Since the first day I play Civ4 PBEM nobody told me there were rules. You had to do just one thing: open the turn, play as you like, end the turn and mail that to the next player in line. Therefore I make the best out of every turn. Played and reloaded this turn, making changes to the order I played my units, until I was satisfied with the outcome.
Now suddenly people are making rules that reloading isn't allowed, it should be considered as cheating ! Compare it to a player who has always played rugby now has to apply the rules of regular football. In rugby everything was allowed (as long as you don't kick the other players nuts), and halfway the game I'm being told that I have to play nice !
I'm convinced that many players play this way; I've seen large stacks of units of mine wiped in a single turn while the enemy had inferior forces and had almost no losses after the battle. Just like I had the opportunity to finish off the enemy when the odds were against me, just by reloading my turn and choose another order of playing my units. No way that is gonna happen without reloads.
Consider this; I think I'm a reasonably good strategic player. When I was the only person around here that made reloads I would be superiour and won most of my games. Fact is, I lost most of them....
I never made it a secret I play this way. I'm amazed to see that so many people react negative against this style of play, because I know for sure that many players are reloading, they just don't have the guts to admit it.
It's the same situation with the use of anabolic stereoids in the bodybuilding scene; no one admits he uses them, but to become the best, you simply have to use them. Another example is no guy watches porn on the internet but when you see their temporary internet files you'll see that.... erm... never mind.
Know that reloads are not controllable ant therefore unstoppable. People can and will make use of it.
I just want to share my vision of the situation. Feel free to start a discussion, I won't take part in it. For me it's time to look for another hobby, since the fun factor in Civ4 PBEM is gone for me.
I'm ending all the games I take place in. I will stil open turns sent to me, remove the password, save it and mail that turn to the person that hosts that game. The hoster can decide to mail it to the replacemnt player of kick my Civ to AI.
Finally, I want to let you know that I don't bear grudges against anyone. I also hope no one hates me for what I did.
I just want to thank everyone for the time they shared with me playing.
Thanks guys, It was a blast !
