Games

I love playing games. I've been looking for new games to play and replaying old ones. I'm very interested in playing Go. I've been reading about it and looking at examples online the last week or two. It is very fascinating -- simple, yet complex in nature. I might purchase a game board and pieces to play with, so I can learn the basics. I'm yearning for something because I have not found any one to play Mahjong with locally (not that I've been actively looking).

Speaking of games....I spent a good portion of yesterday playing Pax Imperia on the laptop. I really love this game. It's a fairly basic space strategy game, but so much fun. I'm doing well in my latest round against the maximum number of computer opponents and in the maximum size universe.

I am in the middle of the pack in most aspects with three allies, three enemies and three neutral counterparts. At this point in the game I am achieving some of the most consistent, sustainable expansion and am close to connecting my two battle fronts for a stronger, more unified existence.

Unfortunately, two of my allies are at war with each other and I know I will have to choose sides soon. This isn't so bad, since one of them is also allied with one of my greatest enemies -- the most actively aggressive of my enemies. The other ally is in a more compromising position for me strategically and so I would like to remain allies with him until I have no choice. I am currently protecting him somewhat from invasion because I occupy the systems just outside his borders (and he is in a dead-end branch of the universe). Several other races are at war with him, so I think the mutual need will foster a continued relationship.

I'm now trying to choose the correct timing to seal my North Western front and begin attacks against the one current ally and my largest enemy. Doing so will squeeze my soon-to-be-former ally into non-existence (as has happened to two races already) but I have no choice. His alliance with my enemy is allowing free access to some of my worlds and defending so many worlds is costly. I need to create a unified front to the North West. Building a strong enough defense behind this front will ensure my stronghold on the sectors I already control and give me a DMZ-type area as a buffer.

My Eastern front is already fairly well established and my other two allies are helping to sustain that front well. Once I establish my North Western front, I will turn my attention here in order to expand. The East is battle torn and ripe for invasion, especially since I have an already established ally in the area.

My Southern front is the only other concern, but as long as the player to my South remains neutral, I should have no problems. To my advantage is the fact that I control enough sectors that he needs my assistance with refueling to wage war on the players to the North West (or even the East). He will remain neutral in order to have any possibility of expansion at this point. Man, I love this game.

I think I'll play some more this week -- maybe at lunch. :)