Diplomacy

[JackCopsey]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3973197737_5f6f80edbc_o.png


RULES

1. Introduction

Diplomacy is one of the classic war games which has stood the test of time. It is set in a Pre-WWI era, and the objective is to negotiate, outwit and possibly even backstab your allies and rivals in an attempt to conquer the whole of Europe! The backbone of this game is diplomacy; there is no luck involved, and it is based entirely on your skills at formulating sinister strategies to crush your enemies, and using crafty persuasion with your allies to use advantage of them as much as possible.

The game starts in Spring, 1901, at a time when Europe is about to plunge into continental chaos. This game tries to mimic a war-like situation as closely as possible.


2. The Basics

The most important part of Diplomacy is negotiation; failure to do so makes it almost impossible to win the game. You are allowed to communicate on the Game thread, send Private Messages to other players, start your own thread for your Alliance, email each other...basically, you are free to communicate with other players however you like. The only place you cannot talk about game matters in is this thread. It is advisable at the beginning of the game to post a Greeting message on the game thread you are playing, and to communicate with your neighbours about alliances.

There are seven nations in the game; England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia and Turkey. You will control one of these empires in your bid to conquer Europe. In order to achieve this, you must use your Armies and Fleets to capture enemy territories. Armies and Fleets have a very simple difference - Armies can only go on Land, and Fleets can only go in Water or on Coasts. Only one unit is allowed in a territory at a time, regardless of whether it is land or water. Both Armies and Fleets are able to capture territories, and this is worked out at the end of each Phase.

Armies look like this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3980755618_1417d82e81_o.png

And Fleets look like this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3979997449_1ebd2f87b5_o.png

To build more Armies and Fleets, you must capture Supply Centres, marked with a Star on the Map. (examples include Bulgaria, Marseilles and St. Petersburg) These are simply regions which allow you to support another unit. Your nation starts with either 3 or 4 supply centers, and has a mixture of Armies and Fleets. In addition to the Supply Centres controlled by other players, there are some Neutral Supply Centres. These are just Supply Centres which nobody owns at the beginning of the game, and once you capture them, they become yours.

The game can end in one of two ways. The most common way is a Solo Victory. This is when a single player controls 18 or more Supply Centres, which equates to just over half of every Supply Centre on the map. The other way is a Draw. This can happen at any point in the game, and must include two or more people. A PM proposing the draw must be sent to the Game Master, and every player still in the game must also send a PM agreeing with the draw, regardless of whether the draw includes them or not.


3. Game Phases

Each game turn, you can either make your units Hold, Move or Support. A Hold means a unit will do nothing. It will just stay where it is, and try to defend against enemy attacks. A Move means that your unit will attempt to move into another territory. This can ONLY be an adjacent territory, and only ONE unit is allowed to move there. (this is where the diplomacy comes in) A support means that this unit will support another unit and help it attack or defend. You can support any unit in the game, regardless of whether it is your's or another player's. Every unit is worth an equal strength, so to successfully capture or defend territories it is often crucial that you support a unit into an enemy territory. To protect your territory, you can also use another unit to support that territory; this gives the supported unit the strength of 2 units, instead of 1. Fleets can only be supported by other Fleets, and Armies can be supported by other Armies or adjacent Fleets. (For example, a Fleet in the English Channel could support Brest, but it could not support an attack on Gasconny from Brest) If a supporting unit is attacked, the support is cut.

If you want to get an Army across a Water province, you must convoy it using a Fleet. You must send me a message of your move for the unit you are going to convoy as per normal, but you must also tell me the move that your Fleet is going to convoy your Army. For example, a move may consist of: Army London moves to Brest; Fleet English Channel convoys Army London to Brest.

Some of the territories have special factors. Any territory which is Grey, and has no name label cannot be entered, such as Ireland or Switzerland. Kiel has the Kiel Canal; this allows a Fleet to pass from Kiel to Berlin OR Kiel to Holland, going through the middle of Kiel. An Army can go from Denmark to Sweden, and a Fleet can pass through Denmark to any other adjacent body of water. Spain, Bulgaria and St. Petersburg have two coasts; if a Fleet is moving into them, you MUST specify which coast it is going to. (This affects what you can do from that position) Finally, an Army in Constantinople is able to enter Bulgaria, and a Fleet is also able to pass through Constantinople.

