@Tanaka - Yes, please go ahead and pick up the LN 2 spot.
To all of our replacements, if you need a little more time to get settled in, sort out the diplomacy, etc., just send the game host a PM to let them know and the can delay the host some so you can catch up. I know it takes quite an effort to pick up a previously played position, figure out what was going on, and what you want to do with it.
@Dotman - The short version is this: If you're reasonably sure whatever life events forced you to drop before before won't happen again, I'd say go ahead and pick up the DH 11 spot.
The long version:
As far as a "road to redemption", it's something I'd been thinking of for awhile, but no one had ever asked to rejoin after dropping, so it's never come up. My plan was that players who have dropped games without notifying the host (the one's we black list for) can earn their way back into good standing by serving as a replacement player, with 50 turns cancelling out 1 dropped position. But these players won't be able to join newly forming DH games until they've payed their debt, so to speak.
Now I do think Anaconda's concerns are very legitimate, and I don't want players thinking that because they can get back in later, it's ok to drop. I'm thinking that this system will be OK because:
- The time frame involved is large: To exploit this, you have to drop, then disappear from the site long enough we're convinced you had a real life issue, then come back and play 50 turns as a replacement, which at DIE HARD speed as we know it is about a 6 month commitment in itself. In Dotman's case he'd be looking at about a year's worth of playing replacement positions to offset the 2 games he left before I'd let him join new games.
- The opportunities for redemption are few: We still have relatively few drops, and they tend to fill quickly, so a replacement position is not something you can count on finding whenever you want.
A couple of other details:
- Players cannot use replacement turns already played to offset future drops. As much as I appreciate all the time our replacements put in to maintain the quality of our games, I don't want anyone thinking it's OK to drop because they've already "served their time".
- The gates to the road of redemption open only once. Basically, we understand life things come up and take precedence over this game, and there are situations that might force you to drop without notifying us. We're willing to forgive you if this happens once. Hell, I might even let it go if it happens like once every 5 years. But in general, if anyone were to become a repeat offender, I'd consider them permanently blacklisted. Not to be harsh, but they should probably just own up to the fact that their life isn't a stable enough situation to commit to a long term gaming venture such as this.
So that's the essence of the redemption plan I'd been thinking about, and I think we could apply it here. Honestly, if someone really wanted back into our games, it would be much easier to just make a new account. So I'd like to offer one more chance for those who are willing to step up and take responsibility. |
Show Media Item - replacements needed for 4 DIE HARD games. 
