User blog comment:Cruiser One/My Hunger Games computer simulation/@comment-58.6.204.138-20130531063043/@comment-1852938-20130624151917

Yes, all tributes can randomly receive sponsor gifts, including you. :) See Strategy #7 in the documentation for details of when you get them, and how you can get more. Note currently sponsor parachutes don't come out until after turn 400, which is a bit late since many Games are over by them. I've adjusted the next version so you can get them starting turn 200.

1: What should make the Careers recruit from 3, 5, and 12 more than others? In the 74th HG, they tried to recruit Thresh from 11, but he declined. 3 (Boy) and 12 (Peeta) did join them, although it may have been them asking if they can join the Careers, instead of the Careers recruiting them. Where does 5 come in? Note I already have a related area where recruiting can be useful: To replant landmines, you don't need to be from 3, but rather you only need to have someone from 3 in your alliance (because it's assumed you ask your alliance buddy what to do. :)

2: Gender differences in stats is one potential way (along with District differences) to make each character a unique playing experience. Standard D&D makes no distinction (meaning you can create a female Warrior who's just as strong as any male Warrior) since this can be an inflammatory topic.

3: Perhaps you should bribe tributes with better stuff? :) With the right item, you can make a non-enemy form an alliance with you after just one gift. The best items to offer are First-Aid Kits, Food Rations, or any weapon that does 5 damage (Sword, Trident, or Bow). Don't even think of offering someone Nightlock Berries! Plant Identification was a required station in this year's training sessions. ;)

4: Both lakes and creeks (containing fish) are already in what will be the next version. :) You can't just pick up a fish like you can Berries. You have to be wielding a Net, Trident, or Spear first (or be from District 4 who can catch fish with anything.)

5: Perhaps your alliance buddy thought you were supposed to follow them instead? :) Remember, the AI treats all tributes equal, with no knowledge of whether some other tribute is also AI or is controlled by a human. Tributes tend to stay as a pack, and to avoid them staying in one place like a bunch of people tied together, they prefer following whoever is lowest in the turn order. So play District 1 (especially the District 1 Girl), and it will be much easier to get everybody to follow you around. :)