Diplomacy Zine -- Chapter Four EP #133 From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1990 06:31:27 +0000 Issue #133 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: Chapter One contains: NAVARONE, BLITZKRIEG, OPERATION OVERLORD, GETTYSBURG, and HMS HOOD And is published by daybell@aludra.usc.edu/Donald Daybell Chapter Two contains: DRAGONSLAYER, BISMARK, COLD WAR, JACAL, MANHATTAN, and VERSAILLES And is published by tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer Chapter Three contains: TANNENBURG, ENTENTE, MULHOUSE, and DAWN PATROL And is published by xcbe12a@ucrmath.ucr.edu/Wayne Wallace (I am working on publishing the chapters that dragon@agora.hf.intel.com /Bill Wheeler created. He has them but can't transmit.) ------------- Chapter Four ------------- Spring '05 of the game RATATOSK (BNC number 1989IJ) (GM is jall@diku.dk/Mogens Jallberg) Delayed due to Winter vacations. Spring '05 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number 1989IN) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) Due Jan 20 Spring '04 of the game HUGO (BNC number 1989IO) (GM is willis@trwind.ind.trw.com/Willis Marti) England: Army Holland Support GERMAN Army Kiel OK Fleet Skagerrak --> Denmark OK Fleet North Sea Support F Ska --> Den OK Fleet English Channel --> Belgium OK Fleet Irish Sea Support FRENCH F Bre --> MAO OK Germany: A KIE support A BER - MUN Fails (Russia)(no such move) Russia: A STP - NOR OK F SWE S A STP - NOR OK A BER - KIE Fails (1-2) A DEN S A BER - KIE Fails (England)(disbands) A WAR - PRU OK A MOS - WAR OK F BLA holds OK F ANK holds OK A BOH holds OK Turkey: No forces. Austria: F Con says "What next?" OK - Holds A Mun-Bur Fails (bounce France) A Tyr-Mun Fails (own unit) A Tri-Ven OK A Vie-Tyr Fails (own unit) A Sil become surrounded in a sea of armies OK - Holds A Bud-Tri OK Italy: F NaF - WMe Fails (own unit) F WMe - Spa Fails (1-1) A Pie - Mar OK (2-1) F GoL S A Pie - Mar OK A Tus - Pie OK F Smy H OK France: F bre->mao OK F mao->por OK A spa S A mar Fails (Italy) A mar S A spa Fails (Italy)(must retreat) A bel->bur OK (2-1) A par S A bel->bur OK ============================ I assume France retreats A MAR to GAS rather than disband. Based on that, Fall Moves are due 28 Jan. PLEASE use HUGO in the Subject: line of your mail. Tnx. New Positions: England:(5) A HOL F DEN F NTS F BEL F IRI Germany:(1) A KIE Russia: (9) A NOR A BER A PRU A BOH A WAR F SWE F BLA F ANK Turkey: (0) Austria:(7) A MUN A TYR A VEN A SIL A VIE A TRI F CON Italy: (6) A MAR A PIE F GOL F WME F NAF F SMY France: (6) A SPA A PAR A BUR A GAS F MAO F POR ============================ The Weekly Crier -- "All the news that fits, we print." London (AP): ``Parliament unanimously declared war on Italy today citing the siege of Gibraltar as the direct cause of hostilities. The Prime Minister announced that "at this very moment, we thank our French allies as they attempt to relieve our gallant outpost from Italian coercion." The PM further noted Parliament's concern of the Italian emperor's penchant for golf and vowed that the Italians would never set foot on the magnificent courses of Scotland.'' Summer '03 of the game JUGGERNAUGHT (BNC number 1989IR) (GM is rdesper@eagle.wesleyan.edu/Rick Desper) Hello, everyone, I'm back. I have also got the retreat for Italy: Italian F TyS retreats to Rome. Moves for Fall 1903 due January 28. Fall '03 of the game TOKUGAWA (BNC number 1989IS) (GM is joseph_harold_thomas@cup.portal.com/Joseph Thomas) Delayed because a player was on vacation Spring '03 of the game PETAIN (BNC number 1989IT) (GM is ssmith@ms.uky.edu/Scott Smith) PETAIN -- SPRING 1903 ORDERS: Austria (Quarnstrom): Italy (Capwell): A Ser - GRE A APU H A Tus - ROM 2-0 A Rom - NAP A Tyr - MUN F Ion - TYS A VEN S A Tus-Rom F ADR S F Gre-Ion Russia (Jog): F Gre - ION 2-0 A ARM S A Bul-Ank A Bul - ANK 2-1 England (Ames): A Fin - SWE F Cly - EDI F BLA C A Bul-Ank F Wal - LIV F CON - Smy 1-1 F Yor - LON F Nwg - NAO F Nwy - NWG France (Chow): F StpN - NWY A Bel H DISL F Sev - RUM A MAR H A Pic - WAL 2-0 Turkey (Bartlett): F ECH C A Pic-Wal A Ank - Smy FAIL DISB F IRI S A Pic-Wal F AEG - Con 1-1 Germany (Hasting): A HOL S F Nth-Bel A Kie - RUH A PIE - Mar FAIL 1-1 F Nth - BEL 2-1 F Den - NTH Turkish A Ank disbands due to lack of retreat. French A Bel may retreat to Bur, Pic, or disband. ----- UNIT POSITIONS: Austria: A Gre Mun Rom Ven F Adr Ion England: A F Edi Liv Lon France: A Mar Wal (Bel) F Ech Iri Germany: A Hol Pie Ruh F Bel Nth Italy: A Apu Nap F Tys Russia: A Ank Arm Swe F Bla Con Nao Nwg Nwy Rum Turkey: A F Aeg ----- PRESS: Turmoil in England causes delays. Ankara, Belgium, Rome invaded. French establish beachhead on Great Britain. ---------- (Ank) Semi popular bar song "So long its been good to know you". ---------- Vienna Probe ( All the news that's fit to primp) It is rumored that Prince Herman will be granted the right to govern Rome. This reporter must wonder