Sunday, September 7, 2008

No - Not out of spite, but out of fairness to other players

Here's the reason I processed as I did, and my problem with giving Damian a break here.  In Fall 1902, Tony submitted the order, "Belgium -> Helgoland Bight."  Tony had no Belgium unit (and Belgium doesn't border Helgoland Bight in any event), but he did have a Holland unit.  When I exercised the judgment as processor not to move his Holland unit instead, it wasn't because I couldn't easily surmise that Tony in fact meant to move his Holland unit.  He couldn't have meant any other unit.  It was because at a certain point -- beyond simple typos and not specifying coasts -- an error in order writing has to become a mistake with consequences.  Submitting an order for the wrong province certainly qualifies.  Order writing is one of the most important parts of the game, on a par with diplomatic relations with other countries.  If you don't pay attention to what you're doing, you can screw up and change the dynamics of the game -- just like any other game.  Tony, to his credit, accepted this, and we all moved on.  (Tony, particularly, moved on and on.)

My declining to move Damian's Black Sea unit was nothing personal.  In fact, it was directly contrary to my own strategic goal, which is (obviously) to prop up Russia's and Italy's defenses.  I didn't give Tony a break when he was a growing enemy.  In the interest of fairness, I simply could not give Damian, an ally, a break in the same exact situation.

WBG

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