May 18, 2001

12:49 PM

Addictive game based in large part on discussion.Perfect for MeFi'ers in my book. There's trivia, there's politics, plenty of "strategery", and the heart of it is the message boards. Plus the added benefit of very few trolls, because to make it in this game, you need to be intelligent and literate. No wonder I'm addicted.
posted by Melinika (17 comments total)

I was going to post this about a month and a half ago. I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner!

Mostly I lurk here (on MeFi), but I discovered this game just before I discovered MeFi and after playing it for a while, it really seemed to me that it would appeal to a lot of people in this community. The discussion part especially; you have to do a lot of talking on Pyroto.

It takes a while to get into, since there's a lot to figure out. But once you're hooked, you're hooked good. If you start playing and have questions, feel free to contact me; I'm in game under the same name I use here. (I'm on Pyroto Mtn. itself too if that helps.)

And hopefully my intro into this community at large is enough to overcome my shyness in talking to you all, though I love reading your comments and checking out your links.

BTW I'm not affiliated with the game in any way other than being an addict to playing it, in case you were wondering. Just something fun I've wanted to share here.
posted by Melinika at 12:55 PM on May 18, 2001

I heard a lot of stoners moved over to Pyroto. I was afraid to go because I remember how addictive The Stone was.
posted by frykitty at 1:00 PM on May 18, 2001

Yeah, there are a lot of Stone players on Pyroto, frykitty. They play together and share secrets and stuff... They even have their own message boards in game to talk on. Wouldn't it be cool to set up the same sort of thing for MeFi people?

Melinika is trying to get you to come onto Pyroto Mtn, but I invite you to try Restlech. It's pretty quiet right there now so an influx of MeFi people could set it up as their own little corner of the game!
posted by LoraT at 1:28 PM on May 18, 2001

Yah, it would be like when all the Teeming Millions came in to play and landed on Paz Clafi (that's the fans of Cecil Adams, check out the Straight Dope website to see what I mean).

I didn't even think of that! That would be so cool!
posted by Melinika at 1:35 PM on May 18, 2001

I signed up and am on Imaz, I think. I don't quite have my bearings yet so any Senior Wizard Types are welcome to help me out (but not too much - wouldn't want to ruin the fun!).
posted by binkin at 1:39 PM on May 18, 2001

Isn't this an old BBS game? I played a text version of this ages ago.
posted by Big Fat Tycoon at 1:50 PM on May 18, 2001

Use the "Contact" spell to send in-game mini-messages. I just sent you one, Binkin; if you look up on the orange bar there's a button that will say "Contact Message".
posted by Melinika at 1:50 PM on May 18, 2001

Tycoon - yes it is actually! The web version is a bit different from my understanding. I thought I heard in the BBS version only one player could be logged in at a time, is that true?
posted by LoraT at 2:09 PM on May 18, 2001

I thought I heard in the BBS version only one player could be logged in at a time, is that true?

considering that most BBSes in the 80's/early 90's ran on a computer with a single modem you'd dial into, that's a correct assessment.
posted by fuzzygeek at 2:21 PM on May 18, 2001

Uh oh, I've revealed my non-geekatude.
posted by LoraT at 2:27 PM on May 18, 2001

Hey, Binkin: I'm on Imaz, too, after starting a few days ago. Look for me as trustfall there (though TSOTL kicks me off pretty regularly). I'll contact you if you're ever on when I am.
posted by chino at 3:15 PM on May 18, 2001

I've been playing for about a year... not as fervently as I used to, because I have a job now. But it's still a great game... just not as good as it used to be.

But then again, what is?

And I go by "Jart" on pyroto. As I told my less technical co-workers, "Jart is my cool internet name."

Not that I'm cool.
posted by Jart at 3:49 PM on May 18, 2001

I play on Pyroto as well, and I just want to back up all the other players here in saying that Pyroto is a great game. The nice thing about it is that it is so open-ended, many, many different types of people can play the game and co-exist, sometimes peacefully, sometimes not.

I recommend Restlech, because the population of the mountain is small enough to be friendly, but large enough to provide conversation. We're the "small campsite" of Pyroto, with enough indoor plumbing facilities for all!

Seriously though, this game is the most fascinating thing that I have come across in a long time, and makes for an entertaining study of human nature and introspection too, if you're into that kind of thing.
posted by ProtoStar at 4:18 PM on May 18, 2001

I got introduced to Pyroto as a BBS game in the mid 80's, and even though there were only about 5-10 of us playing it continuously, it was fun and gave me contacts with people I still regard as friends.

The self-filtering self-monitoring mechanism creates a whole community of very diverse, interesting people. They practice their writing, debating and political skills - some taking it a little too seriously I think.

Lots of humour, bantering, silliness, seduction, insults and general creativity. On all different levels.

Once you get past the initial "what do I do here?" and listen to the helpful messages, you're away.
posted by arzakh at 7:19 PM on May 18, 2001

well, i signed up too - i'm not sure what i've gotten myself into. i'm on imaz mountain - posts seems to be friendly - and i've only answered one question so far. i'm afraid i'll become addicted - are there crisis counselors in the wings?
posted by alethe at 2:36 PM on May 19, 2001

I signed up last night...spent probably too long messing about and trying to figure it all out. Went back this morning for a bit and now I'm out of manna. *pout*

You're too right, alethe - addiction's just a few levels away!

Jen
posted by NsJen at 4:16 PM on May 19, 2001

Melinika must be killed. It was nice knowing you, Metafilter. If you need me, i'll be playing Pyroto.

xoxo,
-rja
posted by palegirl at 8:01 PM on May 19, 2001