Diplomacy Magazine -- Chapter Two From: loeb@geocub.UUCP (Daniel LOEB) Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 11:06:41 +0000 Issue #282 of Chapter Two of the Electronic Protocol By Daniel Loeb (loeb@geocub.greco-prog.fr) April 16, 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 Features on the Judge Player's Guide German Openings Contest Results Diplomacy PUN test (Part 1 of 2) OUNCE Opening PART TWO - Summary of all moderated games on the Judge: List of game openings List of EP games on the DA For more info about the Judge For more info about the Electronic Protocol List of Gamemasters PART THREE - Report from the Battle Front ***** PART ONE ***** **** NEW FEATURES ON THE JUDGE **** 1) Comments. The moderator of a game can now establish comments for his games. A brief, under 60 character, comment will show up on the brief listing and a more detailed comment can appear on a full listing. For example: signon mkaiser xxxx set comment All negotiations in this game will be done in German. will set the brief comment, signon mkaiser xxxx set comment begin All negotiations for game kaiser will be in German. If you don't sprechen, don't joinen!! signoff "Begin" is a keyword signifying that a full comment rather than a brief comment is being set. <DL: I encourage all GM's to enter comments this way. I'll use the comments in preparing my summaries.> 2) Eavesdropping. The moderator of a game can now use: set all press to make it so that he receives all partial press between players in a game. Could be interesting in a gunboat game that allows partial press. Wouldn't be too useful in a non-gunboat game as some players may bypass the judge in their communications. Use "set normal press" to clear this flag. 3) Archives. Soon to be available will be the history command. Syntax for this command will be: history [game] [from date] [to date] [lines n] which will send you the info that an observer would see for the game starting at the "from" date (default one week ago) to the "to" date (default the present) or until n lines (default 1000). This will be useful for getting lost broadcasts or missing results. I'm waiting until I get this one done before I make my announcement (hopefully this weekend). Started collecting data on March 21st. I will attempt to retrofit data for those games I've been observing from the past. There is currently a "history" command which is a synonym for the "version" command. This synonym will be removed. **** PLAYER'S GUIDE **** From: fdebruin@isoux3.estec.esa.nl (Frank de Bruin) in "Chapter Two of the EP" you mention a so-called "player's guide". I like to get hold of a copy of this guide. Do you know whether this guide is publicaly available, perhaps even in electronic form?? My answer: The Player's Guide can be ordered by mail from THE AVALON HILL GAME COMPANY, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. I have no idea of the current price.... probably a couple of dollars... **** GERMAN OPENINGS **** This 7 part series presents the 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 SUMMARY OF OPENINGS FOR GERMANY ------------------------------- A Ber A Mun F Kie #Games Game Names ----- ----- ----- (#wins) (Wins are marked in parenthesis) 1. Kie Ruh Hol 20(2) DDAY, (100andup), Boadicea, Bolt, evolt, (Player's guide Opening 1a) Jade, khafji, land, leipzig, marengo, muddle, munk, mystery, (orange), snorri, sparrow, turbo, aust, hastings, eylau 2. Kie Ruh Den 15 DPPB, BACH, BANDITOS, BLIND, CANNON, (Player's guide Opening 2a) DRAM, purple, squid, stanford, swift, under, vittle, warp, zounds, AJAX 3. Kie Bur Hol 8 GUADAL, CUBIT, MANHATTAN, SUGAR, (Player's guide Opening 1b) jutEland, Ludwig, Portnoy, Yellow 4. Kie Bur Den 5 1966AA, Croatia, Hyperwar, Quebec, Topple 5. Kie HOLD Hol 2 Acre, Xenon 6. Kie Sil Den 2 Jutland, Radar (Player's guide Opening 2b) 7. Kie Sil Hol 1 Paris 8. Kie HOLD Den 1 Drewids 9. Kie Trl Hol 1 DPPA 10. Kie Ruh Hel 1 Berezina 11. Kie Bur Bal 1 King 12. Kie Boh Hol 1 Osijek 13. Mun Bur Den 1 Fast 14. Mun Ruh Hol 1 Koursk 15. Mun Ruh Den 1 Water 16. Pru Ruh Hel 