Hi All,
Here is the article from Masquerade 2 that Gavin is alluding to. It is
dated
February 99 and I suspect that we have changed policy since then, as Clint
plays in ME games which Rob runs and vice versa.
isn't that what is mentioned in the article ?
However, I think Clint is correct in saying that we (Harlequin) have never
had complaints. The article refers to Flagship, not Harlequin refs.Personally I think its madness to ban a GM from playing a game which they
sometimes GM. (And by this I mean something like Clint playing in a game
which Rob is running and inputting)
Its just past 1am my time, and I've got two programs to fix 
So forgive me
for my short reply (by my standards).
But i will stick to my earlier comment. I do not currently, nor expect to
ever, support the position where a person who does the order entry for one
side, or who sees the turnsheets (ie the GM), plays a position in this game.
That goes for my side or the other side.
I don't mind Rob or Clint playing against me, as long as the other GM is
typing in my 'lets do a sneak attack on the GM's capital', or 'lets hang
around in the GM's capital another turn'.
If GMs are banned from such games, they never gain the experience of being
a
player.
You need to remember that I'm paying the company to provide me a service. I
really don't mind if Clint doesn't know that MA are a little bit worse than
HC. And if Clint ever does play against me, MA are VERY GOOD for threating
my pop centres, heh, heh, heh.
Its the same thing as asking public transport bosses to actually >use
buses to get to work, or the Chinese forcing their airline bosses to be in
aeroplanes at midnight on year 2000... You get my meaning?
When my nephews and nieces come along I didn't push for women doctors to
deliver them. And if I get get treated for an heart attack (cause by all the
stress that I'm getting in middle earth), then I won't push to be treated by
a doctor who themselves have suffered a heart attack.
I really wish I could play in a UK Legends game, but unfortunately, I don't
have a fellow ref.
I would suggest playing in the Aussie Legends game. The company that runs
it in OZ (PBM Enterprises ???), run it very well. Nice web page as well.
and our dollar continues the normal downward plunge, so its cheap to play.
Cheers!
Sam (Legends GM and Middle Earth player)
also an expected loser in G28 - we can only dream 
m
p.s saying 'no data entry person to play a side' is the easier option that a
gaming company can put in (and i'm glad that Clint has pointed that that
this is the case). A much more difficult case would be 'what positions
should GM's play' ?.
A few things that could be discussed would include ....
a) GM's are not expected to pay. So the more positions GM's run, the less
paying customers there are.
b) If GM's get the good positions (as they are often the first to know when
new games are starting), then thats bad for those of us who really would
love to play the noldor for once.
c) GM's are expected to be more experienced than a new Middle Earth player
(but I wouldn't say that the most experienced Middle Earth players are the
GM's), so I would prefer they join a side to even up the skill level.
d) And I'm fine with GM's picking a position to ensure that all nations are
putting in orders. So I wouldn't mind seeing a GM in every game.
now to fix up those problems.
···
****************************************************************************
****************************************************
Playing with Ourselves
Those of you who read Flagship may perhaps have noticed a few comments and
letters regarding referees playing in their own games. We thought, then that
it may be a good idea to clarify Harlequin's position on this.
This may come as a shock to some people, but no one in their right mind
works in pbm for the money. We do it because we love gaming, and since
needless to say we run the best games around, we do play in our own games.
However, it is policy that none of us ever play in games we run ourselves.
Whilst then John can play in Middle Earth, Ed and Clint can't, and
conversely, John doesn't get to play in Battle of the Planets, Iron & Steam,
or any of the plethora of games he seems to be running at the moment.
That said, the referee of a game may at times run a drop-out position, using
basic standing orders. This is only ever done if the alternative of allowing
a position to stop would spoil the game, and, needless to say, such
positions can never win - or actively affect - the game.
In our opinions this seems fair; those of us playing in each other's games
have no in-game advantage, and in fact are often treated more harshly than
the rest of you (Clint, for example obstinately refused to give John's
Middle Earth position the troops he failed to recruit when he 770'd instead
of 408ing, and he will doubtless take hi revenge on Clint in Star Quest).
However, if anyone has any views on this matter, please let us know.
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