Quote Originally Posted by TinCow View Post
This is actually something I'd like a bit of input on. I'm not actually using the anonymous accounts because I want players' identities to be hidden, I'm only using them because there's no other way to implement this 'bodysnatcher' mechanism. So, on a mechanics level it really doesn't matter to me if people know who has which account at the start. I'd be perfectly happy to put everyone's starting name next to their anonymous account. However, there is a gameplay balance issue that should be considered. If it is stated who has which account, there's a risk that stuff like time zones could be used to spot the mafioso. For instance, if the mafioso is a Brit and takes the body of an Australian, they could be caught out be having unusual posting times. Is that kind of thing too hard on the mafioso, or is it acceptable? My concern is that this will already be a very difficult game for the mafioso, and making all player identities public would increase the difficulty even further.
Player identities should be secret. Some players might know others well enough that they could ask a personal question that only that person would know, thereby identifying the thing. Also, guys I don't think sign ups are starting just yet, this is still in the development stage.