To Talk or Not To Talk .......

[Truffle Shuffle]

I think we all know that I'm a rather talkative person when it comes to these games. I'm wondering if this is the reason why I've been getting killed/copped early in the games recently. I don't think I'm an awesome player (not asking for people to say otherwise, I know my capabilities in these games), so I can only surmise that it is because I actually participate that causes me to be an early target.

I was considering not talking/participating quite so much, but then I thought about how much I like when people talk and participate. How much more fun it makes a game. And I thought about whether or not I would enjoy the games as much if I didn't participate and talk.

I notice some people only participate if they have an info gathering role. Otherwise they just coast through the game, not contributing much, often winning because of this. I wonder where the fun is in that kind of play style. Do you non-talkers actually keep track of what is going on in a game? Or are you relying on those that are talking/contributing/paying attention to keep you up-to-date of what's happening. I really don't like when someone comes into a game and says, so what's happening. To me that says that you can't be bothered to read the thread and figure out for yourself what is going on in the game. Which is a disservice to whichever side you happen to be on. You never know when you might pick up on something that someone else did not. And this lack of interest makes me wonder, why did you bother joining in the first place? Even when I don't know the subject matter, I try to figure it out. I really don't get the concept of signing up for a game, and then not participating.

So, I guess I will continue to be talkative and derive what pleasure from the games that I can for the time that I am in it. It is the least I can do for the mods that take the time to run the games.

This in no way points to anyone in particular. It's just something I've noticed and I thought I would put it out there for discussion.

[Rokk_Krinn]

That's always been a bit of a catch-22 for me in these games. I frequently think I should be more silent but that's usually about the time I need to defend myself. :ermm:

A lot of people do coast through the earlier game in the manner of being silent...but they also don't have the benefit you (a talkative active participant) do of also being able to use that talking to guide a lynch, suggest certain night actions, etc. So, there are pro's and con's for each.

[St. Cuthbert]

I almost never talk for the same reason that I don't post very often on the main boards, I don't feel like I have anything pressing or important to say.

I'm usually reluctant to come forward with information early, especially if it doesn't help at all, just because it makes me a target without really helping the town. And I don't have good instincts for telling when someone's lying.

That's why I don't talk a lot.

[michiganj24]

Ok first in regards to why you are targeted it may very well be that could be the reason as I know as mafia I often go after first the people who know the game best then anyone who is what i consider a gurantee vote. Those that post and will vote so that in late game the mafia has a chance of escaping with no votes and I know a few others who operate the same way. Admittedly i have never targeted you for a kill myself so I cant say in your case. I know I am often talkative unless i completely know nothing on the subject as in Lost Room or as I am learning to my surprise Smash Brothers( quite befuddled as to who half the people are I mean WALUIGI a Wario clone for Luigi who would have guessed) and I seem to not get targedt till mid late game (knock on wood)
I say though just keep being talkative. I hate when games just die because no one talks. I hate to see games that are on night 6 and have 10 pages.
Besides you can help keep a thread alive so it does not drop off page one

[m_a_caque]

TS, ithink i'm in the same boat. i usually try to get things going and keep up on stuff. but then i often get myself into some trouble somehow. i honestly think some of the less talkative people are in sooo many games they don't have time to focus their energy into one or 2 games. i know i'm not anywhere near the top of the heap for players, but i'm sure willing to be a speed bump for the bus!

[Magnito]

In one of my games, I considered having a serial killer who always had to kill the person who posted the least amount of times thus far in the game.

Similar to what Freddy ended up being in Carlos' game.

[michiganj24]

Of course if yoiu have a silencer in the game that could get nasty lol
In one of my games, I considered having a serial killer who always had to kill the person who posted the least amount of times thus far in the game.

Similar to what Freddy ended up being in Carlos' game.

[The BoyBlunder]

People will often speak up when I am quiet, but since I am always on when they do, it doesn't amount to much.

A lot of times something that someone says or the way they are posting will make me suspect them, but I almost always stay quiet. If I do say something, I am frequently attacked by a large number of people, saying that I am trying to get the person lynched, and it is a mafia thing to do.

I get that the game is about paranoia, and in absense of information, I want to follow my hunches. But if I say something, first the town is going to attack me for being aggressive, and then the mob is going to kill me either to shut me up, or to throw suspicion on the person I was going after.

I have a pretty good intuition when it comes to this stuff, but it rarely comes into play because I immediatly become everyone's target if I say something.

