Did you give up hope and quit?

[SaucyWench]

I'm hearing this from people, and I guess it was inevitable. I am tossing up a few ideas, and it would be good to get some feedback on what people think. First, extra prizes: I will probably introduce a 2nd to 5th prize for Orange. Would it make you stay, even if you thought you could not win, if you might come 5th? Second... should the winner be kept secret? I can block the Hall of Fame until the end of the tournament. I could even leave the current tournaments as they are and block it for say, the Blue Tourney. For those that have dropped out because the winners are too far ahead, would that make you stay?

(Just as an aside, my playing character has missed more than a third of the game days so far. I think it could still win if I remember to play each day!)

[DanaScully]

I didn't vote, cause I ain't quitting :) But then you might expect that from someone crazy enough to play at 3:30 AM her time, to make sure she doesn't miss a game day.

I like having the hall of fame, because although I'm not even close, I like seeing my relative standing. I've been running consistently 14th, 15th and I'm hoping to gradually work my way up.

We've learned a lot in the purple tourney, and the things you are doing with the orange tourney to ensure a more equal start will probably help.

I do think the idea of having more prizes is good, and you might make prizes for different catagories, ie a prize for most charm at end, prize for fasted kill, etc. I realize that would make the prizes smaller, but I think most of us are playing for bragging rights more than anything, anyway!

[Crowley]

Well, while I admire the sentiment, people can still read the daily news, unless you block that, and then they can still look at people's bios, unless you block that. Then they can still look at who's online, unless you block that, and then they can still bribe cedrik to look in the Inn at people's titles, unless you block that... in which case half the game is gone!

[Qwyxzl]

They only way to have a truely level playing field is to eliminate the possiblity of missing days. I would be willing to bet that those player that have missed days would feel a lot more competitive knowing that they would be able to make them up.

[DanaScully]

They only way to have a truely level playing field is to eliminate the possiblity of missing days. I would be willing to bet that those player that have missed days would feel a lot more competitive knowing that they would be able to make them up.

I find this interesting, too. Could you make it work so you get (for example) 100 game days flat? 1 calendar month to accomplish them and for the tourney to end. It would add an element of strategy not presently in the game (when to actually play your days).

[Furion]

I always thought this would be a good idea myself. That "New Day!" button could really come in handy to level the field. The tournament shouldn't be affected by who has the least number of Real Life™ activities going on, or at least not in my corner of this protective bubble where everything is fair and happy. :D It should be decided by who is the best player.

[Crowley]

That's a good idea. 100 clicks of the "new day!" button each over the period of 1-2 real months. Then no-one will give up because they won't be able to tell how far along each person is!

[Tyrall]

I think that would work very well.

Some limits might be appropriate (maybe 5 new days per day), but I'd be a lot happier knowing I could make up the odd few days in a month where I don't have 'net access.

I've missed 2 days so far, and will miss another few for an upcoming wedding, but I'm still going to try to place. :)

I think posting a 'top ten/twenty', even if only 1st place or 1st-3rd place get prizes would also be good. I may be biased, as I'm in 4th right now, and likely to stay there due to the afore-mentioned RL stuff. ;)

[Hapa Angel]

I may have given up on winning, but I'm not giving up on playing. I love the settings on Purple tourney. The game settings are different from most other well-established servers, you can start afresh and test out your tactics, and you get the opportunity to start somewhere that has a somewhat level playing field (meaning, everyone starts as a Farmie). I think those should be enough incentive for players to keep coming back.

Saucy, I don't know that it would be necessary to give that many prizes. I mean, even the Olympics only go to third place for their medals. :wink: But basically, a tournament server is going to appeal to a certain class of player, extra rewards or no. And for what its worth, you run a high-class server. I intend to keep playing at Gemdust for awhile, and hopefully win a tourney one of these years. :lol:

[SharDeNayMerLow]

Several thoughts that may be pertinent to the original topic, and some of the ideas cropping up in this thread.

* Saucy, how about prizes/awards of some sort for different goals, for example fastest DK's, most charm, most successful PvP's et al. Might give folks who don't feel they can compete something else to shoot for.

* I don't think blocking statistics/HoF is the way to go, I find the statistics motivating and informative, in fact I've altered my strategy and tactics several times based on what I've observed others doing successfully by looking at the stats.