if it is wise to allow a man who cannot even govern his own limbs to rule an entire province. Vienna (Free Associative Press) Emperor Gotterdamerung is reported to be near exhaustion due to his efforts to keep on top of the diplomatic situation in the world. Things are so bad that his personal physician is reporting that the emperor is experiencing extreme feelings of time dilation. We are hopeful that rapid gains in the war effort may help alleviate this situation. Vienna (Free Associative Press) The tense situation with Germany has prompted Minister of Defense Vastenblunder to state that Austria will establish a strong presence at this year's Oktoberfest in Munich. It is considered a distinct possibility that Austrians will outnumber Germans at this annual celebration. Given the generally boisterous nature of the average Austrian soldier, it may be difficult to convince them to leave once the party is over. ---------- MOSCOW: (Novosti Press) Ankara has fallen. In a surprise move, the Russian First Army seized control of this strategic city, with surprisingly little resistance from Turkish forces. The Czar has reiterated the offer of the Grand Duchy of Murmansk to the Sultan, provided the harem is left behind the security of the Kremlin walls. Warsaw: The Polish people continue to smoulder against Czarist oppression, though there were no more public demonstrations in Warsaw and other major cities. Martial law is in force throughout the province, and large number of Russian troops were on guard in every major city and town. Smolny: In various western provinces, ninety two "Enemies of the Empire" have been summarily shot for high treason, and five thousand others guilty of lesser crimes have been deported to Siberia. A spokesman for the Imperial General Staff said, "All opposition to Russian rule in the Western Territories of the empire will be mercilessly suppressed, and these provinces will be defended to the Last Domino." Sevastopol: Prince Smirnoff, Viceroy of Turkey, returned to successfully continue the offensive against the Turks. The Second Army continued mopping up operations against Turkish guerillas hiding in the Armenian mountains, and assisted the First Army, fresh from an extended period of rest in Bucharest, to take Ankara. Oslo: The news of the unfortunate and sudden demise of the Duke of Lavery in London last winter was received with great sorrow, both here and in Moscow. Grand Duke Dmitri has promised to do everything necessary to assure the security of Queen Beulah II. A small contingent may be dispatched to the funeral of the valiant Duke, but the Kremlin Guards have been ordered to halt in Sweden. ---------- The Leech'n'Sting Tatler ------------------------ Marsielles - Our correspondent refuses to make any further reports about military developments here. Madrid - It was rumored today that a small band of French spies succeeded in assasinating the leader of the Spanish resistance movement, and French armies will soon take total control of the Iberian peninsula. Fall Fashion Preview: Coffee and Danish will be out the Kuerfurstendamm, Swedish pancakes will be trendy. "The Sound of Music" may be a hit at this year's Oktoberfest. Our resident astrologer's predictions - The sun has not yet set on the British Empire, but a wall in Berlin can cast a mighty shadow. ---------- Spanish Press: There was speculation today about whether or not the French forces would be coming back. The early word is that the Hordes in the Italian foothills are disturbing the French Government. ---------- Berlin Times: We print what the Government lets us print - In a suprise move, the Kaiser declared the Belgium lands for Germany. He declared that he was alone in a fight for survival. He also mentioned the war on the English all but over. "It is only a matter of time before they have been driven from power." There was concern in the Capitol today about a possible invasion from Austria-Hungary. We will drive them out of our lands if they cross the borders. Death to the Enemies of the state! Munich Daily: Today, the French consolate insulted the Kaiser's bull dog, calling it a "slobbering, ugly mutt". The Kaiser got very angered at this and promised recrimination for the act. ----- DEADLINE: The French retreat is due Tuesday 16 January at 10:00 PM (EST). Fall 1903 moves should be due Saturday 20 January (10:00 PM EST); however the English player has lost access to his account so we will need to get a replacement for him -- this may cause a delay. Further details when they become available. Spring '03 of the game DUNKIRK (BNC number 1989KN) (GM is sjzwange@phoenix.princeton.edu/Steven Jacob Zwanger) Dunkirk, Spring 1903 Orders: France (Boyce) England (Starkey) A MAR S A Gas-Bur [F SKA-Nwy] A PIC S A Gas-Bur [F Nwy-Stp] -- retreat A Gas-BUR [A STP-Mos] A PAR S A Gas-Bur [F EDI-Nth] F Spa(SC)-MAO [F NTH-Hel] Germany (Brandt) Russia (Lucock) A BEL H A Fin-NWY A Bur-RUH F