John says

You are cordially invited to play a new imitation game! Alan Turing’s imitation game was a way to explore the difference between humans and machines. This game is a way to explore the difference between collective and individual communication. It’s an online chat game with real people, mediated by some new technology. Sign up to play here!

The invitation is just inside this swirling ball of light, just reach out and grab it.

How does one play?

The players are assigned to play either as groups or individuals. They join different discord servers (or element groups for the open source purists), and on there are channels they use to communicate with the other servers/groups using a tool called SpaceTube (it’s a tube that connects spaces together). The players have a week to talk to the other servers to put together a guess as to whether the channels they’re talking to represent individuals or groups.

If you're in a group, your group has to convince the other players you're one individual. If you're one individual, you want to convince the other players you're a group.

You do this by sending messages to the other players without leaving your discord server/element group. This is the magical new technology part.

After a week, I'll collect guesses from all the players about the nature of the other teams and reveal who was right and who was wrong.

Each teams gets 1 point for every correct guess they make about other players and 1 point for every incorrect guess made about them.

A very special prize goes to the winner(s)!

And how do I play?

Put your email address in the sign-up form, and I’ll contact you when there’s enough people to start the game.

On the form you can say whether you’d prefer to use discord or element, and whether you’d like to play by yourself or in a group. And there’s even a little extra space at the end if you want to ask some questions.

It’ll be fun! Click and fill it in! Go for it!

Here's the link again, you don't even have to read up the page!

This is how incredible playing the game feels.

Why does this game exist?

I’m the developer of SpaceTube, the tool enabling the group to group communication, and I want to explore its potential uses. I need people to use it and talk to me about how they found it. The idea is that using a game, people can find the edges of what’s there and what could be there in the future.

To be a little earnest for a moment, we’re going to need some form of collective intelligence to make it through the current challenges facing our societies and the hope is that this tool can make that easier to create.

If you're interested in using SpaceTube outside of the game, let me know, I’d love to assist you in doing that. You can contact me using the end of the sign-up form, or you can message me directly over matrix here: @john:spacetu.be

See you soon!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Autumn Mega-Game, the game of war.

This week we have some combat, and the CATACYLSM!!!

And as ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

The turn order for 12

Count Guibert House of Haltwhistle The Rabble Southern Snowcones The Eyeballs Michiel de Ruyter Ragnar the Fearless Umbrella Corps

Combat

Umbrella Corps proceeded to take apart the leaderless piss artists, the southen snowcones.

The House of Haltwhistle continued to attack the eyeballs.

Michiel de Ruyter has instigated the first retreat!

CATACYLSM

We enter the next phase of the game. Summer is over. This is now the Autumn Situationist Game of War. Those in the corners are now in the centre, those at the centre are now in the corners.

The turn order system has also changed.

From now, the turn order will be the reverse of the previous 12 turns. So turn 13's order will be the reverse of turn 12, turn 14 will be the reverse of turn 11, turn 15 will be the reverse of turn 10 and so on.

The turn order of 13 will be:

Umbrella Corps Ragnar the Fearless Michiel de Ruyter The Eyeballs Southern Snowcones The Rabble House of Haltwhistle Count Guibert

Next turn ends 24th September

See you all post-cataclysm!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

We're getting into Autumn soon, so maybe the game will need to change names. But for this week, we're still feeling the heat! And quite a lot of heat to get through..

This week we are digesting turns 9, 10 and 11 together! Extremely eventful, we have 3 arsenal destructions and a lot of fighting.

And as ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of the war!

Turn 9

The order of play for turn 9 was

1. Rabble
2. Umbrella Corps
3. Ragnar
4. House of Haltwhistle
5. Eyeballs
6. Michiel de Ruyter
7. Southern Snowcones
8. Count Guibert

The Eyeballs destroyed one of the Southern Snowcones arsenals.

