Empire players Survey

This survey is about changes in the Logistics branch of the Empire rules. Nothing arising from this will have any impact on the classic Empire rules (that is, the 1976 3rd edition still exists and it or other versions may be used, and will still be available regardless).

Of course, Empire veterans may scoff at the whole question of written rules. After all, the game didn't even *have* written rules from 1960-69, and the whole question of codification and standardization may be contrary to the originating spirit of Empire. But I for one am big on the idea of trying to make Empire accessible to more people than just those who are taught the game in person, and perhaps with some guidance we can get the original Empire spirit into the written rulebook (more on that below).

Basically, there are a couple of areas where I either did make or could make some significant, sweeping change in the “Logistics branch” compared to the classic rules, and I'm looking for some feedback on the desirability of various options.

I will make some initial decisions by MARCH 11, 2011. Feedback before then would be invaluable.

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* 1. Should the rules do more to try to capture the freewheeling spirit behind Empire? We could give examples of wild and fun things that people have done, and talk more about ways to get consensus and compromise that allows players' creativity to be expressed within the game structures (not to mention all the meta-game things one can do).

(More than one answer is possible here.)

Rules should be rules. If you're going to have a rulebook, leave it at that.

It's a hopeless thing.

Worth a try.

Excellent idea!

Comment

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* 2. What general direction should the Logistics branch of the Empire rules take? (You can choose more than one of these if you like.)

You should keep the Logistics branch of the rules highly compatible with existing players, and the historical Empire game. Make it just a cleaned up version of the existing rules, not some new thing.

Where it's not too difficult, if you could support both the classic approach and a new one in the Logistics branch of the rules, that would be good

Being compatible with existing maps is a Very Good Idea

If you’re inclined, you should develop it as much more as possible. Move forward!

This branch is your project, totally up to you. The classic rules still exist for those who want them.

I'm not going to play Empire again, so I don’t care what happens to some rules variant.

Comments

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* 3. The classic rules have sub-squares: cases where a square is divided into two or more logical squares due to river or mountain terrain, and each sub-square acts as a normal full square. These make for prettier maps, but complicate record keeping (and would be a real pain with physical or even virtual counters).

I initially got rid of sub-squares entirely in the Logistics branch, but nearly all pre-existing maps use sub-squares, so my current working solution is to re-introduce them as an optional thread through the rules. What do you think?

You should have both options in the rules

Just keep sub-squares, no other option

Just get rid of sub-squares (but you'll need some new maps!)

Don't care, any option is fine

No opinion

Comments

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* 4. The classic rules have a “Basic Turn Allowance” or BTA concept, where basically each unit gets 12 BTA of movement, and they use up this allowance at different rates depending on the unit type and the terrain being moved over.

Some of my players commented that dealing with fractional BTAs (like taking 1 2/3 BTA per space) was a pain. In the Logistics branch I have converted to an approach using larger numbers, to eliminate the fractions. The most recent variant was just to multiply by six, and that pretty much did the trick. This means larger numbers, but no fractions. It might also slightly affect the oil consumption rate for land units. Initially I called them “phases” rather than BTA, partly to keep track of where I had changed the values in the rules.

Which approach do you prefer?

Stick with BTA

Change to phases to get rid of fractions

Change to the whole numbers but still call them BTA

Have both options!

Don’t care

No opinion

Comments

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* 5. The classic rules use the term “coolie” for a worker unit. Unfortunately, this term is racially loaded and often a derogatory word or slur (though usage varies in different places and languages). What about replacing “coolie” with something else (like “worker”) and “small arms coolie” with something else (like “militia”)?

Feel free to comment on political correctness, or suggest other alternatives.

Change it

Change it to something else (see below)

No, keep “coolie”

I don’t know

I don’t care

Comments

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* 6. I'm currently intending to develop some digital pieces (counters) suitable for either printing out (to make physical counters) or for using in virtual games (play-by-email). How useful would these be?

You can pick more than one answer to add nuance (or make comments).

Mildly useful.

Very useful.

Must have!

Don’t need them, that’s what the zillion record sheets are for. Just mark immobile built things like roads and cities on the mapboard and use records for the rest.

It would be nice if some serious effort went into their design.

Don’t know.

Comments

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* 7. Rate your interest....

	Yes	Very likely	Somewhat likely	Somewhat unlikely	Very unlikely	No
Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity?	Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity? Yes	Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity? Very likely	Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity? Somewhat likely	Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity? Somewhat unlikely	Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity? Very unlikely	Would you play Empire again, given the opportunity? No
Would you play with classic rules?	Would you play with classic rules? Yes	Would you play with classic rules? Very likely	Would you play with classic rules? Somewhat likely	Would you play with classic rules? Somewhat unlikely	Would you play with classic rules? Very unlikely	Would you play with classic rules? No
Would you play with Logistics branch rules?	Would you play with Logistics branch rules? Yes	Would you play with Logistics branch rules? Very likely	Would you play with Logistics branch rules? Somewhat likely	Would you play with Logistics branch rules? Somewhat unlikely	Would you play with Logistics branch rules? Very unlikely	Would you play with Logistics branch rules? No

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* 8. When have you previously played Empire? (You can choose more than one option.)

1960-65

1966-70

1971-75

1976-80

1981-85

1986-90

1991-95

1996-2000

2001-05

2006-present

Comments

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* 2. What general direction should the Logistics branch of the Empire rules take? (You can choose more than one of these if you like.)

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* 6. I'm currently intending to develop some digital pieces (counters) suitable for either printing out (to make physical counters) or for using in virtual games (play-by-email). How useful would these be?You can pick more than one answer to add nuance (or make comments).

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* 7. Rate your interest....

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* 8. When have you previously played Empire? (You can choose more than one option.)

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* 9. You can give your name if you want to, or remain anonymous. Either is okay.

* 6. I'm currently intending to develop some digital pieces (counters) suitable for either printing out (to make physical counters) or for using in virtual games (play-by-email). How useful would these be?

You can pick more than one answer to add nuance (or make comments).