As someone in 11 games currently and still maintaining my 0% NMR rate, I dislike the idea of game caps as a potential requirement, feels like a weird punishment for those of us who play a lot diligently, like it hits restricts people mostly who are new and those who are very experienced and into the game

Orange - care to make it 12 games? (see Big Hitters thread)

Yeah, it should be more about individual reporting of gunboat players in communication games than limiting the maximum games.
I've had up to 25-27 (can't remember) games and missed zero phases. Usually just 2-3 would be with communications. Everything else was gunboat FOR A REASON. I know myself and joining more than a few traditional games is overwhelming. However with gunboat I could do 50 if I have the time. :d

I should've clarified. Gunboat games or 1v1 games wouldn't count against the cap. And, again, the cap would just be an option you get set for certain games.

I have seen a number of players in 10 or more full press games.

I’m guilty of sometimes neglecting communications in longer-phase games if I’m rushed but I usually get to them before the next turn. (I have the feeling I’m being targeted here and am trying to defend myself- oh well.)

@han-shahanshah there is a difference between weak communication and NO communication. I believe we are targeting the "no communication" people. :d
You don't have to be here 24/7. Ghosting another player is also often intentional, especially if a stab is coming (the usual reason).
So basically, people who write to no one from the start till the end, but the game is obviously not a "gunboat".

Have you all tried raising the bet to join your game? That should exclude many of the culprits since they won't have enough (D) points to join your game.

@johnyD You should definitely not ghost someone when you're about to stab them, it's like a calling card that alerts them to the stab making it less likely to take them by surprise.
Also yeah agreed with JECE, increasing the bet to join is probably the best way to avoid this issue without some needless game requirement

@Orange, I definitely know this now. For a long time, I felt too bad to keep lying to people, but at some point, I realized it's time to start. I've seen a lot more successes after that. :d

I mean, there are different playstyles, but I reckon that the successful ones always involve talking to people. Whether you choose to lie probably has a much lower impact.

True! I've had success with being 100% honest as well. That way you don't burn the bridge with the player you stab, but it does give them a warning. On big maps though, where you play for a year, reputation can be everything.

But... I realized we have digressed a lot here.
To return to the topic: I do believe there should be some punishment for players who treat normal games as full gunboat. There are not that many, but they are very visible and frustrating. The punishment can be just a warning at first and then gradually escalating to something like - full ban from normal games after the 4th-5th warning (for example).
That will involve a bit of coding though, so I'm not sure it can be done right now on this website.

Why punish them? If they don't talk they will not be able to convince neighbours to attack here or there or support anyone and they will be alone in a game where coopeeation is everything.