diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.as b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.as
index c32d1535..58a4ace8 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.as
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ import com.threerings.crowd.client.PlaceController;
 
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.client.GameConfigurator;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameCodes;
 
 import com.threerings.ezgame.client.EZGameController;
 
@@ -22,7 +20,7 @@ import com.threerings.ezgame.client.EZGameController;
  * A game config for a simple multiplayer ez game.
  */
 public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
-    implements PartyGameConfig, Hashable
+    implements Hashable
 {
     // TODO: this will eventually contain various XML configuration bits,
     // or we'll expand this to contain other information.
@@ -30,8 +28,8 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
     public var configData :String;
 
     // TODO: this is separate right now, but may eventually be extracted
-    // from configData? Do not read this value, use getPartyGameType()
-    public var partyGameType :int = PartyGameCodes.NOT_PARTY_GAME;
+    // from configData? Do not read this value, use getGameType()
+    public var gameType :int = SEATED_GAME;
 
     /** If non-zero, a game id used to persistently identify the game.
      * This could be thought of as a new-style rating id. */
@@ -42,6 +40,11 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
         // nothing needed
     }
 
+    override public function getGameType () :int
+    {
+        return gameType;
+    }
+
     // from abstract GameConfig
     override public function getBundleName () :String
     {
@@ -69,12 +72,6 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
         throw new Error("Not implemented.");
     }
 
-    // from PartyGameConfig
-    public function getPartyGameType () :int
-    {
-        return partyGameType;
-    }
-
     override public function hashCode () :int
     {
         return super.hashCode(); // TODO: incorporate configData?
@@ -96,7 +93,7 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
         super.readObject(ins);
 
         configData = (ins.readField(String) as String);
-        partyGameType = ins.readByte();
+        gameType = ins.readByte();
         persistentGameId = ins.readInt();
     }
 
@@ -106,7 +103,7 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
         super.writeObject(out);
 
         out.writeField(configData);
-        out.writeByte(partyGameType);
+        out.writeByte(gameType);
         out.writeInt(persistentGameId);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
index ab68aaee..86bcf20d 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.as
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ public class TableDirector extends BasicDirector
             log.warning("Table created, but where is it? [tableId=" + tableId + "]");
             return;
         }
-        if (table.gameOid != 0 && table.isPartyGame()) {
+        if (table.gameOid != -1 && (table.occupants == null)) {
             // let's boogie!
             _pctx.getParlorDirector().gameIsReady(table.gameOid);
         }
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.as
index 940f241c..87136f5b 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.as
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@ import com.threerings.crowd.data.BodyObject;
 
 import com.threerings.parlor.data.ParlorCodes;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameCodes;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
 
 /**
  * This class represents a table that is being used to matchmake a game by
@@ -152,28 +150,6 @@ public class Table
         return newTeams;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Return true if the game is a party game.
-     */
-    public function isPartyGame () :Boolean
-    {
-        return (PartyGameCodes.NOT_PARTY_GAME != getPartyGameType());
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Get the type of party game being played at this table, or
-     * PartyGameCodes.NOT_PARTY_GAME.
-     */
-    public function getPartyGameType () :int
-    {
-        if (config is PartyGameConfig) {
-            return (config as PartyGameConfig).getPartyGameType();
-
-        } else {
-            return PartyGameCodes.NOT_PARTY_GAME;
-        }
-    }
-
 //    /**
 //     * Requests to seat the specified user at the specified position in
 //     * this table.
@@ -265,6 +241,12 @@ public class Table
      */
     public function mayBeStarted () :Boolean
     {
+        switch (config.getGameType()) {
+        case GameConfig.SEATED_CONTINUOUS:
+        case GameConfig.PARTY:
+            return true;
+        }
+
         if (tconfig.teamMemberIndices == null) {
             // for a normal game, just check to see if we're past the minimum
             return tconfig.minimumPlayerCount <= getOccupiedCount();
@@ -288,15 +270,21 @@ public class Table
         }
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns true if sufficient seats are occupied that the game should
-     * be automatically started.
-     */
-    public function shouldBeStarted () :Boolean
-    {
-        return isPartyGame() ||
-            (tconfig.desiredPlayerCount <= getOccupiedCount());
-    }
+//    /**
+//     * Returns true if sufficient seats are occupied that the game should
+//     * be automatically started.
+//     */
+//    public function shouldBeStarted () :Boolean
+//    {
+//        switch (config.getGameType()) {
+//        case GameConfig.SEATED_CONTINUOUS:
+//        case GameConfig.PARTY:
+//            return true;
+//
+//        default:
+//            return (tconfig.desiredPlayerCount <= getOccupiedCount());
+//        }
+//    }
 
