Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Year I - Confessionals « Thread Started on Dec 5, 2005, 5:04pm »
In Sidestory, I felt that I played a pretty good game. Although, admittedly, I really didn't stick to one strategy. Looking back on it, I felt that I played a almost Rafe/Ethan-esque game (with a little bit of the alliance-hopping Cesternino). Matt was obviously the person who held the most power in the game (a Stephanie to my Rafe or a Lex to my Ethan) and he was the first person in which I made a long-term commitment with.
After rereading the confessionals, I think I may have been on to something. In a game where many people will be jostling for power (ESPECIALLY a All-Stars game) one may be in the best position without even holding the power. People will be wanting to target the winners, the villains, and uber-strategists. I don't feel that I can be given a label as a player (except maybe a challenge threat).
So by identifying the power players quickly (which will be much easier here, since I know how 'mostly' everyone played) and forming bonds with them, I feel that I can fly by 'under the radar' for the first few rounds of this game. I need to be the 'main' friend for everyone. People will come to me and entrust secrets and ask for deals (I felt I had almost nailed this role on JubJub, minus Keiko, who nobody really bonded with). I want to always keep my ears open and be talkative, but I never want to cross the line into the annoyance factor.
I feel that I can do this with most people in the game. The only main person who I'm worried about playing this game with are some past enemies of mine. Neil and Brett both ring loud and clear in my mind. However, I don't feel that Neil really deserves it and I'm not sure if Brett's going to make it into the game. Being on a tribe with Brett would be extremely interesting - although we were made it to a Final Two together, the jury questioning kind of tore what remained of our friendship apart.
Being considered a challenge threat is something that I need to avoid. In the tribal stages of Sidestory, I felt that a few people did worse then me, but nobody really outshined me. It's this kind of balance that I need to try and do again. Once the individual stage begins, I do not want to go for individual immunities unless I'm in a solid majority. Different, right? Well, I figure that the longer I don't win immunity and the longer I stay, the more people will begin to like me and hopefully I will be able to fit in as a 'vote' to some of their gameplans.
As stated above, I don't want to become annoying. Matt thought I was annoying in Sidestory, and rightfully so. I thought that he would be interested in talking about Survivor Fan Fiction and he, in fact, hated talking to me about it. I kept on talking and talking, silently making him more angry at him. I put myself in a bad position, but luckily he really didn't have anyone else to trust besides me. Being social is a must, but being annoying shouldn't happen.
I found a very interesting article that pertains to Survivor strategy from a sociological standpoint - here's a excerpt from it:
"...the network theory suggests that a player's power and influence depends on her position within the network of social interactions that she finds herself in. Again, simplifying wildly, some actors can be at the centre of a spiderweb of relations; everyone comes to them in order to get things done. Others may be gatekeepers or intermediaries between two groups of people who don't otherwise have much contact with each other; these actors too can be quite important. Here, strategy is all about positioning yourself well within the network, and then manipulating information and resource flows in order to maintain or improve your position. It's much more open-ended than game theory - the universe of possibilities isn't fixed at the outset, but changes over time, and can be affected by the conscious action of the players."
So in other words, I do not want to be a power player a la Boston Rob. I want to be the center of two rivaling members, like Rob Cesternino in Amazon, and be able to lie and decieve without really being caught on. Because if someone is already against someone they will immediately here something and try to shape it into a argument against their enemies. I can throw random bits of information their way and simply pick n' choose in order to improve my gameplay.
So that's it. I have to follow this or at least follow -parts- of this. I know that I may end up going far simply because the power players of each series or people who hold grudges will already have targets coming into the game. In fact, Hector told me that he had a few people he wanted to get out and then I could just vote him out. As long as he just got ahead of them. Kind of sad, right?
I'm playing to win, regardless of whether people will think I deserve it - I may end up being UTR, but hey - at least it'll get me further then them.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #1 on Dec 7, 2005, 6:20pm »
Who knew five days would seem like a eternity?
Everyday that passes makes me more and more nervous. Friday is going to be a huge day for me! I won't be able to contact anyone until 3:00 that afternoon, but I think I need to try and develop at least one alliance. Using the 'I really don't want to be the first one voted out' line could be key to establishing different alliances. If the person I said that to would respond with 'Me too', then maybe I can go in for the metaphorical 'kill' and try to make a deal with them.
Tribal numbers are key. I've worked well with the six person tribe in Sidestory and I think I would be okay with a eight person. I honestly like smalelr tribes, though, because it lessens the amount of people you have to depend on to keep you in the game.
My first hunch was that most people playing this game will be willing to vote me out in a heartbeat simply because I wasn't in the first four games. But this may give me a advantage. I doubt that there will be very many Sidestory veterans in this game, which means that reduces the likelihood of me being on a tribe that has someone that hates me. Confrontation will happen when two Wonderland people are put onto one tribe and maybe even two paradise people.
