Over the last few days I have been following with interest a regular topic regarding the GOTM –Suggested score changes for the GOTM.

While there will always be a difference of opinion on how a tournament should be run I believe that the GOTM participants have clearly divided themselves into two categories:

The “Milking” Camp – regardless on how a score is calculated this camp love the challenge of maximizing it by analysis, practice, and hours of macro-management, and
The “Non-Milking” Camp – this camp enjoy the chance of a fastest victory medal, as this is how they play.

You could argue that there are those who don’t care either way but I am sure that when they get to the start of their end game they know how they want to finish. If when you get to that point you have the urge to see it out to the end by micro managing the score rather than applying the coup-de-grace then bring on Buttercup. Note that this also includes an interesting discussion to the OCC challenge that came out of the Lowest Scoring Victory Challenge, which was how to milk a minimum score :eek: .

I do not believe that the two camps can be reconciled with the anti-milkers (dare I say the more vocal) arguing for a change in the internal scoring system that is weighted in the majority of cases to a milked game. The recent introduction of fastest finishing medals does not appear to stem this debate.

The GOTM may change again if a valid argument is put forward.

This then lead me to a question on why people play this GOTM. What is currently motivating those who download and play this game every month? I am deliberately avoiding the term “submitting” as there are many (xx submissions out of xx downloads for GOTM09) who play only.

If the scoring algorithm was changed or even removed ;) from the GOTM would a milker change strategies and continue to play? Are the arguments on how the number 1 position is determined relevant to you? Is there a majority of players who have taken the GOTM as just a measure of their abilities compared to others?

Have a think and vote.

To compare my skill and score with others! :yeah:

But also to be ranked highly.
:D

I like the format of this poll.

I voted for comparing my skill and score against others, but there are other areas as well. The discussions of who did what when and how I always find interesting. I also enjoy looking at the web sites some of the players make. They tell such a fun story over the period of the game. So it is also social as well.

I play to compare myself to others, but it is more than that. I cannot even play a non-tournament game, as it means nothing to me now. My overall goal is not to be highest in score, or highest in ranking, but it wouldn't be a bad thing either ;).

Hergrom

Playing the GOTM map is really good for me, because I bore quite easily when playing random maps. Playing the GOTM forces me to finish games I would not otherwise finish. :)

Originally posted by Lucky
To compare my skill and score with others! :yeah:

But also to be ranked highly.
:D

It depends on what your main motivator is.

Regardless of a participants skill level what is it you want to acheive from parcipating in the game. To pick "To compare my skill and score with others" and "Social" means you have no desire or interest in the competions top positions - now or in the future.

I did think hard about allowing multiple answers on this one:p

Already it is looking like the majority of CIV3 GOTM players find the concept of awards less important than just seeing how they play against each other.

In other words who cares how the score is calculated and awards handed out.... let's play:D

Of course my vote is to compare vs. others.

But why compare vs. others if not to best them? :)

Ca Va!

I'm like Barker. I rarely ever finish a game. I think I've finished about 1% of all games I've started.

GOTM is my competion ground.
Pretty new to Civ and way behind the curve.
GOTM has made me try harder/ different games than I would design myself.

I enjoy seeing how the same set of starting circumstances can result in different end results.*comparing notes*

Surely I love awards. I love the Fastest Space Race award the most.

But I didn't get one till now. That's one of the my motives on playing GOTM.

Other incentives? Now I just never play Civ3 had there not been GOTM. The comparison to other people on a same map can mean a lot.

Originally posted by Lawrence
Surely I love awards. I love the Fastest Space Race award the most.



Oh no! That's not good... ;)

Like Lawrence I also like to recieve the coveted (well by some at least ;) ) Space Race award, looks like it's going to be difficult though.

It can help to improve your game to see how others approach a certain map using different techniques and playing styles and that's one of the things I like most about the gotm. The level of competition is very high so every detail counts if you want to improve your position in the results/global ranking.

Also I'm looking forward to the next deity game (I just missed the last one) so I can finally finish a map on this level. Knowing that others share the frustrations of playing on this level might help me play till the (probably bitter) end, which I've never managed to do before because I always get :hammer: ed. :(

So, Kemal, I have made a try in the current GOTM, let's see who would get the award earlier.:D :p ;)

:lol: :lol: :D :D :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Well you have already beaten my launch date once in gotm8 but maybe this time I will have the last laugh :yeah:

Let us just hope that SirPleb isn't going for a fastest space ship award this time......

Aeson played;)