TURN FREQUENCY

[Jumpingfist]

M/W/F would seem the obvious choice for three days
Wed/Sat for warlords as already mentioned by Rick.

[Sinestro]

Thank you

[DuPont]

I would only want to play a fast game if it were anonymous, but I'd be up for one that ran a turn every day
Of course I'd expect to pay more for more turns a month - fair is fair.

[Kellenved]

I would like someone, or some number of people, to post here how frequently other PBEM games run: game name and frequency and price.  Maybe I am behind the times when I think the answer is they run one turn every two weeks and charge about $10+ for it.  And I think they may have started maybe six games in two years while we have started 140, and with almost no two of them the same.

Usually when I ask those kind of questions, I get no answer, other than something like we expect a lot more out of you, then we do out of them. 

On the point, I don't mind running faster, other than we have lost closer to 100 players than 1 or 2 due to the pace of Alamaze.  I think we can try it, as Sinestro challenges, with not too much required from Mike to distract from The Choosing, but I do think the vocal part of the community on this point is a minority. I, for one, am almost relieved when I have six days instead of four for the next turn.  And we can always join more games if there is not enough Alamaze happening in our life.

So I'd say to those interested, come to a consensus on the 3x a week that can be programed as a scheduled process and we can probably do it for the Steel game now forming.  Good?

If the Warlords want 2x a week, post on that thread, and it will be 3 slots instead of 2.  Then Wednesday and Saturday both.  Again, that will take some time from Mike.

I'm in for twice a week on the warlords using 3 slots instead of 2. Thanks a lot, Rick, for giving it a chance.

[Acererak]

I have no idea what other PBEM games exist. Are there others? I played Hyborian War once in the late 80's I think, prior to them acquiring the license to run Alamaze. It sucked.

[Thudargh]

I would like someone, or some number of people, to post here how frequently other PBEM games run: game name and frequency and price.  Maybe I am behind the times when I think the answer is they run one turn every two weeks and charge about $10+ for it.  And I think they may have started maybe six games in two years while we have started 140, and with almost no two of them the same.

Usually when I ask those kind of questions, I get no answer, other than something like we expect a lot more out of you, then we do out of them. 

On the point, I don't mind running faster, other than we have lost closer to 100 players than 1 or 2 due to the pace of Alamaze.  I think we can try it, as Sinestro challenges, with not too much required from Mike to distract from The Choosing, but I do think the vocal part of the community on this point is a minority. I, for one, am almost relieved when I have six days instead of four for the next turn.  And we can always join more games if there is not enough Alamaze happening in our life.

So I'd say to those interested, come to a consensus on the 3x a week that can be programed as a scheduled process and we can probably do it for the Steel game now forming.  Good?

If the Warlords want 2x a week, post on that thread, and it will be 3 slots instead of 2.  Then Wednesday and Saturday both.  Again, that will take some time from Mike.

Last November, I decided I wanted to get more gaming into my life, which is something that had dropped considerably with having kids.  I had played some PBM games(Hyborian War) back in my college days, thought that would be a good option, and started to look into what was available.  While I don't recall the exact figures(and thus am failing Rick's specific challenge), the results were as Rick says - turn frequency was on the order of two weeks or monthly and $10 per turn was about the minimum you would see.  Then I happened to Google Alamaze, which I had played a couple of turns as the Nomads way back in the day.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  You pay about the same each month, but you get a butt-load more content.  And I really liked the faster pace - the two week turnaround really felt like a legacy of the snail-mail age.  I was very happy to sign up and remain very happy to be involved to this day.

I don't know if an even faster pace will ultimately be a good or a bad thing for Alamaze.  I get why it appeals to experienced players - it seems akin to chess players moving on to speed chess to up the challenge and get more of the game they love.  I also get how it can drive new people away from the game - the complexity and nuance can feel overwhelming, especially at higher speeds.  Perhaps the key will be us as a community finding ways to help ease new players into the intensity.  I know I'd like the player base to grow - the larger our community, the more fun Alamaze will be.

I'd also say that Rick(along with others such as Cypher and Unclemike) is a victim of his own awesomeness.  He's done some really amazing things with Alamaze, and we probably do take that for granted at times.  Thank-you Rick, for listening, being open to trying things, and for creating such an awesome game.

[Ry Vor]

I'm blushing.  Thanks for the compliment, and it remains the most important thing for Alamaze that the players enjoy the experience, that I think can't be had elsewhere.

It's a team sport.  While I get to play QB, we have needed our entire team, which of course includes not only Cipher, Uncle Mike, Lord Diamond, Frost Lord, Bananas, but also our mentors and all active posters here on the forum. 

BTW, players may have noticed today the new links Mike mentioned to have the players aids available from the order entry site now.