From: mjd@saul.cis.upenn.edu ("[*] The One True Cross")
Newsgroups: rec.games.abstract
Subject: Rules for NOMIC
Date: 10 Nov 92 16:59:54 GMT
Organization: Eaters of Wisdom


This appeared in rec.games.misc in 1987; it's also in Dougls R.
Hofstadter's book _Metamagical themas_:


                    INITIAL SET OF RULES OF NOMIC


                        I.  *Immutable Rules*


101     All players must always abide by all the rules then in effect,
        in the form in which they are then in effect.  The rules in the
        Initial Set are in effect whenever a game begins.  The Initial
        Set consists of Rules 101-116 (immutable) and 201-213 (mutable).

102     Initially, rules in the 100's are immutable and rules in the 200's
        are mutable.  Rules subsequently enacted or transmuted (i.e.
        changed from immutable to mutable or vice versa) may be immutable
        mutable regardless of their numbers, and rules in the Initial Set
        may be transmuted regardless of their numbers.

103     A rule change is any of the following:  (1)  the enactment, repeal,
        or amendment of a mutable rule; (2) the enactment, repeal, or amend-
        ment of an amendment, or (3) the transmutation of an immutable rule
        into a mutable rule, or vice versa.  (Note:  This definition implies
        that, at least initially, all new rules are mutable.  Immutable rules,
        as long as they are immutable, may not be amended or repealed; mutable
        rules, as long as they are mutable, may be amended or repealed.  No
        rule is absolutely immune to change.)

104     All rule changes proposed in the proper way shall be voted on.
        They will be adopted if and only if they receive the required number
        of votes.

105     Every player is an eligible voter.  Every eligible voter must par-
        ticipate in every vote on rule changes.

106     Any proposed rule change must be written down before it is voted on.
        If adopted, it must guide play in the form in which it was voted on.

107     No rule change may take effect earlier than the moment of the comple-
        tion of the vote that adopted it, even if its wording explicitly
        states otherwise.  No rule change may have retroactive application.

108     Each proposed rule change shall be given a rank-order number (ordinal
        number) for reference.  The numbers shall begin with 301, and each
        rule change proposed in the proper way shall receive the next suc-
        cessive integer, whether or not the proposal is adopted.

        If a rule is repealed and then re-enacted, it receives the ordinal
        number of the proposal to re-enact it.  If a rule is amended or
        transmuted, it receives the ordinal number of the proposal to
        amend or transmute it.  If an amendment is amended or repealed,
        the entire rule of which it is a part receives the ordinal number
        of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment.

109     Rule changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules
        may be adopted if and only if the vote is unanimous among the
        eligible voters.

110     Mutable rules that are inconsistent in any way with some immutable
        rule (except by proposing to transmute it) are wholly void and
        without effect.  They do not implicitly transmute immutable rules
        into mutable rules and at the same time amend them.  Rule changes
        that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules will be effective
        if and only if they explicitly state their transmuting effect.

111     If a rule change as proposed is unclear, ambiguous, paradoxical,
        or clearly destructive of play, or if it arguably consists of two
        or more rule changes compounded or is an amendment that makes no
        difference, or if it is otherwise of questionable value, then
        the other players may suggest amendments or argue against the
        proposal before the vote.  A reasonable amount of time must be
        allowed for this debate.  The proponent decides the final form
        in which the proposal is to be voted on and decides the time to
        end debate and vote.  The only cure for a bad proposal is preven-
        tion:  a negative vote.

112     The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be changed from
        achieving n points to any other state of affairs.  However, the
        magnitude of n and the means of earning points may be changed, and
        rules that establish a winner when play cannot continue may be
        enacted and (while they are mutable) be amended or repealed.

113     A player always has the option to forfeit the game rather than
        continue to play or incur a game penalty.  No penalty worse than
        losing, in the judgement of the player to incur it, may be imposed.

114     There must always be at least one mutable rule.  The adoption of rule
        changes must never become completely impermissible.

115     Rule changes that affect rules needed to allow or apply rule changes
        are as permissible as other rule changes.  Even rule changes that
        amend or repeal their own authority are permissible.  No rule change
        or type of move is impermissible solely on account of the self-
        reference or self-application of a rule.

116     Whatever is not explicitly prohibited or regulated by a rule is
        permitted and unregulated, with the sole exception of changing the
        rules, which is permitted only when a rule or set of rules
        explicitly or implicitly permits it.



                         II.  *Mutable Rules*


201     Players shall alternate in clockwise order, taking one whole turn
        apiece.  Turns may not be skipped or pased, and parts of turns
        may not be omitted.  All players begin with zero points.

202     One turn consists of two parts, in this order:  (1) proposing one
        rule change and having it voted on, and (2) throwing one die once
        and adding the number of its points on its face to one's score.

