Normal Game Changes (New Year 2024 Update)

[usesPython]

yeah I agree, Multitasking should still be a modifier in Complex Normal games (and inherent multitasking should still be allowed as a rule)

nth

[Cook]

[nth]multitasking as a complex normal modifier[/nth]

[Aureal]

If the intent is for there to be possibilities of roles confirming themselves by taking an action like fruit vendor in a non-multitasking game, making it available to town (or town & SK) only would still allow for that.

[Ausuka]

Multitasking must be specified.

Multitasking is no longer a modifier. This change is meant to reduce ambiguity and restore some functionality to roles like Fruit Vendor, which once could confirm themselves in certain situations with one mafia remaining. Instead, all games should specify at gamestart if mafia have multitasking or they don't.

How does this work with Serial Killers given that something like Multitasking 3-Shot Activated Bulletproof Serial Killer is no longer Normal? Can SK's be multitasking (since they're not mafia), can we have multitasking only for specific multiball factions/serial killers/mafia? If it's a large with an unannounced SK how do we make them multitasking without giving away the existence of a serial killer?

Apologies for any confusion. SKs can in fact be multitasking. In this context, we define multitasking as the ability to use both a personal and factional ability on the same night. Both mafia and SK can do this.

In complex large, the standard text should clarify if non-town players have multitasking. Any other game cannot have a SK unless announced.

Soooo, what about what would've been Multitasking town roles? Is it just up to the mod to write the role PM to explain whether multiple powers can be used at the same time or not? Town 1-Shot Bulletproof Lazy Multitasking Checker Shield was the most fun role I've gotten, surely it's not just impossible now?

Such roles are still possible in Open games, and themed games for that matter - but it's true that currently town multitasking isn't legal. I considered several different routes to go regarding multitasking, but I felt multitasking as it was too ambiguous. At the very least I thought it was worth separating the traditional sense of 'multitasking' - that mafia could kill and act at the same time - from other players, particularly town players, using multiple actions at once and targeting different people. I am not sure to what extent multi-targeting rules like this actually provide a mechanically standard experience, and contribute towards the functions Normal games are supposed to have on principle.

If it's something people consistently like more than dislike, I'm open to adding a modifier that would allow players to use multiple personal abilities, for complex games only. To me, it feels more like a themed mechanic, but it has been around in normal games for a while now and in practise most of the people who sign up for complex games are probably not going to be bothered by the presence of multi-acting roles. I think it would need a different name than 'multitasking', though.

[Ausuka]

Hi - I've made a form which allows players to request new roles and modifiers for the experimental list of Normal games. If you're interested, please fill it out!

[TemporalLich]

I feel Multitasking is the established name for the modifier that allows you to perform more than one action during the night. I really don't want to rename Multitasking as a modifier just because Inherent Multitasking, which doesn't work the same as giving everyone Multitasking (I would call a rule that gave everyone Multitasking "Universal Multitasking") is a common rule in games.

If a new name is really needed for the "You may perform more than one action during the night." modifier, I'll suggest

Simultaneous

or

Supercharged

.

I do kind of like the name

Simultaneous

for true multitasking as opposed to normal multitasking though, and it likely will be useful to have the two similar but different concepts have a different name.

[Gamma Emerald]

I think having an inherent/universal multitasking combined toggle where you can just say “all roles with multiple distinct abilities can use more than one per night” makes sense

[Cook]

i will say that while doing compartmentalization like this is cool, it may be a little overwhelming to the prospective newbie. two tiers may have been more manageable but if you think this is better as is then no complaints here

[biancospino]

This is actually a gripe I had with multitasking before, but I don't really get why it's treated as a modifier; it confers a passive ability on its own, "you may use multiple abilities each phase". In fact, now that we have Inventors, it does even make sense as a standalone (a "multitasking Townie", say, would be able to use multiple gadgets in the same Night if they would receive them).

That considered, I find it the cleanest way to solve the conundrum is to have a

Multitasker

role

legal for Town only. In almost all circumstances, a Multitasker will also have other active roles, but doesn't strictly need to.
If the description of Multitasker would be "you can perform multiple

nonfactional

actions each phase", then it wouldn't even need to ne Town-only, and would have all the functionality of the old multitasking minus the ability to both nightkill and do other stuff. Thou ig It would be a little artificious.

