I will be changing destination

[heardie]

quote: Originally posted by The Joker on 03-19-2001 11:13 AM Interesting, Sander. I have actually never played Diplomacy. Is it a board game or what?

Hmmm, how can you play a board-game online :0

[TempLeland]

quote: Originally posted by S. Kroeze on 03-15-2001 04:20 AM Is any of you interested in a game of Diplomacy by e-mail? I am willing to serve as gamesmaster. In my opinion one hasn't lived when one has never played Diplomacy! I thought it might inspire our/your game designing.

I think this is a very good idea. As many of us as possible, especially those like myself who have never played diplomacy should attend. I think it would be a useful experience in determining what kind diplomacy and/or atmosphere GGS should and could have. However, I am personally a little bit unpredictable, there can be weeks when I am only half-heartedly able to attend such endeavor. That's why I have some questions:

1) How often will the turns change?
2) Will it require a lot of my time to play one turn?
3) If I play badly, will it ruin the game for the rest of you?
4) Is it humanly possible to learn the basics quickly?

If others join, I will too, but I'd be less enthusiastic with playing in a small group. I'm too much of a risk with my irregular life-style.

Leland

[heardie]

Err, so what is it??

[The Joker]

I think Diplomacy is a board game, where each player rules a country, and then battles the other players for power. But in stead of revolving around armies and combat its main emphasis is the diplomacy, secret as well as open, between players. I will mail S. Kroeze and ask him if he can describe the game in further depth than me. I am interested in playing the game as well. That makes three of us so far. Anyone else?

------------------
I distrust those who pray; for they are putting their lives in the hands of strangers.

GGS Website

[amjayee]

My time is limited, especially if I get the job I'm applying for, but S.Kroeze was talking about e-mail game. I think that means more flexible time-frame, so I could have time... I'm definitely interested, but like others, I know very little about the game and how it would be played. So, some explanation, and also information about what I need to play would be welcome.

[This message has been edited by amjayee (edited March 26, 2001).]

[heardie]

I suppose I'm in...
Now what is it?

[S. Kroeze]

quote: Originally posted by TempLeland on 03-25-2001 06:39 PM I think this is a very good idea. As many of us as possible, especially those like myself who have never played diplomacy should attend. I think it would be a useful experience in determining what kind diplomacy and/or atmosphere GGS should and could have. However, I am personally a little bit unpredictable, there can be weeks when I am only half-heartedly able to attend such endeavor. That's why I have some questions: 1) How often will the turns change? 2) Will it require a lot of my time to play one turn? 3) If I play badly, will it ruin the game for the rest of you? 4) Is it humanly possible to learn the basics quickly? If others join, I will too, but I'd be less enthusiastic with playing in a small group. I'm too much of a risk with my irregular life-style. Leland

Dear GGS'ers,

Thanks for your sincere, though somewhat tardy, interest in Diplomacy! I think the main reason one should play it is because it's truly a great game, a real classic. I'll answer Leland's questions first:

(1) This is for the player and gamesmaster (=us) to determine. My proposal would be to play a turn every week or every two weeks. When playing it by mail the period between two deadlines was normally four weeks.
(2) Every turn requires at least 15 minutes to send worthwhile orders to the gamesmaster -based on tactical considerations alone- though an experienced player can write down his orders in five minutes. How much time one wants to spend on diplomatic activity is a completely personal decision and largely a matter of taste.
(3) A bad player can ruin the game for the other players, yet because no one of you has played it before I do not think this should influence your decision to participate. By not sending any orders (=No Moves Received) in time all your units automatically hold. This can unpleasantly influence the outcome of a game. Some of you will probably sometimes give illegal or miswritten orders; this will also affect the game.
(4) I have explained this game countless times to many of my friends. One and a half hour should do, yet most of them have to play the game several times before they really grasp the tactics. I always explained the game by showing them a sample game as printed in the rules of play with comment. My advice is to read the rules (10 pages) once and then play this sample game on a copy of the map. Since none of you has played it before you are all in the same position!

