BSG
Congratulations humans - third victory in a row. Commiserations lone Cylon. I'd have more to say, but I don't really remember much about the earlier stages. This is easily the longest game we've had so far, running for almost seven months. I think ita passing away kind of knocked the wind out of everyone, and it never really got its groove back afterwards.
Nonetheless, the pace we were managing really isn't viable. I've lost track of the number of times I had to send a 24-hour reminder. (That's supposed to be the outside limit on putting in orders, not a signal that discussion time is over.) Even taking out the hiatus Jan-Feb hiatus, the average turn took over four days to complete. Especially with only four players, that's extremely slow.
I've been wondering what's the best thing to do with it. I could start imposing harsher penalties - if orders aren't in on time, the player will take a forced pass or something like that but the problem is that such a rule will penalise the humans more than the Cylons. (And indeed may create perverse incentives for hidden Cylons.) There are pretty obvious difficulties with me imputing orders.
Next time I run a BSG game, I'm going to simplify it by taking out some expansions - just base game and Daybreak. However, I'm wondering if people are just played out on BSG right now. Here's another option: I've been thinking about maybe running a different game next - namely, Race for the Galaxy. Four-player game, I manage the rules and resolution of play, as per BSG.
Quick summary of Race for the Galaxy. It's a card game. Each player is trying to build a layout that will net them the most victory points. Each turn has a selection of five phases; but only those phases chosen by at least one of the players gets resolved in each turn. Depending on the phases selected, players can draw cards, add cards to the layout, produce goods on particular cards in their layout and/or consume such goods for victory points. Cards in one's layout provide various abilities, bonuses and discounts for different phases. There are a number of different strategies that players can adopt to pursue victory.
So. Who wants to play BSG again? And who would like to try out Race for the Galaxy?
As a player, it does get frustrating when there are long delays between turns. And I know I am also guilty of delays, like everyone else. Although, some of the time, it is from waiting for input from other players. We learned not to make decisions without input, lest folks supsect one is a cylon. Such is the nature of the game. Not sure there is a workaround. I think it would be interesting to try the online RPG room thing I linked earlier. Of course, that would be for an afternoon game, which is not what we currently have. And finding a time each of us across time zones can get together, would be very difficult. All that to say, I'm afraid I do not have any other solution.
Maybe BSG has run it's course, for the time being. Might not be a bad idea to try a new game for the group.
My work schedule got in the way more than once and I just think the reality of it is that I can't commit to doing any of these games. My schedule is unpredictable enough that I don't know when it is just going to suck me off the map.
Although, some of the time, it is from waiting for input from other players. We learned not to make decisions without input, lest folks supsect one is a cylon.
Yes, I think that had become excessive. Partly because it's hilarious watching P-C try and explain why seizing the Presidency was an obviously human move, but also because no one was willing to offer opinions either. If no one's willing to take responsibility for their own turn, why would they take it for someone else's? And the people not answering questions still were holding the game up waiting for someone to answer theirs.
My suggestion is that if you allow 6-12 hours for the rest of the crew to chime in, your response to any accusation is "I gave everyone a chance to speak up, and no one did." (Though I'm guessing that still won't let P-C seize the Presidency.) my other suggestion is that if you really need someone's input, you ask them earlier, like during the previous turn.
Anyway, that's one of the reasons I'm suggesting Race for the Galaxy. It's not a team game, so there'll be no delays for team discussion.
I've been playing RftG against the AI for a while now, so I've got a pretty good idea how it flows. I'd definitely be up for playing against some humans.
Would we be using the base decks or any expansion decks? And is there a way to use the computer version to record the state of a game?
Would we be using the base decks or any expansion decks? And is there a way to use the computer version to record the state of a game?
Excellent. For the first game, I'd do base game only (and use the preset starting hands). I'd just planned to keep track of the state of play myself, as with BSG.
Thanks to JK Rowling I believe I have become a better DM. From now on I will be asking
1) What does your character see when they look in the mirror of Erised?
2) What shape would a boggart assume when facing your character.
3) What would your character's patronus be?
Has anyone here played Spirit of the Century? (the FATE system-based tabletop RPG, in case there's another one lurking around that I don't know about)
We're starting to wrap up a 4.5 year D&D campaign (SOB!), and looking for something different for a while before we dive into a new long game -- ideally, something with a setting different from the usual fantasy fake-medieval schtick, and something that can handle shorter games and not just giant campaigns. The spouse is taking the next turn as our group's DM, and he's a lover of all things pulp, so it looks like an obvious fit.
We're planning to spin up a bunch of characters and mess around with some sample scenarios this weekend to get a feel for it, and I'll share the awesome, but I'd love to hear any pluses/minuses/gotchas, if you have them.