There are 3 seasons in the game; Spring, Fall and Winter. In the Spring and Fall phases, you must send me a Private Message of your moves for that turn, and communicate with other players as to what they will do this turn. In the Winter phase, your total number of supply centres are counted, and your Units are balanced to match this figure. If you have too many units, you must send me a Private Message telling me which ones you want to destroy, and if you don't have enough you must send me a message of where you would like to new build units. New units can ONLY be built in your Home Supply Centres. (for England, this is London, Liverpool and Edinburgh, for example) You cannot swap Armies for Fleets, or vice versa; once you have built a Unit, you cannot swap it for something else.


Each Movement Phase will last 48 hours, and each Build or Retreat Phase will last 24 hours. You have this much time to communicate with your allies, form devious plots against your enemies, and send me a Private Message with your moves for this phase.


4. Different Game Types

These rules apply only to certain game types, and unless indicated you can completely ignore them.


Team Game Rules (http://forums.weebls-stuff.com/showpost.php?p=2281598&postcount=72)

Crystal Ball Diplomacy (http://forums.weebls-stuff.com/showpost.php?p=2296082&postcount=129)



That sums up most of the rules, but if there are any you don't understand, feel free to ask me how they work.

Good Luck!

[JackCopsey]

Current Games:

Game 1 (http://forums.weebls-stuff.com/showthread.php?t=79755) - Still running


Future Games:

Game 2 (Team Game)

AWAITING A TEAM-MATE
Magic Noodles (Preferably ENGLAND)
Erasmus (UNDECIDED)

FRANCE
General Hydralisk
Minister Pie hunter D

GERMANY
General Turkey Sandwich
Minister Trickian

ITALY
General ReaperBallz
Minister Mudkipz

RUSSIA
General Nimblewright
Minister Arfmaster

TURKEY
General malcolio
Minister happy-go-lucky


Game 3

England: Undecided
France: Undecided
Germany: JackCopsey
Italy: Undecided
Russia: Undecided
Austria: Undecided
Turkey: Undecided

[[murray]]

I am interested and think it is a very bitchin' idea.

Also as your forum overlord I am ordering you all to join.

[JackCopsey]

Yay, someone who has interest!

[La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo]

I'm interested, but those instructions will take forever to read.

[malcolio]

I'd like to play but I get the feeling this game will work better with people who have taken part in the original board game version. Those instructions hurt my eyes, as it is. Unless there's a 'Diplomacy for Noobs' website somewhere?

[JackCopsey]

This will not be the final version of the instructions, as it applies specifically for the board game. I just wanted to see the general levels of interest before I do things such as rewrite the instructions for the Weebl's Stuff Forums. I will start rewriting these instructions now, as 3 interested people is a pretty good start, but I really need 7 for a proper game of Diplomacy.

[happy-go-lucky]

I might be if it isn't too complicated :D

[Turkey Sandwich]

I might be if it isn't too complicated :D

Same for me. If you can come up with a simplified set of rules, I may take part.

[La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo]

Yo, if this starts, dibs on Russia plz?

[JackCopsey]

Well, so far 5 people have expressed interest. I will have to finish making all the units and the map, but soon I will probably start a trial game. This will really be just so people understand the rules properly, and to explain anything I have missed out on.

I was planning on assigning countries randomly, but would be happy to make it a first come first serve basis, if that's what people want.

[happy-go-lucky]

Can I be Spain? Is Spain in this?
Or Poland!

[La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo]

England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia and Turkey

[happy-go-lucky]

Bums.
I want Turkey then. Sounds tasty!

[Pie hunter D]

I'm down with a little meglomania!
Always wanted to take over the world and meet friends along the way...

[Zhyl]

My cousin loves this game. Give me a country!

(Germany?)

[Zhyl]

Germany!

[Pie hunter D]

France then...I wanted Germany... *shakes fist in Zhyls direction*

[Turkey Sandwich]

I believe I shall take dear old Blighty then please.

[Arfmaster]

Dammit. I just noticed this. I'd like to play, maybe when this finishes I can go on after?

[[murray]]

Sorry I am sans intertubes at the moment but I can play from my dad's house. I wanted to recreate the glories of the Ottoman Empire as well :(

I will go for Italy.