     /**
      * Returns true if this table is in play, false if it is still being
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
index ab7e39a3..f1b9a487 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
@@ -33,8 +33,6 @@ import com.threerings.crowd.util.CrowdContext;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameCodes;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameObject;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameCodes;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
 import com.threerings.parlor.util.ParlorContext;
 
 /**
@@ -294,13 +292,11 @@ public /*abstract*/ class GameController extends PlaceController
     }
 
     /**
-     * Used to determine if this game is a party game.
+     * Convenience method to determine the type of game.
      */
-    protected function isPartyGame () :Boolean
+    protected function getGameType () :int
     {
-        return (_gconfig is PartyGameConfig) &&
-            (PartyGameConfig(_gconfig).getPartyGameType() !=
-                 PartyGameCodes.NOT_PARTY_GAME);
+        return _gconfig.getGameType();
     }
 
     /** A reference to the active parlor context. */
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.as
index 0c31de8e..c4caa81b 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.as
@@ -55,6 +55,19 @@ import com.threerings.parlor.game.client.GameConfigurator;
 public /*abstract*/ class GameConfig extends PlaceConfig
     implements Cloneable, Hashable
 {
+    /** Game type constant: a game that is started with a list of players,
+     * and those are the only players that may play. */
+    public static const SEATED_GAME :int = 0;
+
+    /** Game type constant: a game that starts immediately, but only has
+     * a certain number of player slots. Users enter the game room, and
+     * then choose where to sit. */
+    public static const SEATED_CONTINUOUS :int = 1;
+
+    /** Game type constant: a game that starts immediately, and every
+     * user that enters is a player. */
+    public static const PARTY :int = 2;
+
     /** The usernames of the players involved in this game, or an empty
      * array if such information is not needed by this particular game. */
     public var players :TypedArray = TypedArray.create(Name);
@@ -73,6 +86,14 @@ public /*abstract*/ class GameConfig extends PlaceConfig
         // nothing needed
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Get the type of game.
+     */
+    public function getGameType () :int
+    {
+        return SEATED_GAME;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the message bundle identifier for the bundle that should be
      * used to translate the translatable strings used to describe the
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.as
index 306d2ede..ae27158c 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.as
@@ -226,15 +226,6 @@ public class GameObject extends PlaceObject
         return ArrayUtil.indexOf(winners, true);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns the type of party game being played or NOT_PARTY_GAME.
-     * {@link PartyGameConfig}.
-     */
-    public function getPartyGameType () :int
-    {
-        return PartyGameCodes.NOT_PARTY_GAME;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Used by {@link #isActivePlayer} to determine if the supplied status is
      * associated with an active player (one that has not resigned from the
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameCodes.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameCodes.as
deleted file mode 100644
index bf9ce50d..00000000
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameCodes.as
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-package com.threerings.parlor.game.data {
-
-public class PartyGameCodes
-{
-    /** Party game constant indicating that this game, while it does
-     * implement PartyGameConfig, is not currently being played in party
-     * mode. */
-    public static const NOT_PARTY_GAME :int = 0;
-
-    /** Party game constant indicating that we're in a party game in which
-     * players must sit at an available seat to play, otherwise they're
-     * an observer. */
-    public static const SEATED_PARTY_GAME :int = 1;
-
-    /** Party game constant indicating that everyone in the game place is
-     * a "player", meaning that they do not need to claim a seat to play. */
-    public static const FREE_FOR_ALL_PARTY_GAME :int = 2;
-}
-}
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameConfig.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameConfig.as
deleted file mode 100644
index e60c4df4..00000000
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameConfig.as
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-//
-// $Id: PartyGameConfig.java 3804 2006-01-13 01:52:36Z ray $
-//
-// Narya library - tools for developing networked games
-// Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
-// http://www.threerings.net/code/narya/
-//
-// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
-// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
-// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
-// (at your option) any later version.
-//
-// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
-// Lesser General Public License for more details.
-//
-// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
-// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
-// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
-
-package com.threerings.parlor.game.data {
-
-/**
- * Provides additional information for party games.
- * A party game is a game in which the players are not set prior to starting,
- * but players can come and go at will during the normal progression of
- * the game.
- */
-public interface PartyGameConfig
-{
-    /**
-     * Get the type of party game being played.
-     */
-    function getPartyGameType () :int;
-}
-}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.java
index 80e8c52b..cb17a6ab 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameConfig.java
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import com.threerings.crowd.client.PlaceController;
 
