Game Mechanics: Auctions

Yep. Because there's more to auctions than the disorderly bidding mess that are normal for auctions in the USA. And, games present and distill them well as mechanics. So, I'm going to go through the type of auction and how it works in a game, and give at least one example of this in a game.

Open Auction: The most easily recognized type of auction. Most games implement them with turn order for bidding, though a few do not. Power Grid uses this with turn order for new power plants. Indonesia uses them without turn order for mergers. Keyflower uses them for tiles to add to your village, with meeples being the bidding currency, and only one color(of four) being used per tile.

Sealed bid: Typically what is used for sheriff's auctions for property. In games, everyone chooses their bid and presents it concealed, when all are ready, revealed simultaneously. Sometimes combined with the all pay auction, discussed later.  O Zoo Le Mio uses this for its tile auctions, and Money uses it to determine order for choosing groupings to obtain. Scoville utilizes the sealed bid in an all pay format for the order of choice of turn order(which has different benefits per phase of the turn).

All pay auction: This is the least popular type of auction in gaming, because it punishes those that lose their bids heavily. This is a specific segment of sealed bid auction, not much applicable outside of gaming. Revolution! uses these to determine who wins each role for the turn. Dune uses a two player version to determine victory in battles.

Fixed price auctions: These can go two ways, either a fully fixed price, or fixed increments. Modern Art uses fully fixed price auctions as one of its types. Vegas Showdown uses fixed increments for tile types.

 Once around auctions: Exactly what they sound like. Modern art implements these as another type, where the each bidder in turn only gets one chance.

Reverse auction: This is pretty much another game only thing. No Thanks! gives players penalty points for taking cards, with a sequence being only the lowest number penalty. On their turn, players either take the card turned up(adding it to their negative points and taking all chips on it), or place a chip on it(reducing their positive points.

That's just a glimpse at auction games. There's a lot more great games with auctions, including Metropolys and Ra.

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

Injustice Magazine Review: Broadswords and Blasters issue 1

Cower not, fierce reader! Today we examine another entry into the attempts to revive pulp sff magazines. And while this magazine does get some things right, I'd say it misses a big point, at least as far as the pulprev crowd is concerned. And while I can't speak for them, I think I've read enough of several members' thoughts and fictions to know where most of them sit on some of these things. Let's look at these stories

Skin Deep by Nicholas Ozment- This is a really strong opening of two friends traveling with other swordsman to see creatures of legend.  Our protagonist goes to see beauty, his friend goes out of friendship; the others go for less noble reasons. There is a falling out, and we see heroism, and what is the most noble piece here.

Dead Men Tell Tales  by Dave D'Alessio- We've got an SF detective story, or maybe it's more along the lines of a crime story, as there's no mystery to be solved. There's a body, a beating, some nice subterfuge, and little bits of tech extrapolation and orbital mechanics. I don't know that I'd really say there's conflict here, but I like the mix of things in here.

The Executioner's Daughter- by R. A. Goli- While well written, this didn't feel pulp at ALL. If anything, it's almost a historical story, and that's fine, but it's a puzzle piece. There's a burden of family, and it feels like it was written as a jab at patriarchy and monarchy. But, there's literally no conflict, merely a challenge to overcome, and it is no ennobling thing.

Pension Plan by Dusty Wallace- Another piece that feels at least close to a proper pulp story.  We've got a heist on a mob vault, aliens, prospectors, and a dying boomtown. Are they heroes? Nope, just against bigger bad guys than them.

Saturday Night Science by Michael M. Jones- Well, it's fast writing, and there is at least perceived conflict. And we have a mad scientist, so there's some entertaining goings on there. There's even a bit of modernist romance, though I care not for it in this tale.

Island of Skulls (part one of two) by Matt Spencer- This has a lot of the elements I'm looking for in a sword and sorcery tale. There's clear evil, and people opposed to it, as well as those actively serving it, and others following out of fear. There's a bit of magic, and a sense of local enmities, but not much action as yet. Perhaps in part two.

The Waters so Dark by Josh Reynolds- This comes SO close to being the story I want to read. It has notes of Unspeakable Horror, a figure that has a little in common with Solomon Kane, and  an unfortunate final take of hopelessness. Our protagonist is a man of faith who has been though horrors, with a blessed sword, but not skill to use it well. This I would be OK with, if his faith had proven to be a proper weapon, but unfortunately, the author saw fit to be subversive instead.

