I couldn't find this anywhere, so hopefully I'm coming up with something helpful.
One of the big problems I see, especially with the big games, is that so many people go inactive. Whether it's because they're bored or lazy or don't like their neighbors or position, whatever the reason, it general skews the game. Either people surrounded by inactives dominate over those with active neighbors, people drop out and screw their coalition or allies.
So, my suggestion is this.
Add a new game setting that asks for a GOLD ESCROW.
To join the game, players must deposit some amount of gold.
To get their GOLD ESCROW back, all they would have to do is remain active until their capital is sacked by someone else.
After loss of the capital, they would still have the option to continue playing as usual -- it would only affect the Escrow.
I realize that this is not a complete solution, and I have no doubt people would figure out ways to game the system to quit early and still get your gold, but I believe and escrow like this would lead to a huge decrease in the number of people that bail on games.
Of course, there is a chance that someone goes inactive for reasons that are beyond their control, but I think setting the right amount for the GOLD ESCROW would minimize these occasions.
Thanks for reading.
One of the big problems I see, especially with the big games, is that so many people go inactive. Whether it's because they're bored or lazy or don't like their neighbors or position, whatever the reason, it general skews the game. Either people surrounded by inactives dominate over those with active neighbors, people drop out and screw their coalition or allies.
So, my suggestion is this.
Add a new game setting that asks for a GOLD ESCROW.
To join the game, players must deposit some amount of gold.
To get their GOLD ESCROW back, all they would have to do is remain active until their capital is sacked by someone else.
After loss of the capital, they would still have the option to continue playing as usual -- it would only affect the Escrow.
I realize that this is not a complete solution, and I have no doubt people would figure out ways to game the system to quit early and still get your gold, but I believe and escrow like this would lead to a huge decrease in the number of people that bail on games.
Of course, there is a chance that someone goes inactive for reasons that are beyond their control, but I think setting the right amount for the GOLD ESCROW would minimize these occasions.
Thanks for reading.