But it's not meta-gaming if we hate each other, right?

What happens if you meet someone in webDip but you later become friends or lovers in real life?

Jamie, this is why Zultar and I don't play together.

Did Zultar see people posting #FUCKGHUG and assume it was relationship advice?

What if you start a webdip game together and then track the other player down and lock him/her in your basement?

And that's why Jamie and krellin don't play anymore.

Is there a computer with an internet connection in your basement, Parallelopiped? Otherwise you'd be forcing them into CD which of course would be cheating.

There is an internet connection but I only send food down if they order as it suits me (or I would, if I ever did this, which I don't - it's completely hypothetical)

Please don't post public cheating accusations unless you're ghug.

Withholding food for support isn't unethical is it?

I am ghug.

That's gotta be metagaming

I wouldn't say withholding food is unethical. It's just like a regular military blockade, which could just be a strategy.

I'm a little confused. (Not that i am currently in any games with people i know, but i have been in the past) Do you not also have to announce that you know each other so all the players know about your connection? (Though really, thinking about it, my plan would be to find 7 irish players i know from real life and get them all to play a game...)

orathatic, if you are advertising in the forum, yes. This is more in reference to creating a private game with friends to be in compliance with metagaming rules, but then displaying the password in a public place, which isn't quite within the spirit of the rule. Entrapment, so to speak.

@ 2ndWhiteLine: "making the game title "Password: XXXXXX" does not fit the definition of password protected."

What if you do that, but the password is *not* actually the word you post in the game title? Is that allowed?

Darn.
It would make life a smidge easier if this were not the case. You could put your password in the title, then put word out that you were looking for players to join your game which includes friends. I thought word was pretty much out at this point, that if the game has a password, it is special.
So, anyone that wants to join the game has to actually contact you to get the password, got it.

"What if you do that, but the password is *not* actually the word you post in the game title? Is that allowed?"

What, you mean if the password is actually YYYYY?

@Deinodon, based on the reply to my question. I believe you can put the word out, but you have to tell the players who want to join a) that you're playing with friends (and presumably a little bit about the relationship) and b) to pm you for the password.

What if the title is "The Password is Not hobbitporn"

But the password is hobbitporn?

You can answer all these questions yourself with the following question:

Will this method of password distribution allow players to join this game without knowing that there are friends in it?

So if we make the title: Password: there are friends in this game. Then we're good?

Personally I've never understood why anyone would join a private game in the situation 2nd and ATC are describing. If you do that and later are surprised that there are friends in it, that's your own fault in my book.

@ATC, you're going to hate me for suggesting this, but it wouldn't be too hard to make a check on game creation to block games from being created when the password is in the title of the game, and displaying a message explaining why it isn't allowed. Then you don't have to worry about anyone not reading this forum thread.

bottles of scotch jmo owes ATC++

That would be a pretty easy change, but there are probably other priorities since this doesn't come up very often (twice in the last year, I think). There are lots of other moderator tool improvements that come first.

Has this been a big complaint? Have there been players in password protected games complaining that people in the game know each other?

Yes, there were players misinterpreting the point of the "you may only play with people you know outside the site in private games" rule. We'll probably review the wording of the rules at some point.

Probably making a Mountain out of a molehill.

ATC did you get my email about me helping with development?

Can you make a thread advertising for players for a private game in which you know a player? If you put the password in the thread and also put the fact that you know XXX, would that pass this rule?

What happens when you meet someone/find out you already know someone in a game you are already in?

KC, to your first question, yes, that's acceptable. To your second, we'll take it on a case by case basis, prioritizing there being zero impact of your relationship and taking a harsher stance against players who have been warned before. We appreciate people being careful about that for hopefully obvious reasons.

Just to clarify (I haven't done this, but in case) if you make a password protected game and you are playing with 1 other friend, but the rest of the spots are open invite, can you post on the forum explaining that the two of you know each other and are looking to have players who won't mind? Then pm password?

Sometimes I think it would be useful to use the site for showing people how to play is all; i feel the 'meta' part is reduced somewhat if everyone realises in advance and don't feel cheated.

jasoncollins,

That's exactly how you should approach a private game with only one or two friends. You're always welcome to fill up the game with other players as long as you disclose it on the forum.

What if you create a password-protected game and then after three of four calendar years of play you realize that everyone on the website is your friend. Does it then dawn on you that you forgot the password?

Thats 2ndwhiteline

Thanks*

@JECE, everyone? really, that seems like an unlikely outcome.

Yeah...after years of play I think you should hate everyone not consider them friends.

I played with JECE IRL, I can confirm he's not friends with every single person on the site ;)

He did make it to the draw though. All 1(2?) German center.