SWE S A Fin-Nwy [F DEN-Nth] [A Rum H] -- retreat [F KIE-Hel] [A UKR-Mos] A HOL S A Bel H A War-LVN A MUN H Turkey (Hauser) Italy (Sinha) [A CON-Bul] A Ven-PIE F BLA S A Con-Bul A Syr-SMY [F Aeg S A Con-Bul] -- disband F Ion-AEG F EME S F Ion-Aeg Austria (Soare) A VIE S A Gal A Ser-RUM A GAL S A Ser-Rum A BUD S A Ser-Rum [A BUL S A Ser-Rum] F GRE S A Bul Positions: France: A Pic, A Mar, A Bur, A Par, F MAO England: F Ska, A StP, F Nth, F Edi, F ? Germany: A Bel, A Ruh, F Den, F Kie, A Hol, A Mun Russia: A Nwy, F Swe, A Ukr, A Lvn, A ? Italy: A Pie, A Smy, F Aeg, F EMe Turkey: A Con, F Bla, F ? Austria: A Vie, A Rum, A Gal, A Bud, A Bul, F Gre The English F may retreat to Bar or Nwg The Russian A may retreat to Ukr or Sev The Turkish F cannot retreat and is disbanded Summer 1903 retreats due Sat, Jan 24, 10 PM EST Fall 1903 moves due Wed, Jan 29, 10 PM EST Spring '03 of the gunboat game VERDUN (MNC 1989AZrb32) (GM is eric_s_klien@cup.portal.com/Eric Klien) RUSSIA HAS A BAD DAY! AUSTRIA: (A VIE SA TURKEY SER-TRI), (A BUD SA TURKEY SER-TRI) ENGLAND: F ECH-LON, F NWS-EDI, A FIN-SWE, A NOR SA FIN-SWE FRANCE: F BRE-MAO, A POR-SPA, A PAR-PIC, A MAR SA BUR-BUR, A BUR SA BEL-BEL F BEL-H GERMANY: A HOL-YOR, F NTS CA HOL-YOR, F HEL SF NTS-NTS, (A SWE-NOR), A RUH-HOL A MUN-H ITALY: A TYR SA VEN-TRI, A VEN-TRI, F TRI-ADR, F NAP-ION, F ALB SA VEN-TRI RUSSIA: (F RUM-BLA), (A BOH SA AUSTRIA VIE-TYR), A UKR-GAL (F SKA SF ENGLISH NOR-NTS), (A STP SA ENGLISH FIN-NOR) TURKEY: F BLA CA ANK-SEV, F AEG-GRE, A GRE-SER, A SER-RUM, A BUL SA SER-RUM A ANK-SEV GM Notes: Germany army Sweden can retreat to Denmark. Russian fleet Rumania has no retreats possible. As you can tell from above, I already finished up Summer '03. Fall '03 is due by next Sunday at 10 PM but if you submit faster, I will go faster! Press: Germany -> Russia: I shall retreat Sweden to Denmark in the Fall. Rest assured that I do not wish to anger you. Germany -> France: I hope that your build up of armies is not intended at me. I hope that I have shown you my sincerity in teaming together to beat up England. Germany -> Italy: I have no intension of attacking you. Someone is trying to start a war over Tyrolia...probably Austria. I am sure you can handle Austria. London Times The Ministry of Defense has that recent French actions warrant declaring war on France. "France appears to allied herself with Germany, our sworn enemies. The fleets along the Channel are a serious threat to our security." The PM himself has asked Italy to stop badgering Austria and to go after the real enemy, France. ---- Petrograd, March 4, 1903 (Reuters) Foreign Minister, Mikhail Davidovitch, announced a new plan of attack in the recent European skirmishes. The obvious build-up of Turkish forces, coupled with Turkey's recent attack on Rumania, indicates that the South may the preferred path of expansion. Germany and England can battle it out over Scandanavia, so long as Russia gets her one-third of the spoils. The battle against Austria is over, but the Turkish threat must be handled. ----- Le Left Quartre De Paris M. Unpetit Dunpetit would like to express to the Italian Government his deepest apologies. France is not considering an attack on Italy, but rather an attack on the Vatican. For years the Pope has considered himself to be superior, but that shall end. Any Italian forces that come between France and the Vatican will of course be destroyed, but he hopes that the Government will withdraw any such forces. ----- Italy -> France: Stay outta my face!! Do you want to die?? Look out because I'm after YOU now. Look what happened to Austria...you will suffer the same fate! Italy -> Russia : What do you mean, sending that army in Bohemia after me? Now I'll take all of Austria instead of leaving the bulk to you. Russia -> Turkey: Do you really expect us to leave Rumania undefended, especially after your unprovoked attack this past season?? We can promise you that the fleet will go no farther (The attack on the Black Sea is to prevent any convoying of your army in Ankara). You can have the rest of the Balkans. We'll take our chances on catching some crumbs from the downfall of Austria, England, and Allah be willing, Italy. We too would prefer to see the naval forces in the Black Sea limited to the existing fleets. We can promise you that we have no plans for any builds in Sevastopol. As you noted, you can't believe all of the press attributed to a country. We would never think of referring to the most devoted followers of the prophet as towel heads. It is our hope that we can resolve our differences and unite to fight the Franco-Prussian alliance when it decides to turn eastward. ----- St. Petersburg, January 12, 1903 (Reuthers) Spokesmen for the Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Czar met with the Turkish ambassador for several hours today and added that additional meeting were planned for later in the week. Foreign Minister Mikhail