Ok
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MattZed The Matrix 6 setup is very balanced. (Proven with lots of games)
Detevtive/Sheriffs are balanced with Doctors/Vests/Consorts
I agree with this. I think MattZed's point is to add some variety and avoid our beginner program becoming a rip off of Mafiascum's. Perhaps some of us in this group such as you, me, Calix, MattZed, Crypt, whomever else has an opinion, can do some brainstorming on good basic setups to run.
But if you have suggestions do show me.
And yeh, I have learnt my lesson about replacing people.
That's good to hear. You should also stick that directly in the game rules and provide warnings to players who aren't meeting the threshold just because they may not be as cognizant as beginners.
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Veri Yes I may of delayed the EOD posts, If I posted them earlier then either then night would of been longer, or I would of been unable to be their after 24 hours. I have a set time to make the posts because its the time everything where I know I'm free (Unless Emergency takes place, which it did once.)
I mean, you can always adjust night length as long as it's around 24 hours. Hosts do that all the time. I think players just don't like when they are waiting around for a flip / for night to start because it means a delay in the game. It also makes us look less organized and isn't as good of an impression on the beginners.
And yes, Panda may of had experience, she had played a few games before on her Animal Crossing forum. She was no veteran though. But once the game had started, its something I wish I actually did, since sometimes the game did need experienced players to push it further into discussion. And it's most likely something I will add next time.
Panda had experience, but she was also being a little pushy about it during Day 1 with overuse of jargon that many of us had never heard of, like RQS. Just something to be mindful of -- you shouldn't need a glossary in front of you to follow a Beginner's FM Game. As a shameless plug, I do encourage players to use the Wiki, however, which is being updated with a lot more FM content, including the glossary. If anyone has terms they want defined, respond here or PM me.
And the game in the end was not "Who is the winner" its just about people getting the feel for forum mafia on this forum. Make some new friends ect.
Sure, but effectively, the Town could not win because Panda was not around to vote, which many of the new players found very frustrating. It's the idea that they would rather lose a well-played game than win a poorly played one.
I had hoped that Panda was going to post, as she -DID- come online and read the mail, and view the topic. Yet I could not wait around to see if she did. I had other games going on myself where participating in, along with work and family stuff. So I had missed Panda's bout of inactivity. Yet also no one brought it up with me until after the game had finished.
Perhaps this is a good idea for non-playing veterans to be monitoring the game, or for you to have a co-host who can watch the game closer during those times that you cannot. Especially given we are dealing with beginners here, we really want to strive for the best experience that we can. I think the flat 5 post rule would have helped too because Panda should have been pulled before LYLO. Replacing a player out at LYLO isn't fair to anyone in the game given the new slot.
About the Mentors
The Primary reason I brought mentors into the newbie game was so that the players could have someone to talk to, someone already part of the community they could get to know, and support each other.
When I join with new people on the forums, I don't just talk about the game, I get to know the new player aswell. I had hoped that the Mentors would do what I had.
Agreed -- part of the idea is to strike up friendships and make people feel more connected to the community, which has been a success in terms of the new players and mentors bonding together during and after the game.
The Secondary reason was to help them with the game. I did not want the Mentors playing the games for them, or doing most of the handy work (Which is why I didn't make them Hydras). The game with the new players is so that the New players can get a feel to what Forum Mafia is like, I expected the new players to make mistakes as that is perhaps the best way of learning (For example, I will never again vote early in a 3v2).
Mistakes are fine, but people having no idea how to start the game and mentors not helping there isn't a mistake. I just felt like there could have been a bit more support especially during Day 1 or about things like pre-flip assocations, which doomed the Town, but no other mentor mentioned but me.
And I do apologise that some mentors didn't do as much as others form your PoV. I didn't want to sit in the chat and push the mentor to mentor. I just kind of excepted them to.
And from what I understand, some players didn't want a mentor to hold their hand, once they got going in the game they where fine.
I think the issue was trying to encourage the mentors to ask their mentees what they wanted and cater to that preference. I.e. some mentees wanted very hands on / close coordination, and others wanted more hands off / let me do what I want. Both are completely fine. What's less fine is where the mentee really wants help but doesn't feel comfortable approaching the mentor who as been AFK, which I understand occurred a lot. In other words, mentors should be as active as the mentee wants to make the experience good for them.
What will most likely happen next time
I will include both Experienced (not Veteran) players, and allow Mentors in the next game, If a player wishes for one. (So both, like Calix said)
Give a more detailed job of what I wish the Mentors to do.
This makes sense to me. I would also propose carefully reviewing the rules for activity requirements, perhaps adding a co-host, perhaps augmenting materials about how to play (Wiki, etc.), and trying to solicit mentors further in advance.