Looking through the posts I was surprised to have noted that game 231 was one of the few game threads running to more than 40 turns played. I have played in quite a few games and all seem to have been resolved by the early 30’s and disappointingly sooner in many cases.
So my question is what is the longest game you ‘old timers’ have been involved in, if you don’t mind coughing up some details (or being called ‘old timers’ for that matter ).
I expect a very long running contest would be exciting with so much time and effort invested by both sides. Also what do you think is the key (if there is any) to having a long running conflict?
My longest game was 52 turns in 1650. I’m convinced that the secret to game length is psychological. If you persuade the foe that they are beaten they will either quit or their play quality will go into a downward spiral.
My longest game was in the high 60’s, I believe 68. 1650 Game 182 under GSI. In that case, the game was well before the time of message boards and lots of email communication, so you sent 3x5 cards back and forth, and tried your best to work with your teammates with an odd phone call correspondence in between. Turns were mailed out and you had to wait 4 days or so to get your results if you were from the west coast US like I am. So as a result, not nearly the level of coordination was in place unless you joined with a large group, so people were much less aggressive overall.
My longest-running game was 88 or 90 turns. It was just over three years long, game 103 as the Fire King (ME 1650) with GSI. I wasn’t beaten, but the five remaining free players told me that they were going to quit because they couldn’t finish me off. I think food was selling for 32 or so, and I had 10-12 one-hundred emissaries / 100 agents. So I was flipping mtowns every turn, and they were running around behind me destroying them.
I made a run with the ring for Barad-Dur, but got jumped by a half-dozen curse squads etc., but they couldn’t get the ring in there either. I surrendered because they deserved the victory, though I hadn’t given up.
My next-longest game was 56 turns as Rhudaur (Free) in ME 1650 with GSI, though I can’t recall what game number it was. I wasn’t beaten in that game either-- the game was evenly balanced, quite frankly-- but every time we’d start to smash the other side, someone would spontaneously quit without any forwarning. After having Arthedain, North Gondor, then the Noldo do this, I’d had enough of it and turned the position over to someone else.
A lot of grudge games are shorter, because people give up too easily. If you’ve played in a few long-running games, getting all but four of your leaders killed or losing a half-dozen mtowns isn’t that big of a deal, because you’ve been there before and built up the position again.
My longest game was definitely a game of 2950 which ended on turn 100 with a graceful concession by the Free Peoples (can’t for the life of me remember the game number now as they all just get re-used these days).
I remember one of the very early games finished on something like turn 110
“I’m convinced that the secret to game length is psychological. If you persuade the foe that they are beaten they will either quit or their play quality will go into a downward spiral.”
–Just whats happening in g231--the 12 freeps cant dent the 9 remaining darks and we are now taking poll position in the character war. Much more fun to run in this game…unless the freeps surrender!
Turn 110 ??? Geee… That is 4 YEARS ! (if it is 2wk) OMG. I started 2½ years ago and out of my 5 finished games the longest was turn 25ish (most ended before turn 15). The two grudge games finished so fare it seems to me that the (apparent) loosing side gives up quit quickly when things start to go against them. I guess the high level of coordination and communication in grugde games takes some of the blame…
From the responses so far I would surmise that the main contributing factor to long lasting games would be communication restrictions during a period of less advanced communications, this would be further endorsed by the regular comments about Gunboat’s longer duration.
Basically if you don’t know several of your allies are being hammered or eliminated this won’t be a reason to drop, and as has already been said the ‘team loss of heart’ is quite likely to be the most common reason for finishing a game early.
I expect it is very difficult to get a team of people together who will never say die and fight to the last man, which is probably necessary for extended games in grudge or non-restricted communication.
I’m currently in a 1650 game going on Turn 37. Our Fp team is pretty decent, good communication and cooperation. The DS were almost beat I think, but then the southern neutrals went against us and the game has swung back around. I think its going to run for some time still yet. Its the longest one I have been in so far. I think the key is definately your team mates. There are some people who will give in at the drop of a hat and there are others who will keep playing a nation even if they are out of commanders and only have a MT left. The latter players are definately more fun to play with in my opinion!!
Game 53 ended on turn 49 game231 now on to turn41 and still going strong though things are swinging our way!!
Concur with everything said to date - all in the mind, teamates willing to tough it out (both games I have been there have been times where things didn’t look rosy at all…).
I suspect having a mix of vets and newer players in a team helps (on both sides).
However the one thing that hasn’t been said is that long games are infinitely more fun. The later turns are a venture into the unknown no set moves no right/wrong thing to do. It is a blast and something that every ME player should experience. I count myself fortunate I have been in two such games it doesn’t get any better. In a way it is like writing your own novel. How many of your starting characters will stay the course, how many MTs will you gain and lose the swings in the game
My advice to all players is never quit, keep talking, keep fighting the breaks will come the game will change its course
).