* I'm not a fan of the "New Day" idea Mainly because that will mess with availability of PvP targets. Folks who utilize PvP as a significant part of their strategy would be penalized by this idea I'd think.

I'm playing on Purple using my primary Central characters name, Calian.

[Tyrall]

I agree on the PVP thing. That's why I suggested the limit on newdays; it stops someone just going through all their days in one marathon session and avoiding interaction.

Perhaps it could be further limited so you couldn't 'newday' ahead of everyone else (you could bring yourself current, but not jump ahead).

[SharDeNayMerLow]

I still think people will game the 'catch-up' function of a new day, I can think of several 'New Day strategies' that would drastically reduce exposure to PvP and also have impact on gold spending/equipment purchases.

I think it'll be interesting to see how the other tourneys go, I can't help but think it is the intensity of the Purple tournament that is causing attrition. I've had several sessions run more than 2 hours a game day, honestly had I realized it would eat up this much time I wouldn't have joined. Of course, I'm not going to be giving up myself!

[SaucyWench]

Wow, this info is great, guys, thank you.

I think Chardy hit the nail on the head (may I call you Chardy?). The intensive nature of Purple took us ALL by surprise, particularly me. This is why I am introducing things to try to kill you or make you lose turns (no, it is not a coincidence that the quicksand and the cold are nasty). I have also spent hours playing turns that seem to go forever, because I need to know the gameplay of my server, and it *is* currently too long - those who find it a bit long, I hope you'll hang in there as I add new stuff to further slow it down (if you don't want to wait, perhaps you'd like Orange instead, because it has far fewer things that make turns last forever).

Based on the feedback I won't touch the Hall of Fame - as others have pointed out it's not really feasible to do it properly anyway.

The "catch up" new day item is something that Kendaer, MightyE and I once discussed for Central. It was something that we didn't think was quite right for Central, but on a Tourney server it may well be fine. I will *try* to code this for Orange. It all depends on my workload for the next couple of weeks. I'll certainly let you know if I do.

In case some of you are unaware, the Hunter's Lodge on each tourney sells a Revive Serum - it allows you up to five New Days from the Shades at any point in the tourney. For those of you with points to spend it might be of interest.

I've been astounded overall, by the way, at the amazing bunch of players we have here and on the servers. I wondered whether people could be trusted to behave in a more liberal chat area, and you have all shone; I asked for feedback and every single comment so far has been positive. I wondered if it would cost me a fortune to run, and the donations have so far broken even. It's all been beyond my wildest dreams and I owe you all a great deal of gratitude. Thank you.

[Qwyxzl]

I think there is another area of concern. It also realtes to people have large amounts of free time. While I like the idea of giving people a running start at the tournament, there is a bit of a problem for people willing to spend the time. If you progress as slow as possible and don't fight the dragon but instead spend a day playing turns, dying to get rid of XP, then new daying it might be possible to aquire a tremendous amount of benefits.

[DanaScully]

You are very welcome, Saucy.

I love Central, and I hope 20 years from now, I'm sitting there with 2000 DKs (and still only in the top 20%). I can introduce my grandchildren to LOTGD and have them be in awe of all that's gone on before. (Sounds kind of Vikinglike, doesn't it?)

Having said that, the tourneys are such an awesome idea. Because they don't last forever, it is possible to experiment, without throwing off the balance of a "permanent" server, or screwing over a 20+ DK character.

Possibilities are endless, subject to available funds and time for the administrator. Yes, some of the ideas given before will penalize a player who has a particular strategy. In real life adaptation is the key to long-term survival :)

I think the reason this game appeals across age boundaries is that it is a mind puzzle, not just pillage in the forest the most and win.

I'd think before too long we will see lots of tourneys with wildly varying settings. Even blind tourneys (you don't know the settings in advance), or invitation only tourneys.

And as a side benefit, they should give the developers of the game little laboratory experiments for insights to the game as a whole.

Again, Saucy, thanks so much

(Enelrad in purple)

[SaucyWench]

There will be limitations if I code the catchup button. It will only allow you to catch up missed days and it will be capped (if you miss 12 in a row, bad luck, you can only catch up a maximum of 5 at a time, or something like that). Additionally, I'm talking to Booger about ways to limit it... he's good at seeing things I miss, and what we considered was a cross between a set-number tournament (someone suggested 100 days flat) and where it is now (100 server new days, with resurrections unlimited). More than likely the catchup file will look at how many days/resurrections you have played, then count the day of the tourney, and only let you catch up if you have played fewer days than that. While some players might manage 20 game days in the first 10 days by using resurrections, I'd only let you hit Catchup if you had played fewer than 10 by day 10 (make sense?)

