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

[brett l. <wak...@gm...>]

On 10/25/07, Chris Shaffer <chr...@gm...> wrote:
> > 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.
>


It's not a real issue. As I already said, we don't (and won't) change
the tile number printed on the tile graphic.

However, this information is helpful in preventing the exact thing you
described: developers not knowing how their software is being used and
not incorporating that information into their design goals.


---Brett.