Thicker than Water by Rob Francis- This is another piece that may be more a historical fiction than fantasy or such. Our main character, while far from a good man, has qualities that look to eventually redeem him. Unfortunately, his companion in this story has learned another lesson, and the conflict of lessons leads to an abrupt end.

Now, what is missing from most of these stories? Well, with the pulprev crew, there is an understanding of the import of Christendom, even among at least some of the atheists. There's no such thing here; in fact, I'm reminded of other authors who were the hangers on of Lovecraft who missed the whole reason the horrors worked. Without a cultural foundation, there's no core morality, and most of the stories fall flat here, as there's little heroism to be found.

Does it fit the pulp ethos outside of this? Well, mostly yes. The stories move, there's no genre boundaries, though only a few have real conflict.

Story quality: 6 of 10 fell deeds 
Pulp feel: 7 of 10 fell deeds

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

I think I found a new friend to play with...

While doing some searches during GenCon for what the buzz was, I came across a blog titled *ahem* Reading and Gaming for Justice. Go ahead, take a moment to recover, I fully understand.


On the about page, Our New Friend tells of how in 2014, he was struck by the fact that most of his reading was "white male authors", and that he has made efforts since then to correct that "diversify his reading". That year was also the year he began playing boardgames, where he has also been struck by the implications of the market in designers, themes, and specific games.

And so Our New Friend decided to start blogging to answer these questions with his stunning bravery. "Social justice is not an individual journey; we must all take it together." Our New Friend also works with Youth of Diverse Backgrounds in higher education in a non-academic setting. And has "learned about and experienced extensively the impact of systemic privilege and oppression".

Whew, lad. I'm going to start unpacking what you're doing wrong.

First, why care about the race and sex about the authors you read? Instead, consider: are you entertained; are you informed; are you sanctified; are you counseled; are you improved by the content of the works you read? I don't care about race and sex of my authors with regard to their writing.

Second, you want to apply those same ridiculous standards to boardgames? You must really hate the fact that Reiner Knizia, Stefan Feld, Friedman Friese, Martin Wallace, Vlaada Chvatil, and Uwe Rosenberg design and sell a lot of games compared to pretty much everybody else. And many of their designs are far better than what most folks accomplish.

There's also the matter of who does most of the reading and gaming in the world. The answer might surprise you, New Friend, but it's not a minority group. So yes, I'd say it's reasonable for whites to do most of the writing and game design if they're the ones doing most of the reading and gameplay.

As to your education and work, I'm glad you were able to get a job with your degree. I haven't been, so I have no clue what you mean by systemic privilege. And yep, your idea of Social Justice requiring everybody is dead on, and also exactly why it won't work. People are disagreeable and contrary in the USA, and ignoring the fact that sometimes folk just don't get along is just a terrible idea. Quit being a commie.

I'll come back and visit soon, New Friend. We have a lot to discuss, because you're clearly more concerned with what you think is justice than what is actually good and just. I hope that someday you'll learn:

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

Injustice Quick Reviews 2.12

Cower not, fierce reader! This fine day, we have special sf ops, an apocalyptic endgame, pyramid puzzles, and laughter from both deepest, dumbest Africa and space truckers. Let's get looking at our library and what demerits they have.

The Lawdog Files: African Adventures by Lawdog- I will say that not all the stories in here are from Africa. The Africa stories are from his youth, and about half are from his time since coming to the USA. I thought this was a much funnier collection than the earlier one, though . Major crime: Corruption and stupidity in the Dark Continent. 8 of 10 fell deeds.

Smith's Monthly #40 by Dean Wesley Smith-  He's one I've heard mentioned by writers referring to pulp speed a lot, and thought I'd try one of his volumes. There's four stories in here, a novel(The Adventures of Hawk), and a section on  killing the sacred cows of indie publishing. I think the indie publishing part was valuable. The fiction in here is alright, though only the Hidden Canyon story and The Adventures of Hawk gave me any sense of wonder and adventure. Major crime: Playing against the rules. 6 of 10 fell deeds.

Galaxy's Edge: Kill Team by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole- Yep, this is the third NotStarWars book from them. Interestingly, it fills a part of the gap between the first two books. This has some new story, including a look at the "intelligence" community making things worse for everyone. Major crime: Spy agencies aren't trustworthy. 8 of 10 fell deeds

Days of Future Past: Future Tense by John Van Stry- This is the finale of the far future apocalyptic fantasy. We see glimpses of the future space program, orc torture methods, and revolutionary madness. If you've followed the story so far, carry on. It's worth the end of the ride. Major crime: The path needed is sometimes very painful. 7 of 10 fell deeds.