[Pie hunter D]

Have at you Italy, you're going down!

Oooor, am I lying? Wooooo...

[JackCopsey]

It is all ready!

Here are the countries that you will be playing:

ENGLAND: Turkey Sandwich
FRANCE: Pie hunter D
GERMANY: Zhyl
ITALY: [murray]
AUSTRIA: malcolio
RUSSIA: Arfmaster
TURKEY: happy-go-lucky

malcolio, you automatically got Austria because you were the last person to choose your country. And I will sign you up for the next game, Arfmaster.

I will just finish the map, and then I will post 2 new threads: One will contain the rules, and will be for people to sign up to the game. The second will be the game we're about to play. I'll give everyone who is playing a private message when the threads are ready. Feel free to close this thread/delete this thread/whatever, because I am done with it.

Good luck to everyone who is playing!

EDIT: Never mind; I guess this thread will stay intact!

[happy-go-lucky]

Wouldn't it make more sense to just have the rules in this thread?
You don't really need to make a whole new one just for rules and signing up :p

[Pie hunter D]

Yarr, she be right. Just post rules etc after this lot and keep it going.

Although, I would edit your first post to include the rules so no one is under any illusion if they hit page one expecting them...as you would.
I checked out this game and it looks intreguing. Kina amped about giving it a go.

[Small Fry]

I'd like to play the next game (if there is one).

[JackCopsey]

Sure, Small Fry - Feel free to pick a country now if you wish.

[Arfmaster]

'sup guys

I'm Russia. Chyahh.

[Small Fry]

Pre 1914? I'll be taking England thanks, if Russia's already gone.

[JackCopsey]

Russia has not already gone for the NEXT game; Arfmaster plays Russia in the current game. So which would you like for the next game: England or Russia?

[Small Fry]

Eeeep. I'll stick with England thanks, I've never played before and Russia's too open for my liking.

[malcolio]

I'll go with Turkey in the next game. :)

[JackCopsey]

Ooh, malcolio, already planning ahead for Game 2? How crafty.

[happy-go-lucky]

Aw I like Turkey :(

[malcolio]

So do I. :p Anyway, you're playing Turkey now, so you can't complain too much!

[happy-go-lucky]

Fine, I want to be Austria next time :D

[JackCopsey]

Well, at least you 2 will have some tactics for these countries in the next game. And you will have learnt whether to trust each other or not.....;)

Anyone else want to reserve a place for Game 2? (Get 'em while they're hot!)

[Arfmaster]

I'll stay with russia plz, I rather like it.

[Turkey Sandwich]

I'd like to get in on this, so I'll go with Germany next time if possible!

[Pie hunter D]

Damnit, too slow D=

[Hydralisk]

Urgh, Scotland and Wales reduced to nothing again. :(

Any room left on the next game?

[Mudkipz]

I love the idea of this game, bit weary that it'd be too complicated to run at first but my god Jack how you have proved me wrong :)
Put me on the waiting list for the next game. I'm really not picky about the country

[Pie hunter D]

I can confirm it is running smoothly and comms are flying all over the shot!

Epic success \0/

[JackCopsey]

Alright, Mudkipz and Hydralisk have been added to the waiting list. Are you bothered about the country you play, Hydralisk? You can choose between Italy and France.

This is proving to be more popular than I anticipated. Perhaps I will eventually have to organise people into teams, which choose a particular country... (though not until a good few games have been played, of course)

EDIT: I'll just flip a coin then. And Hydralisk got.....France, which means Mudkipz gets Italy.

[Hydralisk]

I'm cool with France. :) When is the next game starting? When game1 is finished or what?

EDIT - Russia and France are very strong going into the next round of the current game!

[JackCopsey]

Yes, when Game 1 is finished, Game 2 shall come your way. I'll see what people's feedback is, and how to improve it, but the game will run more or less in the same way.

[Magic Noodles]

Can you put me on the waiting list please?

If this puts me on top of the list for game 3 I call dibs on Britain, so I can be a toff...

[Pie hunter D]

Seems to be a lot of interest in this game. Maybe you should look at having teams next time ,Jack; otherwise peeps are gonna be waiting for ages since this game takes a while to get 18 supply centres =/

The play itself is good though, really well thought out for tinterwebs forum format.

tldr: Deplomacy is fucking cool, but takes time.

