RB PBEM #1 - Pericles (SPOILERS!)

[sunrise089]

I cannot believe that trying to speak honestly and not fake friendliness, over the long term, is an incorrect policy. Maybe in the first game it doesn't work, but over many games people would probably respect someone who says and behaves in the same manner as they are thinking.

I guess so (no pun intended ) if the friendliness is fake and leads to back stabs. However what about real friendliness? Ruff can get 2nd in this game and have no chance to win, but the next game he plays in with Dreylin, maybe Dreylin will do the same thing. Might that not be worth sub-par play in the short term? Also, some people just have more fun while being nice.

[sooooo]

Ouch, this genuinely hurts! I don't want to be seen as a big meanie. I was being scrooge-like when negotiating about civ with the enemy team but I didn't want to give the impression of being a big jerk in real life too. Probably it's best that I just play the turns and not send any more emails to Ruff or Dreylin.

[novice]

You don't come across as a big meanie at all. Maybe a bit intimidating because your competence shines through... In-game you've been very generous with mh and athlete.

As an aside it has to be said that when things heated up they did not live up to your expectations - managing to mistrust each other in the least optimal way possible. Here you've been supporting them for ages showing a great deal of trust, and then they both stumble at the first hurdle.

[Rowain]

I doubt anyon sees you as a big meanie.
Had you allied with either Ruff or Dreylin to take out the other one you would then have to fight you former ally anyway cause he would block your further expansion. That your chosen allies manage to misplay the war with Dreylin so horrible is for sure not your fault.

One thing your alliance failed to realize is the importance of espionage and how damaging Spys can be.

[Dicorion]

I think you played well and did what was possible for win. I think "your" team stayed a lot behind in communication. That was the main problem IMHO. I think both Athlete and mh could withstand the Dreylin´s atack if they were talking more.

On another note. I think it would be unfan and unrealistic to say that Dreylin and Ruff-Hi would automaticaly have "unfriendly" mood in the next game withe anybody from PBEM 1 "enemies". It is just a game and all of you now that ofcourse. Still there will be (I hope so) chance to read the other threads and that everybody can see what was your goal and how that influences your play and formation of alliances. Nobody should say you was a bad guy

The game just made it hard for you to befriend in-game everybody, didn´t it?

[Swiss Pauli]

Ouch, this genuinely hurts! I don't want to be seen as a big meanie. I was being scrooge-like when negotiating about civ with the enemy team but I didn't want to give the impression of being a big jerk in real life too. Probably it's best that I just play the turns and not send any more emails to Ruff or Dreylin.

I wouldn't stop with the emails, but maybe make more of an effort with politeness, and making clear that if you're being tough, then it's a necessary in-game call, and not personal in any way.

[Olodune]

Ouch, this genuinely hurts! I don't want to be seen as a big meanie.

I don't think your tone had anything to do with it Despite the heady cooperation between Ruff and Dreylin I think the soooo +2 team had a good chance at victory, so I'm not even sure you played your diplomatic cards poorly.

By the way: Are you running (cheap) counter-espionage missions against Ruff? IIRC, it should significantly raise the chance of detection as well as the EP cost.

Edit: And a belated congratulations on your second child! Yes, I am jealous

[shadyforce]

You can't win every dice roll. Even if you play a good game sometimes things just go against you. To conclude from your non-win that your diplomatic skills need a major revamp seems like a bit of a knee jerk reaction.

What you mistake as your 'big meanie' image is more of a 'tough opponent who can't be pushed around' image... which works well in larger games with aggresive players who have to choose who to bully and who to leave alone... but not so well in this game since you were already the guy people were wary of.

[sooooo]

I forgot to put up these pictures from last turn:





The situation is pretty much the same this turn because I revolted back to representation (1 turn anarchy). Biology due in 5 at break-even science, though I may increase that.

[Square Leg]

It would be really interesting to have look inside a couple of your cities - particularly Thebes - just to see how you have them set up.