Overall I believe this experiment to be a bit tainted by the participants all being active forum members- we stay in moderate contact with each other via the forum and I believe we may be overly tactful when deciding whether or not to be aggressive
So I don't believe our actions would be an accurate in seeing if this would viable for the general public, who don't have contact with each other after games.

While in public chat, I and others spoke like politicians- If asked about an absolute alliance or offence we either put our full weight behind the position, or dodged/avoid the question all together allowing yourself flexibility for when conflict would arise.

Needless to say I myself pussyfooted around any absolutes, aside from a half baked alliance I dubbed the Equator Alliance- Yotta, Myself, and TopKilla- that formed a straight line across the map. I more or less remained peaceful with everyone else, mined when I was sure it was safe and through inactivity and a few minor offenses against others not in the alliance, I secured myself an easy third place.

I should have put the placing aside and focused on the experiment itself, but I've already formed habits on this game and trying to place is hardwired.

Nobody wanted to make a mortal enemy, trades where often confusing- involving gifts and almost gifts- with nothing really being absolute. I felt like a guy in an elevator, bumping would invoke a sorry from me, and conversations where more or less about nothing or bogus alliances.

My view was a bit boring.
Again I think this could be done again with better results using the new Anonymous mode to replicate the mask that total strangers have when facing each other.

janitorialduties wrote:I should have put the placing aside and focused on the experiment itself, but I've already formed habits on this game and trying to place is hardwired.

Don't feel the need to focus on the experiment. The experiment is a modifier, as to see what the game would be like, if it always has been so.
So just play as you normally would, except for that change.