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.client.GameConfigurator;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
 
 import com.threerings.ezgame.client.EZGameController;
 
@@ -17,7 +16,6 @@ import com.threerings.ezgame.client.EZGameController;
  * A game config for a simple multiplayer game.
  */
 public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
-    implements PartyGameConfig
 {
     // TODO: this will eventually contain various XML configuration bits,
     // or we'll expand this to contain other information.
@@ -25,13 +23,19 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
     public String configData;
 
     // TODO: this is separate right now, but may eventually be extracted
-    // from configData? Do not read this value, use getPartyGameType()
-    public byte partyGameType = NOT_PARTY_GAME;
+    // from configData? Do not read this value, use getGameType()
+    public byte gameType = SEATED_GAME;
 
     /** If non-zero, a game id used to persistently identify the game.
      * This could be thought of as a new-style rating id. */
     public int persistentGameId;
 
+    @Override
+    public byte getGameType ()
+    {
+        return gameType;
+    }
+
     // from abstract GameConfig
     public String getBundleName ()
     {
@@ -63,12 +67,6 @@ public class EZGameConfig extends GameConfig
         return "com.threerings.ezgame.server.EZGameManager";
     }
 
-    // from PartyGameConfig
-    public byte getPartyGameType ()
-    {
-        return partyGameType;
-    }
-
     @Override
     public boolean equals (Object other)
     {
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java
index 8f1e17a2..6878cd4c 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ import com.threerings.crowd.data.PlaceObject;
 
 import com.threerings.crowd.server.CrowdServer;
 
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
+import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
+
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.server.GameManager;
 
 import com.threerings.parlor.turn.server.TurnGameManager;
@@ -404,8 +405,8 @@ public class EZGameManager extends GameManager
     protected void validateUser (ClientObject caller)
         throws InvocationException
     {
-        switch (getPartyGameType()) {
-        case PartyGameConfig.FREE_FOR_ALL_PARTY_GAME:
+        switch (getGameType()) {
+        case GameConfig.PARTY:
             return; // always validate.
 
         default:
@@ -447,7 +448,8 @@ public class EZGameManager extends GameManager
         _gameObj.setEzGameService(
             (EZGameMarshaller) CrowdServer.invmgr.registerDispatcher(new EZGameDispatcher(this)));
 
-        if (isPartyGame()) {
+        // if we don't need the no-show timer, start.
+        if (!needsNoShowTimer()) {
             startGame();
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
index f69a092b..80cd6941 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/client/TableDirector.java
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ public class TableDirector extends BasicDirector
             Log.warning("Table created, but where is it? [tableId=" + tableId + "]");
             return;
         }
-        if (table.gameOid != 0 && table.isPartyGame()) {
+        if (table.gameOid != -1 && table.occupants.length == 0) {
             // let's boogie!
             _ctx.getParlorDirector().gameIsReady(table.gameOid);
         }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java
index 3c3c5be1..190435ef 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/data/Table.java
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ import com.threerings.crowd.data.BodyObject;
 
 import com.threerings.parlor.data.ParlorCodes;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
 
 /**
  * This class represents a table that is being used to matchmake a game by
@@ -106,7 +105,7 @@ public class Table
         this.config = config;
 
         // make room for the maximum number of players
-        if (!isPartyGame()) {
+        if (config.getGameType() != GameConfig.PARTY) {
             occupants = new Name[tconfig.desiredPlayerCount];
             bodyOids = new int[occupants.length];
 
