Codebreaker

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Traditional Games > The Game Room > Codebreaker

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Welcome to Codebreaker!

Codebreaker is a hybrid game of Survivor and Mastermind for 13 players.

In this game, there is an overall "code" made up of thirteen code segments, each in its own line. Each player is given one of the thirteen segments (all are seven-letter words) at the start of the game, as well its placement in the overall solution. A player's code segment is revealed to all participants when he or she is eliminated from the game. The first person to submit the correct code is the winner!

Please do not come into the game with pre-defined alliances! As this game is largely social with limited communication, it would be a significant and unfair advantage. Additionally, editing your posts is not allowed in this game!

Day Phase:

There will be a plurality vote in each Day to remove one player from the game.
When a player is eliminated, their personal code segment will be revealed to the thread.
The placement of the flipped code segment will only be revealed half the time - the second elimination, fourth, sixth, etc.
To vote for a player, post ##vote Poque in the thread. You can ##unvote, but it is unnecessary as another ##vote will cancel the first vote as well.
The Day does NOT end once a majority vote is received - the votecount at the time of the deadline is the final count. Votes received at :01 or beyond will not be parsed.
If there is a tie at the deadline, the first player who got to the tied vote is eliminated - unless the tie was achieved by an unvote, in which case the unvoted player is eliminated. For example:
1) A 3, B 3 -> A 4, B 3 -> A 4, B 4 -> Deadline: A is eliminated, as s/he got to four votes first.
2) A 3, B 3 -> A 4, B 3 -> A 4, B 4 -> A 4, B 5 -> A 4, B 4 -> Deadline: B is eliminated, as the tie vote occurred through the unvote.
Each player can submit one guess to the overall code per Day. This is covered in more detail in the "Guessing" section below.
Days will end at 9pm Eastern on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Night Phase:

Each player determines their lines of communication for the following Day during Night. This is covered in more detail in the "Communication" section below.
The results of the best guesses from the previous Day will be revealed. However, neither the name of the guessers nor the guesses themselves will be shown.
Sample results: "Eight players submitted guesses on Day 1. One player correctly identified 5 code segments. One player correctly placed 3 code segments. One player had 4 correct code segments one spot away from their correct placement." It will not be revealed if these players are the same person.
Communication outside the thread is NOT PERMITTED during Night!
Nights will end at Noon Eastern on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Guessing:

Each player can submit one guess of the overall code per Day. This is submitted via PM.
To make it easier to get results, guesses should be encased in (code) tags with each code segment on its on separate line.
The guesser will receive three pieces of information: the number of code blocks they have correctly identified, the number of correct code blocks they have placed properly, and the number of correct code blocks they have one line away from the correct placement.
The actual placement loops for the "one line away" requirement - if a player submits the first line's code at line 13, that counts as "one line away."
Withholding a guess on one Day does not increase the number of guesses for a later Day.

Communication:

During each Night phase, each player submits the name of one person they would like to communicate with outside of the thread for the following Day (no outside communication on Day 1).
This creates a two-way line of communication - for example, if Player A selects Player B, and Player B selects Player C, B will be able to communicate with both A and C outside of the thread for that Day.
These lines of communication do not carry over to another Day unless created again in the next Night phase.
A player can pre-submit their communication choice for later Days if desired.
Communication in the thread is always allowed - but all posts must be able to be interpreted by all players. No encrypted messages or things of that nature.

Game End:
The game ends the instant somebody submits the entire code in the correct order. Daily voting will continue until the game ends or there are two players remaining. If the game reaches two players but neither player correctly submits the code, each remaining player will have their code segment revealed and it becomes a showdown. The two remaining players will cycle through Day/Night phases as quickly as they can make their submissions - the first player to get it right will win!

Poque fucked around with this message at 00:03 on Nov 5, 2014

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:15

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ Apr 25, 2024 17:59

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Example Guesses & Results:
Assume the actual code is as follows:

code:

WITCH
MUMMY
PANDA
SKULL
GHOST

If a player submits:

code:

WITCH
HAUNT
SKULL
PANDA
GHOUL

They would be told (without parenthetical information):
1. You have correctly identified 3 code segments (WITCH, PANDA, SKULL).
2. You have correctly placed 1 code segment (WITCH).
3. You have 2 code segments off by one spot (PANDA, SKULL).