1 Lobo 17. Pru Sil Den 0 --- (Player's guide Opening 3a) 18. Sil? Boh Den 0 --- (Player's guide Opening 3b) Excerpts from the Player's Guide. --------------------------------- Opening 1a: "This is the basic opening where England is an ally, Russia is neutral, and France is the objective. Even so, nothing has yet been done to antagonize France directly. A Ruh can go to Bel with F Hol's support or defend Munich if the French move to Burgundy. In the latter event, F Hol-Bel still denies the center to France. F Hol could also support an English unit into Belgium." OPENING 1b: "This is almost the same as 1a (where Munich moves to Ruhr). It shows the role of (A Mun) as Germany's "swing" unit. It sets the tone and direction of Germany's opening. England is an ally, Russia is neutral, and France is the objective. The attack on Burgundy is a direct assault on France. It may stand off an unsupported French move to Burgundy. If Germany's attack succeeds, the blow to French defenses is serious." Opening 2a: This is the basic opening where France is an ally, Russia is neutral or suspect, and England is the objective. F Den can deny Sweden to Russia. Germany also has a lock on Holland (A Kie-Hol, A Ruh S A Kie-Hol). He can also defend Berlin and still take Holland so long as England does not stop him. OPENING 2b: "2b) This again shows (A Mun)'s role as "swing" unit. The order alerts Russia to an attack but put him in some difficulty. Germany can still change attack (A Sil-Gal) in the Fall. A common alternative, (A Mun-Kie, A Ber-Pru) is much weaker. A Russian attack (A War-Sil, A Mos-War) will put Germany at a disadvantage. There is also no way to change tack save retreat (A Pru-Ber)." Opening 3a: These orders may be employed where Germany is allied with England and France. They give up the Low Countries, but put froce where it's need: in the East. The army in Prussia threatens not only Warsaw, but Livonia as well. Opening 3b: Again, Munich is the "swing". Here Germany goes after Russia AND Austria, or Austria alone. Both armies threaten Galicia as well as two supply centers. Against Austria alone, (A BOH-VIE, A SIL-GAL) will hurt. [NOTE: The Fall 1901 flanking orders to Livonia (in 3a) or Galicia (in 3b) are risky and daring. They are also terribly potent and therefore worth the risk.] **** CONTEST **** I have proposed the following contest related to the game opening series. People can propose up to three openings for each country. It is not too late to participate!!! Here are the rules... 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. Here are the results to date (maximum score possible so far is: 105 (aus) + 140 (eng) + 91 (fra) + 98 (ger) = 434 points): Contestant Totals A Ber A Mun F Kie Freqncy Points ---------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------- ------ Dave Cebula Austria = 68 Kie Ruh Hol 20 60 TOTAL = 391 England = 137 Kie Ruh Den 15 30 France = 91 Kie Bur Den 5 5 Germany = 95 Matt Ender Austria = 91 Kie Ruh Den 15 45 TOTAL = 387 England = 137 Kie Ruh Hol 20 40 France = 60 Kie Bur Hol 8 8 Germany = 93 Chris Lopez Austria = 68 Kie Ruh Den 15 45 TOTAL = 361 England = 140 Kie Bur Den 5 10 France = 91 Kie HOLD Hol 2 2 Germany = 62 Pete Jennings Austria = 75 Kie HOLD Hol 2 6 TOTAL = 350 England = 140 Kie Ruh Hol 20 40 France = 74 Kie Ruh Den 15 15 Germany = 61 Jamie Dreier Austria = 36 Kie Ruh Den 15 45 TOTAL = 318 England = 137 Kie Bur Hol 8 16 France = 79 Kie Bur Den 5 5 Germany = 66 Torben Mogensen Austria = 62 Kie Ruh Hol 20 60 TOTAL = 271 England = 99 Kie Ruh Den 15 30 France = 12 Kie Bur Hol 8 8 Germany = 98 Brad Johnson Late Start=> 36 TOTAL = 111 England = 75 France, Germany missing Next week, Openings and contest results for GERMANY! **** DIPLOMACY PUN TEST **** From: Harold Reynolds <harold@rainbow.physics.utoronto.ca> Diplomacy Test #1 Test your knowledge of the Diplomacy game board by filling each blank with one of the places listed below. 1. There's ____________ I can do 100 geography questions for tomorrow. 2. The boy cried so much he was called the Prince of ____________. 