The Eyeball soldiers on the attack

The Snowcones didn't submit a move, as their leader committed piss-icide. An honourable tradition amongst the Southern Snowcones. His bladder exploded and took out the rest of the leaders of the Southern Snowcones.

Horrifying yellow explosion was seen and heard for miles

But who knows if it's the last we'll see of His Pissfulness? They say that which pisses eternal may not forever lie...a haunting odour lingers in the nose for quite some time...

Turn 10

The order of play was:

House of Haltwhistle Southern Snowcones Michiel de Ruyter Umbrellas Rabble Count guibert Eyeballs Ragnar

House of Haltwhistle continued their mopping up operation, killing another unlucky Eyeball infantryman.

The rest of the factions used the turn to get into position for a very dramatic next turn...

Turn 11

The order of play was:

Michiel de Ruyter House of Haltwhistle Rabble Southern Snowcones Eyeballs Count guibert Umbrellas Ragnar

Count Guibert lost an arsenal to Ragnar's lonely solider, who'd been making his way over to the undefended zone for most of the game thus far. And now that he's made it, what next? He has time to ponder for sure. Is a goal achieved a purpose undone?

A solitary viking arrives at the arsenal tent

The Southern Snowcones lost their second arsenal to the ruthless efficiency of the Umbrella Corps, meaning their troops are going to start drifting away from next turn. Luckily they are still supplied by the House of Haltwhistle so if the Piss Lord ever returns, he still has a chance to wreak his smelly revenge.

A member of the Umbrella Corps executive team concludes the disassembly of the arsenal

House of Haltwhistle won the dice roll and attacked the Eyeballs cavalry before it could attack them.

Michiel de Ruyter continues his harrying of the Rabble.

This is the first week that EVERY PLAYER was involved in some form of combat! As warmaster I couldn't be more pleased! So I'm giving every player the following medal:

Nice job on killing each other guys

Next turn as normal, then a short break

Turn 12 deadline is this Sunday, 10th September.

After the end of the turn this week there'll be a week off. The war master is going to Marrakesh to learn of new techniques of combat. So you have a week to contemplate your strategies, maybe rethink which alliances have been most fruitful so far, and which you can dispense with for good. Communiques will still be forwarded during the break.

Turn 13 deadline is 24th September.

Good luck!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

This week we have our first alliance dissolution, some combat, and a medal to give out!

And as ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

The Order of Battle

The turn order was:

Umbrella Corps Michiel de Ruyter House of Haltwhistle Southern Snowcones Count Guibert Eyeballs Rabble Ragnar

The wolves of Haltwhistle made their first kill on the hunt, before the eyeballs could reinforce their troop. But it wouldn't have made a difference anyway, the wolf charge is too powerful.

The wolves in motion on the hunt

The House of Haltwhistle and the Eyeballs have been approached for comment.

DISSOLUTION!!

The alliance between the House of Haltwhistle and the Rabble is no more! The House of Haltwhistle has officially terminated the concordat.

Both sides have been approached for comment.

Special Award for Innovation

However it isn't all bad for the Eyeballs, I noticed something very interesting in their move this week that I'd like to draw attention to.

The Eyeballs's relay at square 929 (or S30) is relaying a supply line that comes from a relay which is relaying a supply line that comes from a relay which is relaying a supply line that comes from an arsenal, a nicely complicated state of affairs. Elegant use of the board guys! (And some note that the Rabble is helping with this as well)

Inside Eyeballs Labs where this innovation was dreamt up

Next turn, get those moves in for 20th August at 10pm

And keep sending communiques and ideas back and forth.

See you next week!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

This week we have a new alliance, some combat, a rule clarification and a very exciting reveal!

And as ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

Rule Clarification

I realise that it hasn't been explained what happens when a player loses both arsenals.

If a player has no arsenals, both sources of supply having been lost, units will start to wonder what they're even fighting for. The units will start to wander from the board. The player must nominate a unit to lose each turn, or one will be decided randomly.

