I note kestas is including a universal message tab in the next version so we can send a message to everyone in the game. I'm a little worried about this. I know in face to face games it's possible to make announcements to everyone, but does it happen that often? Is it good etiquette? Three-way and four-way huddles might be more complicated to code, but are a more accurate reflection of (how I imagine) face to face negotiations progress. But even those would cause me concern.
Why? Well the dynamic of the negotiating table is changed. It will be much harder now to question someone's sincerity and truthfulness, to sow seeds of doubt, and to play people off against each other. If you make an announcement to everyone, no-one is in any doubt that everyone has heard the same thing. If there is any duplicity about it, at least one of the other people who heard the announcement must be in on the duplicity ("I'm going to announce this, but don't worry, it's just a ploy"). It is going to be much harder to go cowboy and play people off against each other. To keep your options open about which way your loyalties will ultimately fall. If anyone has doubts about you, or even if they don't, but are just naturally cautious players, their retort to any assertion you make about the actions, motives and intentions of another player will be "well tell me in front of him." If you cannot think of a damn good excuse not to, you're in trouble.
Yes there will be things you can't share in front of everyone, obviously you don't want your enemies to know your alliance's plans. But there will be things which it is safe to disclose to your enemies and neutral parties, but can ruin an alliance. The sort of "cover your back" negotiations and manouvers good players use can kill trust as quickly as any tactical stab, if they are brought to light.
Misinformation will not be wiped out, but for a canny player there will soon be a powerful weapon he can use to verify what you purport to be the truth.
I'm sorry if that was a bit complicated to follow, I'm still thinking about it and trying to get my head around the implications, and trying to think of firm examples to illustrate my concern. But I'd like to know if anyone else thinks this could have a big effect on the way people negotiate and communicate. For players who claim sincerity and honesty is their greatest weapon, it could be either the best thing ever to happen to them, or it could kill their diplomacy careers..!
I'm eagerly waiting this feature actually. For one, it makes start and end of game formalities much easier! =)
Also, there have always been times when I've wanted to declare things to every player. My example before was, playing as France, declaring that Tunisia would be annexed as it is a francophone country, and that all countries opposed to French occupation will be met with swift defeat.
I remember, there was a time, way back when, there was an everyone tab. And it was used quite well. I remember one game in which England declared that France, he, and I (Germany) were a triumvirate, and would destroy the other countries. Very interesting, because he declared it without consulting neither France nor I.
new game. Three wars
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