If a player submits:

code:

SKULL
MUMMY
MUMMY
PANDA
WITCH

They would be told:
1. You have correctly identified 4 code segments (SKULL, MUMMY, PANDA, WITCH).
2. You have correctly placed 1 code segment (MUMMY).
3. You have 3 code segments off by one spot (MUMMY, PANDA, WITCH).

Notice that even though this player correctly placed the first MUMMY, the second one would still show up as being one line away. Guess wisely!

If you have questions that can be answered using this hypothetical code, please feel free to make "guesses" in the thread to get clarification.

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:15

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Current roster:

Eliminated players:

Nevermore214 - SCAPULA (?)
Byers2142 - GLASGOW (10)
Somberbrero - ARSENIC (?)

Poque fucked around with this message at 03:07 on Nov 12, 2014

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:16

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

^^^^ hahahahahahahaha ^^^^

ActingPower posted:

I'm gonna keep my eye on this as well. I'm certainly cool to play, but I'm gonna have to wrap my head around the rules.

The OP is pretty long, but it's mainly just detailed to help avoid ambiguity. In short, you make a guess to the full code and vote somebody out in the day, and set up OOT communications for the following day at night.

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:35

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Thanatosian posted:

Sounds interesting; I'd like to get in on this.

Do you need separate PMs for guesses and declarations of who we're communicating with, or can we just send you one? Are we allowed to change the person we're communicating with once we've told you, provided we do it before the end of the night? Are the words going to have a theme or commonality, or is that something we'll have to figure out on our own?

1) You can combine PMs if you'd like. For the most part, your guesses and communication requests will happen in separate phases (guesses must be done during the day, communication requests are due by the end of the night) - but since I'm allowing people to submit communication requests for later days during earlier days (i.e. it's near the end of day 1, and you might be busy during the night, so you submit your day 2 comm request early), it could happen. I have no problem with it.
2) Yeah, since there's no OOT communication during the night, it's fine to switch that up before the next day begins. But once a day has started, that line of communication is set until the following day.
3) The only ways you'll learn code words are through a player elimination (which will always be true) or by being told it by somebody else in the game (but they could lie!) - there's no theme, so guessing somebody's code word would be an impressive feat.

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:46

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Thanatosian posted:

Are we allowed to post our code/position in the open in the thread if we so choose?

Absolutely.

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:47

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Added a clarification in the OP:

Poque posted:

Communication in the thread is always allowed - but all posts must be able to be interpreted by all players. No encrypted messages or things of that nature.

# ¿ Oct 30, 2014 23:56

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

merk posted:

I didn't review this game did I? I reviewed someone's code game.

Nope, not mine. Maybe an Opop game?

# ¿ Oct 31, 2014 15:58

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Yep still going! Just need one more now!

# ¿ Oct 31, 2014 20:39

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Sweet, that fills us up! I was planning on starting us off on Monday with the first deadline set for Wednesday.

# ¿ Nov 1, 2014 03:03

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

I will be sending out codes and segment placements at noon eastern - about 90 minutes!

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 16:30

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

A note about counting votes -

This game will operate using VoteFinder. You can see our game's page at http://votefinder.org/game/codebreaker . You don't need to sign up for anything, it just scours threads to find votes. As such, it's important to properly format your votes as described in the OP. Bolding is required for votes!

You can force a refresh of the vote count on that page or wait 5-10 minutes for votefinder to find it. I will also add an auto-refreshing votecount into one of the first few posts of the thread, as well. Keep in mind that the only vote count that is official is the one that happens right at the deadline - votes can be changed any time up to :00! Votes at :01 or beyond will not be counted.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 17:02

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

PMs are out - the game begins!
It is now Day 1!

There is no communication outside of thread on Day 1.
Day 1 ends on Wednesday, November 5, at 9pm Eastern.

I'm always available to answer questions, whether in the thread or via PM. Feel free to submit guesses against the hypothetical code in the second post if you want more examples of how the system works.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 18:01

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

MildManeredManikin posted:

Can we make cool survivor votes instead if we want?

