Keith wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2016 at 12:49pm:


Uh, I believe the change is against the rules as it opens 7 days from the date you made the change.

For that reason the game administrator will retain the right to change the category of a movie, but will only do so up to 10 days before a movie's release date.

Well, then shouldn't you change it back?

Because the rules state that the category couldn't be changed at that point.  One could argue that it should have been changed a week earlier but it wasn't so it should stay as a C.  Why have rules if they are not going to be followed?

Rules should not be ignored for the convenience of the game master or the players.  And that is what is happening here. Nor they should be changed in mid game for that purpose.  Change the rules for the next winter game.


Yes, the movie may be worthless as a C.  That is for individual players to decide and keep or not buy accordingly based on information that is available.  If it is worthless, than a player needs to look elsewhere for a movie instead of being able to get extra gross from the movie by it being an L when the change is made against the published rules.  It is not like the situation has not happened before where a movie couldn't be changed because it was to close to the release date.

I love Keith as the game master and think he does a very good job most of the time but his answer sounds to me like he knew the rules and chose to ignore them.  Maybe I am wrong.  But either way, it is not fair to the players if the rules are not being followed.

Example - If a player has only identified 7 L's they want, this late change gives them an advantage by giving them another option that should not be there.  Likewise, if a player identified 8 L's already and say kept Jackie last week when they might not have if La La Land was an L has a disadvantage now.  I don't remember exactly when Keith made the change last Friday, so for the sake of this example, they logged in Thursday night to do Friday's positions because they could not be on the site Friday morning.  For the record, I am a hybrid of the two categories, I do not have 8 L's picked out yet and I did keep Jackie but would have anyway.  But I believe rules should be followed and not changed in mid game. 

I see 2 options since the change was not done at least 10 days prior to release, make it and keep it a C or remove it from the game since it won't get a wide release during the game.

Keith wrote on Dec 6^th, 2016 at 2:55pm:


I'll roll with whichever you chose. 

I know that you have done better at this game then probably anyone else but I have done pretty well at the winter game for 2 of the last 3 years.  Last year, I guessed wrong on Star Wars and that was the game.

I do understand the nature of the game and the nature of L's.  I did mention that I was in neither category of my example.  But at this late stage of the game (only 3 more shopping weekend's left to set the final port), while not set in stone, I do have a pretty good idea of what L's will and will not be in my final portfolio subject to available funds and/or any late news that would be a determent to a particular movie's gross.  I am fairly certain you do too.  But, everyone has different strategies for the game. 

I also agree that 10 days or 7 days is not a big deal for a category switch.  But, I also believe the game should also be played within the rules set at the beginning of the game.  And, if the rules are changed for the next winter game, I think it would be a great move.

As for this game, I have a preference but Keith, do what you think is best within the context of the rules.  The game master is a thankless position and I am grateful to you for doing the winter game the past few years.

I guess the rules are the rules...on another note, are the BO grosses going to be updated? I'm curious

It looks like Dangal is being released today and not Friday.  Both Box Office Mojo and Rotten Tomatoes show the release date as 12/21. Game shows the release date as 12/23.

I might agree but there may be some reporting on the movie tomorrow.  The distributor seems fairly reliable in its reporting of box office.  Keith can change the date to tomorrow's date so it comes off before the numbers come out.