Scorpio
First Post
For some RP'ing that is really different, check this out. I cannot recommend it enough.
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Res Dura II is a play-by-email (PBEM) game set in an approximately
historical Europe of 1858. It seeks to simulate the domestic and
international politics of the era. It is, however, a simulation for
entertainment, not education. The origins of Res Dura II are somewhat
obscure, it coming from several other online games, 1880EP, TaT and so on.
Res Dura was played by a total of over fifty people (though only half that
number at any one time) over several months in 2002-2003
Tables, charts, and lengthy legal-style rules "see Section 4.2.6.1(a),
subsection (I)2" - are absent from this game. Instead, some general
principles are presented to guide the players. Rest assured, the decisions
are not freeform, nor arbitrary. There are rules, spreadsheets and so on
used for calculations of the variables as a result of the players' orders.
But these rules are not transparent, the details of the workings of economy,
military, the vagaries of the public, will be as obscure to the players as
they were to the historical leaders. The purpose of this is to build the
atmosphere of being a political leader, rather than the atmosphere of a
game. A format shall be followed for the presentation of orders, and these
shall be processed in a regular and timely fashion.
In these games, some players do nothing but war, others avoid it like the
plague and just make speeches all the time. The game is designed to allow
for both types, but works best when players take a middle way, enjoying the
details of Character, Diplomacy, Economy and War.
The "Geneva Illustrated News," (GIN) is the journal of the game, in
which
are presented news reports taken from several European newspapers and
journals. The GIN contains news, gossip, rumours, speculation and analysis,
which will on occasion be accurate. The GIN will average 6,000 words, with
one photograph or etching per page, for a total of twenty-seven issues, not
including the Introduction and Conclusion issues. The game has a two week
turnaround. The game has gone through a few turns, but there's a long way to
go yet.
A prospective player will generally be asked to write a biography of their
character, demonstrating some knowledge of the country and era; I have many
weblinks for you to look at to help you out with this. This biography helps
you get into the game, and lets us know something about your character. It
stops the game world being just a bunch of numbers to you. It also
demonstrates an active interest in the game, and players do need to be
active, and interested.
Once joined up, players who are new to Res Dura II may be assigned a Mentor.
This is a more experienced player who will advise them on how to do things -
not what to do, but how to do it. So, they can advise how to write a
diplomatic message, how to churn your way through your Ministry Report, and
so on.
It sounds like a lot of work, I know. Consider it like a big, but enjoyable
book. It seems really daunting at first, takes a little while to get into,
but then is really enjoyable. We have a good community of players. Some of
them are history graduates; others have not finished high school. We've had
players from every continent, from Singapore to Bosnia. Some are good at
strategy; others are hopeless. But everyone makes an effort and is welcoming
of new players. There's no, "go away, newbie!" in Res Dura II.
Prospective players ought to write to me at the email address above,
describing their gaming experience and historical knowledge. It is not
necessary to be a genius player, or have a degree in history. There are
several qualities which the successful player of Res Dura II must have.
These are courtesy, patience, prudence, perspective, and fortitude. Oh, and
courtesy, too.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Res_Dura_II/
kas@alphalink.com.au
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Res Dura II is a play-by-email (PBEM) game set in an approximately
historical Europe of 1858. It seeks to simulate the domestic and
international politics of the era. It is, however, a simulation for
entertainment, not education. The origins of Res Dura II are somewhat
obscure, it coming from several other online games, 1880EP, TaT and so on.
Res Dura was played by a total of over fifty people (though only half that
number at any one time) over several months in 2002-2003
Tables, charts, and lengthy legal-style rules "see Section 4.2.6.1(a),
subsection (I)2" - are absent from this game. Instead, some general
principles are presented to guide the players. Rest assured, the decisions
are not freeform, nor arbitrary. There are rules, spreadsheets and so on
used for calculations of the variables as a result of the players' orders.
But these rules are not transparent, the details of the workings of economy,
military, the vagaries of the public, will be as obscure to the players as
they were to the historical leaders. The purpose of this is to build the
atmosphere of being a political leader, rather than the atmosphere of a
game. A format shall be followed for the presentation of orders, and these
shall be processed in a regular and timely fashion.
In these games, some players do nothing but war, others avoid it like the
plague and just make speeches all the time. The game is designed to allow
for both types, but works best when players take a middle way, enjoying the
details of Character, Diplomacy, Economy and War.
The "Geneva Illustrated News," (GIN) is the journal of the game, in
which
are presented news reports taken from several European newspapers and
journals. The GIN contains news, gossip, rumours, speculation and analysis,
which will on occasion be accurate. The GIN will average 6,000 words, with
one photograph or etching per page, for a total of twenty-seven issues, not
including the Introduction and Conclusion issues. The game has a two week
turnaround. The game has gone through a few turns, but there's a long way to
go yet.
A prospective player will generally be asked to write a biography of their
character, demonstrating some knowledge of the country and era; I have many
weblinks for you to look at to help you out with this. This biography helps
you get into the game, and lets us know something about your character. It
stops the game world being just a bunch of numbers to you. It also
demonstrates an active interest in the game, and players do need to be
active, and interested.
Once joined up, players who are new to Res Dura II may be assigned a Mentor.
This is a more experienced player who will advise them on how to do things -
not what to do, but how to do it. So, they can advise how to write a
diplomatic message, how to churn your way through your Ministry Report, and
so on.
It sounds like a lot of work, I know. Consider it like a big, but enjoyable
book. It seems really daunting at first, takes a little while to get into,
but then is really enjoyable. We have a good community of players. Some of
them are history graduates; others have not finished high school. We've had
players from every continent, from Singapore to Bosnia. Some are good at
strategy; others are hopeless. But everyone makes an effort and is welcoming
of new players. There's no, "go away, newbie!" in Res Dura II.
Prospective players ought to write to me at the email address above,
describing their gaming experience and historical knowledge. It is not
necessary to be a genius player, or have a degree in history. There are
several qualities which the successful player of Res Dura II must have.
These are courtesy, patience, prudence, perspective, and fortitude. Oh, and
courtesy, too.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Res_Dura_II/
kas@alphalink.com.au
