Request for an Important Thread: "Rules of Engagement for PBEM Games"

[Crossroads]

Dear all...

ROEs pop up once and a while. Folks of the old guard are often expecting a certain behaviour, while the newbies are not (and cannot be) aware of them in advance.

At the same time, the old timers can forget the Hawk's Law, as they are accustomed to playing each other, and forget the newbies might have no idea of certain restrictions expected by the old timer.

Often, even old timers disagree of what the realistic game consists of.

For this purpose, I propose one of the mods would create a sticky to remind everyone to agree on these beforehand. The sticky would be a locked one, and only accesible for modification by one of the mods.



FIRST, we would establish the Ground Rules, and then, we could draft a set of specific rules.

Luckily, the first part is already available. It is known as the Hawk's Law, and here it is in its full glory (gosh Eric, you sure have the skill to squeeze lots of wisdom into a few words only )

Hawk's Law

1: If there are no ROE's stated then none are in play. Everything goes.

2: Other than cheating the Blitz has no ROE's regarding game play.

3: If you are better than your oppoent you will beat him the majority of the time no matter what tactics he uses.

4: For every "gamey" tactic there is an answer. Go find it.

5: If you play me please spot with your trucks and lead with your halftracks. You will lose.

6: Enough hand wringing. Go play.

The purpose of the Ground Rule is to remind everyone that if you've not agreed on a ROE, well there aren't any. Only cheating disallowed. End of.

I mean this in a positive manner, so that people would discuss this especially when playing some one they haven't played earlier.

Btw. The discussion revolving Hawk's Law can be found here: https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards...hlight=roe


THEN, we would create a set (as one consisting of subsets) of basic ROEs the good folks can refer to: Let us use the Blitzer's PBEM ROE of Use of HTs.

Perhaps a separate thread can be created for each subset (use of armed HTs, use of non-armed transportation, rules for exiting map, etc)...

Once a consensus is available, that particular subset would be added to the Sticky by one of the mods.

It needs not to be the ultimate consensus, just the lowest common nominator. Anything already available would help people to form their wishes on a more clear manner that leaves less room for misunderstandments.

Or there could be a couple of rule sets available. HT Rule the Strict Version, and HT Rule the Relaxed Version.

Now I know these have been a cause for some flame wars in the past, but I am sure we can do this in a civilised manner.

Most importantly, these would help any newcomers to adapt to our fine community.

The thing is I am pretty maxed out and will not start any of those subset rule threads. Please pick up from here if you believe this is a good idea.

But even stickying the Ground Rule would benefit the community IMHO.

Just my 0.02 of course. Peace.