[Arfmaster]

Or, several people could run different games.

[Turkey Sandwich]

Or, several people could run different games.

That's what I was thinking. You could do it like Wherewolf, where people take turns at narrating, except that you could have more than one game running at once.

[JackCopsey]

This is an idea I am interested in. I save all of my resources as a PSD; would anyone who has Photoshop be interested in running a game?

[malcolio]

I don't think it would matter too much if someone ran the game using different icons and a map, might be better to make each game more individual. I use Gimp myself, so I don't think I can use a PSD file, but can still edit a map as the game goes on fairly easily.

[JackCopsey]

Alright then, anyone who strongly understands the rules, and has some kind of software to make and edit a Diplomacy Map, feel free to PM me, and I'll organise everything so that you can run the next game.

[Magic Noodles]

I don't think it would matter too much if someone ran the game using different icons and a map, might be better to make each game more individual. I use Gimp myself, so I don't think I can use a PSD file, but can still edit a map as the game goes on fairly easily.

I'm not certain but can't you download file readers for GIMP? I've done it with other formats but with photoshop I dunno.

[Turkey Sandwich]

Could you not just convert the files into something else? Or is that not possible for some reason?
I use GIMP as well, but I'm not sure I'll be running any games yet: I'm not convinced I know the rules 100%.

[Erasmus]

I would like to sign up for whatever game has space for someone to sign up for.

I'd also volunteer to run a game, but not until I've played through one (and I think the same should go for any and all potential gamemasters.)

[JackCopsey]

At the moment, I am taking names for Game 3...

I'm thinking that I might have to end up merging the next 2 games together, and have teams of 2 people running each country. I'll have to wait and see how many more people take interest; if I get 5 more people signed up for Game 3, I'll probably sort out some teams.

By the way, would you like any particular country in the next game?

[Erasmus]

Nope, whatever's available.

[Pie hunter D]

I'd actually be interested in joining a team game. Not particularly fussed about the country.

Someone take over that game so I can be in Jacks team :p

[malcolio]

I'm thinking that I might have to end up merging the next 2 games together, and have teams of 2 people running each country. I'll have to wait and see how many more people take interest; if I get 5 more people signed up for Game 3, I'll probably sort out some teams.Don't do that, there's no need to rush these things. People just have to be patient and wait, that's all. I think those who have signed up for Game 2 and 3 would rather have to wait longer to play then share their play with someone else, anyway.

[JackCopsey]

Looks like the next game may be a team game after all, but only if everyone is comfortable with it. It's entirely up to the people who are playing the game, and I'm not fussed whether it's a team game or two separate games. Feel free to share your ideas!

And by the way Pie Hunter D, I'm flattered by your offer, and would be more than happy to form a team with you if I ever get the chance. ;)

EDIT: Too slow to post; malcolio beat me. What are people's general views on this? I'll probably end up taking majority vote.

[happy-go-lucky]

I want to be in a team with malcolio :D

[malcolio]

I'm up for that, although I don't know why you'd want to be on my side. :p Wait, is it just so that you're Turkey again? You really do like that country...

I'd prefer to have a solo game, but if the majority want teams then I'm with H-G-L as Turkey. :)

[Pie hunter D]

I think she's got a thing for Austrian guys...

Probably hasn't seen "Bruno" :p

[JackCopsey]

Anyone else want to express their views on the team games? I'm leaning towards approving them at the moment...

[malcolio]

EDIT: Nothing to see here, move along. :p

[Arfmaster]

wrong thread malcolio
:eng101:

[JackCopsey]

My bad; I accidentally posted the Map for Fall 1902 on this thread, and quickly removed it. (you must have looked here at the exact wrong time malcolio! :p)

But Arfmaster raises a good point. Please don't discuss game matters in this thread, or it will get very confusing and messy.

[malcolio]

Thanks for that. :p

[Turkey Sandwich]

I prefer the idea of a solo game as the diplomacy aspect already brings in a cooperative element, which I think might be confused if you have two people with different ideas about what direction to take.

But if you make it a team game, I'll still play. I don't mind who I'm with.

[malcolio]

Yeah, Turkey Sandwich beat me to my other worry about team games: time. It takes long enough for players to decide what to do and then PM the GM, so doubling the amount of communication required could really slow down the whole thing. Unless you make it that one person each team is made the person who communicates with the GM only, or has a senior role in the partnership so that any disputes within teams can be resolved quickly. That or each team member takes it in turn to be leader of the team each year. Or something...