Sure, if you want. But you can always unvote....

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 18:02

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

If there are no votes at deadline, one person will be removed randomly.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 19:00

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

EXAKT Science posted:

Poque, is the thread going to remain open during night phases?

Yep, it'll be open and available for talking.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 19:08

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

MildManeredManikin posted:

I believe the encrypted messages thing meant like, no posting in code and then giving somebody else a way to break the code.

winvirus posted:

Yeah, I think games and riddles would be fine since everyone would have an equal shot. You just can't be like "my word is 73726262738484836262626 I will give you the cipher so you know I'm legit" or some poo poo

Yeah, these posts are cool. I'm trying to avoid a situation where an alliance is made in which somebody gives somebody a way to learn the placement of their code if they're eliminated. They're free to tell somebody that outright, of course.

Basically, say somebody's code segment was APPLE and it was placed sixth.
and they told somebody something like "Let X be the number that corresponds to the first letter of my segment. The Xth number of my first post on page 5 is my code's placement." and then made their first post on page 5 "6 5 7 10 1 2 8 9" or something. I wouldn't like that, because only that person would be able to decipher it AND it's contingent on the other person's death. If somebody wants to give away their placement, it must be done while they're alive.

If somebody wants to do some kind of riddle thing and then sets up a line of communication in the following day to give away their segment/placement, that's totally cool.

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 19:49

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

I'm totally fine with conditional submissions for communication lines, provided the conditions are specifically around player eliminations. Nothing related to "Player X, unless they pick me"

# ¿ Nov 3, 2014 22:45

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

winvirus posted:

Similarly withhold information from the perpetrator*

I appreciate this post because I realized I forgot about a rule! There is no editing of posts in the game. I appreciate that winvirus was in the spirit of the game by making his change in a subsequent post (which is totally fine). Adding to OP now!

# ¿ Nov 5, 2014 00:02

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Thanatosian posted:

For real? Goddammit.

I edit most of my posts at least 3-4 times. I will do my best to remember not to. I have totally done it in this thread already several times, though.

ninja editing is mostly okay, especially if it's just for grammar/wording. Typical Trad Games rules have this in place so people can't deny having written stuff before.

# ¿ Nov 5, 2014 00:05

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Just want to run down the schedule of events on the night of a deadline.

Tonight, at 9 eastern, one of you will be eliminated from the game. Your code segment will be revealed, but the placement of that segment will not (as it is an odd-numbered day). I will be around and should have this ready to go within minutes of the deadline. Votes at :00 will count, but votes at :01 will not. If you are the player being eliminated, please don't make any posts about your game content (code, placement) after the deadline - up to and at the deadline is fine.

I will accept guesses for Day 1 until I make the elimination post - however, you should probably try to get this in before the deadline for two reasons:
1) I plan on being on time for these eliminations, so you probably don't want to take the risk that you can beat me to it.
2) If the eliminated player posts their code after the deadline (I would hope by accident!!), that will be considered the hard stop for guesses.

I'm just trying to eliminate the possibility that somebody reveals game content after they are officially killed - consider yourself dead if you're the vote leader (or lose a tiebreaker) the second the clock strikes :01, regardless of whether or not I have posted your segment.

The thread is open during night phase, so please feel free to continue talking at/after the deadline, even if I haven't made the elimination post yet.

# ¿ Nov 5, 2014 17:32

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Actually, I'm gonna modify that and say the cutoff for guesses is a hard :00 as well. At :00 is okay, :01 or beyond isn't. Just makes it so there isn't any variation from day-to-day regarding my own personal availability or speed.

# ¿ Nov 5, 2014 17:52

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

The placement is only revealed for people who are eliminated on even-numbered days. I won't ever reveal the placement of segments from odd-numbered-day eliminations.

# ¿ Nov 5, 2014 20:51

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Just over an hour until deadline. If you haven't sent in a guess yet, be sure to get it in before the deadline!

# ¿ Nov 6, 2014 01:58

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

The decision has been made. With 5 votes, Nevermore214 has been eliminated from the game!

Nevermore214's code segment is: SCAPULA.
Nevermore214's code segment will not be revealed.

It is now Night 1!

