discover – attacking, he will try to score
A victory, and nothing more.
****************************************************************
Ah distinctly I recall, it was in that foggy sprawl,
That each and every players' scrawl, they'd sent to me without deplore.
Eagerly anticipating finding who's participating
in the deals they'd been stating, building up a good rapport
While others seeking something more, lash out with their armies for
Their neighbor’s land – declaring war
****************************************************************
Peering thru that foggy curtain, many things you find uncertain
Thrilling, filling with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now to still the beating of your heart I stand repeating
of the centers you are needing for your land to grow to four.
But you wonder never certain if your land will sink or soar
For maybe some have grown by more.
****************************************************************
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating, then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Monster, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was searching thru this land of monsters lurching
From the shadows armed and perching, waiting for the time to score
That I scarce was sure I knew this land was played on ground and shore
But I sense below there’s more.
****************************************************************
Aye, into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no player ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, as the aforementioned token
of good will best went unspoken for what I've been taken for.
This I feared, is what becomes me as my centers dwindle more
While others near the two times four.
****************************************************************
While we bear this slight delay, with players shouting, screaming, Hey -
I need my moves, it's time to play and see what fruits my orders bore
We look around and see what that is in our box tonight a status
of the game and what thereat is deep below the ocean floor
Let thy heart be still a moment as we hold for one day more
Results out soon, both sweet and sore
****************************************************************
Promptly to the game returning, less one empire adjourning
Taking from this loss a learning how to use the fog of war
Nothing further shall be muttered, not a feather will be fluttered
by their parrots - fried and buttered feeding those who played hardcore
Now the beaten pirates leave us as they ponder days of yore
Ladys, mateys... Nevermore
****************************************************************
Taking a substantial beating, once great empires now fleeting
Hoping they will not be meeting with the Pirates out the door
But the fact is some were catching up on sleep; others dispatching
Forces to their border-- scratching, snatching up their centers for
A purpose that will sure not suit them if they wish that good rapport
Elimination – and nothing more
****************************************************************
Now we bid our fondest farewell to the undead who dont dare dwell
with the living - sent their caravels to the deepest ocean floor.
With them go the Samurai, who with one last valiant BONSAI
find that they too have come up dry in their search for something more.
Pray that you will not soon chase them out this toughest game of war...
For some near 30! (in base four)
****************************************************************
Once again a day goes by without results, you wonder why…
Your GM is a busy guy! And couldn’t run the turn before.
But do not fret this game delayed, with visions straight and courses stayed
We get back to the fields frayed and scattered full of elven lore
Of hidden moves in wooded lands that only serves to underscore
That in this game, they are no more.
****************************************************************
To this game an end proposed – to some, agreement is supposed
But any single one opposed is all it takes to further pour
Your heart into this foggy game in hopes that someday you’ll proclaim
The happy end for which you came to darken lands of blood and gore.
But looking back the archers, gnomes, and ogres tried their best to score
A victory – But nevermore.
****************************************************************
Once within a fog so dreary, embarked a group of 19 leery
of what they’d find behind this eerie curtain of cryptic rhymed décor.
From them grew the MMA, a group of six… we saw them lay
The premise for a brighter day – then looking back they did no more.
Allegiance proved the winning tide as all the others did subside
And grant the six their greatest pride… A brilliant end to this our war.
Congrats to all who dared explore this game that now is Haven lore.
Shall quoth this Raven, Nevermore[Reply] |
