[Discuss] A few Issues

[Robert Croson, Jr]

On 16 Apr 2008 at 13:15, John P. Murphy wrote:

> 
> On Apr 16, 2008, at 12:30 PM, Robert Croson, Jr wrote:
> >> You mean, why not find a workaround for inconvenient game
> >> mechanics, instead of suggesting a change?
> >
> > Peaceful secessions are legal, and therefore not a workaround of
> > game mechanics.
> 
> That's how all workarounds work: you want to do something, but the 
> game doesn't let you, so you find a way to achieve the same end 
> through things that the game does let you do. 

It can't be a workaround if you are using the function to do exactly what it was 
intended to do. Merely because it allows you to do something that is similar to, 
but slightly different than, another game function does not make it a 
workaround for that other function.

If that was the case, then you could call a duel to the death a workaround for 
the fact that a duel to surrender doesn't let one of the characters die. Or you 
could call a BTO a workaround for the fact that you can't do an FTO if you have 
1% sympathy. Or any of several dozen other similar, but not identical, game 
mechanics.

> If it's Tom's desire 
> that colonies should not be able to change their government, then 
> taking over regions until it's not a colony anymore but a secession 
> (which has different rules) is a workaround.

Your logic doesn't follow. It is the intention that you can't do a TO if you don't 
have enough troops in the region. Is it therefore a workaround to keep bringing 
in more troops until you have enough to do a TO?

> Workarounds are not 
> only a matter of legality, they are also a matter of roleplay; it's 
> hard to make up good RP for things that you are only doing because of 
> game mechanics.

If you want to do something, it's your job to either find the correct RP to do it, 
or wait until the circumstances change to allow you to do what you want. It is 
not Tom's job to change the game rules to accommodate your desired actions.

> The fact that it is legal just means that there is a contradiction in 
> the rules that ought to be worked out, and I favor allowing colonies 
> to be set up with a different government.  However, also I recognize 
> that this is rare, and therefore not a priority.

We shall have to wait and see what Tom rules on the issue.


-- 
Rob

Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.




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