Many things are possible, but it would be enhanced if people would finalize on the retreat / build phases

If one of the players who have an account in this game - either actively playing or eliminated - could post this in the message window of the game, I would appreciate it.

"Posting this for Stratagos, one of the commentators:

Hi there ladies and gents, one of your commentators here. This game has at times been exciting, with highly dynamic playing and swift changes in position.

This is not one of those times.

While as a commentator I would never encourage players to act in a specific manner (ie: draw, beat on player X, send me bags of money), I *would* like to point out that - at least to external observers - the scope for clever diplomatic maneuvers appears to be fairly low at this point.

Therefore, so your commentators can quit looking at this game and get on with our lives, could I encourage players to finalize, especially during retreats and builds? I understand certain players make it a habit *never* to finalize, but when there is only one place to retreat, and any units you crank out won't get to the front anytime before the end of the century, the thought process on these moves doesn't appear to be exceptionally complex, and appear to be just dragging things out for shits and grins.

Those of us who feel an obligation to keep watching ain't grinning. Do what you want, but you're not just annoying the other four people in the game.

Love and kisses,
Stratagos

Very restrained strat.

I second the thinking though. Right now the thing I'm looking forward to is the EOGs from as many of the 17 as we can get. At least when it ends we'll be able to see who was whom

Just yelling "You guys are just fucking dicks, DICKS!" isn't likely to get a positive response ;)

Looking at the global chat we may be nearer and end than we thought. although the Libyan nmr doesn't help. It seems there have been some convoy issues.

If USA and Arg don't get eliminated because of a convoy issue, that would be a real shame, their death is certain and should be carried out, they're just latching on to any excuse to escape their destiny.

potty mouths aren't necessary, boys and girls ;)

is this a case of commentators trying to affect the outcome of the game? I don't think its blatant, but its on or over the line. I don't really have a horse in this race, but seems despite our annoyance with the game's continuation, we should let it play out.

maybe we can get the rest of of us to write up our EOG's and be ready for the finale when it comes... can we get the 17 players all confirm that they either have written, or will write their EOG's for this game? That might be more productive.

Babak, I am not suggesting a draw - I am suggesting people finalize their damn moves unless they have a discernible reason not to.

I am certainly not saying that isn't the case - I have no idea what is going on diplomatically - but if it's just a case of 'I'm not finalizing because I never do' or 'I'm not finalizing because I don't like you and want to be a dick' - then, yeah, that's kinda annoying

And I'm just reading the global comments, and noticing the draw votes. It's a great example of a time when a 'Concede' option would be great. USA & Arg are fighting hard, but they are doomed. It's hard to commentate when you can see the outcome writ large, and taking 2 days for retreats etc is slowing things up.

Spring comes. Nothing exceptionally worth commenting on.

I think there is something interesting in the Global chat thread, although it would be good if the players could formalise what they may have said.

Another turn, another couple of centres chipped away. Argentina and the USA are doing everything they can to make life as hard as possible for the MEGA-ALLIANCE. Anyone watching should take note - even if you appear doomed, you should still keep playing. Given the length of time this is going to take, it would be easy for them just to put in hold orders, but they refuse to go down without a fight.

There are now landings on both coasts of South America as well - including a convoy!

Same old, same old.

Regarding the public press: USA and Argentina - I never said you should 'lay down and die', I simply encouraged you to finalize. If you have reasons not to do so, that's fine - but you signed up for a game with commentary, so I'm gonna by-God *comment*. Deal with it.

Builds. the Mega Alliance is doing a decent job of making sure they all get builds; if one partner were to grow and the others stagnate I can see some unhappiness

Squueeeeeeeeze. The pips are squeaking.

are you squeezing your pimples while you commentate, Pete? That's just *gross*, man, eww

Strat - I wish I was young enough to have pimples worth squeezing

Backne?

As a commentator, I learned that reading Global chat is always useful - Argentina's NMR was driven by browser issues, not from a desire to give up. It's a shame, as tenacious defending and play doesn't deserve such a brutal ending.

Looks like his browser issues were not fixed - an hour to deadline and no orders.

And Libya is going for the solo!

Indeed, can he get enough centres fast enough? I doubt it, but it'll be fun

People chiming in from the woodwork regarding the broken convoy issue. Others are suggesting a pause until the issue is resolved - which I wouldn't hold my breath for, as Kestas is a busy man.

I suspect we'll either see a draw or a pause in the immediate future, as the broken convoy issue apparently is a gamechanger that favors the guys who just stabbed his buddies.

One note: Libya, you claim your stab attempt was motivated by boredom, but you're unwilling to draw when the other option is a forced pause. These two positions appear to be mutually exclusive. Not saying you have to draw, but, dude, man up - you executed a decent stab, don't sully it by claiming it's anything but a stab

So Libya ends the turn +7, but it's clear that Europe will withdraw from North America to stop him. Libya's great advantage is that he has a core, but I'm not sure if he will be able to project enough force quickly enough to make the gains he needs for the solo

Why on earth would there be a forced pause in this game? Everyone has known about the convoy issue all game, as I understand it (or at least for quite some time) and people have had to live with it, forcing a pause now makes no sense whatsoever.

I didn't realize this game was still going on... seems I missed quite a stab!!

are there any other WTA solos on this map?

Well, the ALMA (Anti-libya mega alliance) is is full effect. Co-ordinated fleet action. Successful convoys. And still they find the time to effectively eliminate the unfortunate Argentines.

The crunch turn is coming up - Libya needs to be up again on the SC count to have any chance of the solo, before defensive lines can be established on the key fronts.

I just read the latest global messages, I can't believe this game might get canceled! I thought everyone knew there were convoy challenges in the game, and even if everyone didn't, it's not like Libya secretly coded things to Libya's advantage. To me (not that my view matters), it's like a football game (or any sports game I can think of), sometimes the ref (i.e. game board) gets in the way of a play and messes things up, but it's just part of the game and adds a different variable that cannot be controlled. Someone obviously created this variant and put it on this site for people to join, at that point, I think it's up to everyone to play the game to the best of their ability with the game board that is there. If someone can take advantage of a convoy situation, I'd encourage them to do so to the fullest extent, it's a random part of the game that randomly helps or hurts everyone and I'm confident there are those that would take advantage of the situation, so there's no reason to be a martyr about it, it's just a game, play it how it is set up to play and if you don't like it then don't join another.