Re: [Rails-devel] 18EU Tile number overlaps

[Chris S. <chr...@gm...>]

> Hmm...  I think there's the exact disconnect.
>
> You see, with an implementation like Rails, that eliminates the causes
> for much of those problems.   Rather than trying to figure out what
> version of the printed game each player has, you all centralize on the
> same computer version, which handles all of those details for you.
> This allows you to just focus on the printed image rather than trying
> to get verbal descriptions correct.

Yup, that's the disconnect.  You'd think people would centralize on
the computer version, but that's definitely not always going to be the
case, and it assumes a lot about people's behavior.  In my experience,
we use Cyberboard and Vassal gameboxes in many ways that are
unanticipated by the module/program designers.

One scenario: there have been a number of times that we've played a
partial game at the game store, which closes at 10pm.  We then write
down as much as we can, take a couple of snapshots of the board, and
close up for the night.  Later, I convert all of that to Cyberboard
and a spreadsheet.  We play some of the game by email, some of us
using Cyberboard, some of us simply relying on the notes, photos and
an occasional screenshot sent by the others.  Then, a while later, one
of us sets up the game at the game shop and we finish it out.

Another scenario: we're all using Vassal to play 18AL via direct
connect.  Partway through the game, we wrap it up and convert to play
by email.  One guy can't run programs at work, but still takes turns,
relying on printouts and his physical copy of the rules and charts -
including the tile upgrade charts.  If he had to wait until he could
run the program, it would slow down the pbem portion of the game quite
a bit.

That's a long way of saying you're not making new games, you're
converting old ones -- and imho, it's worth the time and effort to be
as consistent as possible with the printed copies of the games.
Introducing any variance is a way of introducing the possibility of
rules arguments - something to be avoided.

I don't see why this is a real issue, actually.  John pointed out the
easy solution.  Simply use an internal ID system.

-- 
Chris

Keep the flying car. I want the future where "resurrection" is a
medical specialty.