I will be changing destination

[Jon Shafer]

Impressive.
I'll start taking a look at stuff, and hopefully something will start moving again.

[Nath]

We have a mailing list at http://sourceforge.net/projects/ggstoc/. It hasn't been used much lately, but meeting logs etc. are usually posted there.

[S. Kroeze]

About "L'INVITATION AU VOYAGE":

I do not know what the problem is, but I am not happy with the current situation, to say the least.

The deadline for Spring 1877 has passed, but I have received orders from only two players, while I expected orders from six players.
Those two have received from me -I suppose- an acknowledgement of receipt.

I ask all other players -those who have not received this acknowledgement of receipt- to explain in this thread what happened: whether they have sent in any orders or not, at what time, etc.
Before making decisions I have to be sure whether this delay has been caused by technical problems or by other reasons.

S.Kroeze

[Leland]

I can only talk for myself, but I simply forgot to send my orders. I did it a moment ago, so I am leaving it to your jurisdiction whether to count this as an NMR or not.

[Maniac]

My my, this could mean my salvation after all...

[korn469]

sander

i have been in and out of town and i mistakenly assumed that the deadline was still 18:00 GMT like it was last week, and i sent the orders to you as soon as i got in this morning which you recieved at 11:47 GMT instead of 10:00 GMT i appologize, though for me a single never changing deadline works the best (preferably 17:00-20:00 GMT because of my schedule)

on a technical note though, i myself can no longer send you email from my account, the last email i sent came back as a failed message, so something like this may have happened to the other players since orders were discussed and agreeded upon

[Mihai]

I hate to sound like "my dog eat my homework" but I am decorating my apartment (moved all my furniture to paint the walls) and I couldn't use my home PC. I send you my orders now to the mail adress that appers at 'Poly.

[S. Kroeze]

Originally posted by korn469
sander

i have been in and out of town and i mistakenly assumed that the deadline was still 18:00 GMT like it was last week, and i sent the orders to you as soon as i got in this morning which you recieved at 11:47 GMT instead of 10:00 GMT i appologize, though for me a single never changing deadline works the best (preferably 17:00-20:00 GMT because of my schedule)

on a technical note though, i myself can no longer send you email from my account, the last email i sent came back as a failed message, so something like this may have happened to the other players since orders were discussed and agreeded upon

Within the 24 hours after my previous post I have received two other sets of orders which I have decided to accept.
I admit this is a somewhat arbitrary decision.
Most consistent would have been to make a game report with 4 NMRs, but this would definitely not contribute to the interest of the game.

I do not have a problem with the way Korn469 sends me his orders.
I think it is reasonable that it's me -and no one else- who determines the exact point of the deadline. I have other responsibilities too!
I always try to send the report as soon as possible after the deadline.

I can only repeat my often repeated request to send your orders in time, at least 24 hours before the deadline.

[S. Kroeze]

About "L'INVITATION AU VOYAGE":

One of the players has asked me -because of computer problems- to extend the deadline for Spring 1878 for 24 hours.
Though this delay should have been requested at an earlier stage, I have nevertheless decided to grant it. Yet I hope this will be a once-only departure. Of course I will always grant a delay that is timely requested.
So the new deadline will become 31st May 2002, 20.00PM (GMT).
I hope to send you the next game report as soon as possible.

My love to all players!

[S. Kroeze]

Again I have received -a few hours before the deadline of "L'INVITATION AU VOYAGE" - the request to extend the deadline.
I would like to bring to your attention again my original ruling:

IMPORTANT: Please do not send your orders on the last minute! When they arrive too late -whatever the cause- your units will hold. When you foresee problems with a deadline, please inform me as soon as possible and NOT afterwards. It is allowed to send in temporary orders and to change them later, sending a new list of orders. In that case, please make it clear that those new orders do replace the original set.

I think it is beyond discussion that a few hours before the deadline is not as soon as possible.
In my previous post I had made it clear that delay should have been requested at an earlier stage and that I didn't like to make an exception again. When players prefer to play with less frequent deadlines that could be a possibility. We can discuss such things frankly and I am willing to take into consideration the wishes of ALL players.

But this delay asked at the last minute, I am not willing to grant! It would be most unfair to those players who respect my rulings and send their orders always in good time. I also think most of you would prefer to have this affair over rather sooner than later.
I hope -and expect- to receive orders from ALL players before the deadline: 7th June 2002, 20.00PM (GMT).

Sincerely,

S.Kroeze

[Maniac]

Originally posted by S. Kroeze
I also think most of you would prefer to have this affair over rather sooner than later.

Yeah, certainly now I have exams coming up.

[korn469]

I was the one who asked for the extension, i have worked about 60 hours this week, so i didn't have time for any diplomacy this week, but i say we should go ahead and vote M@ni@c in as champion of this game. He is the clear leader at this point and it would take a miracle for us to induce a stalemate much less for anyone of us to actually win. With the way my schedule is at the moment I think i would need 10 day to 2 week turn deadlines to have adequate time to always get a good set of orders that has been discussed with all of the other players and it is highly doubtful that it is worth it.

I am glad though that Sander invited me to play, i had never played diplomacy before and it is a quite enjoyable game; i only wish i had more time to conduct more and better diplomacy.

Anyways here is my vote for M@ni@c as winner of L'INVITATION AU VOYAGE

[Leland]

I second that. I haven't even read the game reports since spring 1976 anyway, so I don't know how many centers everyone's got (yes, I know I could check it with a few clicks... I'm too lazy), but if the game does not end this year consider my remaining units holding from now on. Adios amigos.

[Mihai]

As I said before, it isn't fun to play by obligation. I enjoy the game, but I see that there are some who don't enjoy it anymore, so I say to end it and call France the winner.

If there will be another game, I want in!

[S. Kroeze]

Originally posted by Mihai
As I said before, it isn't fun to play by obligation. I enjoy the game, but I see that there are some who don't enjoy it anymore, so I say to end it and call France the winner.

If there will be another game, I want in!

I would like to point out that most dedicated players and definitely ALL GMs will share my conviction that -besides an emergency- it is reasonable to expect all players starting a Diplomacy game to play on till the end. I am not speaking about those kind souls serving as substitutes.
But for those who by their own free will did choose to participate in a new game, this is exactly what is to be expected from them. Obviously winning is more enjoyable than losing, yet for the weak elimination will come sooner or later.
Those unable to bear the loss are recommended to play other -less demanding- games.

This is still my 'game philosophy':
It is my unshakable conviction a Diplomacy game should never be terminated otherwise than by fulfilment of the victory (=18 supply centres) conditions or a draw proposal accepted by ALL active players on the board.
And actually I consider this second solution vastly inferior to the first. Only some unbreakable stalemate position could force me to accept a draw proposal!

This opinion applies both to participating as a player and to running it as a GM.

When we will ever start another game -rather unlikely- I expect the players to be more committed.