Please send in your line of communication as soon as possible! There is no out-of-thread communication during the Night!

13 players submitted guesses on Day 1.

The highest number of correctly-identified code segments was 1.
The highest number of correctly placed code segments was 1.
The highest number of correct code segments placed one spot away from the correct placement was 1.

Day 2 will begin on Thursday, November 6, at Noon Eastern.

# ¿ Nov 6, 2014 03:02

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Oops, haha. code segment placement!

# ¿ Nov 6, 2014 03:18

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

It is now Day 2!

Your lines of communication have been PMed to you.
Day 2 ends on Friday, November 7, at 9pm Eastern.

# ¿ Nov 6, 2014 18:03

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

I doubt it needs to be said, but no communicating in the incorrect words sheet. It's fine to organize words or whatever you like there, since everybody can see it, but communication should be either done in thread or out-of-thread with your OOT partner(s).

also I now have papers all over my work desk because I wanted to map out communication patterns. I'll release the images after the game is over.

# ¿ Nov 6, 2014 18:07

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Byers2142 posted:

Clear your inbox, PoP!

I must've gotten the last one in :twisted:

# ¿ Nov 6, 2014 18:20

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Hour left. If you haven't guessed, that's the deadline. If you have and I haven't responded, I missed it - let me know!

# ¿ Nov 8, 2014 01:59

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

The decision has been made. With 6 votes, Byers2142 has been eliminated from the game!
Byers2142's code segment is: GLASGOW.
Byers2142's code segment is in position 10.

It is now Night 2!
Please send in your line of communication as soon as possible! There is no out-of-thread communication during the Night!

9 players submitted guesses on Day 2.

The highest number of correctly-identified code segments was 3.
The highest number of correctly placed code segments was 2.
The highest number of correct code segments placed one spot away from the correct placement was 1.

Day 3 will begin on Saturday, November 8, at Noon Eastern.

# ¿ Nov 8, 2014 03:01

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

I realize that asking for comm lines before noon on a Saturday might be crappy so let's push that to Sunday and have the next day end on Tuesday.

# ¿ Nov 8, 2014 04:25

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Starting a bit early since I'm headed out shortly.

It is now Day 3!

Your lines of communication have been sent to you.
Day 3 ends on Tuesday, November 11, at 9pm Eastern.

# ¿ Nov 9, 2014 17:20

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Going forward, to account for weekends, deadlines will be on a cycle that repeats every two weeks rather than every single week. All deadlines will be at 9 eastern, all day starts will be at noon eastern.

Day 3 deadline: Tue, 11/11/2014
Day 4 begins: Wed, 11/12/2014
Day 4 deadline: Thu, 11/13/2014
Day 5 begins: Fri, 11/14/2014
Day 5 deadline: Mon, 11/17/2014
Day 6 begins: Tue, 11/18/2014
Day 6 deadline: Wed, 11/19/2014
Day 7 begins: Thu, 11/20/2014
Day 7 deadline: Fri, 11/21/2014
Day 8 begins: Sun, 11/23/2014
Day 8 deadline: Tue, 11/25/2014

and so on. If we get to (American) Thanksgiving beyond that day 8, I'll just have day 9 be extra long to account for people (and mods!) who are traveling.

Also of note: If you don't submit a line of communication to me in time, you'll default back to your choice for the previous day. If that person is dead and you didn't give me a backup...OOPS!

# ¿ Nov 10, 2014 17:30

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

Deadline is tonight. Don't forget to get your guesses in before then!

# ¿ Nov 11, 2014 17:52

Poque: Sep 11, 2003; =^-^=

The decision has been made. With 7 votes, Somberbrero has been eliminated from the game!
Somberbrero's code segment is: ARSENIC.
Somberbrero's segment position will not be revealed.

It is now Night 3!
Please send in your line of communication as soon as possible! There is no out-of-thread communication during the Night!

10 players submitted guesses on Day 3.

The highest number of correctly-identified code segments was 8.
The highest number of correctly placed code segments was 4.
The highest number of correct code segments placed one spot away from the correct placement was 2.

Day 4 will begin on Wednesday, November 12, at Noon Eastern.

# ¿ Nov 12, 2014 03:01