I see the game turning into a battle of the cast of Survivor: Wonderland. I think that they may have the most amount of people and the biggest personalities in the game. In a game that really hasn't faded away from most peoples memories, grudges could still be held by many of the participants. That thought was proven in the Wonderland thread here, where practically EVERYBODY bashed on poor 'ol Chuck.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #3 on Dec 9, 2005, 10:08pm »
First Impressions!
Chuck: BORING! I have to force the conversation with him and he just doesn't articulate well enough for me to be interested in. Plus, he doesn't use smilies. That's always a negative. I just don't see how he made it so far in Wonderland if talked like this the whole time! I have a feeling he's trying to kind of act less-Chuck like. From what I've heard he had a repuatation of being paranoid and erratic - maybe he's trying to tone it down a notch.
Doug: Wow! A very interesting person. We immediately bonded and I felt a connection with him right away. I actually thought he was straight. Oh, well. But he seems to be very intelligent and talkative. He gives off a honest sort-of-vibe and I do trust him to some degree right now (moreso then any of my other tribemates). This F2 deal that he proposed is something that I intend on following through unless I find someone else who approaches me with a better deal.
Eric B: He seems to be a pretty shy sort of guy - someone who would make a pretty good first boot. In fact, I would put his name out before everyone else as far as having a target on his back. I think I am a bit more social then him and I feel that if it comes down between the two people who do not have share a season with someone else on the tribe, he would be the one to go. I wouldn't be against having him in a alliance with me, but I feel that that he would jump as soon as he sees a CC buddy.
Minor: One bangin' chick. She is amazing. I honestly think I may take a friend out of this game. We talked for a solid two hours straight about anything and everything. Strategy didn't even come up ONCE! I don't know if she's being genuine with me, but I certainly feel that I am being genuine with her. I hope, hope, hope that she will eventually wind up in a majority with me. We have tons of stuff in common and we're very similar as far as likes and dislikes.
Ross: He's very interesting. I think he knows that their is a sort of dynamic between him and Doug that could result in his demise if he tries to go against him. Therefore, he's going to try and act like nothing has happened between him and Doug. I feel that we could end up as allies, which would be very interesting considering my deal with Doug. It would be fun to sort of manipulate their feud.
Ryan: Sort of a enigma for me. I really can't figure him out and he seems to be quite intelligent. I'm hoping that I can explore his personality more, because we seem to have some things in common.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #4 on Dec 9, 2005, 11:37pm »
Tribal Grouping
I have a few different theories about why our tribe was grouped and why Sam chose who to be on this tribe. One option that I was exploring was the fact that we don't really have any power players here. We don't have a Kevin or anything like that. Everyone on our tribe seemed to have been a little under the radar, but high enough to not win the game. Having no winners on our tribe presents another question: Could there be a all-winner tribe? There are only technically five winners, but we don't know whether each tribe has to have eight members.
Another option could be that our whole tribe seems to be goofy. I mean, I'm not the most funny guy around, but I feel that everyone here has very good humor, with the exception of Chuck (who is basically a walking wall). I guess I will have to wait until the end of the game to see Sam's real motives behind the tribe groupings.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #5 on Dec 10, 2005, 10:24am »
Well, my original strategy may have to be morphed a little. I can't find a powerplayer in the whole tribe!
Should I become a powerplayer? I don't know. It's something I'm considering, but I'm not sure if I'm up for the task or not. I don't want to be discovered as the guy who strategizes waaay to much waaay to early, but maybe I need to in order to get far. After all, this is a All-Stars game - anyone who thinks that alliances haven't been made already are incredibly stupid.
I've tried to be really social so far, so I can't really be voted out because I'm not talking to anyone. I believe I may be the only one who has talked to everyone on the tribe, which is a good thing, but I don't think I have connected with everyone individually as much as I should be. I've really only been able to talk to Doug and Minor without feeling like there is some sort of work involved.
I may start putting together a couple deals today, hoping to get a few people on my side before the first Immunity Challenge. It's not really needed, but I enjoy the extra security it gives me and it may help to relax my nerves a little bit.
Stacy and Ryan may have something going on. Ryan stated that Stacy voted with him when he left, but that was the extent of their gameplay together. Still, that's a lot of gameplay. Stacy left Ryan on a good note. I would not doubt it if they have a alliance already and I would be surprised if they didn't right now.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #6 on Dec 10, 2005, 11:16pm »
Okay, now I'm kind of starting to work on the individual bonding part of my strategy. I've made deal(s) with Ross and Doug and a half ass deal with Chuck. I may bring up a deal next time I talk to Minor or maybe with Ryan (although I'm not sure if he'll accept). I feel sort of secure in my position right now, but I still feel that I may end up being a target at the next Tribal Council.
I've kind of tried to develop this networking strategy some, too. If Doug and Ross want to do a redux of whatever happened in Carlsbad, then I will be next to both of them, giving them both the manpower to fight one another. I really wish that I could see the confessionals just to see what really happened between them, but the damn ezCrash wiped out that whole idea six months ago.
