For those who are interested, I have had very valuable feedback from experienced players regarding game scoring and how to balance the relative merits of scoring moves.
As such I do intend to alter the current scoring system to adjust the balance. There are four areas that will be addressed before the game moves to Beta,
1. Drop the Master lock penalty if it is used to extend a bracelet or to start a new bracelet but increase the Master lock penalty if used to complete a bracelet to -4 points. Rationale? Currently a player is penalised just for receiving a link with a master lock, which seemed unfair.
2. Reduce the scoring for links in completed bracelets so that Bronze = 1, Silver = 2 and Gold = 3, as compared to the current 2,3,5 system. Rationale? This will provide more potential for making longer bracelets rather than the current system which tends to make players complete bracelets at the earliest opportunity.
3. Replace the 5 point penalty given to players who have more gemstones in a completed bracelet than the player who completed the bracelet, with instead awarding the player who completes the bracelet with a point for each opponent gemstone captured. Rationale - some players were confused with the penalty rule.
4. Create new categories of Ruby and Sapphire links, with 4 of each. Rubies would be 5K-3L, 6K-7L, 10K-3L and 8K-9L. Sapphires would be 4K-2L, 8K-2L, 7K-4L, 10K-9L. Each such link will score 5 points in a completed bracelet - the same as for bracelets with links containing Emerald. Rationale? - the strategies around placing Diamond and Emerald links are a key part of the game, and this expands this strategic capability. The games aesthetics are also improved through more varied colours.
i expect the altered changes to scoring to come through soon.
Any comments on the above would be very welcome.
