TURN FREQUENCY

[Lord Thanatos]

Now that every game is processed automatically, I was wondering why it is a good idea to stick to the 4/4/6 turn cycle.  Why can't every game be processed twice a week (Titan, Warlords, Magic, Steel, Primeval, etc...)?

I was thinking:

Mon and Thurs

Tue and Fri

Wed and Sat

We all rest on Sunday for the Lord's Day, family time, football (American), etc...

Whatever day the first turn is scheduled to be processed it would be the same two days every week for approximately twenty weeks (if 40 turns, SVC games obviously only approximately ten weeks).

Almost every player I have spoken to recently has lamented the week when a game is processed on Tuesday and they are staring mindlessly down that six-day long tunnel . . .

From a player standpoint there are lots of obvious benefits (and we are generally an impatient lot anyways); from a business standpoint this will slightly increase the number of games started in a year (and increase the money generated with the set-up fees - which we do not begrudge at all).

Just my opinion, but I know others share my desire to (slightly) increase the turn processing frequency.

I guess what I want to know is what arguments are there against this?  After all, almost every game is processed twice a week already (on alternating weeks).

[wfrankenhoff]

Now that every game is processed automatically, I was wondering why it is a good idea to stick to the 4/4/6 turn cycle.  Why can't every game be processed twice a week (Titan, Warlords, Magic, Steel, Primeval, etc...)?

I was thinking:

Mon and Thurs

Tue and Fri

Wed and Sat

We all rest on Sunday for the Lord's Day, family time, football (American), etc...

Whatever day the first turn is scheduled to be processed it would be the same two days every week for approximately twenty weeks (if 40 turns, SVC games obviously only approximately ten weeks).

Almost every player I have spoken to recently has lamented the week when a game is processed on Tuesday and they are staring mindlessly down that six-day long tunnel . . .

From a player standpoint there are lots of obvious benefits (and we are generally an impatient lot anyways); from a business standpoint this will slightly increase the number of games started in a year (and increase the money generated with the set-up fees - which we do not begrudge at all).

Just my opinion, but I know others share my desire to (slightly) increase the turn processing frequency.

I guess what I want to know is what arguments are there against this?  After all, almost every game is processed twice a week already (on alternating weeks).

I'd love it!!! As you said, the turn processing is now completely automated (I believe) so it seems that it wouldn't cause more work for the Gamemaster. Faster turns mean the games finish faster and, hence, more start-ups with the attendant set-up fees. Seems like a win-win situation for all involved

[Frost Lord]

I am all for it. Anything is better than 4/4/6. Every game that I have joined since last September has been on the same schedule. I have encountered 23 "6-day" waiting periods since then and am really wanting the pain to end. :-)

LT's example of set days (3/4/3/4) works, or we could throw out set days and do 4/4/4/4/4/4/4 (no matter what days they fall on). This is similar to how Fall of Rome worked, every 3 days no matter what.

[Ry Vor]

The number one cause of player drops is play is too fast.   We still have, please remember, players used to one turn every two weeks.  That is the standard outside Alamaze.  I know we have MEPBM and Duel2 players that should be able to confirm that.  I believe Duel 2 is $10.50 per turn every two weeks.

[wfrankenhoff]

The number one cause of player drops is play is too fast.   We still have, please remember, players used to one turn every two weeks.  That is the standard outside Alamaze.  I know we have MEPBM and Duel2 players that should be able to confirm that.  I believe Duel 2 is $10.50 per turn every two weeks.

I can understand why some players might like a slower pace, either as they learn the game or simply because it fits their schedule. That said, virtually every experienced player I've spoken with would like a faster turnaround. Any chance there's an acceptable compromise? Perhaps a variant like Accelerated Anonymous Steel? Accelerated Warlords? Would be clearly listed that the game will run on a 3-3-4 (or something basis) and only those interested in faster play should sign-up. I don't know what that would entail programming wise, but wouldn't it just be something easy like slotting into specific days? 

[Lord Alz]

I agree with Rick in that I have 6 games going but 4 on the same day and it seems fast on the short week. Not complaining but I see how it would be easy to burn out at a faster pace. If I have 2 games going I would have a totally different opinion.

[unclemike]

I can add more turn frequency cycles to the games to satisfy the more experienced crowd but the format that will take some time to develop is to run games dynamically when all turns are submitted (any day, any time). Currently, the launcher process is activated only once a day (at noon) to launch games on their appropriate due dates. I would have to change this process to be hourly in order to check if all the orders were submitted before launching the game (which isn't difficult in itself) but that may conflict with any new games that were created at the same time (by a separate utility on the server). So it's possible to do hourly turn frequency but it will take some time to work out the issues between the different software modules on the server which are currently unfriendly to each other. But something like every three days or a fixed frequency like every Monday/Thursday is doable.

[wfrankenhoff]

Definitely don't want to add to your or Rick's workload and a dynamic game would certainly do that in terms of programming. A fixed three-day rotation or something like that would be wonderful if it requires no additional work....

[HeadHoncho]

Faster Warlords and Anonymous individual games would be well-received, and for the Warlords format, even revitalizing.

Just like the order checker debate, I don't think this one will ever really go away. And when the order checker was finally implemented thanks to UM, there was much rejoicing.

I think having faster pacing options would receive a very similar reaction.

[Frost Lord]

I just want the "6-day" droughts to go away. Every other week I feel like I am joining multiple standby positions. Then I am all in for a week, then I go back on standby.

The turn results tell us when the next turn is due and most of us have calendars (Google calendar is free) and/or smart phones that can warn us when the turn is due. Plus Uncle Mike sends us an email before the turn is due if we have not submitted our orders... So all that I am asking is that we replace 4/4/6 with a 4/4/4 schedule. Seems like a minor compromise. Besides, players that do not want a faster pace are already being forced to a 4-day turn around every other week.