Diplomacy Magazine - Chapter Two (Parts 1-2) From: loeb@geocub.UUCP (Daniel LOEB) Date: Mon, 11 May 1992 12:54:24 +0000 Issue #285 of Chapter Two of the Electronic Protocol By Daniel Loeb (loeb@geocub.greco-prog.fr) May 11, 1992 Distributed via: rec.games.pbm rec.games.board dipl-l ------------------------------------------------------------- Electronic Protocol Games played on the Diplomacy Adjudicator ------------------------------------------------------------- **** TABLE OF CONTENTS **** PART ONE - Opinions, Letters, and Editorials: New DPP Gamestarts Runestone Poll Luzon Gamestart Announcement Diablos & Eldritch Gamestart Announcement Looking for Zines Frequently Asked Questions Rules Question Diplomacy Article Archives Service: Turkey Turkish Openings Openings Contest: Matt Ender wins PART TWO - Summary of all moderated games on the Judge: For more info about the Judge For more info about the Electronic Protocol PART THREE - Report from the Battle Front Speed: F/I/J draw Fontenoy 1913 results PART FOUR - "Diplomacy A-Z" (Version 2.0) - Part 2 ***** PART ONE ***** **** NEW DPP GAMESTARTS **** Following the anticipated release of a new version of the Bordeaux Diplomat, new games are being formed to test this Diplomat. The negotiation powers of the diplomat are very minimal as of yet, so we have decided to not test them. These games will all therefore be GUNBOAT with NO PRESS. The identity of the DIPLOMAT(s) will be concealed in order to test whether or not the DIPLOMAT plays "like a human". In order to complete the games as rapidly as possible, (my students must submit a defense their work at the end of June), a certain number of the games will be WARP SPEED. Please pay attention to the listings, and sign up for the game at the speed which suits you. Since the previous DPP games are still going on, I'm not going to comment much on them. I full update will follow for each game as soon as the diplomat(s) are eliminated. I will however point out the following differences between the new diplomat and the old one. (1) FRIENDLINESS - The program recognizes aggressive moves (and builds and retreats). It will concentrate its fire-power against those countries. Similarly, the program appreciates supports (even non-solicited) and non-aggression. Such players are assumed to be neutral, and a demilitarized zone is defined by the computer between the two countries. Unless the computer decides specifically that it should stab a neutral, then it will not violate the DMZ. (2) INTELLIGENCE - The program will search not only for good moves, but will search for good moves on the assumption that the opponents are making good moves. (3) LOOK-AHEAD - The program will anticipate its options for the following phase. (4) SUPPORT - The program will use the necessary support to make its attacks and defend its territory. Games DPPA, DPPB, DPPC, DPPD, and DPPE are ongoing. Games DPPF (normal speed) and DPPG (warp speed) are taking inscriptions. **** RUNESTONE POLL **** The 1992 Runestone Poll is taking votes on the best diplomacy magazines, subzines and GM's. You can get ballots from the EP archivists or from the EP editor (Eric_s_klien@cup.portal.com) or the pollmaster Eric Brosius/72060.1540@CompuServe.COM For your information, ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL is a "zine". Each chapter of EP is a "subzine". And the Judge itself is a "GM". For the main results (zines, subzines, and GMs) send 50 cents, two 29 cent U.S. stamps, or an issue of your zine in which you publish a ballot to Eric Brosius, 41 Hayward St., Milford MA 01757. **** LUZON GAMESTART ANNOUNCEMENT **** From: Martin Brumm <marty@PC1504.CHEMIE.UNI-MARBURG.DE> I have started a new Youngstown Gunboat game on the Judge@U.washington.edu. Its my first Game as a Gm, so i hope the player which sign on will enjoy it. The Parameter are as follows: Moves are every 48 Hours (maybe we speed this up ) Grace period is 168.00 There will be no Press so it will be equal to The games already running i.e. Sunda, Sumatra. **** DIABLOS AND ELDRITCH GAMESTART