New Anonymous Game

[IMPERIAL_TARK]

I'm fine with waiting or quick version proposed. Either is ok.

[Diws]

A purely anonymous is preferable, all things being equal, but I don't want to wait too long. So as far as I'm concerned, let's get the game started as Rick suggests

[DuPont]

I'm in.

[Thunderbird]

New player, but would be interested in joining this game (after raising my service level I am assuming new game starts are not that often ?

[Ry Vor]

The idea of all secret council issues is.   Say someone makes an issue to raise influence.   If you vote No they would see who is voting against them but say someone votes Yes it is almost like saying let's be buddies.   In secret your issue does not pass.  You do not know did one person vote no or everyone.   Likely only you voted yes, unless someone likes that you are fighting someone and maybe wants to vote yes.   There is plenty of communication that can take place with council issues.  
If you were voting no then started voting yes you could be sending a signal.  How is it perceived is another story.

OK, thanks for that.  Then there is the other side of the coin.  If you are open and vote no, you are sending a different message.  I think a complete vaccum is strange and just expressing through the HC vote (again, with the restriction not to promote another kingdom through a council issue) seems good, and all players see the vote.  If its secret and it passes, how does that help the strategy of everyone?

[JonDoe]

The idea of all secret council issues is.   Say someone makes an issue to raise influence.   If you vote No they would see who is voting against them but say someone votes Yes it is almost like saying let's be buddies.   In secret your issue does not pass.  You do not know did one person vote no or everyone.   Likely only you voted yes, unless someone likes that you are fighting someone and maybe wants to vote yes.   There is plenty of communication that can take place with council issues.  
If you were voting no then started voting yes you could be sending a signal.  How is it perceived is another story.

OK, thanks for that.  Then there is the other side of the coin.  If you are open and vote no, you are sending a different message.  I think a complete vaccum is strange and just expressing through the HC vote (again, with the restriction not to promote another kingdom through a council issue) seems good, and all players see the vote.  If its secret and it passes, how does that help the strategy of everyone?

That is the idea secret and passed no information or communication is gained.  Secret and fails at least one person is voting against you but you do not know which of the 4.

A more clear cut example of communication.  If you are the HA and you put up an open issue to raise influence and you and the RA vote yes.  Then the RA puts up an order and the HA and RA vote yes.  They are at the very least council allies, but also not going to fight each other because they are aleafy working with each other.
Or the HA puts up an issue to lower the SA reaction level in R5.  The RA votes yes openly.  Now the HA knows he has a supporter.  Perhaps the SO votes no.  More communication.  How it is interpreted is up to the players but that is just one issue.  More issues can set up strong alliance without ever saying a word.

I am just giving examples but am fine either way.  Just saying do not dismiss the council as not a way to communicate.   As long as it is clear what is aloud I am fine.

[Ry Vor]

The idea of all secret council issues is.   Say someone makes an issue to raise influence.   If you vote No they would see who is voting against them but say someone votes Yes it is almost like saying let's be buddies.   In secret your issue does not pass.  You do not know did one person vote no or everyone.   Likely only you voted yes, unless someone likes that you are fighting someone and maybe wants to vote yes.   There is plenty of communication that can take place with council issues.  
If you were voting no then started voting yes you could be sending a signal.  How is it perceived is another story.

OK, thanks for that.  Then there is the other side of the coin.  If you are open and vote no, you are sending a different message.  I think a complete vaccum is strange and just expressing through the HC vote (again, with the restriction not to promote another kingdom through a council issue) seems good, and all players see the vote.  If its secret and it passes, how does that help the strategy of everyone?

That is the idea secret and passed no information or communication is gained.  Secret and fails at least one person is voting against you but you do not know which of the 4.

A more clear cut example of communication.  If you are the HA and you put up an open issue to raise influence and you and the RA vote yes.  Then the RA puts up an order and the HA and RA vote yes.  They are at the very least council allies, but also not going to fight each other because they are aleafy working with each other.
Or the HA puts up an issue to lower the SA reaction level in R5.  The RA votes yes openly.  Now the HA knows he has a supporter.  Perhaps the SO votes no.  More communication.  How it is interpreted is up to the players but that is just one issue.  More issues can set up strong alliance without ever saying a word.

I am just giving examples but am fine either way.  Just saying do not dismiss the council as not a way to communicate.   As long as it is clear what is aloud I am fine.

An interesting discussion and one probably best on the Philosophy thread.  No secret I personally don't favor anonymous as it eliminates a big part of the intrigue of Alamaze.  It doesn't become anything like beer & pretzels, but I don't know that players get as wrapped up in anonymous games as, well, who knows who screwed up, for example.  At least in Silent, you know who is who, you just can't send messages to them directly.

But I kind of like the messaging on just a yea or no vote on the HC, and again, its not secret, everyone sees the votes, if that will so influence them and again only five are on the HC.  It's sort of like peaking out a window instead of being in a dark room.

[Ry Vor]

New player, but would be interested in joining this game (after raising my service level I am assuming new game starts are not that often ?

Greetings Thunderbird!

Actually, we average about a new game a week over the last four years, but we have been in something of a transition with migrating to new hosted servers and introducing a new game creator utility, and we have the summer vacation thing. 

New players can access rules, map etc., here on the forum under (strangely) Rules and Resources, although the absolutely up-to-date ones are available under Help Guides when you just get to the log in screen (see link in blue there).  http://fallofromegame.com/alamazeorders/login.php

Of course you can join, you just have to commit yes or no.

[Calidor]

Thunderbird if you haven't done a free duel yet I would advise you to try one. A veteran player can join and try to show you the ropes. I don't want to dissuade you but be aware that going into a Silent (no communication) game as your first one will be challenging!

I did the Duel, a Primeval (5 player game), a regular 10 player game and I'm now am in a 12 player team game (4 teams of 3). I am learning so much from the team game that it's amazing. I wish we could have these all the time and get new players involved!

I'f you've already done the Duel then go for it... just be prepared for a lot of info to come at you

[JonDoe]

Diws
Oman the heartless
IMP_TARK
Greyhawk
Netstrider
DuPont
Drogo

+
Jon Doe
Thunderbird

This is what I see so far.   Get in before RyVor stops the signup and we get a draft order.  A randomized could be as easy as "Siri roll me a D10".  Then Siri roll me a D8