203     A rule change is adopted if and only if the vote is unanimous among
        the eligible voters.

204     If and when rule changes can be adopted without unanimity, the
        players who vote agains winning proposals shall receive 10 points
        apiece.

205     An adopted rule change takes full effect at the moment of the com-
        pletion of the vote that adopted it.

206     When a proposed rule change is defeated, the player who proposed it
        loses 10 points.

207     Each player always has exactly one vote.

208     The winner is the first player to achieve 100 (positive) points.

209     At no time may there be more than 25 mutable rules.

210     Players may not conspire or consult on the making of future rule
        changes unless they are teammates.

211     If two or more mutable rules conflict with one another, or if two
        or more immutable rules conflict with one another, then the rule
        with the lowest ordinal number takes precedence.

        If at least one of the rules in conflict explicitly says of itself
        that it defers to another rule (or type of rule) or takes prece-
        dence over another rule (or type of rule), then such provisions
        shall supersede the numerical method for determining precedence.

        If two or more rules claim to take precedence over one another or to
        defer to one another, then the numerical method must again govern.

212     If players disagree about the legality of a move or the interpretation
        or application of a rule, then the player preceding the one moving is
        to be the Judge and to decide the question.  Disagreement, for the
        purposes of this rule, may be created by the insistence of any
        player.  Such a process is called *invoking judgement*.

        When judgement has been invoked, the next player may not begin his
        or her turn own turn without the consent of a majority of the other
        players.

        The Judge's judgement may be overruled only by a unanimous vote of the
        other players, taken before the next turn is begun.  If a Judge's
        judgement is overruled, the player preceding the Judge in the playing
        order becomes the new Judge for the question, except that no player
        is to be Judge during his own turn or during the turn of a teammate.

        Unless a Judge is overruled, one Judge settles all questions arising
        from the game until the next turn is begun, including questions as
        to his or her own legitimacy and jurisdiction as Judge.

        New Judges are not bound by the decisions of old Judges.  New Judges
        may, however, settle only those queistions on which the players
        currently disagree and that affect the completion of the turn in
        which judgement was invoked.  All decisions by Judges shall be in
        accordance with all the rules then in effect; but when the rules
        are silent, inconsistent, or unclear on the point at issue, then
        the Judge's only guides shall be common morality, common logic, and
        the spirit of the game.

213     If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or if
        the legality of a move is impossible to determine with finality, or
        if by the Judge's best reasoning, not overruled, a move appears
        equally legal and illegal, then the first player who is unable to
        complete a turn is the winner.

        This rule takes precedence over every other rule determining the
        winner.



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For net play, we found it expedient to add the following rules:

001:  Rules with numbers 001-013 are typeless; they may not be amended,
      transmuted, or overruled.

002:  Rule 101 is amended to say "...The initial set consists of Rules
      001-013 (typeless), Rules 101-116 (immutable) and 201-213 (mutable)."

003:  Rule 102 is amended to say "...rules in the initial set numbered 100
      or greater may be transmuted regardless of their numbers"

004:  Rule 103 is amended to say "...No rule is completely immune to
      change, unless it be a typeless rule."

005:  The first sentence of rule 106 is replaced with: "Any proposed rule
      change must be mailed to the Moderator before it is voted on.  The
      Moderator will then distribute the proposal to the players to be voted
      on."

006:  To rule 110 is added:  "Mutable or immutable rules that are inconsistent
      in any way with typeless rules are wholly void and without effect."

007:  The first sentence of rule 201 is amended to read:  "Players shall
      alternate in an order to be determined randomly at the start of the
      game by the Moderator."

008:  All dice rolls required in the course of the game will be performed by
      the Moderator, and the results will be reported to all the players.

      [Note that this clarifies rule 202(2).]

009:  Rule 210 is entirely null and void.

010:  In all situations in which the players must vote, the votes must be
      mailed to the Moderator, who shall report to each player on the outcome
      of the vote and on the votes of the individual players.

011:  The first sentence of rule 212 is amended to read "...then the
      Moderator is to be the Judge and to decide the question."

012:  The moderator shall keep records of all rule change proposals, votes,
      and other game business of which he is aware, and shall distribute it
      to any player upon demand, as well as at times he deems appropriate.

013:  The Moderator is not a player; he shall make no moves, cast no votes,
      join in any discussion (except where specifically required; i.e.
      rule 212 as amended by rule 011), score no points, and in general,
      participate in the game only as a moderator, judge, and impartial
      observer.

-------

If I had it to do over again, I think I'd trash rule 011, and replace it
with a rule that says that the moderator can kick someone out if they
don't send in their move before a reasonable amount of time has gone by.
--

                And for to se, and eek for to be seye
Mark-Jason Dominus 	  			    mjd@central.cis.upenn.edu 
Newsgroups: rec.games.abstract