New game?

Well, it has been a while since we played a game. With two days to commit orders, is anyone interested in playing?

Comment below if you are!

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Diplomacy Quotes

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names"
John F. Kennedy

Kongming's First Win!

After nearly 3 months and "18 years" User Error has come to an end marking a first 'W' for a player who wishes to remain unnamed

GamesByEmail Judge Retreat in Question

You may retreat to a country that just left however it may not be involved in the action causing the disband.

Also if two countries retreat to the same location both must disband (hence why you have to write your disbands down)

Another note about the game: Brian, Jacob, and Myself played a quick game tonight and ran in to the usual bugs. The most common is the "Process Orders" loop. I think I figured out the trick... Do not press the "Process Orders" button or it will submit that as your "move" causing your moves to be undone. Simply wait until all others players have played the turn you last did and sit and pray that your orders went through as you wanted. So far its happened to me both with builds and moves and every time my actions were safe as long as I just refreshed the page or the "My Games" page and waited until it was my turn again. To be safe one time I waited until it was my turn and then I was able to re-enter my moves and they went through as expected.

Fall 1902, PhxDiplomacy

In the second year of PhxDiplomacy, the game has enjoyed some interesting twists.

An active French/German/Austro-Hungarian has emerged. Historically, this combination has been able to dominate Western and Central Europe (see the Franks) and easily roll into Russia (see Napoleon). A continuing problem for them will be England. To successfully counter this island foe, the F/G/A-H alliance needs many fleets in the water and convoyed armies (see the Nazi's failed Battle of Britian, or again see Napoleon).

Northern Italy has become an interesting battle field. AH and France have been able to tie-down the numerically superior Italian forces. With the correct support arrangement, however, Italy should be able to take either Piedmont or Trieste. The chance for the Italians to break-out of this position, though, is quickly fading.

Austria-Hungary, through its smart alliance, has been able to hang-onto its home stars. But, it faces the growing Turkish juggernaut. Turkey appears to be playing south-eastern Europe historically correct. It has captured Sevestopol and sent Russia into decline. If the game follows history, Turkey's advance should be able to continue unabated until it reaches the Gates of Vienna where it will face stiff French and German resistance. For the time being, the F/G/A-H alliance may want to temporarily bypass Venice and take Tyrolia so that they will be in a strong position against Turkey.

Russia has a tough decision. It can either try to keep what it has, which will probably fail. Or, it can go kamikaze and convoy an army into Berlin, which would be fun.

England should form an alliance with Italy if it hasn't already done so. One should support the other into the MAO and start raiding French ports. It might be their best chance to turn the corner on the Continental F/G/A-H alliance. An even more profitable strategy would be for England and Italy to ally themselves with Turkey, since the Ottomans seem focused on building land forces.

I have been analysing this game from a geographic and historical perspective, but there is another angle that I haven't touched. There is an undercurrent of inter-personal relations within our Diplomacy group. For example, Hart and Melanie have been frequent allies, as of late. Adam and Mong are also commonly allies. Adam and Hart, though, are often Diplomacy foes. Since this is a codename game, I have no idea who is who yet. But, I suspect that identity politics will soon be a factor in the game if it isn't already.

On a closing note, has anyone else wondered what Diplomacy on a world map would be like?

East vs. West

Allies from the start of the game, Adam (Russia) and Jacob (England) split the board and tie at 17 apiece in PhxDiplomacyUnlimited.

Fall 1901, PhxDiplomacy

Since I don't have a horse in this race, I have decided to be an announcer for it. So, here goes...

PhxDiplomacy looks to be another rousing game of Diplomacy with seasoned veterans and newbies alike seated at the table. Since there are no robot countries, all players will need to be on their toes. The chances of double-crossings are higher; and alliances will be necessary to avoid multi-front battles.

England:

With potentially the most aggressive opening of the game, England grabs the traditionally neutral English Channel. England has the problem of where does it expand next after splitting Scandinavia with Russia. It looks like "The Beard" has answered that question with France. But, does England try slipping into the strategic MAO or land an army in Brest. Both have risks. Watch for alliances or non-aggression pacts (NAP) with Russia and Germany.

France:

With a natural hegemony over the Iberian peninsula, France appears to be keeping it in reserve while handling English and German aggressors to the North. France has some important questions to answer for next season that could determine its outcome in this game. To prosper, France needs to not only keep its shipyards in Brest, but also to make a foothold in Flanders. Also, watch for a French-Italian NAP, as they seem to have partitioned-off the southwest corner of the board.

Germany:

Geographically and historically, Germany is the worst positioned country in Europe. Smack in the middle of the continent, it is surrounded by the other great powers. Already, Germany appears to have a NAP with its kinsman, Austria-Hungary, and an alliance with England. Blitzkrieg in the Low Countries is a smart move; it worked well for Hitler. But, it still needs to fend off an active Italy and Russia. Will Germany hold the territory it has, or make sacrifices in the name of capturing new lands?

Italy:

Italy has made a very smart, yet unique, opening. At first, holding Rome in reserve seems unusual. But, after noticing the position in Tyrolia, this announcer sees that Rome will bounce Trieste's fleet out of Venice while the army in Tyrolia has its choice of Munich and Vienna. Additionally, the fleet out of Naples has its pick of Greece or Tunis. We will have to wait and see just how much Italy will gain with this strategy. Watch for an NAP with France and a strong cross-board ally in Russia.

Austria-Hungary:

With an apparent NAP with Germany, Austria-Hungary has made a dash to the resource-rich south. It has effectively blocked Russia, but has a weak spot in an open Vienna. This maybe the game's first double-cross if Austria and Italy also have an NAP and AH has granted Italy safe-passage through Tyrolia. Also, once AH and Turkey split the Balkans, watch for an anti-Russia / anti-Italy alliance, a la WWI.

Russia:

Because it has such a large initial territory, Russia has a variety of openings. Because Russia opened along the Baltic instead of the Barents Sea, I suspect there is an agreement between England and Russia to split Scandinavia. Watch for Russia making its early land gains in the North and blocking to the South.

Turkey:

Turkey has often won in our Diplomacy group when it can neutralize Russia's predations and take the Black Sea. Since, as a spectator, I only see the results of the moves, I wonder if Russia and Turkey have an NAP or bounced each other from the Black Sea. Either way, Turkey is still in a dangerous situation. In real life, the Crimean War (Florence Nightengale) was fought over this piece of the world since it's control is vital to both Turkey and Russia.

Prediction for early game gainers: England, Russia, Italy.

On a closing, metaphorical note, I have started wondering why training ourselves to invade and conquer Europe is soo much fun.