[JackCopsey]

Team Game Rules

These rules apply specifically to Team Games. If you want to see the standard rules, click here (http://forums.weebls-stuff.com/showpost.php?p=2276020&postcount=1).

In this special version of Diplomacy, each team is run by a government comprised of 2 different players. You still get the option of being able to choose a country, but you must also choose another player to team up with, and your government position.

There are 2 government positions available. A General has master control over Move Phases and Retreat Phases (in game, this is equivalent to Spring and Fall). They must send me orders for each of these phases, but do not have master control over Build Phases.

A Minister is very similar to a general, but the other way round. They have master control over Build Phases (e.g. Winter), but not over Move Phases and Retreat Phases. I say master control because either of the players can write orders for any Phase; however, if the game master receives 2 sets of orders, they should take the orders written by the role appropriate for the Phase. So for example, if a General forgets to write orders for the Spring Phase, but a Minister sends in a set of orders, then the Minister's orders will be used. If both players send a set of orders, the General's orders will take priority. So no complaining about a teammate letting you down!

Discussing ideas between players is a much bigger part of this game, so for that reason deadlines will last longer than usual. A Move Phase will last 3 days, and a Build or Retreat Phase will last 2 days. For Build or Retreat Phases, the deadline can still end early, as long as a full set of orders has been received from every appropriate role. These phases do not end early if only orders from the inappropriate role have been received. (eg a Build Phase will not end early if only the General has sent in orders)

That just about sums it up, but as always, feel free to ask if you don't understand a rule!

[Magic Noodles]

I'm not bothered by teaming up as long as the person doesn't hate me...

[Pie hunter D]

*Glowers at Magic Noodles and shakes fist*

[Nimblewright]

I would like to sign up for future games playing as France preferably.

Edit: Also, wouldn't mind team games

[JackCopsey]

Right, because there are almost 2 games' worth of people signed up, the next game I'll run will be a Team Game. I'll check to see if La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo wants to play, as he missed out on the last game, but whilst I do that, feel free to organise yourselves into teams. (So far malcolio and happy-go-lucky have agreed to both play Turkey)

[Arfmaster]

Anyone who wants to be with me and the mighty Russia?

[Nimblewright]

Aw, what the heck, I'll go with Russia

[Arfmaster]

Hello Comrade!

[JackCopsey]

Forgot to mention; after you have decided on your country, can you please organise who is going to be the General and who is going to be the Minister. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click here (http://forums.weebls-stuff.com/showpost.php?p=2281598&postcount=72))

[malcolio]

H-G-L, I don't mind being either the General or Minister, it's completely up to you. :)

[Nimblewright]

Arfmaster will be Minister if I'm correct, which leaves me to be General.

[Trickian]

Any places left in game? Coz if there are I'd like to join as Minister

[Nimblewright]

Minister of what country?

[Trickian]

Well, let's take Italy, I'll be the prime minister of Italy!

Muhahahaha

[JackCopsey]

Alright then, we need 2 more people for the team game to work. And for those of you who oppose the idea, this is mainly to see if team games work well; If they don't, then no more will be run in the future.

[happy-go-lucky]

I want to be minister :D

[Arfmaster]

It seems minister is a popular choice. I'd have thought the opposite

[Pie hunter D]

Seriously. Generals can bitchslap those pussy ministers about with their armies.

[Arfmaster]

Ministers can get other Generals to attack you in force.

:eng101:

[Pie hunter D]

I'm currently working on splitting the atom...

[Arfmaster]

Is this to go with your teleportation machine?

[Trickian]

Nope, he ordered the invisibility cloak :P

[Nimblewright]

Couldn't you try flying your doods to turkey? Somewhat less high tech, and therefore easier, than teleportation, me thinks

[Trickian]

Well, since Nimble pointed me on my manners, im gonna do it the polite way this time...
If I was allowed to get the minister function in Italy and if Pie Master would like to join me as General (or as technician to invent time travel to see which action has which consequence)?

[malcolio]

I want to be minister :DCool, time to strike up the Major-General song for me then.