Update your strategy accordingly.

Let the blood flow

The turn order was:

Michiel de Ruyter The Eyeballs House of Haltwhistle Ragnar the Fearless Umbrella Corps The Rabble Count Guibert Southern Snowcones

Michiel once again used his early rising to his advantage, sending his cavalry after an infantry unit of the Rabble.

Michiel de Ruyter sent the following missive “The Rabble's unwillingness to fight cost them another platoon. Let this be a lesson, those who cower are those who die. March your horses home, Rabble, they won't save your arsenal.”

The Rabble commented “If I make it through the next couple of weeks it'll be a miracle”

Ragnar caught a break and arranged his infantry and cannon to catch the Southern Snowcones cavalry while they were reforming.

The viking horde just before attacking

Ragnar and his troops were overheard shouting “Skulls! Skulls for the skull throne!”

The Southern Snowcones have been approached for comment.

A new alliance in the South

Formed by a marriage between Michiel de Ruyter and the daughter of Lord and Lady Haltwhistle.

We were able to catch a glimpse of the happy couple in union.

Michiel and his bride looking elegant in the moonlight

What dogs of war are these?

As a reward for participating in the recent Meet The Players (report 7), the House of Haltwhistle has been granted the use of wolves instead of horses for their cavalary, which you can now see on the board.

The wolf cavalry should not affect your battle plans numerically, but guard yourself carefully against the howling fear of tooth and claw!

EXPERIMENTAL HARSH TURN DEADLINE

For this turn, only moves submitted BEFORE 22:00 on Sunday 13th August will be valid. This is to enable the board update and report to go out soon afterwards as I anticipate a busy Monday next week for me.

If you think you might be in danger of missing the deadline, I suggest taking 5 minutes now to submit your turn.

See you next week!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

This week was ruled by the die! And oh how people died...

And as ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

Technical update

The supply line checkboxes are now saved across refreshes of the map. This should save a bit of time if you have a favourite state of checking. This was a request that came from a player, proving the benevolence and wisdom of the moderator.

Feel free to make your own such requests!

From the die to the dying

The turn order was:

Michiel de Ruyter The Rabble Southern Snowcones Umbrella Corps Count Guibert The Eyeballs House of Haltwhistle Ragnar the Fearless

This turned out to favour Michiel de Ruyter, in the orange, and the Southern Snowcones in the yellow. The battle favoured them in their attacks.

De Ruyter thrust into the Rabble's flank as they turned to take a more defensive position, killing one of the Rabble's cavalry.

The disciplined cavalry of the Orange take advantage of their initiative to strike at the Rabble

Michiel de Ruyter had this to say “I want the board to know that there were multiple moves the Rabble could have done to not only counter my attack, but to kill one of my units instead.

Instead they chose retreat, and that is what will lose them their arsenal.”

The Rabble have been approached for comment.

Meanwhile, the Southern Snowcones's valiant knights of piss took another opportunity to charge at Ragnar's infantry, sending another brave soul to the halls of the fathers.

The Knights of Piss drench another day

The Southern Snowcones said “piece of piss”.

Ragnar the Fearless has been approached for comment.

The rest of the board

The Eyeballs are closing in on the Southern Snowcones easterly frontier. We could have another arsenal lost from the board very soon. The Eyeballs see all!

Count Guibert and the Umbrella Corps are jostling for position in the narrow pass between mountains. I'm sure their troops are making careful note of the relative positions.

Next turn deadline: 8pm Sunday 6th August

Get those moves in!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

This week there was some action (yes!) but it's also time for the very first edition of MEET THE PLAYERS, where we get to know one of the players of the game of war. This time, we're going to learn about...

The House of Haltwhistle!

And as ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

First, the action!