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ public class Table
     public Name[] getPlayers ()
     {
         // seated party games need a spot for every seat
-        if (PartyGameConfig.SEATED_PARTY_GAME == getPartyGameType()) {
+        if (GameConfig.SEATED_CONTINUOUS == config.getGameType()) {
             return new Name[tconfig.desiredPlayerCount];
         }
 
@@ -205,28 +204,6 @@ public class Table
         return newTeams;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Return true if the game is a party game.
-     */
-    public boolean isPartyGame ()
-    {
-        return (PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME != getPartyGameType());
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Get the type of party game being played at this table, or
-     * PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME.
-     */
-    public byte getPartyGameType ()
-    {
-        if (config instanceof PartyGameConfig) {
-            return ((PartyGameConfig) config).getPartyGameType();
-
-        } else {
-            return PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME;
-        }
-    }
-
     /**
      * Requests to seat the specified user at the specified position in
      * this table.
@@ -324,6 +301,12 @@ public class Table
      */
     public boolean mayBeStarted ()
     {
+        switch (config.getGameType()) {
+        case GameConfig.SEATED_CONTINUOUS:
+        case GameConfig.PARTY:
+            return true;
+        }
+
         if (tconfig.teamMemberIndices == null) {
             // for a normal game, just check to see if we're past the minimum
             return tconfig.minimumPlayerCount <= getOccupiedCount();
@@ -352,8 +335,14 @@ public class Table
      */
     public boolean shouldBeStarted ()
     {
-        return isPartyGame() ||
-            (tconfig.desiredPlayerCount <= getOccupiedCount());
+        switch (config.getGameType()) {
+        case GameConfig.SEATED_CONTINUOUS:
+        case GameConfig.PARTY:
+            return true;
+
+        default:
+            return (tconfig.desiredPlayerCount <= getOccupiedCount());
+        }
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java
index 4439c434..c9615bb1 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.java
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ import com.threerings.parlor.Log;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameCodes;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameObject;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
 import com.threerings.parlor.util.ParlorContext;
 
 /**
@@ -305,13 +304,11 @@ public abstract class GameController extends PlaceController
     }
 
     /**
-     * Used to determine if this game is a party game.
+     * Convenience method to determine the type of game.
      */
-    protected boolean isPartyGame ()
+    protected byte getGameType ()
     {
-        return (_config instanceof PartyGameConfig) &&
-            (((PartyGameConfig)_config).getPartyGameType() !=
-                 PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME);
+        return _config.getGameType();
     }
 
     /** A reference to the active parlor context. */
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java
index 04476740..379cc5bd 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameConfig.java
@@ -48,6 +48,19 @@ import com.threerings.parlor.game.client.GameConfigurator;
  */
 public abstract class GameConfig extends PlaceConfig implements Cloneable
 {
+    /** Game type constant: a game that is started with a list of players,
+     * and those are the only players that may play. */
+    public static final byte SEATED_GAME = 0;
+
+    /** Game type constant: a game that starts immediately, but only has
+     * a certain number of player slots. Users enter the game room, and
+     * then choose where to sit. */
+    public static final byte SEATED_CONTINUOUS = 1;
+
+    /** Game type constant: a game that starts immediately, and every
+     * user that enters is a player. */
+    public static final byte PARTY = 2;
+
     /** The usernames of the players involved in this game, or an empty
      * array if such information is not needed by this particular game. */
     public Name[] players = new Name[0];
@@ -61,6 +74,14 @@ public abstract class GameConfig extends PlaceConfig implements Cloneable
      * at all. */
     public GameAI[] ais = new GameAI[0];
 