You will have noticed that I am never reluctant to copy substantial portions of texts. Yet copying the rules of Diplomacy would be taking it too far! In the Design Doc 0.2 I copied the paragraph about Diplomacy, which is the heart of this game. Here I will only add the first and second paragraphs:

'I. PLAYERS AND COUNTRIES

Diplomacy is best played by seven players, though as few as two may play. Each player represents one of the Great Powers of Europe in the years just prior to World War I: England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy and France. Each is independent of the other. At the start of the game, the players draw lots to determine which Great Power each will represent. This is the only element of chance in the game.

II. OBJECT OF THE GAME

As soon as one Great Power controls 18 Supply Centres, it is said to have "gained control of Europe," and the player representing that Great Power is the winner. Players may terminate the game by mutual agreement before a winner is determined, in which case all players who still have pieces on the board share equally in a draw.'
(source: 'Rules for Diplomacy',1971)

When you would send me an e-mail with your mailing addresses I will send you all a copy of the rules and a copy of the map. My advice is to enlarge this game map by photocopying. Apart from the rules and this board, one only needs about a hundred cubes in seven different colours, representing the armies and fleets. I hope at least five players will participate, otherwise it is not worth the trouble!

Sincere regards,

S.Kroeze

[amjayee]

Well, you got me interested. Were we tardy? Well, yes we were. But ok, I will email you for my contact information. I hope we can get enough players. Hey, all you who are reading, just join, it sounds like that it doesn't really require too much time or effort to play, but could be really fun.

[TempLeland]

I've sent my info already. This will be an educational experience and surely merrier in a larger group. So everybody join!

Heardie?
Korn?
VetLegion?
Joker?
[insert your name here]?

Leland
[This message has been edited by TempLeland (edited March 27, 2001).]

[VetLegion]

I am interested.
I still dont get how much time would it take?
A move a day?

If it is a move a day and a missed move or two isnt a disaster I could probably make it.

[S. Kroeze]

Dear GGS'ers,

Thanks again all of you for your interest in Diplomacy! But could you please read a little bit more carefully next time?

My proposal would be to play a turn every week or every two weeks. (And you can all give your personal opinion on this issue)

When you would send me an e-mail with your mailing addresses I will send you all a copy of the rules and a copy of the map. (I will not charge your shipping costs, honestly)

With mailing address I simply mean a location where you can receive postal items, delivered by a good old postman/mailman/mail carrier. Am I really that old-fashioned?
When you have received my copy of rules and map, you are still not obliged to participate when you really don't seem to like it, though we will be most disappointed, of course!

I have sent Joker a similar request by e-mail, but he hasn't reacted yet. So far only Amjayee reacted in the way I asked for, which proves his superior intelligence. I promise not to blow up his appartment, nor yours!

I hope this message is sufficiently clear!
Sincere regards,

S.Kroeze

[amjayee]

lol @ my superior intelligence.

One move per week would be fine for me, though I wouldn't have problem with one move per day, if Sundays are excluded. But of course it would be unlikely that everyone could send a turn every single day, so one turn per week is sufficient, and of course that way we get more time to think and to conspire. I'm waiting eagerly for the game. And thanks for not trying to blow up

[VetLegion]

Weeeell it is a bit more clear now. Now only if that underlined word week would be a hyperlink leading to a better explanation of its meaning it would be perfectly clear

Anyway, I am in too.

[heardie]

Sorry guys I'm out of this for a while, and probably won't give to many GGS comments, I have some big exams coming up, espically for my year 12 subject, got to go learn the difference between efficeny and effectivness

[ElmoTheElk]

Well, I was sceptical first, but you convinced me. I vote for 1 turn in a week. O, and besides, I'm pretty cheap for you Kroeze! I live not that far away! (Actually I'm a student on the Haagse Hogeschool, which is IN The Hague )

Count me in!