With people's PM boxes quickly filling up, I don't know how many people would want to communicate by e-mail. Pie hunter D suggested it a little while ago but with teams of two interacting with other teams of two it might be a good idea to use instead of PMs. Thoughts?

[Arfmaster]

That could be a very good idea. Msn, or related programs could work too.

[JackCopsey]

You can communicate in any way you want; it's entirely up to you.

[Trickian]

I've been communicating with pie hunter via MSN already, so I think it's not a bad idea to use it for diplomacy, though everybody has to be online at certain times, coz offline messages dont always get through...email sounds like a better plan, at least better that Pm's or MSN

[malcolio]

OK, I've got the e-mail address malcoliodiplomacy@googlemail.com, if you want to contact me that way during the game.

[Trickian]

I'll be having my normal e-mail adress: mitchel.w@live.nl

[JackCopsey]

*bump*

Just to remind people, lots of you still need to team up with someone for Game 2.

And if you would rather send me your Orders by email, you can direct them to this address:

jack_the_diplomat@btinternet.com

[Trickian]

it may be just me, but i think its best if you PM everybody, that has signed him or herself up for the teamgame to ask for whom they want to team-up with. I think it will be more effective than this way

[JackCopsey]

Thanks Trickian, but I kind of already realised this. It's a bit early to completely set up the game now, as I wouldn't want to confuse everybody into thinking that the game was about to start. But in the near future, I will probably be doing this.


EDIT:

Attention everybody:

Pie hunter D's role is now up for grabs! He plays France in the current game. (Game 1) Please PM me if you would like to take over his role. It will be on a first-come-first-served basis!


EDIT 2:

Trickian has now taken over France. That is all.

[Hydralisk]

Me and PhD are teaming up in France now. :)

[JackCopsey]

Alrighty then! Who's going to be General, and who's Minister?

[Hydralisk]

Dibs on General.

[Pie hunter D]

Dibs on Gen...CRAP!

It's all good, I can minister stuff then.

[Turkey Sandwich]

I'm not sure who I'm going to be with still (as I said, I don't mind), but I'd prefer to be a general if possible.

Also, these Diplomacy threads can get very confusing for me considering there's a country named after me. Perhaps I should change my name to 'Armenia Sandwich' or something. :p

EDIT: Trickian and I have now joined forces, and will be Team Germany, with him as Minister and myself as General.

[JackCopsey]

happy-go-lucky is on holiday for this week, which means that she won't be able to play Diplomacy. Could someone please take over Turkey whilst she is gone? If you are interested, please send me a PM. And remember, it is on a first-come-first-served basis!

[Nimblewright]

Turkey for a week, please.

[JackCopsey]

Yep, that's fine. Nimblewright is now temporarily in charge of Turkey.

EDIT: I've just found out that [murray] will be away for a fortnight, starting from Wednesday. Could someone please take over Italy whilst he's gone? This will probably be for most of the rest of the game.

Thanks to anyone who's willing to take this strain off my back! :D

EDIT 2: Arfmaster has now taken over Italy. Thanks!

[ReaperBallz]

Hi JackCopsey, can i join the team game? i believe you have two more places left

[JackCopsey]

Yep, that's fine. Could you please try and team up with someone on the "Awaiting a Team-Mate" list, and choose a country between you?

[ReaperBallz]

PM sent to the "Chosen one" (at least i'm trying....)

[Trickian]

Please ladies & gentlemen, don't be shy, sign up! It's a brilliant game (and I want to start the team game asap)!! So please, sign up!

[Hydralisk]

Also, I'm going to point out to people to empty your inboxes before the next game starts, as many people (myself included) will probably communicate via PMs (Except if people are really really pedantic about their method of communications, in which case emails go to Vulture_in_Trouble@msn.com. :))

[ReaperBallz]

JackCopsey,

It's with Great Pleasure to announce! Mudkipz and I will be teaming up as the power house of fast cars and beautiful women that is Italy!!! His Excellency Prime Minister Mudkips Esq and General ReaperBallz will release a press release shortly....

[JackCopsey]

The end of the current game is drawing near, so just a reminder that there is still 1 more place in the team game!! If anyone is interested, please reply on this thread.

That is all.

