Official Debate: Policy Towards the University

GeneralTacticus · October 28, 2002, 02:24

In MY 2179 of the recent turnthread, we uncovered a pod containing the commlink frequency of the University. We have not spoken with them yet, and will wait on doing so until we have reached a decision. Citizens, please have your say.

/report

Okay, I have a question. In the Constitution, it states that no person shall be allowed to play ahead for any reason. Does 'playing ahead' include actions taken without ending the turn, such as speaking with foreign factions to see what they'll offer? I need to know if I am to properly inform the public of the situation.

Maniac · October 28, 2002, 03:07

Pact Zakharov and ditch Morgan!

GeneralTacticus · October 28, 2002, 03:13

Why not Pact with both of them?

Mr. President · October 28, 2002, 03:22

To be evil!

Archaic · October 28, 2002, 03:35

Pact Both, even if it requires going out of wealth. It'll still be more income thanks to the commerce commerce, and it'll gain us more tech in the long run from trading. Plus, our troops won't have the morale penalty.

GeneralTacticus · October 28, 2002, 03:38

I'd say that would have to depend on whether the Commerce bonus actually IS greater than the economy loss, especially since if we can get some GAs going then Wealth will give us a nice boost to Commerce.

moomin · October 28, 2002, 06:03

I'd much prefer a pact too. Need we really leave wealth? I thought fundy was Zak's aversion?

GeneralTacticus · October 28, 2002, 06:08

Yes, but remember that people don't really care if you use their aversion unless it's in the same SE section as their agenda (i.e. Zak wouldn't care if we used fundy, but he will once we start using Wealth). Now, can anyone answer my question as to what 'playing ahead' means?

Method · October 28, 2002, 08:35

i should say that you can't. if i can't hold all the units and press "end turn" until the next breakthrough, you can't do that

moomin: we wouldn't be leaving wealth. MWIA still hasn't made that poll yet

Quote:

Why not Pact with both of them?

To be Evil!

Earwicker · October 28, 2002, 11:18

Well, it won't be long before our planned economy gets under Morgan's skin. A Pact with the Uni would be of tremendous benefit to us. At least Zak isn't in a state of vendetta with Morgan right now, which would complicate our desire for peace with both.

For the moment, I hope we do not break ties with Morgan, since it still seems our military is ill-prepared for a vendetta.

AdamTG02 · October 28, 2002, 11:22

I agree 100% with Archaic.

Pact with both, and go Knowledge when possible to secure the Pact.

As to playing ahead, I think it applies to any actions the Commissioner hasn't taken, including diplomacy in the same turn. However, I don't claim to be an authority in that -- that's just my guess.

Maybe a Demo game veteran will be able to clarify. (MWIA? Anyone?)

DeathByTheSword · October 28, 2002, 13:55

we arent in wealth yet people remember that?!

dmm1285 · October 28, 2002, 14:12

Another major plus for allying with the Univeristy: we will see how much they have left of the VW, and be able to hurry ours accordingly. Also, his map data alone is worth the pact.

- Groucho - · October 28, 2002, 14:31

My reading of the constitution is that there is no playing ahead - period. Of course, I'm just one judge so feel free to take it to the full court.

DeathByTheSword · October 28, 2002, 14:45

It states none playing ahead.....how far has the game been played? as far as the commissioner got....if you go and check anything it would be pre-info so invalid..........but maybe the court could go over this?

Method · October 28, 2002, 17:14

Quote:

Originally posted by dmm1285
Another major plus for allying with the Univeristy: we will see how much they have left of the VW, and be able to hurry ours accordingly. Also, his map data alone is worth the pact.

i agree. that would be one major advantages, the free infiltration. i'm sure that he'll have the commlink of another faction, so we should definitely ask for that if he doesn't offer it. list so far (combined with the network node thread)

Trade as much tech as possible
Get all Commlinks he has
Make sure to get his map
Ask to pact
Sell him Morgan's commlink???

other than the pacting, i would assume this list would apply to any other factions he might give us?

DeathByTheSword · October 28, 2002, 18:12

and if he is going to extort us for things?

GeneralTacticus · October 29, 2002, 02:34

My question was largely on the grounds that 'pplaying ahead' is not adequately defined. This could be an interesting first case for the court.

Quote:

i agree. that would be one major advantages, the free infiltration. i'm sure that he'll have the commlink of another faction, so we should definitely ask for that if he doesn't offer it. list so far (combined with the network node thread)

Trade as much tech as possible

Get all Commlinks he has

Make sure to get his map

Ask to pact

Sell him Morgan's commlink???

other than the pacting, i would assume this list would apply to any other factions he might give us?

Sounds good enough to me. I'll post a poll on this.

Frankychan · October 29, 2002, 04:32

I agree with everyone here on the fact that we should attempt to pact with the Zakharov.....it all depends on his attitude. I don't think we should be making any enemies right now seeing as how we are focusing on infrastructure rather than the military.

Maybe we can play Morgan off of Zakharov and vice versa? Like get tech from Zak and creds from Morgan by acting as a 'go-between'?

GeneralTacticus · October 29, 2002, 04:57

I'm afraid that kind of strategy doesn't work nearly as well in SMAC as in Civ 3, due to the lack of in-depth negotiating tools.

Frankychan · October 29, 2002, 05:30

Crap, forgot about that. I'm thinking we could do the same thing the comp does. Maybe if we do it indirectly, like mutually trade tech with Zak (tech that isn't worth that much to us), then go and trade that tech to Morgan for another tech or maybe some creds........

Darkness' Edge · October 29, 2002, 08:38

Wrong thread.

GeneralTacticus · October 30, 2002, 02:12

Err, what does that have to do with this?