Re: 18PA playtests at TomCon III
Yes, many of the possible solutions are problematic in the sense that
they add complexity on a one-off basis--the sort of small, complicated
rules I prefer not to include. In effect this is what happened to 18VA:
it started out fairly short simple and eventually became longer and more
complex than I was entirely happy with.
I am considering the following and would like to invite comments:
1. For the READ and CNJ, I'm thinking of assigning them an organic 1+
train (just like the ones the pre-NYC companies have). Both companies
can run for $40 in OR-1 and $60 in OR-2, which is not bad: and of course
it means they are going up and not down from the start. The 1+ would be
strictly temporary and would be eliminated by any train purchase (thus
demotivating the purchase of 2-trains): alternatively it could be an
"extra" train in the style of the 2R-trains, which would be pretty sexy.
2. Another thought is one or two private companies on the model of the
"Rocket" in 1880. Another would be a more flexible private along the
lines of Potomac Yards in 18VA, or possibly incorporating some features
from the Baldwin in 18US. In other words, you could (1) get revenue from
it whenever someone bought a train, (2) exchange it for a train, or (3)
exchange it for a bypass token.
3. It's possible that paying full price for all your tokens up front may
have over-corrected the "gusher-o-cash" problem. I'm wondering whether
an intermediate solution--a fixed amount of, say $100, in the 18EU
style--or allowing the players to decide how many they want at, say, $50
apiece--might not be a superior solution.
4. I wonder whether giving the NYC its normal turn in the order wouldn't
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On 1/2/2012 3:59 AM, 
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