Thoughts?

[Crowley]

It'd certainly change the way I play it. The only reason the two/three of us are so far ahead at the moment is because every day we die and resurrect - the setup of Purple allows you to gain more XP than you lose by dying and resurrecting because of all the bonus turns you can reap.

To clarify what you've said, because I'm a little confused - if you went through 10 real days of the tournament, and played 1 turn each day - how many "new day" clicks would you be allowed, compared to if you went through 10 real days, 1 turn +1 resurrected turn each day?

[SaucyWench]

Sorry - if you play each day as you do now, you are not affected. Play all the days you like, resurrect a thousand times, no worries. It would *only* affect people who miss game days and want to catch them up with a special button - to those people I will say, I will only let you catch up some of them (the idea is, that addicts like Crowley worked hard to get where they are).

[Crowley]

Ah, I see.

I still think there is some merit in a server with a standard 100 turns each. Limit however many each day - maybe 10 - but allow everyone the same chance, no matter if they have spare time to play (like I have these last few weeks), or if they have only short time. Then the victory will be purely tactical, and not down to real life circumstances. Someone could play 10 real days and still get to use all their 100 turns, just as if someone played every day.

[SaucyWench]

My player would toast you all ;)

If I manage to get to the lead I will tell you who it is, and retire :) So far I have been too busy (or I just forget to play until 20 minutes before New Day).

All things to ponder. Orange has a while before it starts so who knows?

[Crowley]

I'm considering abandoning my Central char and my Char on the Trickery server so I have time to play the competition servers. It's so much more fun playing when you have a chance of actually winning!

[Furion]

Crowley, you might want to petition on Central to have the admins turn on the "Doesn't Expire" flag for your character. I am sure they would be willing to do that for a donator/positive influence/addict/great blogger such as yourself. :D

That way, when the tourneys are over, you can still go back to your colored name and 5 or so DK's and have as much fun as before. Besides, I wouldn't want you to have to start over in your quest to beat LOGD, because your addiction would make you do all those 100+ game days over again. :D

[Crowley]

When I say "abandon", I mean "carry on playing despite not having enough time".

Do you think if I petition for an extra real life day every weekend they might let me have that? How far do their powers extend? ;)

[Ryuusei]

I'm out, but its not because I felt I had no chance of winning.. last time I logged in I was in 6th place. This is, of course, no longer the case.. that was almost a week ago! No, rather, my time has been eaten up by real life, and by the fact that I am now running a server of my own, and I simply can't keep up with Purple anymore. Alas..

[Qwyxzl]

Sorry - if you play each day as you do now, you are not affected. Play all the days you like, resurrect a thousand times, no worries. It would *only* affect people who miss game days and want to catch them up with a special button - to those people I will say, I will only let you catch up some of them (the idea is, that addicts like Crowley worked hard to get where they are).

Addicts!?! Where? :)

[Atrus]

I've just had very little spare time:(

And Central keeps me busy too:)

[SussieSaxton]

I don't know how it would take you hours to play on Purple. The max I have spent per game day is about 30 minutes, and that is only if I resurect twice. Of course, I'm in 14th place.... but still. How in the world can you spend hours playing this game?

Sussie

[Crowley]

Well, for example: there's your 18 basic turns or so, sometimes x3 if you're lucky in the graveyard, plus the 20-25 turns from heidi 75-80 turns can take quite some time on a slow connection :)

[Fionnabhair]

I *did* give up, but it's not really because I don't think I can win, although I don't think I can win. :) It's because it just takes way too much time, and I don't want to neglect my central and dragoncat characters (of which I have only 1 each, but it still takes plenty of time to play them). I love the idea of the tourneys, though, and I'm rooting for Crowley! Go, Crowley!

[Crowley]

I think it's a poor idea to root for someone more than 1 dragonkill behind the leaders and dropping back every day :)

[SharDeNayMerLow]

I'm rooting for you Crowley! Right after I cheer for Calian of course.

