Phantom Games

[Jeninfla]

I have my laptop on my desk next to my desktop computer so we can do double time on "snowflake patrol" so my son and I decided to take a break and play a few rounds of Atomo.
We noticed about 1/2 way though the game that we were playing against each other but actually playing different games. Different moves, different timing, we both actually won the same game once.
I gotta say, this is disappointing.

[dust]

Oooo - confirmation! amrich posted a similar observation in December (see the 2-different-games thread).

I wonder how common this is. It's possible that the system is set up to insert itself as the "other" player only when conditions degrade (server load increases, for instance). Or it could be that this is the rule, and you're never really playing another person. Or...? I really want to log in with my side-by-side Macs here at work, but there's that pesky system maintenance.

If player-vs-player mode is a polite fiction, I wonder if it affects who gets the first turn. 'Cuz I get the first turn maybe 20% of the time. If I'm lucky. Which is statistically suspect, seeing as it happens across 4 accounts I play on, using different browsers. (Unless it's weighted against Macs somehow.)

Brain hurts. But I'll try to fit some Goober-esque experimentation in once WK is back up. Scientific method!


FOLLOWUP - I just played a surprisingly fun game against myself. The moves matched up throughout, so the system is set up for true one-on-one play. That said, it quickly became obvious that there's a delay built in. I'd make a move, and the other "player" would only see it after it had finished on the "active" side. That was only a second or two for basic moves, but when I hit a cascade of moves falling into place, it was a very long wait for the other player to see what moves had been made. It was pretty interesting. I recommend it.

[Jeninfla]

Thanks for the response. I have subsequently set up two games side by side too and all played fine, but some of them did seem to go off on their own tangent 1/2 though. Your server load theory sounds spot on though I must say it was a disappointment for both of us.

[Linhaus]

I don't believe that it is fictional. I play this game all the time. I can't believe they would program the game to not know how to play. and to make really stupid mistakes. I love this game and refuse to believe that i am not playing other webkinz.

Please don't let it be true. I will give it my own test and see what happens.