Ross is a very interesting guy. Sometimes I feel that the language barrier that he has kind of gets in the way of talking strategy with him, but I feel that he is very genuine and that I can trust him. Chuck, on the other hand, is wish-washy and can only be talked to when he is talking about himself.
I completely trust Doug right now. It's a bad thing to put all my trust into one 'bucket', but I feel that I can trust him. I don't know, something about him just seems to draw me into him. I know for a fact that he isn't pulling the same routine with me that he is with everyone else, because he really isn't online that much.
Activeness could end up being a factor after all. If Stacy doesn't log online in a few minutes and post her direction, she could miss a step and that could cause some unwanted negative attention for her. It really surprises me that I'm the only one on for my tribe 95% of the time. Maybe they all have me on my block list :shrugs: I don't know!
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #7 on Dec 11, 2005, 4:43pm »
I recently made a deal with Eric B. to act as his 'season partner' for the game. In other words, I believe we have a alliance. This game, so far, is shaping up decently for me. I have bonds and alliances with numerous people and I think I am by leaps and bounds the most social person on Lisu.
I haven't seen Minor since the first day, which sort of worries me, but I'm sure she has better stuff to do then chat online with her friends. She'll show up for the challege and probably be accepted back into open arms. If she doesn't show up, there will be no hesitation by anyone to vote her out. There won't be much strategy if someone idles out for a challenge, I firmly believe that everyone will be looking out for the tribe as a whole for the first couple of rounds.
I played Ross in chess last night and the thought flashed across my mind to let him win, a la Janelle from BB6. I did give him the win and he was beating me, although I was running on E and not really trying THAT much. However, his game showed me that he is, in fact, very intelligent. He's patient and calculating - I should watch out for him in the game.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Location: Indiana
Re: Episode I - Confessionals « Reply #8 on Dec 12, 2005, 11:33pm »
Alright. A few more alliances made since the last confessional . First of all, I have this three way deal with Chuck and Dougie now. It's not really necessary, but it adds to some security that I feel I need in order to play this game succesfully. I'm not sure if I trust Chuck 100%, but I set up a 2 round trust period that he cannot break. Afterwards, he will probably vote us both out.
I also got a alliance with Stacy, who is the most kickassingly awesome girl in the entire universe. Not really, but probably in this game. Actually, both girls are awesome on my tribe. If we go to Tribal Council, it's going to be a toughie, considering that I'm aligned with everybody but two people. Eeps.
I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm, to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow, to feel inspired, to fathom the power, to witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain, to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human.
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 153 Location: Washington
Re: Year I - Confessionals « Reply #10 on Apr 29, 2006, 1:07pm »
Quote:
Being considered a challenge threat is something that I need to avoid.
Quote:
FrozenPizza16: Like, you figure we may gotten one Kevin or some powerplayer. RoboBob3000: *raises hand* FrozenPizza16: Are you a powerplayer? RoboBob3000: haha, i like to pretend FrozenPizza16: FrozenPizza16: I was mostly the 'challenge threat' in my season
I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm, to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow, to feel inspired, to fathom the power, to witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain, to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human.
Sometimes I think that I'm not any good at all. Sometimes I wonder why, why I'm even here at all. But then you assure me: I'm a little more than useless... When I think that I can't do this, you promise me that I'll get through this and do something right, do something right for once...
I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm, to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow, to feel inspired, to fathom the power, to witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain, to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human.
"You can never know everything, and a part of what you know is always wrong. Perhaps even the most important part. A portion of wisdom lies in knowing that. A portion of courage lies in going on anyway."
Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 1 Location: New Jersey
Re: Year I - Confessionals « Reply #17 on May 1, 2006, 3:33pm »
I felt that instant bond with you also...It's cool to know you felt it also..I'm curious to see what changed your mind. I have no hard feelilngs though.
![[Home]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif)
![[Help]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif)
![[Search]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif)
![[Calendar]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/calendar.gif)
![[Login]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif)
![[Register]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif)
![[Search This Thread]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/search2.gif)
![[Reply]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/reply.gif)
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif)
![[Print]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif)
Author![[aim]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/aim.gif)
![[Quote]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/quote.gif)
Logged
I really wish that I could see the confessionals just to see what really happened between them, but the damn ezCrash wiped out that whole idea six months ago.
. First of all, I have this three way deal with Chuck and Dougie now. It's not really necessary, but it adds to some security that I feel I need in order to play this game succesfully. I'm not sure if I trust Chuck 100%, but I set up a 2 round trust period that he cannot break. Afterwards, he will probably vote us both out.![[avatar]](http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2655/228352050dzpniiph4jj.jpg)
![[avatar]](http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9329/mathlab25td.jpg)
![[avatar]](http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/343/ai14xk.gif)
![[avatar]](http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5522/mark2so.jpg)
![[avatar]](http://muse-creations.com/jamie/avatar/avatar_hair.jpg){kind=avatar}
![[homepage]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif)
![[avatar]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/djfresh828/1023683-1.gif)