3. First mark all these Geography tests, ____________ the labs. 4. You failed the Geography exam? You ____________, it was so easy! 5. Fred is ten minutes late! ____________ he going to show up? 6. "____________? Not at all! Bud's the nicest guy I know!" 7. Geographical opposite of Lowerland. ____________ 8. When you run the race I'll stand at the side and ____________ on to victory. 9. "That ball is a bomb!" "Yes, I hear the ____________ too." 10. It is generally not a good idea to ____________ boat until the engine is turned off. 11. "That map of Belgium belongs to Russel?" "Yes, it's ____________ map." 12. I don't want to ____________, but your essay is due tomorrow. 13. Bovine sculpture made from entirely from moss. ____________ 14. The "Greek Cement Swindle" soon became known as the "con- ____________". 15. Did you manage to ____________ your Geography homework? 16. When people go nuts about rowing, it's called ____________. 17. Israeli government's policy: one ____________, two/too serious. 18. My downtown apartment is great! I ____________ few minutes from work! 19. My sister wants to balance an atlas on her nose while juggling three globes? Boy, is ____________! 20. "Where does Fred hurt?" "Fred's ____________ is in his lower back." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- a) Algeria f) Crete k) Moscow p) Spain b) Ankara g) Denmark l) Norway q) Syria c) Baltic h) Finnish m) Romania r) Turkey d) Brussels i) Ireland n) Russia s) Venice e) Budapest j) Livonia o) Sicily t) Wales **** OUNCE OPENING **** From: Schwing!! <RENEGADE@VAX1.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU> There is an opening in game Ounce for England on the judge. The game has not yet started, so England still has its starting position. When I resigned, England was on good terms with all players except Turkey, who has not responded to any of the other players' mail. It is almost a certainty that Russia, France, and Germany will all be eager to form alliances. (See below for SIGNON info...) ***** PART TWO ***** **** LIST OF GAME OPENINGS **** Moderated Replacement Openings include: Dram (Italy 4/4), Gallon (Germany 6/7), Hector (France 5/5), Karat (Germany 3/5), Newton (Austria 3/3), Ounce (Turkey 3/3), Unmoderated games openings include: Banzai, Warp8, Belch, Elba, Mac Signups available for the following moderated games in formation: Rad Please volunteer to be a GM! **** LIST OF EP GAMES ON THE DA **** --- EXPLANATION --- Here is an update on games played on Judge. Each game is represented by a line of data (followed possibly by a line of comments --- please send me comments I can use if you are a GM!). The games are sorted according the the variant rules which are used. Column Explanation ------ ----------- (1) Name of game including a "#" if game is "private" or "unlisted" (2) Electronic Protocol number (and Chapter) if available. (3) Name of the GM (see list of GMs below). (4-10) Updates on game in chronological order (most recent on the right) The updates for a game in formation indicate the number of players needed to start. For example, -5. The updates for a game in progress indicate the season (F for Fall or S for Spring), the last 2 digits of the year, and the phase (M for movement, B for builds, and R for retreats). All this is possibly followed by the indication of the number of replacement players (-1), temporary replacements (T1) needed, or needed later on (*1). --- LIST --- Name EP# GM Dec5 Jan3 Feb4 Mar10 Apr3 Apr8 Apr16 ------- --- -- ---- ---- ---- ----- ---- ---- ----- STANDARD RULES cubit 158 jdr S01M S02M F03M F03B S04M dram 159 jdr S01M S02M F03M S04M S04M-1 evolt 161 jdr -7 F01M F02M F02R F03M furlong 164 jdr S01M-1 F02M F02M S03M gallon 162 jdr F01M S03M S03M F03M-1 hector 165 jdr S01M F02M F02M S03M-1 infinite 166 jdr S01M F02M S03M F03M jugful jdr -1 F01B F02M S03M karat jdr S01M F01M F01B-1 lot jdr S01M S01M F01M meter jdr S01M S01M S01M newton jdr S01M S01M S02M-1 ounce jdr -2 S01M S01M-1 pint jdr -1 S01M quart jdr S01M rad jdr -4 marengo 129 scottb F06M F07M S09M F10M F11B S12R F12M Ita strong. Ger builds. Fra survives. Eng/Aus weaken. osijek 137 cebulad S04R S05M S06M F07M F08M F08M S09M sparrow 133 casmacin F03B S05R S06M F07R F10M S11M F11M Austria and Turkey digging in to prevent English win. normandy loeb -3 -3 -3 S01M*1 F01B F01B S02 French game. La France a pris 3 centres de soutien en 1901. # grass karl -5 S01M S01M S01M Spiel in Deutsch, alle Verhandlungen werden auf Deutsch gefuehrt. 