 Galaxy Trucker: Rocky Road by Jason A. Holt- Why? Because it's a fun boardgame. The novel plays up the game's silliness to the right spots, and we've got interludes with pirates, semi-paradise planets, meteors, brown aliens, and trucker bands. Oh, and a good heft of corporate bureaucracy and de facto slavery. Major crime: Companies want your money. Especially if you work for them. 7 of 10 fell deeds.

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

So, about SAC 2nd gig

I'm referring to the second season of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex(not done yet, just a rant from what I've seen). And while it's entertaining, and has emotional rewards for the viewer, part of the overacing story is just driving me nuts. This will have spoilers, but it's been out for awhile, so too bad.

The big bad group set up as movers in the series is called the Individual 11. A bit odd, but whatever. Theyr'e supposedly a bunch of individualist, with no command structure. Stretching credibility a bit here, individualists usually want to be left alone. Here's the kicker: they're socialists bent on redeeming the massive number of refugees, or rather, pushing them toward redeeming themselves.

NO. Individualists are not socialists. Pretty much ever. Socialism requires a rigid authority structure, and ignores the individual. This requires a great misunderstanding of individualism, socialism, or both.

So yeah, I found the moment that was discussed a bit immersion breaking. In other respects, however, the series is somewhat prescient. Massive numbers of refugees have been brought into Japan at this time, and they're on the dole, and also competing for jobs with citizens. Meanwhile, the veterans of the last war get bad jobs and bad care from the government, being seen as a suspect class by some in fact.

Now, the show so far doesn't make a big political statement. It's largely a police procedural with some cyberpunk elements, though there are moments where the characters are trying to understand the some of the conflict motivations, and somewhat sympathize with each side.

It is refreshing to see entertainment even address the issues, and see them as real problems with the unpalatable solutions. Also seeing the government/commercial cooperation in corruption and actively acting against the people is far removed from most Western entertainment. Usually, when such things are even broached, it's one ore two individuals in government involved, not the much more likely high concentration of corruption in government at all levels.

Thanks for reading my mild rant.

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

Music blog: Missa Assumpta est Maria by Palestrina

Since yesterday was the feast of the Assumption of Mary, AND I love counterpoint, here's a timely mass setting.

And whether or not you agree with the teaching, it's magnificent music.

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.

Injustice Book Review: Star Legions(books 1 and 2) by Michael G. Thomas

Cower not, fierce reader! This day, we take a look at a novel by one of the downplayed big indie authors. I just took a chance on this collection, and after reading the first two novels, I can see why he might be pulling down the large numbers Nick Cole has mentioned a few times, as he's got 30 plus books already and puts out more regularly. Anyway, I'm reviewing what I've read of Star Legions, which is currently the first two books. Let's take a look at what charges we can find against the Narrative.

Well, here's a pretty big one: it's a trasplant of a historical story, that of the warrior Xenophon. Yeah, we have glimpses of real history and legends that were foundational to Western Civilization. Greeks, Persians, and more fill the story. The cities and empires have been transplanted to planets, bases, and galactic empire, with the technology being appropriately upgraded.

Another big crime is the portrayal of direct democracy. I know that Vox is an advocate of such, but some of the Greeks had it too, and it resulted in wars that were beyond pointless, destroying both the military and the trust the society had prior. Due to basically mob rule, taxation is apparently high, the military disciplines weakened, and war declared that cannot be won.

There''s an awful lot going on here, and I'm not going to detail the differences between the Terrans(Greeks) and Medians(Persians), never mind the other races and cultures that appear peripherally. The military structure of the historical Greeks is maintained to good effect, emphasizing relationships with command, not just the ability to lead. The weapons used vary from pulse cannon to carbines, to cut down carbines with blades.

The Legions are from the various planets of Terrans, hired by Cyrus the Mede, brother to the Emperor. If you know the history, I don't have to tell you that's a cover. If you don't well, the war's been over for over two thousand years, spoilers need not apply.

If you like history and milsf, I definitely recommend these books. If you don't know, well, the whole series is cheap, but you can get book one for free currently.

History, political theory, mercenaries, and subterfuge. 7 of 10 fell deeds.

When you play Social Justice, the world loses.