Davidovitch was quoted as saying "We are deeply concerned about the Sultan's latest military moves. The new army created in Ankara would appear to be aimed at us. We have protested this move most strongly. It remains to be seen how seriously this move will affect the Black Sea Naval Limitation Treaty being discussed between the two governments. The ambassador has promised to carry our most recent proposals to the Sultan." All -> Let's bash Turkey. ---------------- Italy -> Russia: Well, it looks like Turkey has declared his intentions...and your forces are so diffuse, it's pathetic. Support for my army Tyr to Vienna in the fall will be reimbursed by support of a Russian army into Budapest in the Spring... looking forward to it. Turkey to Russia: The Towel Heads have spoken...move over or suffer the consequences! THE SULTAN Italy/Turkey: It looks like the eastern tier is under control....if I can just get my boats out, I'll be heading west. Bonne chance! Italy -> France: There's a lot of press flying supposedly between us...I consider our agreement to be in perfect working order. You're build is Mar was expected and I have no problem with the current situation. Berlin (UP): Rumors are flying around the military establishment as to the severe embarrassment caused to the country by the recent French excursion into Belgium. Apparently, although handled well publicly at the time, German officials considered the loss of Belgium a tragedy which requires quick and decisive action against the "froggies." Sources close to the Kaiser report that his blood pressure has skyrocketed over the incident and his carelfully chosen words. However, they say his moustache is curling more by the day-- a sure sign of military action and retaliation. England to France: Beware the English/German forces just over the next hill.... Spring '01 of the game BERLIN (BNC number 1989KQ) (GM is cwekx@htikub5.bitnet/Constantijn Wekx) =============================<orders>=========================================== Austria (Ledoux) England (Karakashian) F Tri - ALB F Edi - NWG A Bud - SER F Lon - NTH A VIE - Tri (*bounce*) A Lvp - EDI France (Rohman) Germany (Feldhouse) F Bre - MAO F Kie - HOL A MAR S A Par - BUR A Ber - KIE A Par - BUR A Mun - RUH Italy (Gale) Russia (Nabours) F Nap - ION F Sev - RUM A Rom - NAP F StP - GOB A VEN - Tri (*bounce*) A Mos - STP A War - UKR Turkey (Jagoda) F Ank - CON A Con - BUL A SMY H =============================<Unit Positions>=================================== Army Fleet Austria : SER, VIE ALB England : EDI NTH, NWG France : BUR, MAR MAO Germany : KIE, RUH HOL Italy : NAP, VEN ION Russia : UKR, STP GOB, RUM Turkey : BUL, SMY CON ================================================================================ ================================================================================ Supply Centre Count: Austria : BUD, SER, TRI, VIE England : EDI, LON, LVP France : BRE, MAR, PAR Germany : BER, HOL, KIE, MUN Italy : NAP, ROM, VEN Russia : MOS, RUM, SEB, STP, WAR Turkey : ANK, BUL, CON, SMY ================================================================================ =============================<Notes>============================================ Deadline for Fall 1901 : Sunday January 21, 1990 at 22:00 h (MET). =============================<Press>============================================ (Ankara) The Turkish empire is having a special sale on prime Arabian sand used for the filming of Lawrence of Arabia! You can have the same granules that graces the hair of Peter O'Toole. Only $19.95 a pound, or $25.95 with delivery. We like visitors! (Antwerp) Germany announces plans to assist Belgium! Due to Belgium's recent realization that: "Hey we are sitting ducks right between Germany and France." The German Foreign Minister announced yesterday, that the Belgium government will be assisted from impending collapse by a few corps from the German army. "The lowlands WILL remain neutral, even if we (Germany) have to occupy them to do it.", said the minister to a cheering Antwerp crowd. (Famous Quote Corner) "Let the last man on the right brush the channel with his sleeve" (Washington -GM) In his reelection speech President McKinley stated that, although the situation in Europe has become more threatening to World peace, the United States will remain neutral. (Canberra -GM) A new constitutional arrangement has been made with respect to the British colonies in Australia. From now on, they are united in one single state (English dominion). Spring '01 of the game BIG WILLIE (MNC number not known) (Blind game, GM is okamoto@hp-ses.hp.com/Jeff Okamoto) Due Jan 19 Spring '01 of the game FIRE WHEN READY (BNC number 1990B) (GM is rlg@ai.mit.edu/Bob Givan) Not due yet. Winter '00 of the game DREADNOUGHT (BNC number not known) (GM is rbk@aiai.edinburgh.ac.uk/Richard Kirby) __________________________________________________________________________ Die Welt Munchen, Deutschland