I stopped voicing my opinion on write-ups because people claimed I was mafia when I did so.

I'm ALWAYS on. I "lurk" in threads and pay attention to what is going on. Someone may bring up my name as a quiet player, saying it is strange because I am normally active. If I say something, I get attacked for lurking.

Basicly because I don't really have a uniform style of play, I get attacked. I have a random, random brain. Most of my thoughts come from very strange leaps of autism-fueled logic, so it isn't surprising that I don't play every game the same.








I feel like any time someone tries a new strategy, they get jumped on for not playing the way that everyone else does. It was one of the reasons Iron Ham died in the first Disney game.

[Jackofhearts2005]

To talk.

I get sad when people don't post in my games.

I'm sad right now that I came back from a party and only one person had posted in SD4.

I'm sure I've been killed a few times for actively participating more than the average Joe but too many times I've seen the mafia come close to winning at the end by sniping off the players that actually post and preventing lynches from happening. Even when I'm that mafia member, I don't really like it and when I'm town, I loathe it.

Talk.

Or rather, play. That's why you signed up.
(That's not a shot at players that have had to drop out of games. That's fine. At least you're being honest with yourself and the mod.)

[Robo-Onion]

I talk. I talk too much, so I'm killed for "spazzing" or being "Over-defensive" since Mafia counted for posts I gained about 1,200 posts so far and I started playing in December.

[sstralkowski]

In mafia games, I typically have diarrhea of the keyboard if I know anything about the theme. I find that I am a mafia bully. I put tons of pressure on people just to see how they react. The problem is, I often need someone else to translate the reactions since I often times will pressure a baddie unknowningly and get myself killed.

I can say that the few games where I've been quiet were not nearly as fun as those I went in guns blazing. I debated being quiet in some games, but the thrill of the hunt is what draws me to the game, not silently sending in night actions. So in the few games I play, I'm going to continue to be vocal. Otherwise, why play?

Another thing to note is that I rarely get an important role so I'm totally fine with being a target for the mafia if it draws attention away from my more important allies.

[madslaust]

I talk if I have something to add. I hate when 6 hours go by in a day phase and nobody has posted.

:(

[malakim2099]

Talking is always good, I think. It's a social game, so one should be social if they can. Of course, drawing a target to one's self is a risk, but... well, I guess I'm just here to be silly and have fun while still trying to win. :)

[anonym0use]

TS, ithink i'm in the same boat. i usually try to get things going and keep up on stuff. but then i often get myself into some trouble somehow. i honestly think some of the less talkative people are in sooo many games they don't have time to focus their energy into one or 2 games. i know i'm not anywhere near the top of the heap for players, but i'm sure willing to be a speed bump for the bus!

emphasis mine to display my conspiracy theory as well.

Personally I feel like players owe it to the moderator to be a part of the game - even if all you post is "I got nothing".

In a few Vanilla-type mafia games I've played in where I don't have night powers, I've occasionally posted: "I got nothing last night" - if only because it may draw heat off of an important townie and onto me. I feel like even if I die and the town still wins, then I have some claim in the victory. I wish every townie would pipe up and say "I got nothing" just to confuse the heck out of the mafia.

But that's me.

[Thawmus]

While I hate non-participants, and have every intent to lynch them in the event of a lack of information, I cannot deny it as a legitimate strategy, when someone like me is playing. The less you post, the less I get to read, and the less chance I'm going to get a read on you.

The thing is, I know that. That's why I'm going to lynch you anyways. ;)

[anonym0use]

While I hate non-participants, and have every intent to lynch them in the event of a lack of information, I cannot deny it as a legitimate strategy, when someone like me is playing. The less you post, the less I get to read, and the less chance I'm going to get a read on you.

The thing is, I know that. That's why I'm going to lynch you anyways. ;)

I do think that if you're not participating you can't complain if you get Lynched.

Back in Vanilla Mafia II DocDoom187 posted once or twice in several days time. If I had been town I wouldn't have felt bad when the town lynched him.

As an aside - I wonder if he remembered the game was going on. If you have no night powers, and play in a lot of other games, I can see forgetting that one game is going on.

[malakim2099]

I do think that if you're not participating you can't complain if you get Lynched.

Yeah, which is why I tend to be pretty active, regardless of whether I'm mafia or town. I just tend to be talky talky, though my intents might differ depending on what side I'm on... :)

[MSU]

Talk.

