Re: diplomacy pbem

From: Quicksilver <michael.kelly@lmco.com>

Date: Wed, 18 Feb 1998 00:00:00 +0000

RLazer8532 wrote:

> >>Diplomacy is a board game designed in the '50s by Alan Calhammer (I think
> >>thats how you spell his name. Its supposed to emulate Diplomacy of 'Turn of
> >>the century Europe'.
> >
> ><...snipped...>
> >
> >Now, isn't that a better description than the one that said "It's a game
> >where you don't fight but just have to force other pieces back" or something
> >like that?
>
> Not really.  the second is more accurate.  You lie and force back pieces.  The
> realism of Europe is incredible (sarcasm) With Frace, the Ottoman Empire,
> Austria, and Germany having the SAME armies.

You make it sound so, so, so inadequate. The first wargame I ever played
was Diplomacy, and I had a great deal of fun. The second one was The Rise
and Decline of the Third Reich and it also was great fun. Isn't there room
enough for both?

Diplomacy was never meant to be historically accurate, wheras Third Reich
was. The emphasis is on diplomacy and outguessing /maneuvering your
opponent. A face to face turn consists of  15 or so frantic minutes of trying to
convince everyone that you are the good guy and someone else is bad. Then
orders are submitted and evaluated simultaneously. The resolution of those
orders is the only complicated part of the game. It was admirably suited to
play-by-mail (it even lacks dice) before pbm ever existed and has all of the
edge-of-your seat anticipation you could hope for.

The second thing is that there are players that NEVER lie. Deciding whether
to lie or not is part of the meta-game (this term refers to the consequences
of  actions and play style in the following games) and many players refuse to
do so.  This is a concept we a pbmers are VERY well aquainted with. There
is nothing wrong with a game that embraces back-stabbing.

Another excellent, though overpriced, historically inacurate pbm game is
Rolling Thunders Victory! game. Unlike Diplomacy it is very realistic,
attempting to accuratly simulate the strategy and tactics while hurling
violently historical accuracy to the winds.

Were you trying to show dissapproval of the game? That is how your
post comes off. I would understand if you personally disliked the game.
It is not for everyone. But I take exception to hearing you mention such
a finely crafted game with such reproach.

References

Re: diplomacy pbem
"Steve Pritchard" <steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Fri, 13 Feb 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: diplomacy pbem
rlazer8532@aol.com (RLazer8532)
Tue, 17 Feb 1998 00:00:00 +0000