Some clarity on the rules

[sd031091]

If it makes me look bad, oh well, but I'll start by saying I've done no searching on this subject. It seems too plain a matter to me, and should not require much effort or work. Here's the story and a simple question/request:
My friend CryWolf was playing a speed doubles FOW on Feudal War. He eliminated a player from the game who was in the Feudal Castle. The teammate of the player who was eliminated then proceeded to type on the game chat,

2008-07-02 22:48:51 - chaoticwizard: yellow just took over top left!!!

Mind you this was a 6 person game, and that information was thereby known to all parties, including opponents who wouldn't have know this otherwise. My friend and the player who typed the message had quite an argument on game chat (http://www.conquerclub.com/game.php?game=2767794 if you're interested) over whether or not one is allowed to announce positions in an FOW. The player then solicited the aid of his "brother" soldier4christ, a colonel and therefore pretty high ranking player. CryWolf told me the situation and I backed him. Then soldier4christ sent me a PM entitled

...

explaining why his brother's actions were ok because they were in the game chat and therefore were a public announcement. We've debated this back and forth (as you can see if you visit http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/ucp.php?i=pm&mode=view&f=0&p=3978083)but to no avail. So, my simple question/request is this:
Can one announce in a FOW game with multiple opponents the position of another player so long as it's in the game chat or is that cheating? And if either yay or nay could this please be clarified better SOMEWHERE where everyone can see it?
TY for taking the time to read this message. It may seem useless or obvious to you but apparently there is some discrepency in the interpretation of the rules which needs to be clarified.

[wicked]

The only rules on this site are written out on the Rules page. (look up) There's nothing "illegal" about giving away information in a fog game, although you might anger some people in the game. However, a lot of people use misinformation in this way as well.

Since this has come up a few times, I'll see about writing up a new FAQ for it.

[insomniacdude]

I think it's fair game (though pretty shitty when it happens to you). Wicked, I agree that a FAQ should be written or the rule clarified one way or the other. It would help a lot to have a specific site-sanctioned place to which I might direct direct a complaining person.

[cicero]

... apparently there is some discrepency in the interpretation of the rules which needs to be clarified.

The only rules on this site are written out on the Rules page. (look up) There's nothing "illegal" about giving away information in a fog game, although you might anger some people in the game. However, a lot of people use misinformation in this way as well.

Since this has come up a few times, I'll see about writing up a new FAQ for it.

... I agree that a FAQ should be written or the rule clarified one way or the other. It would help a lot to have a specific site-sanctioned place to which I might direct direct a complaining person.

sd, insomniacdude ... If I've understood wicked correctly she will be looking into adding to the FAQ to cover this question though it will remain the case that there is no formal rule one way or the other ...
I believe that is right since it is a matter of personal strategy and therefore personal choice whether to release FoW information (accurate or otherwise as wicked suggests) to the other players.

sd ... you might find it interesting to post in General Discussion and start a discussion - "Do people think that it is good strategy and good sportstmanship to release FoW information to other players?". As you might anticipate from the various discussions and opinions you describe in your post - there are diverse and strongly held opinions on the subject!

[sd031091]

Although not quite the answer I was hoping for I thank you for responding. I personally feel that it SHOULD be made a rule NOT to give away information in a FOW game. The reason for Fog of War is that people don't know what's around the next corner. It absolutely ruins a game to give away position, and is just as bad as any secret alliance. But, I'm just one opinion.