But those who over talk, seem suspicious to me. There is a happy medium of talking and listening and some people achieve it, most people do not. Most people either do one extreme or the other.

It is a social game and more often than not, the quiet people will get picked on when there is a lull....

[goodman]

If i want to live longer in mafia games i usually shut up, of course sometimes you can't help but post nonsense which for some bizarre reason usually gets me on peoples radars, go figure :noid:

[Jackofhearts2005]

While I hate non-participants, and have every intent to lynch them in the event of a lack of information, I cannot deny it as a legitimate strategy, when someone like me is playing. The less you post, the less I get to read, and the less chance I'm going to get a read on you.

The thing is, I know that. That's why I'm going to lynch you anyways. ;)
Agreed 100%

It's a social game, so one should be social if they can.
I agree with this too. I remember in one game (Wild West?) at the very begining I kinda spazed out at some people for posting so much that I couldn't get to the important part of the thread but in hindsight, that is not only better than not having anyone post, that's generally better than just having people only post about the game.

[kontrol]

Talk as much or as little as you feel like. The times I know more about the subject I may talk more than the times when I'm totally clueless, but that's about the only filter I have when it comes to posting.

[The BoyBlunder]

Agreed 100%


I agree with this too. I remember in one game (What Else) at the very begining I kinda spazed out at some people for posting so much that I couldn't get to the important part of the thread but in hindsight, that is not only better than not having anyone post, that's generally better than just having people only post about the game.
Fixed it for you.

[kontrol]

Oh yeah, my other filter is timing. Most of the times I'm not able to post much in the evenings and night times. Led to plenty of frustrating times as I'm sure others can attest to.

*looks over at Grinner*

[Truffle Shuffle]

I guess what really bothers me is when someone comes in and says, "so what's happening" or "why are we voting for so-and-so" when they haven't been posting at all. Although, now that I think about it, it might just be a mafia tactic; or it's just someone being too lazy to bother reading what's going on.

[kontrol]

I guess what really bothers me is when someone comes in and says, "so what's happening" or "why are we voting for so-and-so" when they haven't been posting at all. Although, now that I think about it, it might just be a mafia tactic; or it's just someone being too lazy to bother reading what's going on.
I usually do that, if it's gone on for 20 pages in a 12 hour span.

*looks a 70s-80s TV Mafia*

Or am a sub and the game has gone on for about that many pages

*looks at Avengers:Under Siege*

But I always go back and read and I never vote under those circumstances.

Sometimes you really don't have the time and need to get brought up to speed as quickly as possible.

When the mafia games started, I used to write up summaries of the night write ups in order to try and get a consensus of what's going on. That did seem to get me killed early when I was right. So, I haven't been doing that nearly as much. Plus, it's not all that helpful in the long run, especially when you make a mistake in your summary.

[Truffle Shuffle]

I can understand those circumstances. I guess I just have to accept everybody has different play styles. Just because I would like a lot of talkative participation, doesnt' mean it is the right way to play. I just think it is more fun. And if I get killed off early b/c of it, what can I do. Either not talk as much and not enjoy the game as much, or sign up for more games I guess.

[CFGuy]

So people are just by nature not very talkative.
Look at my posts vs Truffle Shuffles.
I joined in Aug 07 vs Truffle Sep 07. So I had a one month start.
I have 589 posts vs Truffles 2523.
Back before the Mafia Fourm counted in the post count I didn't even have 50 posts until January or early February.

I just don't like to post unless I actually have something to say.
But I am like that in the real world as well.

At the Church we go to, everyone knows my wife. We have been going there for about 7 years but there are a lot that don't know me.
When we go over to someone's house for a visit I usually stay quiet and let my wife do all the talking. It's pretty easy because she is really, really outgoing and loves to talk and meet new people.

So, to get this back on topic, I tend to not post unless I know something that will be helpful.

[charlesx]

If you're not talking, you're not playing the game. I would rather err on the side of talking too much than staying silent. If there is no info to be had on a particular day phase, especially mid-game, I feel that going after non-talkers is a viable strategy. In some cases, players who are chatty often give themselves away by not being as vocal in other games. Let's face it - we have played against each other enough to pick up some "tells." Me, I always would rather continue being vocal, even when being quiet might buy me another day. Just my style, thassall.

