DCWhitworth
Posts: 676
Joined: 12/15/2007 From: Norwich, England Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Jimmer quote:
ORIGINAL: DCWhitworth What about Austria and Prussia who in alliance with France invaded Russia ? I recoil against your logic that my statement reduces the game to Diplomacy, indeed I take some offence at that. Maybe you have read too much into my statement (which was a little tongue in cheek). But wouldn't you rather be the star on a winning team ? I don't recall the Austria/Prussia/France vs Russia event; please refresh my memory. Regarding the statement, I apologize for offense. Let me try to explain better: IMO, any effort to have only one victor (not including ties) automatically reduces the game's value. To me, it reduces it to a game I simply will not be a part of. Others may not feel so strongly about it. But, I have better things to do than play a game for a year where I can't count on my allies staying my allies for any length of time. Diplomacy is such a game (as is Machievelli), but I still play them. The difference is that they are short games. I don't play them for a year at a time. When I play EiA, I always buy or borrow a book about the nation I'm about to play, and I read up on them. I compare them to what other volumes I've read (dealing with other powers) had to say. In other words, I make an investment in the game. I understand that alliances change (how could the 6th and 7th coalitions have come about WITHOUT changing alliance, for instance). But, they shouldn't change in the middle of negotiations or a war. There are situations where this doesn't apply as much. For example, GB of the period was a manipulator, but mostly with one main goal: France's fall. So, if a nation joined France's, even if allied to GB, such a relationship should be strained at best. All of this is my opinion solely, of course. I've known a lot of guys who used the "one winner" method of victory conditions, and I still respect them. I just don't want to play that way. I think we actually have quite similar game views actually. I like historical games that play realistically and give you an insight into the events of the time. I mostly play for the interest and pleasure of the game, not to win as such, I'd rather enjoy the game and lose than win at all costs. If I want a simple game I play chess. I don't have a 'winning is the only thing that matters' attitude so when I suggested that nations winning by manpower addition effectively came second (indeed my group used to refer to them as secondary winners) I was not implying that if it was me I'd be unhappy with that position. In the example game Mardonius mentioned earlier in this thread I am playing France. In all honesty whether I win (by VP), win (by MP addition) or don't win (if the rules don't change) will not make much difference to me and how I feel about it, I've enjoyed the game, it's been a great challenge and for me that it reward enough.
_____________________________
Regards David
|