Who would be interested in an e-mail Diplomacy game?

[Redoubter]

So, Prof U mentioned playing a game of Diplomacy by e-mail, and I was trying to see if there would be any interest in getting one started.  I like the concept, and allowing a week for each turn allows for a lot of (ahem...) diplomacy, plus having a leisurely pace would be nice for this sort of game.

So, anyone else interested?  Just reply here, or shoot me a PM


EDIT: Trying to get 2 games going, one experienced and one for newer players.  Let us know if you want in, and how much you have played this in the past!  Thanks!

[Isildur]

I would be down to play! Though granted I havnt played in years and may need some refreshing on how to play

[wmd1999]

I would be willing to play, though I should probably read the rules one more time before playing

[Bobbert]

I would be up for it. gamesbyemail may be a good choice for the medium.

[Prof Underwood]

I'm interested, and I like the idea of using that website, too.

I want to warn everyone volunteering that has NOT played this game before to consider carefully before joining.  Diplomacy is a game that ONLY a specific type of gamer enjoys.  There is no luck in the game (no dice, no cards, etc.) so if you like an element of randomness this game is NOT for you.  It is a strategic game where you have to carefully think about how all of your movements will affect everyone else's and vice-versa.  So if you aren't really an attention to detail person this game is NOT for you.  And the 3 biggest dangers of Diplomacy are:

1 - People lose friends over this game.  Players do things during the game that sometimes come across EXTREMELY personal and offensive.  So if you are not REALLY good at separating what happens in the game from the relationships that you have with people outside the game, then Diplomacy is NOT for you.

2 - This is a LONG term commitment.  The last time I was in an email game of Diplomacy we took 1 turn a week and it lasted about 6 months.  For the game to be fun, everyone in the game needs to be able to ensure that they will actually be able to participate for the next half a year, and that they will NOT become disinterested and drop out of the game.

3 - This game is all about communication.  For this to work well, players need to be emailing each other on a weekly basis to discuss strategy and tactics.  If you aren't good at staying on top of email, then this game probably isn't for you either.

I've tried to point out all the worst stuff about the game here.  If you have read through all that and still think that you'd like to play then feel free to sign on, and welcome aboard.  It really is a fun game, and I look forward to playing it together

[soul seeker]

1 - People lose friends over this game.  Players do things during the game that sometimes come across EXTREMELY personal and offensive.  So if you are not REALLY good at separating what happens in the game from the relationships that you have with people outside the game, then Diplomacy is NOT for you.

Above is the sole reason I didn't buy the game after my only time playing.  It was Matt (best friend), Laurie (my wife), and I playing.  The very fact that Laurie would even potentially betray me was too unnerving.   I put a very high value on loyalty and I struggle to trust people, and the very nature of the game psychologically undercuts both to the point where I don't enjoy it.

[Drrek]

I'd be interested, though I haven't played diplomacy before.

[Iamalittleking]

 never done this game before but i am in sound really cool.

[Redoubter]

I echo Prof U's post completely, and hadn't thought about that because I am the type of player he describes who loves this kind of game.  So, if you want in, I want you to post here (again, if you have already) considering the following:

1. Let me know that you won't take the game (and secret dealings that comes with it) personally.  It's just a game, but it can still hurt some people (as pointed out above).  So please think about your reactions before you post

2. Take a look at the rules, and see if this is the kind of game for you.  It is definitely not an action-heavy lucky game.  It is about strategery and sneakery.  Make sure it is your type of game!

3. Let me know if you can commit to making your moves once per week and for a long, (long) term game.  As Prof U pointed out, this will take awhile, and in order to be a good game we will have to have regular conversations with each other to negotiate orders (see the rules for more information on that).

If after looking through those three points you can commit to this, let me know and I'll add you to the list The game is for up to 7 people, but don't rush to respond without being sure you want to play.  Thank you!

[Isildur]

1 - People lose friends over this game.  Players do things during the game that sometimes come across EXTREMELY personal and offensive.  So if you are not REALLY good at separating what happens in the game from the relationships that you have with people outside the game, then Diplomacy is NOT for you.

Cant stress this enough! This is actually the reason I havnt played in so many years lol a couple of my friends got burned the last time I played and now no one ever wants to play...

Im still down to play. But like I said ill need to refresh myself with the rules.

[Iamalittleking]

I echo Prof U's post completely, and hadn't thought about that because I am the type of player he describes who loves this kind of game.  So, if you want in, I want you to post here (again, if you have already) considering the following:

1. Let me know that you won't take the game (and secret dealings that comes with it) personally.  It's just a game, but it can still hurt some people (as pointed out above).  So please think about your reactions before you post

2. Take a look at the rules, and see if this is the kind of game for you.  It is definitely not an action-heavy lucky game.  It is about strategery and sneakery.  Make sure it is your type of game!

3. Let me know if you can commit to making your moves once per week and for a long, (long) term game.  As Prof U pointed out, this will take awhile, and in order to be a good game we will have to have regular conversations with each other to negotiate orders (see the rules for more information on that).