ANNOUNCEMENT **** From: John O'Regan <J_OREGAN%CSVAX1@IRUCCVAX.UCC.IE> Just thought I'd dash off a quick note to tell you about the two new games I`ve just created on the judge. They're exactly the same, except that Eldritch is gunboat. When I was running Banditos, I wanted the players to make mischievious use of the black press options, but I made the mistake setting the press to white/grey instead of just grey. The players were afraid of making a mistake in issuing the press commands in their broadcasts that would subsequently cast them in a bad light. Also, they argued that if you really wanted to convince someone you were the genuine article, you would have to use the white option anyway - or better yet, write to them directly. This set me off thinking that if everyone knew everyone else's addresses, there was little point in having press in the first place. That's why I created a gunboat game that allows press. Purists among you may be aghast, but think of this as an experiment. Lastly, sorry I had to set the dedication level to 20, but there were some problems in Banditos with players following suicidal courses of action and then surrenderring their remaining centres without putting up even a token resist- ance. End of game report available on request, PS: Note that these games will drag on into the Summer. **** LOOKING FOR ZINES **** From: marty@pc1504.Chemie.Uni-Marburg.DE (Martin Brumm) I am searching for european or German Diplomacy zines can anybody out here give me a hint or better a list about them and where to get them? From: mike magnuson (S9IK9@STARBURST.USCOLO.EDU) i need the names and addresses of a good zine or two so i can play dippy over summer break. if anyone can help i'd appreciate it. **** FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS **** From: Joel Finkle (jjfink@skcla.monsanto.com) <answers in brackets by Daniel Loeb loeb@geocub.greco-prog.fr> My first foray into rec.games.board showed a large article on Diplomacy. Great was my happiness :) However, I must say I need a FAQ on Play By E-Mail more than your article (Iss 284 of Chapter Two of the EP). I am very much interested in e-mail diplomacy games, and would love to join in on one (even taking a replacement role). I have not played by correspondence before, except for an aborted game about 10 years ago, where the players could converse face-to-face, but the moves were deposited with a neutral judge. It was aborted because nobody could get moves in on time. Basic Questions: 1) what is JUDGE? Is it an automated game mediator? <DL: The JUDGE is an automated game mediator (Diplomacy Adjudicator) accessable via electronic mail. Send "GET INFO" to JUDGE@U.WASHINGTON.EDU for more information.> corrolary: Is there a PC or Mac-based game mediator or better yet, a real computer player (including one that can form alliances)? <DL: Avalon Hill markets such diplomacy adjudicators for the PC and Mac, and there are probably dozens of private versions available for free. It is harder to find good computer players. The DIPLOMACY PROGRAMMING PROJECT is designed to fill this lack. Contact me for more information. The DPP series games on the JUDGE are being used to test our prototypes.> 2) How can I join in on a game? <DL: The JUDGE registration form is enclosed in the reply to the GET INFO command. After registering, use the LIST command or consult monthly update in this magazine in order to find suitable openings. Then use the SIGNON command to enter the games, or contact the GM or Ken Lowe or myself for help.> 3) Is there a listing of the game variants rules mentioned in Iss 284? Note: 284 ended in the middle of the "B"s in Diplomacy A-Z. Is this the real end, or did NetNews cut it off? FTP sites are appreciated. <DL: The article DIPLOMACY A-Z is being published as a continuing series. In the complete version, all variants referred to will have a short summary. Later on, another series DIPLOMACY VARIANTS A-Z will contain much more detailed information. You also can get variant information from JUDGE with the command "GET INFO.