[malakim2099]

I can understand those circumstances. I guess I just have to accept everybody has different play styles. Just because I would like a lot of talkative participation, doesnt' mean it is the right way to play. I just think it is more fun. And if I get killed off early b/c of it, what can I do. Either not talk as much and not enjoy the game as much, or sign up for more games I guess.

Well, on the bright side, you're still alive in Battletech! :)

[JackAssterson]

If you're not talking, you're not playing the game.

Poppycock and balderdash. Strategic silence is as much a part of the game as mom and apple pie. Non-activity is not playing.

Anyhoo I can honestly say that I have never killed a player because of the frequency (or lack thereof) of their posts. That doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot.

[K-ness]

But those who over talk, seem suspicious to me.As seen in What Else mafia. :p

[CarlosMucha]

Of course if yoiu have a silencer in the game that could get nasty lol


It is! but well, "Se la Vi". I think players who do not "play" must be punishment! :p

In HORROR Game Pinhead suffer that Horrible destiny of be silense against his will AND be killed because of Freddy's actions because of that. :sleep:

[CarlosMucha]

In some games that I really like I try to not talk for survive BUT. Not talk is not play!

if you don't talk you don't enjoy the game! at least that is the way that I see it.

Unless you are a medic, or a bad lier and Mafia, or you REALLY don't have idea what it's going on, AND you are not a info gattering.

[CarlosMucha]

I usually do that, if it's gone on for 20 pages in a 12 hour span.

*looks a 70s-80s TV Mafia*

Or am a sub and the game has gone on for about that many pages

*looks at Avengers:Under Siege*

But I always go back and read and I never vote under those circumstances.

Sometimes you really don't have the time and need to get brought up to speed as quickly as possible.

When the mafia games started, I used to write up summaries of the night write ups in order to try and get a consensus of what's going on. That did seem to get me killed early when I was right. So, I haven't been doing that nearly as much. Plus, it's not all that helpful in the long run, especially when you make a mistake in your summary.


I remember Scott Lennan in the 70's-80's TV Game WINNING the game with almost no posts! :mad:

THAT is really bad. Not posting players who win. :p

[biz567]

Sadly the only time I really ever start talking a lot in a game is when I'm accused, a confirmed townie, late game, or the theme is amazing.

In the ideal game, everyone should talk pretty much the same amount. Though none of these will be ideal.

[CarlosMucha]

I guess it is in the Mods also made things to make the people talk as well.

There is a lot of ways to made people talk.

But if you try and even then nothing happen it's maybe because they are not reading the game or something.

[tidge]

If you're not talking, you're not playing the game. I would rather err on the side of talking too much than staying silent.

That's how I feel. It's a social game.

That being said, I've been quietest in games where:

I have a post restriction, and don't want to let the cat out of the bag too early. Best example in my case: Der Sveedish Sheff vus der toonie PGO. As soon as I posted, I risked drawing the attention of the townie cop who was willing to "just double-check"....as it was I ended up killing the town doctor.
I'm the town doctor...In fact I ended up protecting Truffle Shuffle all the way to a win in at least one game (All Stars?) because I had trouble getting a bead on other players, and heck, the killers kept going after her!There are a *couple* of players who've been in more than one game with me, that have "coasted"...and what's worse, they do it both when they are mafia and also when they are not...which means they probably haven't been paying attention, and they haven't been voting!

Carlos deserves some credit for his recent horror game: Many of the players had multiple lives, and multiple powers. Even though I was getting targetted for death night after night, I could still contribute to the thread.

[tidge]

Sadly the only time I really ever start talking a lot in a game is when I'm accused, a confirmed townie, late game, or the theme is amazing.

In the ideal game, everyone should talk pretty much the same amount. Though none of these will be ideal.

We are all of us living in the shadow of Manhattan. :tired:

[Magnito]

I'm the town doctor...In fact I ended up protecting Truffle Shuffle all the way to a win in at least one game (All Stars?) because I had trouble getting a bead on other players, and heck, the killers kept going after her!
You did an amazing job as the doctor in All Stars!

[K-ness]

You did an amazing job as the doctor in All Stars!
That was an awesome game. When does Allstars 2 start?

[Magnito]

Not until the end of April, most likely.

[Robo-Onion]

I'm never quiet in a game. My post count has soared since Mafia was included.

[m_a_caque]

after basically helping the mafia win vanilla 3 i will be taking much more of a backseat for a while.

[sstralkowski]

after basically helping the mafia win vanilla 3 i will be taking much more of a backseat for a while.

It really wasn't that bad.