Activity 5 ~ Critiques

[Judge Sam]

This Episode's Activity is Critiques. None of us here are Olympic caliber mafia players so we all have room for improvement. The only way to get better at playing the game of Spies is by looking at how we are playing and trying to find ways to play better.


That's where you come in. You will critique and give criticism on your fellow player's performances in this game. This critique will be posted anonymously - your name will not be associated with it. Each critique will be about one or two paragraphs and be focused towards one specific person currently in the game. If you need ideas on what to write about, here are some suggestions:

• Critique how they have been playing the game so far. What decisions have they made that were good ones? What decisions have they made that were bad ones?
  
  
• How could they better play the game as a Citizen? Or if you think they are a Spy, how could they better play the game as a Spy?
  
  
• Recommendations on how they should communicate more effectively towards others.
  
  
• What flaws does their strategy have? Is their strategy effective?
  
  
• Reference past events.
  
  
• What do you like / dislike about them?
  

Post your Critiques in your confessional before 11:59 PM CDT on Thursday. The MINIMUM you must complete is SIX different critiques of one paragraph each. Select six different people in the game to write one apiece about. However, should you choose, you may do as many as you wish and as long as you want. Maybe do one critique each time you visit the site. There's four days until then so there's plenty of time. If you fail to complete at least six critiques of people currently in the game, you will receive a one self-vote nomination penalty at Exile 6.

Remember, critiques will be posted anonymously. Hopefully by examining our faults we can improve our performance and make our chances even higher of catching Spies.

[Judge Sam]

Here is an example critique I just wrote for Davoni from the perspective of Episode 5 of Spies 2:


DAVONI

Davoni, I think your gameplay so far in Spies 2 has promise but it also has a lot of problems. I like that you are putting yourself out there and making your opinions known, even if you are bleating them across the rooftops. That's certainly better than not voicing any opinions at all.

But one problem I think you have is that you tend to cut off people completely if they don't agree with your opinions. We aren't having one vote on the Spies, we're having like ten, so you are going to need these people to listen to you for the next few votes. You can't just throw their trust into the fire after the first ones or they won't listen to you for the next few. Much like politicians have to cast vote after vote, you can't throw all your eggs into one basket for one vote.


If you are a Citizen, could you also cut down on the crazy claims and subterfuge? I think we have enough lies from the Spies thank you very much. It just complicates things. Also please don't yell at me if I don't immediately agree with what you say. It just makes me want to vote against you to spite you.

All in all, I don't know how effective your strategy is because with all these crazy claims you are making you are bound to be snipped somewhere, unless I guess you happen to catch all the Spies before that happens. I kind of hope your train keeps on chugging for a little while because I absolutely love watching what insane things you think up next! It's like a soap opera!

[Judge Sam]

Several players did not complete this activity. All Activities are mandatory unless you post that you are away on vacation. Shortly I will post a follow-up activity in your confessional if you did not complete this. If you do not complete the activity by the deadline, you will be automatically nominated at Exile 7.


I am disappointed that players chose not to take part in tasks I have spent lots of time creating. There was plenty of time available to complete these tasks.

[Gertrude]

Owned.

[Claude]

Jul 19, 2010 22:00:54 GMT -6 Judge Sam said:

Several players did not complete this activity. All Activities are mandatory unless you post that you are away on vacation. Shortly I will post a follow-up activity in your confessional if you did not complete this. If you do not complete the activity by the deadline, you will be automatically nominated at Exile 7.


I am disappointed that players chose not to take part in tasks I have spent lots of time creating. There was plenty of time available to complete these tasks.

I'm disappointed that the game includes a ridiculously time consuming activity that offers no reward, and can absolutely not benefit any citizen in the game, while giving the Spies a free chance to make citizens doubt each other because they can make critical statements with complete immunity from any kind of repercussions nor consequences.

Hopefully the next activity doesn't suffer the same problems.

[Broderick]

Reading them is not compulsory. Just do the activity and be respectful.

[Judge Sam]

As the intention of the game is to make it equally likely for both the Spies and Citizens to win, not every design element of the game is geared towards giving a clear advantage to the citizens. Many can go either way.


Follow ups have been posted in your confessional, they are due by 11:59 PM CDT on Friday.

[Judge Sam]

I am changing the due date for the follow up activities to Sunday at 9:00 PM CDT, the same time nominations are due, to avoid it influencing your nomination votes. So that's an extra 21 hours! =)