Your Favorite IOT Type....

[Double A]

(you can use GM, we know what you're talking about)

 

[Dhoomstriker]

Off-topic Discussion about the usage of Acronyms

Spoiler :

(you can use GM, we know what you're talking about)

We're going off topic here but I strongly dislike the usage of acronyms for items and concepts that a person isn't likely to know from their day-to-day life. You can expect that most people will know the "USA" acronym and can feel free to use it, since it will be ingrained in many people's minds.

However, as soon as you start using acronyms for things in games or for technical terms or for anything that the average person isn't going to be familiar with, then you suddenly put up minor walls and barriers to entry into the community. That's fine if you only ever want to talk with the same people, but for a concept like an IOT, you want to always be recruiting and bringing in fresh blood. The more acronyms that you use, the more likelihood of confusion that there will be, and the more likely you will be to turn off new folk from coming aboard.

Even saying "IOT" outside of the Imperium OffTopicum Forum would be frowned upon, unless you gave a definition along with the acronym or unless you were going to intentionally exclude anyone that didn't already know the subject matter from your target audience.

 

[Red_Spy]

......

 

[Double A]

Off-topic Discussion about the usage of Acronyms

Spoiler :

We're going off topic here but I strongly dislike the usage of acronyms for items and concepts that a person isn't likely to know from their day-to-day life. You can expect that most people will know the "USA" acronym and can feel free to use it, since it will be ingrained in many people's minds.

However, as soon as you start using acronyms for things in games or for technical terms or for anything that the average person isn't going to be familiar with, then you suddenly put up minor walls and barriers to entry into the community. That's fine if you only ever want to talk with the same people, but for a concept like an IOT, you want to always be recruiting and bringing in fresh blood. The more acronyms that you use, the more likelihood of confusion that there will be, and the more likely you will be to turn off new folk from coming aboard.

Even saying "IOT" outside of the Imperium OffTopicum Forum would be frowned upon, unless you gave a definition along with the acronym or unless you were going to intentionally exclude anyone that didn't already know the subject matter from your target audience.

We're talking about GMs. In an IOT forum.

And you used Game Moderator twice. Even in formal essays you don't need to spell something that has an easy-to-type acronym after the first time.

And as my final point, this is an Internet forum. This is like talking to someone. You spelling out stuff is like if someone at a DnD convention said Dungeon Master instead of DM. Or if you said Civfanatics Center on here, instead of CFC.

 

[Tani Coyote]

If a game is complicated, then updates should have more stuff happen. Not like more work, but more XPs/money for everyone. Updates take twice as long as normal games? Double income.

I should try that next time...

(you can use GM, we know what you're talking about)

For me, GM means God Mobian.

 

[Sonereal]

Though having IOTs where people are more spread out in stats, more willing to take on more/less of a challenge, would be a good idea... a lot more realistic than equal starts as well.

Hmm, SonIOT had an interesting situation where starting positions actually played a HUGE effect in how the game is played. Isolated players are falling behind economically while the player who started in the Middle East is getting a ton of trade revenue because he sits in the center of a trade empire.

You know, I am thinking that my favourite type will be one where the Game Master can commit to making frequent and regular updates, so as to keep the interest of the players.

A good IOT will also be:
a) An IOT where the Game Master is good at responding to questions instead of ignoring messages (be they private or in the thread)
AND
b) An IOT where the Game Master rules fairly and consistently
AND
c) An IOT where the Game Master explains the details of what was done, be they decisions that were made or be they an explanation of what happened in terms of attacks, claims, and other actions that can be performed by players, so that everyone can have a handle of what went on in the world beyond their own little empire

In my opinion, the type of IOT itself will matter far less than the above points.

Ironically, I have a happen of forgetting questions not sent to me in private. I also tend to get creative with punishments (metagame? Plague! Powergame? -10% combat modifiers and kicked for a turn).

Finally, there's the details of how something is done. Hilariously, I don't do this unless asked. For instance, trade in SonIOT.

d) An IOT where the GM doesn't (ab)use loopholes so he can win with his Mary Sue NPC faction.

The Hegemons?

I should try that next time...

Another thing you could do is give rewards for everyone getting their orders in. It's a great form of bribery encouragement.

 

[GamezRule]

Hey, India isn't a bad position in SonIOT!

 

[Double A]

Hmm, SonIOT had an interesting situation where starting positions actually played a HUGE effect in how the game is played. Isolated players are falling behind economically while the player who started in the Middle East is getting a ton of trade revenue because he sits in the center of a trade empire.

You're welcome Red Spy.

Ironically, I have a happen of forgetting questions not sent to me in private. I also tend to get creative with punishments (metagame? Plague! Powergame? -10% combat modifiers and kicked for a turn).

Finally, there's the details of how something is done. Hilariously, I don't do this unless asked. For instance, trade in SonIOT.

And everyone else.

The Hegemons?

AAAAAAAH I WAS THE WEAKEST NATION BUT I GOT NUKED THE MOST WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING

Another thing you could do is give rewards for everyone getting their orders in. It's a great form of bribery encouragement.

And it's working very well. I actually did an RP post, and I'm going to do another one!

 

[Sonereal]

Hey, India isn't a bad position in SonIOT!

India would've been a lot worst off if it had started a tad farther east and had to rely on the Far East Trade Network instead of the extremely profitable Mediterranean-Indian Routes.

@AA

And everyone else.

I'm making it work, ain't I?

 

[Double A]

Wait.

There's a trade network in the east?

 

[Sonereal]

Wait.

There's a trade network in the east?

Eh, Shou Qiu and Japan. Nothing fancy.

 

[Double A]

Don't they hate each other for both being conquerholics?

 

[Tani Coyote]

Well for me, the penalty of not getting expanded/your income being misappropriated is a great penalty for not posting orders.

But bonuses for roleplaying... I should consider it. Make PC redeemable in gold.

 

[Sonereal]

Don't they hate each other for both being conquerholics?

Err, yes.

Doesn't stop them from trading.

Well for me, the penalty of not getting expanded/your income being misappropriated is a great penalty for not posting orders.

But bonuses for roleplaying... I should consider it. Make PC redeemable in gold.

Sure, there's negative incentive for not posting orders but those push players. Having a positive incentive gives something that pulls (along with the push which makes this analogy work).

 

[Double A]

And there's that free XP if everyone does orders.

 

[Sonereal]

And there's that free XP if everyone does orders.

And the roleplaying handouts are judged on a curve.

 

[Double A]

I did a thingy!

Tanny, do I get anything in IU for doing that undeniably awesome, totally canon ending for IOTM?

 

[Tani Coyote]

I did a thingy!

Tanny, do I get anything in IU for doing that undeniably awesome, totally canon ending for IOTM?

Prolly not. No formal rewards system.

 

[NedimNapoleon]

RIOT and IOTVI are my favorite

 

[kiwitt]

Well IB1 is my favourite