However at the risk of restarting a ferocious debate, Why are there
so many scaremongering posts in the times saying 'Oooh look out PLATO
are the new AOO.'
Guys we are playing a fantasy role-playing/conquest game. If somebody
wants to be the big bad Evil Empire that mercilessly attacks
unsuspecting peaceful factions then I say Great it makes the game
more interesting. The problem as I see it was by utilising there
knowledge of the gamme mechanics and an early build up of a startegic
position, the AOO managed to dominate the game to such an extent that
is become unpleasant and that critical word BORING for people to
play. Especially newbies who got captured or killed a few turns into
the game.
Rich has implemented many new features designed to conteract this.
Multiple starting cities, bigger map, slower movement for big armies,
etc, etc. The ability to project overwhelming power at a distance has
been drastically reduced. In short it is much harder to dominate the
game and to this point there is no sign that PLATO will be able to
dominate the game to the point where it is not enjoyable to play. 90%
of the players will have been unaffected by the attack on the New
Empire and even though the attack was devastatingly effective it was
stoppable and I think we have all learnt some valuable lessons about
the need for defense in key places and the vulnerability of port
cities to surprise attack.
Hopefully we have also learnt that knowledge is the best defence as
the New Empire was very remiss in not noticing a build up of that
size and preparing for the worst.
The 'but you shouldn't attack people just because you can' arguement
shows people have a very warped view of history. Especially feudal
history. Territorial expansion is a natural tendancy in the real
world and especially this game. Hey there is not much else to do. The
only history in this world is what we create oursleves and we have
just had our first real historic moment. May there be many more.
Enough of the philosophy. If you don't like what PLATO did, don;t
bleat about it in anonymous posts to the Times. Get an army together
and do something about it but don't scare monger about the Evil AOO.