7 players signed on. But do they all speak German? kaiser karl -3 -2 S01M Normal game, negotiations in English. croatia 148 nick F02M F02R F03M F04B F06M F06M S07M Russia eliminated, Austria down to 1, Turkey & Eng in lead quebec 154 nick F02M F03M F03B F04M FG and R attack England, Invasion of Britain expected soon! STANDARD GUNBOAT - Identities of players unknown. All messages are public. conan 163 pl436000 -5 -2 F02B S05M S07M F07M F08M dppa 167 loeb F01M S03R F03M (F03M) ddpb 168 loeb F01M F03M F03M (S04M) dppc loeb -5 F02M S03M (F03M) dppd loeb F01M F01B (S02M) dppe loeb S01M F01B (S02M) # dppf loeb -5 (-2) (-2) Play against a computer opponent (DPP version 1b). No press. Signup for new DPP games halted until Version 2 comes out. YOUNGSTOWN RULES (10 players) Extended map including Asia and Africa. dien 124 jdr F10B-1 S11M F11M F12M F13M*1 F13M*1 S14M French replacement player (3 SC) needed soon. giggles dwiseman S06R S07R F08B S10M F10M F10R S11M Local ERIM game timor 160 nick -10 F01M F03M F03M F03B Russia and Japan co-operating, France and China too? # krauts karl -10 -9 Press to be written in German. Long signon period anticipated. Spiel in Deutsch, alle Verhandlungen werden auf Deutsch gefuehrt. YOUNGSTOWN GUNBOAT GAME sunda 171 nick S01M F01B (F02B) sumatra nick -1 S01M (S02M) Warp speed Gunboat Youngstown games. 24h deadline, 72h grace. Both games on Easter Vacation. LOEB9 RULES (9 players) Spain and Scandinavia are added as extra players. eylau 153 loeb F01B-1 S03M F03M S05M F06M S07M F07M 5 units forced to retreat simultaneously. Russia eliminated. GREAT BRITAIN RULES (7 players) Britain starts with 6 SC's but all armies! hastings 139 loeb F03B F04M-1 S05R F07B S10M S10R S11M Can EFT stop Germany from winnning? CHAOS RULES (34 players) Regular map. Each SC is owned by a different player. fontenoy 114/4 jdr F07R F08M F09M F10M F11B S12M F12M Mun stabs StP. Lvp out. Bel builds fleet in South. iona 169 jdr -20 -13 S01M F02M F03M F03M F03B C-Ber controls Germany. Turkish and French alliances strong. 1898 RULES (7 players) Regular map. Each player starts with only his capital. bataan 152 dmb F99M F00B F01R S04M F05M F05M S06M 1898 RULES / GUNBOAT GAME sinai skiman -5 -3 F00M Only full broadcasts are allowed. (No partial press) CROWDED RULES (11 players) 4 more players added, leaving no neutrals. 7senuf jdr -6 -6 -6 -1 F01B S02M F02B emu 170 mjmcleod S02M-4 S02R-1 F02M-2 F03M F05R S06M F06B MACHIAVELLI RULES - An economic variant of Diplomacy marketed by Avalon Hills vega cebula -4 -3 U54M U55M S56M S56M U56M Pope almost out. The price he paid for Florence was too high. dagger jdr S57M U57R F57B-1 F58M S60M U60M OVER poverty andre -6 -6 -5 U54M F55M U55M F55M **** 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) **** LIST OF GAME MASTERS **** Brian Bacher bacherb@physics.orst.edu David M Bowen dmb@bigd.cray.com dmb@sequoia.cray.com Dave Cebula cebulad@physics.orst.edu Karl Dotzek karl@adler.philosophie.uni-stuttgart.de Jamie Dreier pl436000@brownvm.brown.edu, pl436000@brownvm.bitnet Bryant Durrell durrell@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu Nicholas Fitzpatrick nick@sunburn.waterloo.edu Nawwar Kasrawi skiman@leland.stanford.edu Edward J Koll koll02@snybufva.bitnet Koll02@snybscva.bitnet Danny Loeb loeb@nestor.greco-prog.fr Ken Lowe jdr@u.washington.edu ken@milton.u.washington.edu Matt McLeod c9106225@wombat.newcastle.edu.au Michael Luft scottb@cs.utexas.edu Sean MacIntosh casmacin@atlas.cs.upei.ca John Aidan O'Regan J_ORegan%csvax1@iruccvax.UCC.IE Doug Van Belle ASDAV@ASUACAD.BITNET Andre Verweij andre@duteina.tudelft.nl andre@hlniob.uucp ***** PART THREE ***** nothing new this week??? (Easter Vacation?) Up