Here was the turn order of turn 5:

Michiel de Ruyter The Rabble Southern Snowcones The Eyeballs Ragnar the Fearless Umbrella Corps Count Guibert House of Haltwhistle

The key part is that the Southern Snowcones went ahead of Ragnar the Fearless, meaning they got to execute an arsenal attack. A fitting revenge in a relationship with very little love lost so far.

It pays to be in league with the fates. That's my only advice to my players: be lucky.

Meet the Players: The House of Haltwhistle

It's time for our very first edition of Meet the Players, with the BLACK team, the House of Haltwhistle.

First up, who are you guys?

Lady Haltwhistle: Upon the knife's edge of the crescent moon, six gods howl into an eternal darkness. The blood of our house has simmered through the centuries, thickening in the veins of our mothers, screaming our rebellious spirit into existence. It was not easy. In the darkest depths of the Haltwhistle nights, we faced obsidian terrors, always our paths seemed blocked, our torrents dammed.

[note, I tried to ask the next question, but Lady Haltwhistle continued on this one]

But in the darkest depth of that night, the screech of the owl called forth our house's true purpose: to unite the blackness of the eternal night with the sacred call of the light.

A badger flashes its stripes. Even in the darkness, something remains.

What are you fighting for?

Lady Haltwhistle: The badger, the bear; the fox, the dog; the owl, the buzzard. A triad of diads, the phases of the moon. Man and woman, light and dark, peace and war.

What's been your approach to the war so far?

Lady Haltwhistle: Bone degrades so easily. It chips, is filed away by the defiling night. We sharpen our wolves's teeth, let it sink into succulent flesh, step unhesitantly into the unknown.

How has the game made you feel?

Lady Haltwhistle: The House of Haltwhistle watches the eternal cycle of the seasons with unfeelingness. War is but another spectacle upon the suffering planes of existence.

Lord Haltwhistle: I am a friend of death.

[this is the only thing Lord Haltwhistle said in our entire meeting.]

How did your alliance with the Southern Snowcones come about?

Lady Haltwhistle: Gaze upon the orchid petal and tell me it is not your ally.

and what does that mean?

Lady Haltwhistle: Beauty exists for less than an eye blink.

How did your alliance with the Rabble come about?

Lady Haltwhistle: A pair of buzzards surf the thermals in eye of an unknowing prey. How amusing to consider hands acting without knowing. The fates decide those who prey and those who die.

Any messages for the rest of the board?

Lady Haltwhistle: Observe thy spirits.

And how is this game preparing you for cybernetic communism?

Lady Haltwhistle: The glint in the owl's eye contains infinite value. A buzzard's egg can birth a badger. Sup the yolk and sublimate its veinal ether.

An insightful interview, I'm sure you'll agree. Looking forward to the next edition of meet the player to learn more about the other entities on the board!

Next turn deadline: 8pm Sunday 30th July

Get your turns in...for the game of war!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

As ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

It's been a banner week, with 2 new players, an arsenal destruction and some very exciting TECHNICAL UPDATES!!!

Board Not Bored

I've made some updates to the board so that it runs more quickly when switching player and moving units. This should make it easier to run through scenarios and just generally more pleasant to devise strategies on and interact with.

I've also added attack and move records to the map when it loads, so you can see where the pieces this turn have moved from. You may notice that you can't see Count Guibert's move and attack though, because the board starts with it as his turn and the turn erases the move records.

I have an idea for how to rectify this but it probably won't happen before the end of this turn.

Leaderless No Longer!

In the top half of the board, the Umbrella Corps has finalised a hostile takeover of what was once the orange faction. Rebranded using the official red corporate identity, an Umbrella Corps spokesperson commented that the company is “excited about the opportunities available on the board at this time and are satisfied that our upcoming operations fully exploit the aforementioned opportunities”.

Meanwhile in the bottom half of the board, Dutch naval hero Michiel de Ruyter has been anointed the champion of the leaderless faction, and adopted his national colours as better to rally the troops at his command. Michiel says that he is “honoured to accept the responsibility of command, and looks forward to meeting the other esteemed players, whether in friendship or in combat”. Very classy.

