Netiquette

Here are a few rules to follow as you make the first steps into our online gaming community. These comments and rules are the fruits of the collaborative experience of many of our fellow users. Out of respect for them and for your fellow players, please read them through, and more importantly keep them in mind as you discover Days of Wonder Online games. They really do make for a better experience for all involved!

When playing Gang of Four online, unless you invite robots, 4 players are required to start a new game. If the required number of players are not yet available in the lobby, it is worth waiting a few minutes once your applet has loaded. If everyone ran away each time there were not exactly 4 players, very few games would ever get played. Yet hundreds are played every day, so a bit of patience goes a long way.

To initiate a game, you must click on the "Create Game" button in the lobby; give the game a valid name, then click on the "Go" button to join the game. To join a game started by someone else, simply double click on that game's name listed in the "Open Tables" section.

Anyone can play, but only "registered" players (i.e. players who have purchased a copy of the game or an online subscription) can initiate new games to invite new players and be ranked. If you are a guest, simply join in one of the existing games.

Conversely, do not stay in the lobby with the applet loaded if you plan to leave your machine for an extended period of time. It is very frustrating to see the name of a player in the lobby, only to discover that he's a "ghost" not in front of his machine.

A typical game will last 30-40 minutes, but the actual duration of any particular game can deviate greatly from this. If you don't think you have enough time for a full game, do not join in.

Once in a while a game might be interrupted (unexpected disconnection, etc..). If such a thing occurs in your game, wait until all 4 players have reappeared in the applet's lobby, then click on the "Resume Now" button at the very top of the screen to resume the game from the last hand played. Scores will be kept intact.

While in the lobby, you may click on any player's name to read his or her basic stats. Clicking on the bell icon next to the list also allows you to "ring" that person, making a sound on their computer to get their attention.

Do not hesitate to load the applet and wait in the lobby. If your computer's sound is turned on, it will automatically generate a beep each time someone enters the lobby. This allows you to surf the web, read our forums or your e-mail, while you wait for game partners and guarantees you will be informed when they arrive.

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