It’s the end of the month, and Field Option C is strongly in the lead in the poll to select the field for the Great Play Marathon. I’ll be closing the poll soon, so if you haven’t looked over the three choices, please do and cast your vote!
Several people have posted promising-looking courses across all three options. Which interesting paths do you see?
Fun idea! I’ll join. Let’s go with chrome yellow (FFA700). I’ll be hardcore and try the long course.
I’ll take light coral, if it isn’t already taken. Where do we go to plan the tracks?
Welcome, runners #9 and #10: @Joey and @Doug_Egan! We’ve now officially hit the double-digit mark for runners!
Doug_Egan, I used color code #F08080 for you since you didn’t specify one. If you’d like to change that, let me know. Also, please let me know the type of course that you intend to run.
The poll for field options is still open but will be closed around the end of this weekend. Option C is still substantially in the lead, so you can look at that one to plan a course.
I’ve been putting this off, but on the basis that Option C is likely to win I’ve given some thought to a long course.
This route includes a couple of games that were firmly on my list already, Miss Gosling’s Last Case and Pytho’s Mask, to motivate me to start and continue through the outbound leg. On the unlikely event that I get to the middle of this course I’ve added a couple of non-English games, Der Angstbaum and Faute de Servo, since if I’ve got that far then the added challenge of a different language won’t put me off! The inbound leg finishes off with a couple of lighter games, His Majesty’s Space Navy Service Handbook and Draculaland, to ease me towards the finish line.
Yes, the more I think about it, the more that makes sense. Start with the hill climb, end with the descent.
Now that the field has been formally selected, those registered (and those registering) will need to provide their starting square.
I’ve used the tentative courses announced to place Lionstooth, Hellzon, Crazyqix, Melisande and Joey; see the “big board” now added to the top post. I’ll need formal designations from @Rovarsson, @kaemi, @iaraya, @JohnD and @Doug_Egan before the marathon begins.
To everyone signing up from this point on, please be sure to include:
I’ll be starting with Faute de Servo at square F4.
As I have been mostly absent from the modern IF scene forever, really, I’ve only heard of a couple of the games in the field. And I don’t know anything about them, either! So, I’ll just be picking a random path based on nothing other than the titles. Exciting times!
I’ll start with “The Plant” on A9.
Also, I have a question! It might be covered somewhere, but if so, I haven’t seen it.
What happens if I get stuck in a game? Can I use a walkthrough? Conversely, am I expected to use a walkthrough? Can I ask for hints on here? (I don’t mind asking for hints but I don’t like using walkthroughs.)
Can I rage quit a game and move along my path if I’m really really stuck? 
Rovarsson and JohnD, your icons have been placed on the big board.
@JohnD, as explained in the FAQ, you must complete a game (i.e. reach an author-defined significant end, even if it is not the best ending) before you can cross through that game’s square. You are allowed to use hints, walkthroughs, etc. at your option.
Alternatively, you can elect to change your course and go through a different square – in most cases you will have at least one other choice that will let you resume your planned course. You can even change your course type (for example, switch to free running), if preferred.
Thank you. Ok, that makes sense, and sounds manageable 
Only in IF does one begin to acquaint themselves with the “modern scene” with a game from 1998 
Haha, yes, I have some catching up to do! I have played Curses, Jigsaw and A Change in the Weather… It’s time I acquainted myself with the 21st century, finally. But I’ll ease myself in gently with a game from 1998
I shall start with Save the Date, at C1.
Thanks, iaraya – your icon has been placed.
I’ve also added an expandable key for the runner icons so that it will be easier to keep track of who’s where.
Starting from Draculaland, and heading toward the Anarchronist. I don’t know where I’ll go from there. Frankly, I’m not sure I understand the rules defining a “complete course”. I’ll go back through this thread and try to educate myself.
It’s hard to plan time commitments right now, but this will be launching after my thesis is finished, so it should be doable?
Looking at the board, there are a bunch of games that immediately stand out as “I’ve heard of this and want to play it”.
And out of these, I could hit seven with a medium course or seven with a long course. So I’ll have to look into the other options compatible with these paths and see which ones speak to me most! (I’m happy to take recommendations, also.)
@Doug_Egan, your runner’s icon has been placed. The FAQ (second post from top) should hopefully make everything clear – if not, ask your question(s) and I’ll add to it.
@Draconis, great! Whenever you’re ready to register, just let me know your color code, course type (sounds like medium), and starting square, and I’ll add your icon to the board.
FYI, I’ve moved everyone’s course-planning posts from the event-selection thread to this one.
Did you mean nine with a long course? It looks to me like you’d have to choose between Scarab or, uh, the unnamed one with the moon and the island, but could get all the rest of them.
