What do I do?

[Ry Vor]

Sometimes Alamaze can be a bit daunting to a new player. We hope here our wizened veterans will provide their tips on getting off on the right foot.

[Eregnon]

Is there a thread that explains all the variations? For example, what does Magic Density mean?

[Rogal]

Sometimes finding good threads on how to play the game is hard for new players.  Maybe send them an email with links to key articles that could be helpful.  This could be a generic thanks for joining our game world, and here are some help tips.  I know when I had a mentor, they would send me the new player packet. The problem sometimes is not knowing what questions to even know to ask.  I think new players do not realize this is more of a chess game and not a role play game, and I think some new players wish they could play sim city fantasy edition. Well that's not going to play if a hyper aggressive player is near by. The wiki  can help, but I think I read for most computer games, less then 5% of the players even visit message boards, of that a smaller portion even post ever.  It is almost too bad you could not make a 2 player intro demo game  on a 10 by 10 board to allow 2 players to go head to head. This would get rid of the "I do not want  to make enemies" issues and this would also force the players to run into each other, unlike being in 4 corners.  

[Jumpingfist]

Is there a thread that explains all the variations? For example, what does Magic Density mean?

This term is only about a week or two old.   It refers to scaling damage wizard spells do vs larger groups. So the same earthquake vs an army group would do mor damage than if it were cast on a division.  The idea being you have more troops compacted into roughly the same amount of space on the battle field.  Here is the thread.
http://kingdomsofarcania.net/forum/showt...p?tid=9703

[Diamond Cutter]

When this was a PBM you'd get the rules/map turn 0. Maybe when somebody signs up you send them that package via email "All you need to play" with a link to the order input page too. It might seem redundant but it saves searching here for stuff. Afaik the map and current order input page isn't easily visible up top.

This could be redundant stuff, just my 02c.

[Lord Diamond]

I agree, the map, all files, and the lunk to the order entry should be linked to across the top of the forum site.

[Ry Vor]

All the Alamaze Rules and Resources including player aids are available here on the forum under the heading, "Alamaze Rules and Resources".  They are also available on the Alamaze website (alamaze.co).   When we sent out rules, map, etc, it was $25.  The link to the order input page is also here, on several threads, and is written on the top of every turn result.

Someone else created those links for us who was more familiar with the forum software.  One of those top links to the rules is broken I believe.  Anyone that knows this forum software can contact me if you'd like to change the upper links.

Alamaze is a constantly evolving game. Being active on the forum is pretty necessary, at least to read what changes have been made, which is also on Active Game News. We don't do a rules update everytime a change is made. Players are often surprised we don't have a staff of people doing that sort of thing. Also, you need to be active on the forum just to claim kingdoms in games forming. Mainly though, this is an active forum, where most experienced players are happy to answer questions, and asking may help other players. No need to be shy.