[Trickian]

Couldn't one of us just ask in the werewolf thread if anyone is interested? (and when is that game over, I'd like to join the next game) Anyhow, people try to make this game famous! :p

[JackCopsey]

This is a nice idea, but it would be rather blatant advertising if I was to post a message in the Wherewolf? thread about this game. And I doubt that is permitted on these forums!

[Trickian]

Well, than do it subtle and pretend it to be a sign to kill someone ;)

[malcolio]

The Dead thread is mine, and I don't mind you advertising in it, so go nuts. :)

[JackCopsey]

Wow, thanks! I feel like a 5 year old in a candy store! :D

[Trickian]

I'm already busy with an advertisement!! :)

[JackCopsey]

Unfortunately, Small Fry can no longer play, so we now need two more people for the team game.

[JackCopsey]

Right, a lot of people seem unsure about what the future games are going to be, so here is what is planned out so far:

Game 1: The current game, run by JackCopsey (me)
Game 2: The Team Game, run by JackCopsey (This may become a normal game if not enough people sign up)
Game 3: A Normal Game, run by Trickian
Game 4: A "Crystal-Ball" Game, run by Nimblewright (google it if you're unsure)
Game 5: A Global Game, run by Jack Copsey. This one features a different map.

If you really want, you can sign up for future games now, but I'd prefer for people to wait, as it would otherwise get really confusing and messy. I'll accept names for Game 3 though, as Game 2 has almost begun. Trickian agreed to let me join in on Game 3, and I shall be taking Germany. (for some reason, this is my strongest country!)

[Trickian]

Meesa gonna runna game! WEEEEH! :D

[Nimblewright]

Rules for Crystal Ball Diplomacy:




1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 BASIC CONCEPT
In Crystal Ball Diplomacy, players must submit orders for each turn before they know what really happened on the previous turn. In other words, the results for any given movement phase are not revealed to the players until after every player has issued (unchangeable) orders for the subsequent movement phase.

To put it another way, your units don't begin to respond to their orders until the next movement phase beyond the one when they'd normally respond. You always have two sets of orders, not one, "in the pipe." There's a big premium on correctly discerning now what's going to happen later; you can't respond to anything immediately; you watch in frustration as your units go on trying to execute a plan that's already failed, etc. -- just as in real warfare.

If regular Diplomacy is (as has been remarked) like a knife-fight in a dark room, Crystal Ball Diplomacy is like a knife-fight in a dark room on cough syrup. Conducted in Aramaic. With earplugs.




1.2 PHASES OF THE GAME
Thinking about Crystal Ball Diplomacy and the sequence in which its world unfolds can be a bit confusing. To chart a path through that confusion, the sequence of a game of Crystal Ball Diplomacy is shown below.

http://www.variantbank.org/results/rules/c/crystalflow.gif


In Crystal Ball Diplomacy, submission of movement orders differs from the usual order-writing procedure of standard Diplomacy. This difference is discussed in detail in the next section of these rules.




2. ORDER LISTS



2.1 ABOUT ORDER LISTS
Orders for a movement phase in Crystal Ball Diplomacy are submitted in "lists." In addition to the usual adjudication (bounce, cut support, and so on), some orders may turn out to be impossible due to the fact that the unit mentioned does not exist (or at least does not exist at the specified location).

Thus, some or all of a player's orders may turn out to be void. That is your fault. Or maybe (if order lists are being made public -- see below) you did it on purpose to deceive someone. But then, that would be wrong, wouldn't it?



2.2 ORDER FORMAT
Each order in an order list must contain the type of unit (Army or Fleet) being ordered, followed by the province or body of water in which the player imagines it to be situated when the list will be processed, followed by the order to be given to that unit.

For example, if the player is unsure whether he will have an army or a fleet in London, he must use two separate orders to make sure to order that unit to Yorkshire.



3. ORDER LIST PROCESSING



3.1 CONSIDERED AND IGNORED ORDERS
An order list may contain as many orders as the player wishes to issue, but only a certain number of them (from the top of the list down) will be "considered." The number of orders that will be "considered" is the same for all players; it is the number of supply centers controlled by the largest power on the board at the time the lists are processed.

[Note that this applies only to non-PROXY orders. PROXY orders (which may be appear anywhere in an order list) are counted and handled separately. See Rule 3.2]

For example, if England controls seven supply centers, and no other power controls more than seven, then the first seven orders in each player's order list will be considered. The eighth and subsequent orders in each list (if any) will be marked ignored.

