Tips and Advice
Last Updated 6/19/2003
Introduction
It seems that more often than not, people can be somewhat overzealous about playing in and hosting survivor games at GameFAQs. This section of my web page will be dedicated to making your experience at the board, a more pleasant one. I have gathered and will continue to gather information which should be of great help to you. If you have not done so, please read through everything, and if you have questions or comments, my e-mail is over in the left frame. Also each tip that was submitted is followed by my comments, so don't confuse my analysis with the tip giver's.
Playing in a GameFAQs Survivor Game
Tip #1 by Jedi Duelist 720
Don't be rude: This tip can also apply to hosting games. It's pretty self explanatory, but it includes behavior such as harrassment, and flaming of other people on the survivor board. Remember, you catch more bees with honey(being nice) than with vinegar(being rude).
Tip #2 by LiteYear
Don't idle: If you are idling, you are in too many games, or you do not have the time necessary to commit to a survivor game. There really is no way for a host to prevent this, but sometimes they will just kick idlers out of the game. If the host doesn't kick them out, then a survivor rule of voting out the weakest members of the tribe applies. Idlers make the game boring. If you can't long on to GameFAQs at least once a day to check the game you're in, don't bother signing up. You're wasting other people's time.
Tip #3 by superstar64
Get AOL instant messenger, Yahoo! messenger, Trillian, etc.: AOL Instant Messenger(AIM) is the most commonly used form of communication for our board. It has countless uses. Not only that but AIM is a better product that the actual AOL internet service.
Tip #4 by superstar64
Be a good sport: You WILL be voted out at some point in a game. I have yet to win any survivor game, or even get really far in one.
Hosting a GameFAQs Survivor Game
Tip #1 by Sandrock LQ
It is highly recommended that you play in a survivor game, before you host one: You will gain valuable experience into the dynamics of an elimination game. There are different games than survivor, but they are almost all elimination type of matches. For example, you can host a mole game after you've played in a survivor game, but you may want to read through one or two other mole games before starting your own. I made the mistake of hosting a game before playing throuh one, and I regretted it.
Tip #2 by Izz0
When you start a game, finish it: Although there is nothing to compell you to finish a game you host, you will lose credibility, if you do not finish your games. I was fortunate to be able to get 16 new people to sign up for my second try at competing a survivor. I did not finish the first survivor, and although I gave good reasons for stopping, it could have hurt me. My involvement with Trivial Pursuit on AIM did help my cause though.
Tip #3 by LiteYear
Plan your game out before you begin sign-ups: I really like this one. Planning makes all the difference between a crappy game and a successful one. I will soon have a resource online, which will help game hosts come up with challenges. Not everyone is really creative, so I know the resource will be of great help to many people. Plan as many challenges as you can ahead of time. Plan merges, quizzes, challenges, etc. that can be adapted to last minute changes. Having a game with 8-10 people is recommended for beginners(credit to Sir Bormun).
Tip #4 by LiteYear
Don't delay new challenges: I'm guilty of this one, and it can be a real game killer. The more people that are in your game, the faster you need to go. The first three or four challenges should be really quick, so that you can really work out the dead weight aka idlers. Once a challenge is over, ask for votes and set a deadline. I have found a method for getting everyone's vote even if they don't send it to you. I will post it in a new section when the opportunity arises.
Tip #5 by Sir Bormun
Get contact information: Always get the e-mail of every person in your game, and an instant messenger handle is HIGHLY recommended as well. Do not allow anyone to play in your game if they do not give you an e-mail. E-mail can be found for free on the web so no one has an excuse. There is a contact list on this website, where you can obtain e-mail and AIM screen names of a lot of the players at the board.
Tip #6 by red13n
Do not show signs of failure of your game: This ties in to a lot of rules, but basically it means to show interest in your game. Be enthusiastic. A game that the host is excited about is likely to exceed more that a game that a person just does for the hell of it.