+    /**
+     * Get the type of game.
+     */
+    public byte getGameType ()
+    {
+        return SEATED_GAME;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the message bundle identifier for the bundle that should be
      * used to translate the translatable strings used to describe the
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.java
index 720606f2..84db7269 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/GameObject.java
@@ -231,15 +231,6 @@ public class GameObject extends PlaceObject
         return -1;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns the type of party game being played or NOT_PARTY_GAME.
-     * {@link PartyGameConfig}.
-     */
-    public byte getPartyGameType ()
-    {
-        return PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Used by {@link #isActivePlayer} to determine if the supplied status is
      * associated with an active player (one that has not resigned from the
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameConfig.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameConfig.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 10debf32..00000000
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/data/PartyGameConfig.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,50 +0,0 @@
-//
-// $Id$
-//
-// Narya library - tools for developing networked games
-// Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
-// http://www.threerings.net/code/narya/
-//
-// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
-// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
-// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
-// (at your option) any later version.
-//
-// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
-// Lesser General Public License for more details.
-//
-// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
-// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
-// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
-
-package com.threerings.parlor.game.data;
-
-/**
- * Provides additional information for party games.
- * A party game is a game in which the players are not set prior to starting,
- * but players can come and go at will during the normal progression of
- * the game.
- */
-public interface PartyGameConfig
-{
-    /** Party game constant indicating that this game, while it does
-     * implement PartyGameConfig, is not currently being played in party
-     * mode. */
-    public static final byte NOT_PARTY_GAME = 0;
-
-    /** Party game constant indicating that we're in a party game in which
-     * players must sit at an available seat to play, otherwise they're
-     * an observer. */
-    public static final byte SEATED_PARTY_GAME = 1;
-
-    /** Party game constant indicating that everyone in the game place is
-     * a "player", meaning that they do not need to claim a seat to play. */
-    public static final byte FREE_FOR_ALL_PARTY_GAME = 2;
-
-    /**
-     * Get the type of party game being played.
-     */
-    public byte getPartyGameType ();
-}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
index b4992471..d16ba044 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameAI;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameCodes;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameConfig;
 import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.GameObject;
-import com.threerings.parlor.game.data.PartyGameConfig;
 import com.threerings.parlor.server.ParlorSender;
 
 import com.threerings.util.MessageBundle;
@@ -80,23 +79,11 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
     }
 
     /**
-     * Used to determine if this game is a party game.
+     * A convenience method for getting the game type.
      */
-    public boolean isPartyGame ()
+    public byte getGameType ()
     {
-        return (getPartyGameType() != PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Get the type of party game being played.
-     */
-    public byte getPartyGameType ()
-    {
-        if (_gameconfig instanceof PartyGameConfig) {
-            return ((PartyGameConfig) _gameconfig).getPartyGameType();
-        } else {
-            return PartyGameConfig.NOT_PARTY_GAME;
-        }
+        return _gameconfig.getGameType();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -622,7 +609,7 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
             // perfectly normal to receive a player ready notification
             // from a user entering a party game in which they're not yet
             // a participant
-            if (!isPartyGame()) {
+            if (needsNoShowTimer()) {
                 Log.warning("Received playerReady() from non-player? " +
                             "[game=" + where() + ", who=" + caller.who() + "].");
             }
@@ -672,7 +659,7 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
      */
     protected boolean needsNoShowTimer ()
     {
-        return !isPartyGame();
+        return (getGameType() == GameConfig.SEATED_GAME);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -891,7 +878,7 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
     {
         // start up the game if we're not a party game and if we haven't
         // already done so
-        if (!isPartyGame() && _gameobj.state == GameObject.PRE_GAME) {
+        if (needsNoShowTimer() && _gameobj.state == GameObject.PRE_GAME) {
             startGame();
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java
index 484a02f9..e6a8a04c 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/server/TableManager.java
@@ -128,8 +128,7 @@ public class TableManager
         }
         table.init(_plobj.getOid(), tableConfig, config);
 
-        boolean isParty = table.isPartyGame();
-        if (!isParty) {
+        if (table.bodyOids != null && table.bodyOids.length > 0) {
             // stick the creator into the first non-AI position
             int cpos = (config.ais == null) ? 0 : config.ais.length;
             String error = table.setOccupant(cpos, creator);
@@ -350,7 +349,7 @@ public class TableManager
         // configure the privacy of the game
         gameobj.setIsPrivate(table.tconfig.privateTable);
 
-        if (!table.isPartyGame()) {
+        if (table.bodyOids != null) {
             // clear the occupant to table mappings as this game is underway
             for (int i = 0; i < table.bodyOids.length; i++) {
                 _boidMap.remove(table.bodyOids[i]);
@@ -399,6 +398,9 @@ public class TableManager
         // TODO: this will become more complicated
         // As we separate watchers and players
 
+        // TODO: for SEATED_CONTINUOUS, we will probably be showing the
+        // folks in the game...
+
         // finally, update the table
         _tlobj.updateTables(table);
     }