Final Teams after Round 4:

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|>Ace Windu

|>-Perrin3088
|>-DagenDaDragon
|>-Ognian
|>-CEBearsfan

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|>myhandisonfire

|>-|O_o|Shippior*
|>-KGB138*
|>-tacticus*
|>-Jeffwillbe5time(NASCAR)*

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|>The Window Cleaner

|>-[X]Jinxed
|>-Muppet
|>-hangblague
|>-[REGL]Henns

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|>[20]AquaHolic

|>-Moros
|>-ilpeggiore
|>-Mr. Anderson
|>-ironheart

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*selected via random number generator

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Congratulations to those selected and better luck next time to those who weren't!

are we going to get invited into a game or something?

I'd consider playing as a minion in the next one (Dependent on map and settings of course)

I like the idea of there being some sort of penalty if your general is killed, however even if it happens it will likely be at a time your team is weak anyway so it is probably a marginal rule.

Another alternative format could be to only allow the generals to attack opponents, leaving the minions with nothing to do but expand, and defend. I feel like this varient would offer up some very different strategy options, whereas having the general direct orders is simply going to be like playing a regular team game where one person has a veto.

Thoughts?

nuckluck your idea would mean that the game is all about picks and placement.
from the start you would have to figure out a way for your minions to block and lock the opponents.

Muppet, congrat's on a successful and much anticipated set-up. If the game is half as fun as the build-up, it will be a raging success. There seems to be a lot of hope that this idea will continue into subsequent games, maybe into a larger, multi-game format. I thought I'd add my 2¢ to the chorus of suggestions for the next round, even though it's way too early to do so.

First, I think a round robin format between the 4 teams (or maybe even more teams) would be fun. Head to head games, rather than a free-for-all game might be a better test of pure skill when you take out the "diplomacy" aspect that seems to be necessary to win the FFA game.

Secondly, there is obviously a lot of interest and disappointment for those who didn't make the draft. As was pointed out earlier, these games can only succeed if there are no drop-outs. I'm sure the generals (except Myhand) were considering boot rates in their selections. In the next round, if you have to limit the pool of potential draftees, you could consider making low boot-rates a measure of qualification. You could even cut the list (according to boot rate) to include only enough draftees to make up the numbers, right from the outset. If you're overwhelmed with interest, you could increase the number of generals, especially if you are considering a broader round-robin head to head tourney.

Finally, if your current generals are happy with their teams, as they develop a rapport with their enlisted minions, it may be fun to let those teams continue as they are.

These are mere suggestions from someone who is excited by what you are doing. I'll continue being interested, however you pursue it. I look forward to the game!

Agree with much of hangblague just said.

I'll just note that absolutely, yes, I did look at boot rate in my criteria. You'll notice my team all have 1% boot rate maximum. I think it's a nice output of this that those people with higher boot rates that didn't get picked should realise that it has implications, and opportunities like this are missed because of it.

1%? thats very harsh. The difference between 1% and 5% is minimal and probably represents playing more Real-Time games than multi-day games.

The difference on the other hand between 5% and 10% (or larger) is much greater.

You could be right, seems I'm on 2% :)

To be clear, I am not necessarily advocating a strict boot rate limit, rather a relative measure of qualification. You could call for expressions of interest with a cut-off date and then make it known that the bottom 20 or 40 (or whatever number matches the amount of players wanted for the draft) rates are those to enter into the draft. The Window Cleaner makes a good point about incentives. I suppose you would be wary of new accounts, but that also could promote people turning over new leaves. Anyway... nothing wrong with how this is working.

yes made it at least am not last

thanks aqua won't let you down

Yeah my 8% boot rate is probably why i didnt get picked. Even though I'm generally regarded as a pretty good team player in team games :)

I didn't actually look at the boot rate, I just picked players I'd played with and who I thought would be good.

I did just now check the boot rate and realised all my guys have very low boot percentages :D so it all worked out in the end.

Im proud to serve under my general.

Thanks, hangblague.

This all came from posting an idea that was in my head, so it certainly has evolved as it has progressed. I think the future of events like this is going to depend on the ability of all involved to stay committed throughout, as well as the reported experience of the generals. The generals are, by nature, calculating, and if the reward of enjoyment (and GLORY! Oh, think of the glory!) doesn't outweigh the time and effort required, I don't imagine too many elite players remaining interested.

Originally, I was thinking big in terms of this game, but not thinking big long term, which is how we end up with a 4 team FFA. For now, it's going to make for some interesting situations and perhaps some interesting private conversations amongst the generals.

Limiting the number of potential draftees (as well as some other executive decisions that I've made) was mostly a means of getting this game started under the basic premise that I had introduced. The influx of varying ideas was becoming a bit much, and there were a growing number of people volunteering without closely reading the previous discussions (generals included).

In this case, the boot-rate issue was easily overcome by including more potential draftees than the number of players in the game. Personally, I like having the generals responsible for choosing underlings with appropriate histories.

Anyways, glad to have you on my team, hangblague. See you in Africa!

-Muppet

P.S. I need one experienced Warlight member to work with me in finalizing the settings and then creating the game and sending invites in about a week. Anyone interested?

Also, to those who were drafted: You should expect invites to chat with your generals soon. Invites to the actual game will be sent on or around Easter Sunday (April 8). The delay is to allow generals to address their teams, for me to set up the game, and to accomodate one of our fine generals.

sign me up as underling... i love big usa!

was i supposed to be invited to a game or something?

It is up to each of the generals whether or not they want to contact their team before the games start next week.

Invites have been sent!

A few brief notes on the game settings:

|>-Set AI's to replace booted players to reduce effect of losing a player for the tourney
|>-Set direct and auto-boot to 5 days to eliminate potential drama. Vacations are honored.

Generals should take a good long look at the other settings, especially the cards.

Thanks to lobstrosity for setting up the tourney!

Best of luck to all!