So, having read the God QT (or rather skimmed it and seen mentions of my name). I have some thoughts on several things, broken up into 3 sections. First off
THOUGHTS ON GAMEPLAY
We pretty much all sucked, at least after Ogion got lynched. I sucked a lot on reads and got tunnel vision on Balki. Balki somehow didn’t get a good enough read on Kaka to decide to save him. Oztra had fewer words said than Tom, the Night 1 kill IIRC. A bunch of people had to be subbed out for reasons I’m not sure of, causing a bunch more to be thrown into the game and pretty much lynched right after. And well we all didn’t catch the ghost (well technically Ika did but something happened that caused him not to tell everyone he was). Regardless, damian played fairly well, and deserves the win. GG.
THOUGHTS ON DEALING WITH THE GMs
One thing it seems bb didn’t like were all my questions. To this I say, I’ve GM’d like 4 or 5 times, the reason why I ask a lot of questions is because I have learned a lot about GMing. First thing I’ve learned is that if it isn’t illegal in the rules, it isn’t illegal, this is why we constantly change the rules when stupid stuff happens. Second, Consistency is very important with Role PMs and interactions especially when it comes to theorycrafting what happened at night. Hell the reason why I asked 5 times about the Oracle was because we almost lynched them two days in a row and it wasn’t clear yet whether any info would be released. This is why I think about all possible interactions and expect a lot of questions when I GM (Especially with Role Madness, where there were still some oversights). Also, bb, I think you were very good at GMing and clarifying, just think a bit more about game design and double checking, otherwise exploits or inconsistencies will occur, I know, I’ve had them happen to me.
Also if you think I was a bit rude. I’m sorry, if I think something is stupid or ill conceived, I will say, so feel free to do the same to me, as I know some of you do. I started mafia in the beginning (M1, not M2 bb) and had to play with (and GM games with) people like President Eden, Yellow Jacket and krellin, and it seems they rubbed off a little on me (hopefully not too much). Also like, if I argue about adjudication, it’s not a sign of disrespect, I remember the numerous arguments I’ve had with meme over end mechanics and other stuff in mafia, my attitude was the same then as it is now, and I assure you, there is no GM I respect more than meme. I just care a lot about game design and GMing well, especially since I seem to be better at that than actually playing mafia. Leads me to my next thought.
THOUGHTS ON GAME DESIGN
Yeah, didn’t like a lot the design of this game and now I have time to explain why. First off is why I think the Item Madness thing failed in execution and why having any fabricated is a bad idea. First Off, Item Madness isn’t a terrible idea, though you have to be very careful with the RNG of who gets what as Items can swing a game drastically. However, the reason why Item Madness should be done is it allows everyone, even a VT, to have an important role, to do something cool. Sure you may not be a PR, but maybe you’ll scan the right person the right night, or shoot the right guy, or do something that changes the game with your one shots item. The same reason we have role madness. However, when you say inherently that the item you got might not only not work, but also will do the exact opposite of what you want, it robs that person of that small joy. It’s similar to a flaw we saw in role madness, where I, in my infinite wisdom wanted there to be 1 VT in the game. However, when in the test run we noticed that Flum (the VT), really disliked it, we decided against it. Same logic. Also 4/21 is 19%, so roughly a fifth of the game has something useless...that isn’t a good design. I mean like wouldn’t this be so much better if Balduran’s medkit could actually save demon, instead of having a 50% to guarantee her death.
Secondarily, when these Items can backfire, like a gun, or poison someone, like the medkit, and you don’t know if it’s fabricated, there is an unnecessary asymmetry of information, as now the correct move is possibly not to use it at all, and certainly it seems that the correct way to play is very obscured. In a game called Item Madness, this probably shouldn’t be the desired outcome, rather people should be encouraged to use their item, not discard it. Also it really screws up the delta of randomness as instead of being fabricated and inert, they simply flip the outcome. Like if damian’s gun was fabricated, a very different outcome occurs, now instead of skill the game winning play is based on rng. This is likely also not a great game design. Also having both an Item thief and a Saboteur like role just compacts all of these, best to do just Item thief or Saboteur with normal items imo.
Third, Ghost needed to be re balanced. Balance does not mean any side can win, it means all sides have an equal chance to win, and well, the ghost was really strong this game. As the ghost could reliably get to haunt level 2, it was already troublesome as any role that is both NK Immune and Copscan Immune is bound to be. Like that is really hard when none of your investigative tools work on it in a vacuum. Then, When it reaches level 3, it also gains a roleblock, which is again troublesome as now it has 3 powers and is pretty above the normal power level of a third party. At Level 4 it is an SK that has NK and Copscan Immunity, with a roleblock that can win with 5 people left. The snowball effect is worse than the developer and due to the haunt levels having major differences, the delta of randomness is again a problem. No to mention, like the bio terrorist it creates very easy kingmaker situations with 4-5 people left, which are again, probably bad. Also, seriously, not letting people know they’re haunted, seriously messes up the one way of catching the ghost, who they’re targeting, at least let it be a delayed reveal or something.
Fourth, Miscellaneous Stuff. Yeah, the Oracle stuff was probably the right design for the role, but should have been in the rules. Also, two investigative roles but no protective, probably bad. A doctor was sorely needed and instead we got a 50/50 on uncoordinated medkits (one of the real ones was with a mafia even so, and the one that was played correctly was fabricated), this was once again, likely something that should not happen again. Also, follow meme’s guide. Given that the roles were not on a google doc, and some very key rules were missing. It’s clear that if it was followed it all, it was not nearly to the extent meme wanted people to. He was the best GM we’ve had, listen to the advice he left behind for us. Anyway, hopefully despite these qualms, this game was enjoyable for everyone.
Btw, did I actually agree to retire, because I might soon, not after this game, too poor of a send off, but maybe in one or two. Regardless, I plan to GM/co-GM one last game before I do, and make sure it’s good.
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NHL sucks
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