Gameroom Mafia Discussion

[GeneralHankerchief]

*sees interesting thread, stumbles out of his cave*

1. About the content in posts:

I've played with lots of different day phase times, average post counts in games and plenty of other variables, however, I find the system here (24/24 generally) to be one of the better I've played with. That said, we don't post an awful lot in these posts and especially in the smaller games. I like that we put more effort towards flavour in a game, it makes the experience more enjoyable for all in my opinion. However, I would love to see even just a few more words per post, in a game, at least starting from Day 2 onwards, D1 is a lottery as far as I'm concerned no matter where you come from, but from D2 onwards I feel just a little more content in posts even if it is simply just "I find this guy scummy because he voted Player X D1." would be great. I'm very well aware that I'm guilty of this too and I will be attempting to make a change in my game. Keep in mind that I'm not asking you to post more often, just with a bit more content (this isn't an issue in the later stages of the game of course). I think it would make the game a better experience for all.

I think this is an issue of seepage. Okay, so nobody has any data to go off of for the D1 vote, that's been a constant. But let me explain.

Back in the Before Time, before the metagame evolved to the way it did, yeah, nobody had any concrete data to use, but people actually tried. They'd probe, question, do other weird/wacky/etc things, something besides just throwing out a blatantly random vote. This allowed for the collection of some data to be used on D2, thus starting the actual process of the town using publicly-provided information (i.e. the thread) to root out the mafia.

Now? Things have changed. Basically everyone's throwing out blatantly random votes. The reasons for this are mainly a) there's no real data, so why look stupid and b) it no longer stands out in the crowd. Nobody wants to make waves on Day 1. The problem with this sort of thinking is that it's bad for the town in the long run. Why? Now we go from *some* data being produced on D1 to *no* (or, if we're feeling generous, very little) data being produced on D1. This means that once again, there's not really that much to discuss on D2, thus starting the whole "no conversation" process all over again. Theoretically, we could get to the point where the entire game is played on autopilot and the only way things are resolved are either through lucky guesses or night actions shedding light on things. It's an extremely gradual process, but I could see it happening - and it's already starting.

At a certain point, the town has to make the leap and realize that you can't analyze data without generating data, and if that means putting yourself out there, so be it. Unfortunately, the only way I can see this happening without the host artificially intervening is another natural evolution of the metagame, which will take time.

Basically, it's on us as townies to not be afraid to actually be productive on D1.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Day one should be used as the day you declare in a loud, steady voice:

I am willing to lynch johnhughthom, today, and watch his body burn to ashes, because I am not his mafia partner, and if I am, I'm perfectly comfortable pulling a History Of Violence and going it alone.

It's basically the day you do not bus your mafia partner unless you really really want to regret it when you do.

It's the day you remove yourself from the "I am possibly mafia with this guy" pairings.

But you have to really try to get them killed, or you're just making noise.

[Zack]

*sees interesting thread, stumbles out of his cave*



I think this is an issue of seepage. Okay, so nobody has any data to go off of for the D1 vote, that's been a constant. But let me explain.

Back in the Before Time, before the metagame evolved to the way it did, yeah, nobody had any concrete data to use, but people actually tried. They'd probe, question, do other weird/wacky/etc things, something besides just throwing out a blatantly random vote. This allowed for the collection of some data to be used on D2, thus starting the actual process of the town using publicly-provided information (i.e. the thread) to root out the mafia.

Now? Things have changed. Basically everyone's throwing out blatantly random votes. The reasons for this are mainly a) there's no real data, so why look stupid and b) it no longer stands out in the crowd. Nobody wants to make waves on Day 1. The problem with this sort of thinking is that it's bad for the town in the long run. Why? Now we go from *some* data being produced on D1 to *no* (or, if we're feeling generous, very little) data being produced on D1. This means that once again, there's not really that much to discuss on D2, thus starting the whole "no conversation" process all over again. Theoretically, we could get to the point where the entire game is played on autopilot and the only way things are resolved are either through lucky guesses or night actions shedding light on things. It's an extremely gradual process, but I could see it happening - and it's already starting.

At a certain point, the town has to make the leap and realize that you can't analyze data without generating data, and if that means putting yourself out there, so be it. Unfortunately, the only way I can see this happening without the host artificially intervening is another natural evolution of the metagame, which will take time.

Basically, it's on us as townies to not be afraid to actually be productive on D1.

I also think a big part of the problem is that people have become so reliant on night actions and vague buzzwords (e.g. he's "scummy").

[El Barto]

Maybe we could have some enforced roleplaying (like the time when I made Winston play a cat).

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

I keep meaning to post something here, and now I actually have the time.

Realistically I have little to add to an amalgamation of what GH, 'khaan and Zack have said. Random votes generate little information and lead to less analysis, as well as lowering the chances of town success.

While one way of improving the situation is to rely on a concerted effort to change our mindsets and approaches - less overt randomness and more focus from Day 1, etc. - I wonder whether there might be other ways. In an ideal world, more activity would lead to more information, but clearly people have lives outside off Mafia, and cannot be expected to post more than they already do. Really, with this trend, the balance is starting to shift in favour of the mafia, and, although this may be just me, it seems that mafia successes are becoming more common.

I also (vaguely) remember previous eras, and one thing which I think could conceivably improve gameplay is a return to the mafiosi having to write their own kill descriptions. Yes, it is a labour-intensive process, but it does add to the flavour (as well as eclecticism) and increases the amount of information available to the town.

Role-playing, as El Barto suggests, might also be an option for themed games...

[Montmorency]

In role-heavy games at least, things should definitely get rolling by D2.

***post reminiscing about Buffy 2***

EDIT: In fact, role-heavy games should have 48-hour D2s.

[johnhughthom]

A game was just won by a 3 man mafia team with a combined post total of 20. If we allow such lurkiness to be rewarded, and fail to comment on it after games, it's no surprise that activity falls overall.

Not having a dig at the mafia team here really, more the town that let it happen (in the case of BSmith AGAIN X150!!! ).

[Askthepizzaguy]

What did I used to always say? No lurker victories?

We enforced it so well that we ended up losing games just to make a point of making sure victory was denied to the lurkers. So the gangsters finally stopped.

We've been lax, and now, they can skate by the final round without even voting and win flawlessly.

I won't even beat them up for it. That's all on the town. In fact, pulling that off is actually ballsy, especially given the blatantly scummy last second save the round prior.

And what did I always say about last second voting?

BAH!!! It's like my teachings have been forgotten like so much lore about the Ring of Power.