New variant to be tested on DPJudge

There's a new game up on the test judge called "vassals" - send your
*JOIN vassals yourPassword
SIGNOFF*
to join (<[email protected]>) and help us test it.  The word "vassals" must
appear in the title of your e-mail so that the DPjudge knows to use the test
judge.

You can read the judge description here:
http://www.floc.net/dpjudge/new/?page=Rules#VASSAL_STATES

But, basically, every neutral dot is an independent state which cannot be
absorbed into your empire - but which can be compelled to fight on your
side...if you can keep them fearing you more than your neighbors.

As an example, if England occupies Belgium on a fall turn, he does *not* get
a new English unit, as would be the norm.  Instead, if there are any Belgian
troops he can enter orders for them, he can enter build/retreat/disband
orders for Belgium, and Belgian dots count toward England's 18 to win.  If a
Belgian unit occupies Paris, then it can build a new Belgian unit in
Belgium.  Now for the fun part - if Germany later occupies Belgium on a fall
turn, both Belgian centers (BEL and PAR) now count toward Germany's 18 to
win, and Belgian units starts taking German orders.  If France were to take
Belgium, Paris would revert back to French ownership - vassals cannot take
or own their master's dots.

Final twist: In a payola game (which this test game is), only the minor
powers can be bribed.  Player powers act as normal, and will always follow
your orders, but vassals can be pretty unreliable...  Additionally, vassals
earn their own income, but the controlling power can enter bribes for them
(no looting the treasury, though  - this variant automagically includes the
no_transfer rule so you can't send their money directly to you, and the
vassal will automagically save half of its money each turn)

A quick note about possibly unexpected consequences:
1) You can lose all of your native supply centers, and still be in the
game.  For example, if France has all of his French dots occupied by the
Germans and English, but he still controls Spain, Portugal, and Belgium,
then those powers will continue to fight for the French cause.  And if one
of those vassals manages to liberate a French center, the French can
actually build new units once the center is opened up.

2) It can be better to let a small vassal take a dot than to take it
yourself or to take it with a large vassal, since vassals follow the same
declining-income scheme as do other powers.  Beware, though, that vassals
will take their treasury with them if conquered.

3) It's possible to swing a *lot* of dots by taking one key vassal.  For
example, if somehow Belgium ends up taking all the French and English dots,
then whoever controls Belgium controls *seven* supply centers, and will take
credit for them immediately upon taking Belgium (in a Fall).  Guard your
powerful vassals wisely.

Sound interesting?  Then help us test!

Thanks,
Joe

-- 

Jay London  - "My father would take me to the playground, and put me on mood
swings."