Else, one could otherwise introduce a

modifier

like

Simultaneous X, Y

: "at Night, you may use X and Y, possibly with different targets", which would be a true modifier and not work with inventions, and also allow for things like, say, a JoAT(X, simulaneous Y Z) who can either do X or (possibly a subset of) both Y and Z. Such a modifier would

not

need to be for Town only unless modifiers are allowed to modify the factional kill (which is a separate issue, but I'm not clear on whether or not they can?).

[DragonEater70]

Actually bianco's idea is much better than what I suggested earlier, or at least less confusing (though I do think multitasker would have to be a Complex role either way).

So nth on bianco.

I also still think that for Simples (and preferably also Regulars but I get why some of you might disagree), mafia multitasking should always be on, and not something the mod decides about.

[Cook]

ideally the newbie setup should be a simple normal RAW and so simple normals should expand to fit the constraints of them

[TemporalLich]

I still consider a modifier with the ability text "You may use multiple abilities during the night." a modifier. It can't really stand alone except in the case of Inventors, and that logic could also apply to someone with only the Loyal modifier and no role.

I would call that modifier

Simultaneous

, though having a variant of Simultaneous that groups roles together similarly to Combined (and the non-Normal modifier known as Split) is an interesting idea.



I also want to propose the name

Warden

for Role Guard, as role guard might be thought of as role bodyguard instead of role security guard, or a role that prevents role changes.

[Gamma Emerald]

Simultaneous sounds like you must use all abilities together

[TemporalLich]

Simultaneous sounds like you must use all abilities together

Idk any other good names for the Multitasking modifier except for maybe

Supercharged

if there are no other options.

[imaginality]

I like this way of categorising the games, but I think the OP needs updating to have the headers in the Complex section say "...which are allowed in Complex games" compared with "...which are explicitly Complex for..."

For example, Mason (passive) is allowed in the Regular category, so it doesn't make sense to me that it is also listed as "explicitly Complex".

[DragonEater70]

Clarification: is it Normal for something like a Mafia Complex Goon or a 2-Shot Serial Killer to exist? I.E for modifiers to modify the basic role of a faction?

[Cook]

Name Changes

Finally, a minor detail - we have changed the names of certain roles. This should have little to no impact on gameplay experience, but may be worth noting anyway. The following changes have taken place:

Mailman -> Messenger
Strongman -> Juggernaut
Voyeur -> Observer

We are considering changing Macho and Godfather in future updates. If you have feedback on this, please feel free to give it in a constructive manner.

Arrogant, Boastful are my ideas for Macho (an

Arrogant Cop

or a

Boastful Townie

, for instance)

Honest, Undercover, Boss are my ideas for Godfather (an

Honest Mafioso

or an

Undercover Mafioso

or a

Mafia Boss

)

[DragonEater70]

I like Undercover.

[Cook]

boss also lends itself very well to having a backup (the

Mafia Backup Boss

or

Mafia Underboss

) whereas Undercover sounds more like the modifier (a

Mafia Undercover Tracker

, for instance)

i will argue as well that undercover should be a blanket investigation immunity (an undercover cop shouldn't appear to have a gun, for instance)

[Cook]

that might be outside the scope of normality though

[ORAM]

I like Boss or Undercover for Godfather, or perhaps Deep Mafioso to parallel the whole deepwolf term.

[TemporalLich]

My ideas for renaming the potentially renamed roles would be

Boss

for Godfather and

Reckless

for Macho.

also I don't think Backup Godfather should be Normal (and I don't think Backup Godfather is Normal, as Godfather can't be modified in Normal games)

[DragonEater70]

I just don't get the point of changing godfather to boss, because isn't the point of renaming that it would be more informative/flavorful? And godfather is already more flavorful than boss and as much informative.

[ORAM]

I believe the purpose is to remove the gendered name (God

father

).

[DragonEater70]

Huh didn't even think about that

Is that like an issue to people?