Der 15 Dec, 1900 __________________________________________________________________________ GERMANY, FRANCE REACH AGREEMENT!! FULL SCALE WAR DECLARED ON RUSSIA!! ENGLAND THREATENS WAR ON FRANCE! Munich(AP) - Today in Munich, German war minister Otto VanDeKamp and the Kaiser himself announced that a two-year non-aggression pact has been signed between the leaders of Germany and France. As part of this agreement, both sides agreed to a demilitarized zone in the provinces of Ruhr and Burgundy. The agreement was apparently reached after the leaders agreed that it would be much more worth their while to attend to their natural, bitter enemies, England and Russia. In a press conference held directly after the agreement was reached, the Kaiser formally declared war on Russia. "We can ill afford to waste precious time and allow Russian oppressors the opportunity to set up strongholds in Eastern Europe. We must begin immediately to protect our- selves from the Czar and his cold-blooded band of malicious, anti-German troops." When asked about the possibility of Austro-Hungarian interference, the Kaiser reported, "Oh yes, we are deeply concerned about the comradery that the Czar has been exhibiting with the Emporer of Austria-Hungary. We have very deep fears of a joint effort between the two to overthrow our peaceful little kingdom. Such acts will not be tolerated, and the oppressors must be stopped before they are given the opportunity to wreack severe havoc. Our only choice was a full-scale invasion of Russia to take place as soon as possible. As for the Emporer, if he were wise he would keep his ugly nose out of our business and concentrate his efforts on where they are really needed: the crushing of the Russian empire!!" Crowds turned out to cheer the Kaiser on and immediately started up cheers of "Warsaw! Warsaw! Warsaw!" In other news, it was reported that immediately following the signing of the treaty, the Prime Minister of England sent a memo threatening a full scale invasion of France if the French do not anull their treaty with Germany. The president of France could not be reached, but one of his top war advisors was quoted as saying "We did what we had to do, and that's that." Other world leaders could not be reached for comment. Publisher comments: Here is more of the latest Zine Register, I won't publish any more of it until issue 137. Diplomag: (#90 December) Fred Davis, 3210K Wheaton Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043 $3/6 issues, open page, xerox, mimeo, 6 pages, bimonthly, circ. 52, est. July 1976. This service and genzine for the Mensa Postal Diplomacy SIG sets up postal games for Mensa members. Information on various hobby services and publications is provided for the high proportion of novices among its readers. It also includes a running account of the progress of several all-Mensa games. Anyone may subscribe, but only Mensans may vote on SIG business. FD Diplomatic Contraband: (#3 April) Ken Peel, 8708 First Ave. #T-2, Silver Spring, MD 20910 $3.50/10 issues, open page, xerox, 8 pages, bimonthly, circ. 15, est. Nov. 1988. Runs: Diplomacy. Openings: Diplomacy. DC is the first organized effort to promote the postal play of Diplomacy in the professional diplomatic service. Games are open (at least at this point) only to diplomatic professionals, although there are no occupational restrictions on standbys. Issues are mailed domestic postage via diplomatic pouch or military mail (APO/FPO). International subs for those without access to these services run about $1/issue. Subs for non-dips are available on a case-by-case basis (preference to standbys and those interested in discussions of political and foreign policy issues). Due to the sensitive work environment of career diplomats, subbers are requested to respect the private nature of comments made in DC. The first two issues were flyers mailed to all U.S. diplomatic and consular posts abroad. The first all-dip game of Dip got underway in the third issue, so the zine is still very new and under development. I hope to get diplomats of allied countries involved as well. Anyone have contacts in the British, Canadian or Australian foreign services? KP Dippy: (Vol. 18, #15 November) Jim Benes, 417 S. Stough St., Hinsdale, IL 60521 $1/3 issues, open page, mimeo, 6 pages, 3 weeks, circ. 25, est. July 1972. Runs: Diplomacy (4). Openings: Diplomacy ($5). Dippy is one of the oldest zines running, and Jim continues to be regarded as one of the best GM's in player polls. The thing is reliable like clockwork, and one of the few remaining places to play a fast-paced game of Dip. But Great Western Publishing Co & Whalebone Corset Works Unc or no, Dippy's pretty much player-only publication. KP How come the 3 week deadline zines are all so ugly? This one's almost unreadable mimeo of the type so heartily approved of by the British neo-Luddites ("Real Zines Are Mimeo!"). Outside the hobby