Finding replacements etc

[Mike Barber]

Hi guys

Just my tuppence

First, please only include 'selective' elements of the
email you are replying to - otherwise it gets
unreadable
Second, I think we are agreed (?) that advertising
positions, without naming the game, is the way to go.
If you want to name the game, a straw poll of the
affected team would seem appropriate
Third, Clint you dropped the free turn with each
standby. Have you reinstated this? If not, I think
you should. Recent poor experience of standbys I have
taken on indicates to me that you should offer 2 free
turns, not 1 (and as an email player, this (hopefully)
involves pretty marginal cost to you
Fourth, on a technical note, ALL pbm players are will
to pay what each game is worth - TO THEM! (sorry
Colin economists view point will out...)
Finally, I would be willing to pay a deposit, not
least because I (in keeping with many others) now only
really play team games which guarantees those on both
sides will play at least 5-10 turns before biting the
bullet.

Cheers now

Mike

[Harlequin Games]

Hi Mike we thought hard and long about the free turn thing. It doesn't
really encourage players unfortunately and is just us throwing away money.
Players play if they want to and don't if they don't want. It mostly isn;t
a matter of costs - rather of time for most players.

As for the cost of email turns - players seem to be totally confused about
the time and effort it costs us.

1) the orders are harder to input - causing more errors, and more time to
get correct.
2) we have to print them out - costing that (minimal but it all adds up) -
it also takes more time to do an email turn print out and preparation than
it does for paper - hence more costs.
3) email players invariably are less cautious about specifics in their
turns - causing us extra time
4) it takes more time to get a turn sent off than it does for the paper
turns (more labour costs).
5) yes, I agree that it does cost less than to post a considerable factor of
the turn cost.

So overall they are about the same for us to run as paper turns.

I know that a lot of you will be surprised by this. :-)

Clint
************************************************** **
Harlequin Games

mailto: harlequin.games@...
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/harlequin.games/

Middle Earth - Legends - Serim Ral
Premier Football - CTF 2187 - Starquest
Battle of the Planets - Exile - Crack of Doom
************************************************** **
340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP
Tel 01222 625665 12-6.30 Weekdays
Fax 01222 625532 24 hours
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Barber <mbarber999@...>
To: mepbmlist (AT) onelist (DOT) com <mepbmlist (AT) onelist (DOT) com>
Date: 06 September 1999 19:40
Subject: [mepbmlist] Finding replacements etc