Retirement Gifts are prohibited

[DezNutz]

I must also then assume that the use of 'Generosity' cards somewhat contradicts the rule as stated and look forward to some clarification of how mutual aid can be given to a mate before it becomes a contravention.

Generosity is part of the game, its use cannot violate the rules of the game.

[Most Lee Harmless]

I raised that issue to point up the difficulties the admins face in enforcing some rules : mutual aid is permissible, after all, its the foundation of guilds, their main reason for being : much of their structure is to facilitate mutual aid. A strict interpretation might be applied to say Generosity is a transfer of funds between player accounts with no direct benefit to the caster : but as you say, it is part of the game itself. So, I think some degree of aid is permissible, within limits and within the structure of the game : aiding new players is fine by me, over-aiding them is not : I think we can all tell the difference there : giving a new player funds to buy their first trade fleets is one thing : buying them a fleet of SotL's is quite another. But to judge that degree of acceptability means you need a hard line in the sand somewhere to measure from.
I think its good that we get reminded of the rules and potential/actual infringements from time to time : its easy for us to get a bit lazy and cut corners, we can get used to certain behaviors because, well, that's what folk do : I warned in my previous posts about how games can go wrong that way : in one I was called an idiot because I wasnt multi-accounting even though to do so was a major rule-breach : everyone did so not doing so became 'bad play'. Some guilds even made having x amount of accounts a rule of entry.
I'd rather PG didnt even start down that road.

[DezNutz]

I agree, the game has built in constructs that by design are used to support other players within reasonable limits. Using these constructs to aid another player within limits should not violate game rules. Drawing a hard line to determine these limits will be difficult because the level of support that can be provided differs based on several factors.

IMHO, when providing aid/support one should consider these two factors: 1)Does the aid provide an unfair advantage to the player. 2)Is the aid detrimental to the player sending it (limits the ability of the account to continue to be played to its fullest). If the aid violates either of these, aid/support should not be rendered.

[Crackedcubes]

Oh drat and I had cannonballs lined up for all by besties pirate buddies! sigh.....unloads cannon....

[Captain Jack]

This announcement, as I said, is not a rule rewrite. It is an informative announcement. I wanted to remind this to the veterans but mostly to inform the new. Most players learn what is allowed and what is not from the rest of the players so such posts can be helpful.

No one will be allowed to bend the rules or play on the border/edge of them. Even if you are well within the rules but you did something unfair, then you will still be penalized (rule #9).

For more details, there is a 4.5 years old post that is linked from the official rules page (Milking rule). It explains everything there.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=515

[Poppy]

I disagree. Your new interpretation of the rules here is much wider and isnt limited to self serving cheaters as the original explanation.

[Captain Jack]

Then you need to factor in our new interpretation as you say. Simple as this.

[Jack Teach]

That basically restricts most of human social structures, ideologies and religious beliefs from being practiced in game. That includes, believe it or not, the actual pirates codes.

He's right you know

[Admiral Nelson]

Rules are the rules. Don't like them, find another game.

It is up to the Admins what the rules are, not the playerbase (Else I am sure, certain players would try to put in a rule for multiple accounts).

[Slindur]

I must also then assume that the use of 'Generosity' cards somewhat contradicts the rule as stated and look forward to some clarification of how mutual aid can be given to a mate before it becomes a contravention.

Generosity is part of the game, its use cannot violate the rules of the game.

One way of viewing this is that helping a friend does help my account. Having strong allies does help my account. So, if I generosity a player who might lose ships, I am keeping my ally strong, which ultimately helps my account.

I see that it is a little bit of backwards logic, but it does make it so some "non-beneficial" actions that ARE legal are not breaking the milking rule. Likewise, I would argue that giving things to a new player helps me by building a stronger ally (whether it be a national, guild, or other ally). So I think that giving things to new players would BE legal, as it is helping me and playing my account to its full extent. "Retirement gifts" are NOT legal, as I would no longer have allies in the game, as my account is becoming inactive and not helping my account any more.

Slindur