Re: [pbmserv-dev] Werewolf!

[John Williams <williams@tni.com>]

On Fri, 30 May 2003, Richard Rognlie wrote:

> It has been proposed that Werewolf (aka Mafia) be added to the server.
>
> I'm intriqued.  I love the game...  but it needs lots of players and
> interaction.
>
> So...the question is, how to implement it via email...?
>
> So a typical set up...
>
> "challenge" N players.   system will determine who is in what
> roles.  and the werewolves will be revealed to each other.
> And the oracle will be told of his/her talent.
>
> the werewolves need to select a victim.  How?   they can "message"
> each other... and when BOTH send in a move that designates the
> same victim...  ok.  (or is 1 selecting werewolf enough?)
>
> Now the oracle (if still alive) gets to choose someone to gather info
> about.  that's simply done, I guess.  The question becomes what do we
> do about a dead oracle?  since, if dead, it gives info to the werewolves
> that they might not have had...

The oracle can do his interaction with the server at the same time as the
werewolves are deciding what to do.  He only needs one round trip, so he
should usually be done before they are.  If he is slow, the werewolves can
deduce that he is still alive, unfortunately.  But hopefully that won't
happen too often, since the wolves to vote, etc.

But on the other hand, it would happen more often after one of the wolves
dies, since they don't need to vote any more.  This effect might also clue
in the players that they had killed on of the werewolves, because the
night suddenly passes more quickly.

> Then daytime... I envision a lively "chat" here...  a majority of
> villagers + the oracle + the werewolves need to select the lynching
> victim.  Not everyone need vote, since one we have a majority, it
> doesn't matter... except to the victim, I guess...
>
> Players are encouraged to roleplay, etc.  Of course, once you're dead...
> you're dead.  and you can no longer participate in the discussions.
>
> Any ideas on how to resolve the "how do the werewolves select a victim?"
> "what to do if the oracle is already dead?" and "how to select a lynchmob
> victim?" issues?

Maybe the game has a SpecialMove where they cast a vote (or abstain), and
make comments.  The game would email everyone each time they vote or
comment (instead of waiting for the end of the round), with the new voting
totals and the last N comments.  As soon as a majority is reached in the
voting, the round ends, and someone is lynched.

Something similar could happen during the night, but with only the
werewolves involved.

~ John Williams