Travian

Generally, I don’t like http because of its long response times. AJAX may have improved it a little, but another problem arises: JavaScript, which is also just too slow (not to mention i am really not approving the fact that it’s not compiled – it’s just a waste of memory). However, it has one outstanding feature – incredible availability. And as technology (in terms of http (or maybe whatever replacement protocol Google is building) request response time :) ) progresses, more and more applications will benefit from having web interface.

Travian is quite simple web-based real-time war strategy game. Yet, it earned quite a fame in some previous years. Why do I play it?

1. I’m just a child. I need games :)
2. It’s possible to play it at work without annoying those above me too much.
3. It’s simple. It has simple interface, and simple mechanics. Which allowed it to be quite balanced, in terms of races. Like SC.
4. It’s social network. No matter how much I despised idea of finding friends online, it seems viable one. It’s due to Travian that I have some certain friends now.
5. It models war craft & social engineering quite well, IMO.

However, it’s dying. Because of lack of innovation, and some stupid changes, like nerfing Gauls, leading to race imbalances. Also, like other online games, I’ve seen, it carries two drawbacks: $ advantage and bots. While they are finally trying to solve 2nd problem – 1) It might be too late, 2) They may be implementing the wrong approach. The only solution I see to fighting against bots is making them obsolete. Just let everyone do what they are trying to do, or if you don’t have enough resources to be on track - enable plugin system like in Hattrick. But it seems as always, short-term $ is getting in the way :(.

So, in the end greed seems be be ruining in all. To Hell.