<variant>"> 4) Do you need a mediator? I'll volunteer. <DL: Yes, we need GM's. Ken Lowe and myself are much overworked! Once you get the hang of playing on JUDGE, send the commands GET MASTER GET HOW2GM GET EP.HOUSE.RULES GET DEADLINES GET PRESS Between them, they contain most of what you need to know to run a diplomacy game on the JUDGE. Then send me an article so I can help publicize your game, and keep people informed of its progress.> **** RULES QUESTION **** From: Greg Dilworth <rgd3729@TAMSUN.TAMU.EDU> I have a rules question for you. I wish to convoy an army from place to another. (a Ven -> adr -> alb) while the source province is getting attacked by one army with support. (a tri -> ven, a tyr s a tri -> ven) and I am moving an army into this province with two supports. (a Tus -> ven, a pie s a tus -> ven, a rom s a tus -> ven) In the event that my convoy bounces, what happens? <DL: The fact that the unit is being convoyed is of no importance here. What is involved is the SELF-DISLODGEMENT prohibited rule: "3. SELF-DISLODGMENT PROHIBITED. One exception mentioned in Section VIII, CONFLICTS, is that an order to move into a space occupied by another unit of the same country may not succeed if the second unit fails to leave that space. The order would still be valid for other purposes, however, such as standing off an equally well or less well supported attack on the same space by units of other countries. Similarly, an order by one country which supports an attack by another country against a space occupied by one of the first country's units does not permit a move dislodging that unit, but may be valid for other purposes." Thus, in this example, all the units would remain in place....> **** DIPLOMACY ARTICLE ARCHIVES SERVICE **** Mark Nelson <amt5man@ecusun.leeds.ac.uk> maintains a fairly large list of Diplomacy Articles. I would like to see as many of them in Electronic form as possible. Please write to Mark and request the articles that you are willing to type into your computer. Send the articles to me and I will print them in EP Chapter 2 and in that way they will be permanently archived in electronic form. ***People in North America can have material in return for subs ***to North American zines. (Mark's choice). Otherwise, send money or stamps or international postage coupons (self-adressed stamped envelope) to cover photocopying and postage. If you edit/write diplomacy material, Mark will take that in exchange. Otherwise, you can always try asking VERY NICELY! In the next several issues of EP Chapter 2, I will present parts of the DAAS catalog. Here is the list of articles dealing with TURKEY. *** TURKEY *** Code Title, Author (Date, Length in pages) ---- --------------------------------------- cT01 The First Two Seasons, Danny Collman (1987,3) cT02 Diplomacy Strategy: Turkey, John Wilman (1983,2) cT03 Turkey, Bruce Linsey (1) cT04 Turkey, Derek Cawes, (1985,2) cT05 Turkish Strategy: Reply, Niall Litton, (1985) cT06 Turkish Strategy: A Second Reply, Mark Berch (1985) cT07 Turkey, Harry Drews, (1975) cT08 The New Opening for Turkey?, John Hickman (1988,1) **** TURKISH OPENINGS **** This is the end of the series of Spring 1901 openings for each country. If you have any, please send me: data for any games that were NOT listed below, the final results for the games listed below, any corrections, commentaries on the openings, rebuttals to the player's guide's commentary Anyone who wants a summary of all of the data in one file can just ask for it. Similarly, I'd appreciate a volunteer willing to keep the information up to date. SUMMARY OF OPENINGS FOR TURKEY ------------------------------ A Con A Smy F Ank Judge Judge Games (wins) ----- ----- ----- ----- ------------------ Bul HOLD Con 20 Acre, Conan, Cubit, Fast, jutEland, khafji, King, Koursk, Land, Orange, osijek, Paris, Portnoy, Quartz, Quebec, Rose, Squid, water, xenon, zounds Bul Con Bla 19 DPPA, CROATIA, EVOLT, DREWIDS, GOLD, JADE, Player's Guide - Opening 3 nifty, purple, radar, BEREZINA, DDAY, MANHATTAN, GROSSC , Leipzig, LOBO, Ludwig, marengo, spam, yellow Bul Arm Bla 18 EYLAU, HASTINGS, AJAX, ASIA, BACH, BANDITOS, Player's Guide - Opening 1 BLIND, Cannon, dram, mystery, sparrow, SUGAR, 100andup, stanford, swift, topple, turbo, under Bul Ank Con 7 GUADAL, BOADICEA, BOLT, JUTLAND, AUSTERLITZ, Player's Guide - Opening 2 vittle, 1966AA Bul Arm Con 3 DPPB, Hyperwar, Warp Excerpts from the Player's Guide. --------------------------------- Preliminary Note: There is no substitute for (A Con-Bul). The orders for the other two units may vary. Opening 1: This opening poses all sorts of problems for Russia. If she has trustingly ordered (F Sev-Rum) she is in real trouble. Even if she ordered, (F Sev-Bla), she is going to have difficulty maintaining her position." Opening 2: "The intent here is, in the Fall, F Con-Aeg, A Smy-Con (or H) for a western push. If Russia treacherously ordered F Sev-Bla, Turkey can still defend. F Con-Ank, A Smy-Ank will hold all her home supply centers and leave Ankara open for the build of a fleet." Opening 3: "Turkey can employ this opening when she is unsure of Russia but does not want to move to Armenia. It may be that she has at least a neutrality pact with Russia which includes a pre-arranged stand-off in the Black Sea. Among other things, this can be used to deceive players in believing Russia and Turkey are at war, even though they are allied. Without that intent, the opening is weak, but makes the best of an uncertain situation." **** CONTEST **** Matt Ender wins the openings contest with 586 out of 660 possible points!!! The rules: Players propose 3 openings for each country. You earn 3 points each time opening 1 was used, 2 points each time opening 2 was used, and 1 point each time opening 3 was used. Contestant Totals A Con A Smy F Ank Freqncy Points ---------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ Matt Ender A = 91 Bul Arm Bla 18 54 R = 46 E = 137 Bul HOLD Con 20 40 T = 113 F = 60 Bul Con Bla 19 19 TOTAL = 586 G = 93 I = 46 Dave Cebula A = 68 Bul Con Bla 19 57 R = 52 E = 137 Bul Ank Con 7 14 T = 89 F = 91 Bul Arm Bla 18 18 TOTAL = 554 G = 95 I = 22 Pete Jennings A = 75 Bul Con Bla 19 57 R = 36 E = 140 Bul HOLD Con 20 40 T = 115 F = 74 Bul Arm Bla 18 18 TOTAL = 544 G = 61 I = 43 Chris Lopez A = 68 Bul Con Bla 19 57 R = 28 E = 140 Bul Arm Bla 18 36 T = 113 F = 91 Bul HOLD Con 20 20 TOTAL = 539 G = 62 I = 37 Jamie Dreier A = 36 Bul Ank Con 7 21 R = 42 E = 137 Bul Arm Bla 18 36 T = 76 F = 79 Bul Con Bla 19 19 TOTAL = 478 G = 66 I = 41 Torben Mogensen A = 62 Bul Con Bla 19 57 R = 16 E = 99 Bul Con HOLD 0 0 T = 57 F = 12 Bul Ank Arm 0 0 TOTAL = 354 G = 98 I = 10 ***** PART TWO ***** Next monthly update at the end of May, meanwhile ... **** FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE JUDGE**** For X: Send Y to JUDGE@U.WASHINGTON.EDU: ------ --------------------------------- (*QUESTIONS ABOUT A CERTAIN GAME*) More detailed information about a game: LIST <name-of-game> History of a game: SUMMARY <name-of-game> Regular updates for a certain game: OBSERVE <name-of-game> <password> Copy of variant rules: GET INFO.<name-of-variant> or GET PRESS or GET GUNBOAT (*GENERAL QUESTIONS*) General information HELP Update of the list of games above LIST More detailed list LIST FULL To be informed of all game changes OBSERVE CONTROL <password> Default house rules GET EP.HOUSE.RULES Other information: Contact me (loeb@geocub.greco-prog.fr) or Ken Lowe (jdr@u.washington.edu) or your game master (see list below) **** FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL **** To solve Email problems, contact one of the email wizards: swb@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu, andre@hern.stonemarche.org eisen@cs.jhu.edu, eisen@jhuvms.bitnet, or wcw27974@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu For back issues: Contact the archivists, jlitvin@swtec1.intel.com/John Litvin, or nick@sunburn.uwaterloo.ca (Nick Fitzpatrick) or Anonymous FTP from 137.248.151.12, directory: /pub/incoming/Ep-chapter Other information: Contact Eric Klien (eric_s_klien@cup.portal.com) Up