I understand what everyone is saying. Now, it's my turn I guess.
I worked hard to beat down a Crystal player, until he left the game. I'd have preferred he stayed and fought it out, but he did not. So now I, as the Privateers, scoot around minesweeping all the many, many webs in his area, while my partner starts taking planets. Once the webs are gone, I go around and try to steal some of the tastier ships. I have most of my fleet in this area. Then, a player comes out of nowhere and completely ruins my game in ONE turn. I've worked hard for 40 something turns, only to have it screwed in ONE turn because a player joined with 1 hour left before the turn was due and dropped some webs.
I wasn't given any chance to be informed I was playing a human player.
One of 3 things needs to happen here:
1) As I initially stated, a replacement needs to not be able to run the first turn he enters a game.
2) When a replacement takes over a position, 24 hours needs to be given to all players in the game that a replacement has taken over, giving them a chance to adjust.
3) When a player leaves a game, a computer player needs to take over the position while waiting for a possible replacement.
In most cases, it doesn't hurt when a replacement takes over a position, When it is the Crystal, it hurts... a LOT.
The simple fact that you are all overlooking is this: It is unfair to give a replacement such a big advantage, when the players in the game have been working hard the whole game to build up their empire. Anyone taking over as a replacement generally understands that the position is likely untenable anyway, which is why so few open positions are actually taken over by a human player. Anyone saying they need an advantage of this nature really does not understand the total picture... as stated, many players have put in a lot of work in a game, and one turn killing all their hard work is ridiculous, and also replacement positions are expected to be very bad positions.
If you want players to play the game, and not quit in the middle, or at any time, then you have to give the advantage to the players who are actually putting in the effort for the entire game. And, if you feel the replacements are in a bad position, then make a computer player to play empty positions, so at least something is being done.
As a long time player of VGA Planets DOSplan, where I used VPA for years, I know there were many computer players created to take over vacant positions. I used many of them to improve my game. It shouldn't be difficult to do that here also. |
Show Media Item - I'd like to see replacements not be allowed to play a turn...