mainstream, but boasts some solid players among the regulars, and, as Ken says, he's always a highly rated GM. JIm, PLEASE, stop sending your trade copies to Ken.. send them to ME now and save him the effort of forwarding! TEN Disease City: (#48 October) James Goode, APSU-Box 4607, Clarksville, TN 37044 $8/12 issues, open page, xerox, 8-10 pages, monthly, circ. 27, est. Oct. 1985. Runs: United Soccer League. Openings: none (standbys needed, though). An infectious publication, DC is generally prompt and orderly. It is a mutant of Bill Becker's old K-Zine, but with a pathogenic theme and an Americanized league schedule. JG Not being a United player, it's hard for me to evaluate or review these zines. United is a simulated soccer league invented by Alan Parr in Britain, with each player being coach/GM of a their own team of made-up players. As far as I can tell, there are really two play systems that interface: one for building a team, the other for the actual play of the games themselves. DC certainly appears to be the current dean of American United zines, with a solid track record behind it. TEN Down at the Mouth: (#15, December) Vince Lutterbie, 1021 Stonehaven, Marshall, MO 65340 Free to players (I think...), digest, xerox, 10 pp, 5 weeks (I think...). Circ. 18-25, est. late '88 (I think...). Runs: Round Robin Gunboat, Gunboat, Aquire, Downfall, Dip. Openings: Dip ($5), Aquire ($7). I'm sure Vince sent me pubber info form.... now where the hell did it go? Well, it happened like this... Vince was gonna run a Gunboat game in Felluetionist's Forum, but it went and folded on him. So he started this flier to run the game, named Major Molar, and called it DATM (get it? He's a dentist, see?). Before long, there was a ton of press. Then Jason Bergmann, in his pre-Entropy days, decided to do a Downfall of the Lord of the Rings game here, called, of course, Downfall at the Mouth. Now, Vince is running postal Aquire, looking to start another, opening a Dip game, and picking up a few orphaned games. This is turning into a fat zine despite his best efforts to the contrary. A nice place to play. TEN Electronic Protocol (#103 October) Eric Klien, 1 Sinai Circle B10, Chelmsford, MA 01824. Free, electronic mail publication (Portal system), published twice a week, circ. 120, est. Oct. 1988. Runs: Diplomacy (16) and Variants (5). Openings: Diplomacy and Variants. In EP, no NMRs are allowed! We don't believe that Diplomacy is about ganging up on people who have NMRed; we believe that Diplomacy is about negotiating on a level playing field. If you think someone is a loser replace him, don't NMR him! Our 21 games are moderated by 20 guest GMs to reduce the amount of GM errors. Write for more information. Houserules are available. EK Eric sends me this occaisionally through an undocumented link between the Portal and CompuServe networks. How he discovered it, I'll never know. While the anti-NMR rules of his two sister publications are controversial within the hobby, he's tapped into a huge base of players not otherwise involved in the hobby at large, and has been a one man recruiting gang for the past year that is worthy of note. 21 current games, and not one Crosby, Diehl, Holley, Lutterbie in a a one of them! He also collects old zines and reprints lots of articles on the game and hobby history. About 50% of the ZR and Zine Bank requests I've gotten in the past few months have come from his players. Somebody, please take note that here is someone who isn't talking about recruiting new blood, but is actually doing it! Now if he can just mobilize some of them for World DipCon! TEN Empire: (#266 June) John Boardman, 234 E. 19th St., Brooklyn, NY 11226 $10/12 issues, open page, mimeo, 10 pages, 4 weeks, circ. 40, est. Nov. 1974. Runs: En Garde, Pax Britannica (2). Openings: En Garde ($20/yr.), Pax Britannica ($30). Empire carries postal games other than Diplomacy, and has in the past carried games of A Mighty Fortress, Conquistador, Frigate, The Crusades, Dreadnought, Sorcerer, Empires of the Middle Ages, and SPI's Prestages series. (Attempts to run World War II and Civilization were not successful.) An Empire series, "Dungeons & Christians," keeps readers posted on Christian campaigns to ban the play of Dungeons & Dragons and other games and toys. JB Old info. Haven't heard anything new. But I know it's still going strong. TEN Entropy: (#5 December) Jason Bergmann, PO Box 23780, Atlanta, GA 30322. .65/issue. Open page, xerox, 8-10 pp, 5 weeks. Circ. 30-40, est. June, 1989. Runs: Dip (3), Gunboat (2), Source of the Nile. Openings: Source of the Nile (free), Dip ($5), No Press Gunboat (free), International Gunboat Downfall VII ($5), Colonia ($5), and War of the Great Jewels (free). At this point it's difficult to tell exactly what Entropy will become. I'm trying for a balance between games and a lettercol. The zine focusses on science, because that's what I'm interested in, although