If after looking through those three points you can commit to this, let me know and I'll add you to the list The game is for up to 7 people, but don't rush to respond without being sure you want to play.  Thank you!

Rules are very hard to read but i get the basic idea. i will do a more extensive read before the game starts so i am in.

[Red Dragon Thorn]

I'm in.

I'm already not friends with Mark, so I'm not worried about burning that bridge

[Alex_Olijar]

I'm in.

I'm already not friends with Mark, so I'm not worried about burning that bridge

He lost you a TEAMs title, I'd be mad too.

[Bobbert]

Still up for it, despite the disclaimers

[Old_Iron_Spine]

I don't mean to go off topic, but what do you do that can
Potentially  makes people upset?

[Iamalittleking]

I don't mean to go off topic, but what do you do that can
Potentially  makes people upset?

Lie back stab make false promises

[Drrek]

I don't mean to go off topic, but what do you do that can
Potentially  makes people upset?

Lie back stab make false promises

Its not just that you can do them, its that to win you pretty much must do them.  If you don't know what the game is, each player is one of seven "Great Powers" in pre-WWI Europe, and each is trying to outmaneuver the others into taking over a majority of the supply centers.  however, since only one army can occupy a territory at a time, you have a limited number of armies and all armies are of the same strength, it often will take support of other players to take territories and protect your own, so you must make alliances and deals with them.  In order to get ahead and win the game, you will have to lie to and betray someone at some point.

[Old_Iron_Spine]

I don't mean to go off topic, but what do you do that can
Potentially  makes people upset?

Lie back stab make false promises

Its not just that you can do them, its that to win you pretty much must do them.  If you don't know what the game is, each player is one of seven "Great Powers" in pre-WWI Europe, and each is trying to outmaneuver the others into taking over a majority of the supply centers.  however, since only one army can occupy a territory at a time, you have a limited number of armies and all armies are of the same strength, it often will take support of other players to take territories and protect your own, so you must make alliances and deals with them.  In order to get ahead and win the game, you will have to lie to and betray someone at some point.

Lol, it sounds like it'd be funny. And a little annoying if you keep getting stabbed in the back. Keep your friends close and enemies closer hahaha!

[Alex_Olijar]

This doesn't seem appropriate for a Christian forum if that's the case

[Prof Underwood]

In order to get ahead and win the game, you will have to lie to and betray someone at some point.

This isn't always correct (although it usually is).  Each player has to decide for themselves how to handle the ethical dilemmas of Diplomacy.  Lying is completely accepted and even expected in the game, so most players are willing to tell two different players that they will be supporting their attacks when in reality they are only helping one to kill the other.

However, not all players choose to go the easy route.  I personally choose to never intentionally tell another player something that is not true.  But I don't always tell everything that I know either.  So if an opponent is jumping to an inaccurate conclusion based on something someone said, I don't feel compelled to correct their misconception.

My choice to avoid lies in a game where most other players will still lie to me does give me a bit of a disadvantage.  But I personally feel better about playing that way.  And despite the handicap, I have had some success in the past.

I'm already not friends with Mark, so I'm not worried about burning that bridge

He lost you a TEAMs title, I'd be mad too.

I just hope he won't use that against me to wipe me out in Spring 1901.

Also, I would highly suggest a spot in the game for Slugfencer, as he's been wanting to play for a really long time.  Based on his regularity of communication with his opponents in ROOT, I think he will do a great job of staying committed to the game and communicating with everyone.  I know that we already have 7 people wanting in, but maybe he could be an alternate player who could step in and take over a country if someone had to drop out.

[Old_Iron_Spine]

Can you choose to assassinate?

[Prof Underwood]

Can you choose to assassinate?

No.  Your moves are limited to a few options for each piece.  They may:

1 - move/attack (going from one territory to an adjacent territory)
2 - hold/defend (staying where they are at)
3 - support another piece (either in defending where they are, or moving to somewhere else)
4 - convoy (only fleets can do this, and it helps armies move over water territories)

So if there are 3 armies adjacent to the same desired territory, then one of them will have to convince one of the others to "support" their attack on that spot so that they have a 2-1 advantage over the other player who is also trying to attack that spot.  The name of the game is Diplomacy because it's all about using diplomacy to convince the other players to assist you in your goals enough to be able to take over at least half of the critical spots on the map ("supply centers").

[Old_Iron_Spine]

That sounds really fun!

[Prof Underwood]

Since we seem to already have 7 players so quickly, perhaps we should divide into 2 games with experienced players in one game and new players in another.  That way the experienced players don't take advantage of the new players, and everyone has more of an equal chance to win.

Also if we are going to start soon with the players we have, then we should probably talk about who is going to be what country.  Countries can either be assigned randomly (random.org to the rescue), or can be assigned by a neutral party who we all send preferences to.

If we do the preferences, then we would each send a list of our #1, #2, #3, and #7 preferences.  The neutral party would then assign countries so that everyone would get one of their top choices and no one would get their #7 choice.  Of course some people don't care which country they get and just tell that to the neutral party (which helps everyone else get what they want).

[Bobbert]

Yes, I am still in. Thanks for reserving it.