Thus, for Spring (and Fall) 1901, each player may issue four orders for consideration (since Russia owns four supply centers). So if you are England, you might issue the following Fall order list:


F NWG C A Edi - Nwy
A Edi - NWG - Nwy
F Lon - ENG
F ENG - Bre


and all four orders will be considered, meaning that if you have a fleet in the Channel, it will try to take Brest, and if you don't (because your Springtime attempt to move there was bounced by France), you will once again try to leave London to cause trouble for the Frenchman.

This rule makes it a bit easier on the smaller countries and tougher on the larger countries, tending to even out the game. Thus, if you are poor at predicting your future (and your strength in the game begins reflecting this), you'll get a better chance to defend yourself than would someone who might be a little better (luckier?) at prognostication.

The number of orders in an order list is unlimited.



3.3 PROXIED UNITS
A player may, in his order list, issue PROXY orders, each giving control of a particular unit for that phase to any other specified, uneliminated player.

As with non-PROXY orders, only a certain number of PROXY orders are "considered," the others being ignored. In the case of PROXY orders, the number that can be "considered" is the number of supply centers controlled by the smallest (uneliminated) power in the game [credit for this rule goes to Pitt Crandlemire]. Unless contradicted later in the list by another considered order for the same unit, every considered PROXY order in an order list will be honored.

Let's say that you are England, allied with France, and you theorize that in a certain Spring you will have armies in Belgium and Ruhr, and France will have a new build in Paris. You and France plan that at this point, France will use his Paris army to take Munich with your support. However, your order lists are:


Spring
A Bel - Bur
A Ruh S A Bel - Bur

Fall
A Ruh S A Bur - Mun
A Bur PROXY to France




By the time France knows that your army, not his, will be in Burgundy, his Fall Bur-Mun order will be locked in. Your proxy will save you the trouble of issuing the order yourself, freeing up a "considered" (non-PROXY) order spot. In short, you look like an evil genius.

Units proxied from one power to another must be ordered (or left unordered, but may not be "re-proxied") by the power receiving the proxy. Any unit that is proxied twice on the same turn (first by its true owner, then again by the power receiving the owner's proxy) will HOLD.



3.3 UNITS ORDERED TWICE OR NOT ORDERED
If two or more dissimilar orders are given for the same (existing) unit, and if any two of these are considered (that is, not ignored), then the last such considered order is followed.

As in standard Diplomacy, any units left unordered in a movement phase will HOLD and may be supported. This applies to PROXY orders in that if the power granted the PROXY does not issue an order to the unit, the unit will HOLD.




4. GAME TERMINATION



4.1 SOLO VICTORY
If a player achieves a solo victory, players may actually submit order lists for an unnecessary Spring movement phase. If the Game Master realizes a solo victory has been achieved, he may process the final Fall movement phase early (without having collected order lists for the subsequent Spring).



4.2 DRAWS
Players may agree to share a draw equally among all surviving players at any time. Such agreement is immediate, and is not contingent on any phase of the game that is yet to be processed.



4.3 PLAYER ELIMINATION
A player who is eliminated in a Fall movement phase will not know about his elimination until after he has submitted orders for the subsequent Spring phase. Even if a Game Master notices that a player is eliminated, he must not inform the player of his elimination. Such a player is still eligible to share in any declared draw, and other players may be negotiating with him on the basis of his supposed survival.

[malcolio]

That sounds like an incredibly difficult version of Diplomacy. It makes my head heart just thinking about how fiendish playing it would be!

Btw, can I sign up to run Game 6? I'd like to use your map for Game 1, if that's OK JackCopsey. :)

[JackCopsey]

I swear that I've seen those rules somewhere (http://www.diplom.org/Online/variants/crystalball.html) before...

But I'll keep quiet. :) And yep malcolio, that's fine. I assume you'll be running a "normal" game of Diplomacy.

[Nimblewright]

That sounds like an incredibly difficult version of Diplomacy.

Actually playing it is a lot easier. The rules look like hell, but it's actually quite easy to grasp.


I swear that I've seen those rules somewhere before...

Well, I left some obsolete rules out....

I will rewrite them though, to make it look comprehensible

[Trickian]

Sounds nice, maybe I'll join it, next to my own game ;)