other "stuff" gets talked about too. All zines slowly evolve, Entropy is quickly changing. What it will become is up to everyone (with me, perhaps, as the greatest influence). JB The zine that proves that Brat Packdom is a state of mind which cannot be learned. Jason yearns, nays begs, to be accepted as a Brat Packer, yet lacks that certain... elan! Entropy is a dipzine with a different twist: a focus on science and scientific thought and research. Hey, all the regular games, letters, and wise crack editorial ramblings are there (as well as a guaranteed offer of a free issue to anyone who sends me a letter, post card, or electronic mail message saying: "Nash you turkey, agree to the three way E/F/A in Formalhaut"). Jason throws in an article each issue discussing his thoughts and interpretation of a recent or historical piece of scientific research. These tend to generate a letter column rather unique in the Dip hobby. Oh, and don't bother unless you want the free issue really badly.... I'm going for a solo win! TEN Everything: (#81 Fall) Don Williams, 44016 4th Street East, Lancaster, CA 93535 $1/issue, digest, xerox, 18-30 pages, quarterly. Everything is the publication of the Boardman Number Custodian, who maintains statistics on regular Diplomacy game starts and finishes. Don tries to trade Everything for all zines running regular Diplomacy games. In his first issue since assuming the BNC position from Steve Heinowski, Don states his desire to make the zine more interesting to a general readership by including a little chat, some letters, etc. He then attemptsd to put it into action. The result is a sort of "Fiat Everything," so to speak, even to the recycled old FB cover. A little disconcerting to those of us used to the dry statszine style of Everythings past. But since Fiat Bellum appears to have become a quarterly, at best, we'll take Williams any way we can get him. TEN Excelsior (XL): (#32 November) Bruce McIntyre, 6636 Dow Ave., #203, Burnaby, B.C., V5H 3C9, CANADA 1.5 cents/page (U.S.), 2.5 cents/page (Canada), digest, xerox, 28 pages, 10/year (actual publication schedule has been bimonthly since November), circ. 50, est. Feb. 1985. Runs: Diplomacy (3), International Diplomacy (2), Clue. Openings: Diplomacy, International Dip, Seismic Diplomacy, Silent Seven Diplomacy. I like XL. It is about as well laid out as is possible using a C64, in fact, better looking than it has any right to be considering that fact. The high point is the writing. Bruce follows the First Law of Fanzines, and writes about what interests him, which includes, but is not limited to, competitive bridge, backgammon, sports, hobby news and doings, computer games, sports betting pools and schemes, Vancouver politics and scandals, and the events of his own life. Struggles with its schedule, and always swears to become regular, real soon now. Not sure if the games suffer or go out on fliers when the zine is late, so I'd want to check that before signing up. Definitely one of the better reading zines in the hobby. TEN Fiat Bellum!: (#74 September) Don Williams, 44016 4th Street East, Lancaster, CA 93535 $1.00/issue, digest, xerox, 40 pages, monthly, circ. 47, est. Oct. 1982. Runs: Diplomacy (12), Snowball Fighting. Openings: none. Gee, I thought we just did this. Sigh... Very well, Fiat Bellum! (translation: "Let there be war!") is a monthly zine published in the early 80s tradition, when Magus was Magus and the press was profuse and provocative. The zine proper runs four regular Dip games, one guest GMed by Gary Behnen, and three more are run by its subzines, The New Utopia (1 game) and Magus (3 games). A bunch of other stuff, including Pete Gaughan's subzine The Melniborne Herald, fill out the page count. (Pete runs American Snowball Fighting). Letters, some hobby news, and lots of nonsense and chatter conclude the package. (By the way, between the zine "bumper crop" of '79, and the '89 "Brat Pack," was the Class of '82 - Fiat Bellum, Perelandra, The Prince, and Vertigo, all got their start that year.) DW There's good news and bad news. The good news is that FB really hit it's stride this year as an excellent zine marked by Williams' blatantly overwritten style and his humor, and perhaps the best and most prolific press games in the hobby. He won both the Marco Poll (tied with House of Lords) and the Runestone in the same year, and given the divergence in methodology and voters, that was a remarkable feat. The bad news is that he promptly went into hibernation. He SWEARS he will not fold, and validate yet again the Runestone jinx. Yet one solid issue since June... at least the games are being run on a timely basis by flier, for the most part, although even that has slipped a bit recently. C'mon back Don, we know you're busy with the BNC work, but we want our FB! TEN Fol Si Fie: (#196? June) Randolph Smyth, 1023-555 St. Mary Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3X4, CANADA .75/issue, open page, computer printed, 8 pages, 6 weeks, circ. 25, ext 1974. Runs: Diplomacy Openings: none. Folding at issue #200. I received one issue early this summer, and don't know the current status. The last I heard he was still accepting subs, but where it is at now I really can't say. TEN The Gamer's Zine: (#131 May) Earl Whiskeyman, 27 Mark St., Milford, CT 06460 $11/12 issues, open page, photocopy, 12 pages, monthly. Circ. 50, est. July 1981. Runs: Diplomacy (2), Gunboat (1), En Garde (2). Openings: Diplomacy ($3), Gunboat ($3), Sport of Kings ($5). Basically, a warehouse zine with some press in En Garde. Tends to run various games over time, often of an experimental nature or variant, in addition to a few regular Dip games. EW In years past TGZ was a Goliath of a warehouse zine running offbeat games efficiently like Source of the Nile, En Garde, Collegiate Crew, Conquistador and Oregon Trail (plus, of course, Dip). Now the zine is a more standard warehouse zine, affiliated with a local gaming group (the Connecticut Game Club). Just the games, thank you, ma'am. KP Got a pubber's info form, but haven't seen the zine. TEN Get Them Dots Now!: (#14 November) Lee Kendter, Jr., 264 Spruce Ct., Bensalem, PA 19020 $7.50/10 issues, open page, xerox, 8-10 pages, 4 weeks, est. Oct. 1988. Runs: Diplomacy (2), Gunboat (2), Land Bridge Dip, Youngstown, Get Them Dots Now! Dip, and Chuck Them Overboard. Openings: Diplomacy, Land Bridge Diplomacy II ($5 NMR insurance for either game). GTDN! is heavily involved in running variants including my own new ones. It also runs the standard game for the purist. We have new variants on occasion. Monthly "Dear Dippy" column, and a lot of joke variants. LKjr As the man says, primarily devoted to variants. Always looking for new variants, old variants to run, and joke variants. Also contains North American Variant Bank news, and the press rantings of Jimmy Williams. If you like variants, this falls in the same "must get" category as Bushwacker and Comrades in Arms. TEN Gonzo Rails: (#? December) Doug Brown, 3385 Maricopa Court, Cameron Park, CA 95682 Free with game fee. Samples free with appropriate groveling (just be oprepared to wait six months to get it - ed.), open page, computer output, 2 pages, 3 weeks, circ. 4, est. June 1988. Runs: Railway Rivals. Openings: Railway Rivals ($3). Gonzo Rails is a rag! It's little. It's printed on a crummy dot matrix printer. It only carries one (max two) games of little known Railway Rivals. But if you want to trade a Rivals gamestart or simply play in a regular Railway Rival game--I'd still recommend someone else. But I guess I will accept new players if you insist. Actually, I could use a couple more players willing to hang out in a rag like GR. But why, oh why, do you think they haven't been knocking down my door? DB Let's face it, although Railway Rivals is about as popular as Dip itself in the British PBM hobby, over here it's strictly cult status. But for the addicted, nothing else will do. Look at the players in any PBM RR game (if you can find one)... and it's always the same names over and over again: Gardner, von Metzke, Mills, Courtemanche, Goode, Nash, Hill, and, the man whom I am convinced either plays in or GMs every single PBM RR game currently being run on the North American continent, yes, the Melinda Holley of RR himself, Mr. Doug Brown. GR is a very modest one game report sheet. Yet it serves it's purpose of keeping Doug out of trouble. Hey Doug, can I get in a game? No! Not the China map!!!!! TEN Graustark: (#571 November) John Boardman, 234 E. 19th St., Brooklyn, NY 11226 $10/12 issues for non-players ($25 game fee includes sub for life of game), open page, mimeo, 12 pages, 4 weeks, circ. 140, est. May 1963. Runs: Diplomacy (14). Openings: Diplomacy ($25--covers sub to end of game). Graustark began the postal Diplomacy hobby in 1963, and if an older amateur gaming publication is in existence I haven't heard of it. It carries regular Diplomacy games only, with deadlines four weeks apart. It also has game reviews, readers' articles on strategy, and the publisher's opinions, usually on the topic of why war should remain confined to gaming boards. JB THat's right, 26 years and still running dip games with absolute clockwork regularity. $25 game fee is the highest in the hobby by a ggod deal, but the mitigating factors are it includes your sub, you get to play a broad mix of absolute novices attracted to the Boardman name, and a few hooby old timers who play nowhere else, and the secure knwlegde that come hell AND high water, this is one game that sure ain't gonna be orphaned next year! TEN ************************************************************************ I need more scribes! I need more scribes! I need more scribes! I need ************************************************************************ I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien Up