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[Meta] How about a game of Diplomacy while we wait for season 3?

posted by TheRedArmy on ModernPowers

No, really, I'm serious.

Boukert posting his video about @pmya trying to get Germany made me remember Bode's Downfall, which I posted in that thread. That got me thinking about Diplomacy, and how I'd like to be involved in it again, but with the people I actually know and like, AKA you guys since my friends IRL won't play with me (for the very reason you said, @Boukert, people get all butt-hurt when you plunge the dagger and twist hard, so they don't want to play with me. No mercy in competition!)

Playing would be nice, but I actually thought it would be more interesting if I ran the game as a neutral GM; this would allow me to compile moves and help people who maybe don't know the rules that well (or at all), and ensure everything is run smoothly and fairly. I could also post information regarding the game, how it's played, and maybe some basic strategy if people are unfamiliar, so new players will have a legitimate way to play somewhat competently.

There is a free software available here, that lets anyone plot out moves, adjudicate games, etc, with a nice little digital map that's pleasing to the eye. GMing the game with this would be relatively easy.]

I expect it wouldn't be played real-time, more likely we would have a couple days for each phase, so people can communicate via PM or on IRC, and then everyone can PM their moves to me (or more likely, PM a set of moves right away, then send in corrections/improved moves later).

So, gauging interest here. Can we get 7 people down for a game?

EDIT: Currently confirmed: @PMYA, @redviiper, @fluf, @jidlaph, @boukert (2 more needed)

No, really, I'm serious. Boukert posting his video about @pmya trying to get Germany made me remember _Bode's Downfall_, which I posted in that thread. That got me thinking about Diplomacy, and how I'd like to be involved in it again, but with the people I actually know and like, AKA you guys since my friends IRL won't play with me (for the very reason you said, @Boukert, people get all butt-hurt when you plunge the dagger and twist _hard_, so they don't want to play with me. No mercy in competition!) Playing would be nice, but I actually thought it would be more interesting if I ran the game as a neutral GM; this would allow me to compile moves and help people who maybe don't know the rules that well (or at all), and ensure everything is run smoothly and fairly. I could also post information regarding the game, how it's played, and maybe some basic strategy if people are unfamiliar, so new players will have a legitimate way to play somewhat competently. There is a free software available [here](http://jdip.sourceforge.net/), that lets anyone plot out moves, adjudicate games, etc, with a nice little digital map that's pleasing to the eye. GMing the game with this would be relatively easy.] I expect it wouldn't be played real-time, more likely we would have a couple days for each phase, so people can communicate via PM or on IRC, and then everyone can PM their moves to me (or more likely, PM a set of moves right away, then send in corrections/improved moves later). So, gauging interest here. Can we get 7 people down for a game? EDIT: Currently confirmed: @PMYA, @redviiper, @fluf, @jidlaph, @boukert (2 more needed)

23 comments

[–] Lord--Gaben 1 points (+1|-0)

What is the time committment like? I would be interested if I don't have to put a lot of time into it?

[–] TheRedArmy [OP] 0 points (+0|-0)

I would say you would need to put in between 30 minutes to an hour spread across about two days for a couple weeks at most; basically for each turn, you'll need to communicate with most of the other players (generally forming plans, or talking about agreements, or what things you're hearing from other players, etc), and then sit down and spend a little time deciding how you would like your pieces to move for that turn. I have a software I will use for adjudication that is easy to use and fairly lightweight that I would personally recommend everyone get for themselves as well.

I would also personally suggest a little bit of reading (maybe 15 minutes worth) before jumping into the game, just so you generally know what to expect and what some basic strategy for your nation would be.

In face-to-face play, for instance, turns are divided into two phases; the negotiation phase is 15 minutes followed by a 5 minute "orders period", where no-one can communicate and everyone writes down their orders secretly before they are adjudicated.

For our purposes, if you were to join, I would announce the start of the game at some time, and then say "orders for this turn are due to me by 11 PM GMT on this date"; once the deadline is reached, I process the orders (I was thinking about doing it in video and text format, so you could watch the moves as well as read them), and a new deadline is posted for the next turn.