Gotta put the turn order somewhere

Here's what the turn order was:

Michiel de Ruyter Ragnar the Fearless The Rabble The Eyeballs Southern Snowcones House of Haltwhistle Umbrella Corps Count Guibert

Action Action Action

The Guibert-Snowcone alliance clashes with the Ragnar-Umbrella axis. Ragnar gets his revenge on the Snowcones by killing a swift artillery unit in exchange for his infantry last turn.

Count Guibert has taken the first arsenal of the game and therefore it is with great pride I award the good Count the Shareholders Cross, as I imagine a lot of the Umbrella Corps shareholders are now pretty cross indeed. Congratulations Guibert!

Even in a war of Manoeuvre, you eventually have to attack

The bottom half of the board continues to move troops around, making a very nice picture but not a great deal of action is forthcoming. It looks like the Rabble and House of Haltwhistle are coordinating...something, but it's hard to really see what the idea is.

I mean the eyeballs have even gotten so bored they're going north, probably to get something better to look at.

Please kill each other more!

Next turn: Turn 5 deadline is 23rd July

I am on the edge of my seat about what's going on in the top right of the board. I know what my next move would be if I was the Southern Snowcones. But will the gods of war favour us with another arsenal destruction? Only time will tell.

See you next week!

Welcome back to the report on the game of war. This is where I chronicle the happenings each week of the Situationist Summer Mega-Game, the game of war.

As ever you can check out the board here to see the current state of play.

There's been some action, so let's get to it!

(After a brief discussion on an update to the rules)

Additions to the Rules of Play

This was the first time turn precedence was a concern, when the forces of Ragnar the Fearless and the Southern Snowcones were fated to meet, so I consulted with the players who were mostly in favour of the chaos of battle, and we have instututed a random order for each turn!

No one knows what it will be and if your moves don't work that's too bad! No one said making war was easy...

This turn the order was:

House of Haltwhistle Edminster The Eyeballs Count Guibert Ragnar the Fearless TBD Southern Snowcones The Rabble.

Who knows what it'll be next time?

Finally, some action...

Turn order is not destiny however, as violently demonstrated by our brave warriors of the mid-East. Though second last to take their move, the Southern Snowcones have still taken FIRST BLOOD utilising a beautiful full cavalry charge alongside an artillery assist. This is mobile warfare at its best. You can see the move below:

It is with great pride I award the Southern Snowcones the medal for First Blood:

What else is going on?

In other areas of the map, Count Guibert looks set to take the first Arsenal of the game. He's also accepted an alliance with the Southern Snowcones, forming a rather bloody band the other powers will have to work hard to contend with.

Meanwhile the orange and cyan leaderless factions have very different fates. Cyan seems secure enough for now, with orange about to lose one of their bases. But who knows if a warrior will emerge from within their ranks to turn their fortunes around? Only time will tell...

The next turn ends at 8pm on Sunday 16th July, with the report to follow soon after.

Until then, fare thee well...

The board once again has been updated. Alliances are forming in the South and it appears the dogs of war are about to start howling very loudly indeed in the North.

Check out the board here

Lets be friends!

In the South, the Rabble has racked up 3 allies. The House of Haltwhistle has 2, and the Eyeballs have 1.

Lets not be friends!

Count Guibert looks set to cause the first destruction of a communication centre in the game! The absentee ruler of the Orange West is going to feel this one!

Ragnar and the Southern Snowcones look set to have the first combat in the top right of the board, although simulations suggest casualties may be hard to come by.

Turmoil in the Cyan Kingdom

King Elminster has withdrawn from the field! A search goes out from the cyanites to find a new ruler to keep them safe in this, the game of war!

Perhaps this could be you? Get in touch with me however you read this missive and I can explain how.

Next time

The next turn concludes on the 9th July!