Seriously, don't give up, as we have all discovered at one point or another the RNG turns on each of us, and there are only Tyrall, Qwyxzl and Calian ahead of you with 60+ game days left.

This is an endurance contest as much as a strategy contest, I suspect I'm going to be missing game days near the end of August, and I know Tyrall has already mentioned he'll be missing a few days also.

I will not be surprised to see the race tighten back up (unless Q continues his recent charge!).

[Crowley]

Aye, you're right. 6 messed-up game days out of the last 7 tends to put me on a bit of a downer :)

[SaucyWench]

Well, I thought it would happen... Real Life™ has stepped in, and so I am dropping out of the comp (I will still play when I can, but just haven't time to actually beat you all!). I have missed fully HALF the game days. At one point I was in 5th (when I had missed about a third of the days) and the character is none other than the most charming warrior in the land. Well, drats.

[Crowley]

Of all the names you could choose, you chose "SpankMyBareButt"?! LOL!

[Acemaster]

If you are surprised by that, then you don't know Saucy very well.

[Qwyxzl]

I'm rooting for you Crowley! Right after I cheer for Calian of course.

Seriously, don't give up, as we have all discovered at one point or another the RNG turns on each of us, and there are only Tyrall, Qwyxzl and Calian ahead of you with 60+ game days left.

This is an endurance contest as much as a strategy contest, I suspect I'm going to be missing game days near the end of August, and I know Tyrall has already mentioned he'll be missing a few days also.

I will not be surprised to see the race tighten back up (unless Q continues his recent charge!).

You are absolutely correct about the endurance thing. I am in front right now and have extended my lead by a tiny bit but there is still plenty of room left. I would go so far as to say that people with 2 less Dks are still in it.

[Headless]

I gave up and quit before I started, since I didn't have a chance to join at the beginning.

However, when is the next round going to start?

[Fritz]

I gave up and quit before I started, since I didn't have a chance to join at the beginning.

However, when is the next round going to start?

Might I suggest you look at Saucy's signature block. You might find your answer there.

[SaucyWench]

Of all the names you could choose, you chose "SpankMyBareButt"?! LOL!

Just you wait until Blue starts. JUST YOU WAIT! ;)

[Crowley]

If you are surprised by that, then you don't know Saucy very well.

Well no, I don't :)

[SaucyWench]

Well, it got attention. One player constantly tried to spank me. Kept YOMing me indecent and lewd comments...



it was great

[Acemaster]

Quit flattering me, Saucy... :oops:



Seriously, it wasn't me. I don't even have a character on any tourney server.

[Tyrall]

As you've all no doubt noticed, I've not been on much in the last couple of days.

I'm preparing for a fairly serious move; I'm headed back to the UK after 6 years in the US. Obviously, this gives me very little free time of late.

Had a lot of fun; good luck to you all.
Sorry I couldn't make it a little more exciting for you!

I especially enjoyed the game of leapfrog with Qwyxzl and Calian of late!

[SaucyWench]

Drats! Well, best of luck for the move!

(Side question. Is 100 game days too long?)

[Tyrall]

Thanks. Having to do a lot of planning on this, as there's nasty situations like needing a car, but needing to sell it too... :)

100 game days does require a commitment of nearly 2 months of logging in twice daily. It's not always possible to see things 2 months out (I had no clue I would be leaving the country a month ago).

On a slower-pace server where dying is going to, except in exceptional situations, cause you to go backwards in XP a long game might be good. The 'catch-up button' could be used by players who can't make a chunk of the tournament and they'd stay in the running.

On the 'frantic pace' servers, a catchup button is not going to help as much, as people who can graveyard daily and have 3-5 game days per day will always keep ahead. I would say a shorter game on these servers might be better.

[SharDeNayMerLow]

Tyrall, sorry to see you drop out.

In fact I'm probably doing so myself!

Unfortunately due to a couple RL changes I'm making over the next few weeks (day care and work issues) I will not be able to log in every game day.

So while I will attempt to keep Calian going on Purple, I am halting my addictive efforts to keep pace with Qwyxzl and will simply play when I can.

[SharDeNayMerLow]

I feel compelled to add to my last post, that by adjusting my gameplay to lower the amount of time playing each game day, I've actually found a working strategy that is keeping Calian quite competitive!

:lol: