If anyone here would like to try it out I could create a game (Needs 7 people) that will be closed, and password protected for friends.
The link...
http://www.playdiplomacy.com/
You'll need to register, but registration doesn't send you to alternate "paid" sights nor does the e-mail you choose gets flooded with spam mail.
There are three video's explaining the basics to help you understand the rules. I'm sure (I never looked) but there has to be some page that has all the rules written. The shortened rules and the guy, in the video(s), does a good job, and you could play just from explanation. Most of the rules are really about adjudicating the outcomes of the order round. Seeing as how the computer does the heavy lifting, in this department, there is no real need to read that area of rules (The books rules are about 3/4 of refereeing properly.)
http://www.playdiplomacy.com/help.php
The referee is done by the computer, and you'll get notices, via e-mail, that we are waiting for your turn to be complete.
Round times can be set for different times, such as half a day, a full day, 2 days etc. Or, you can mix them up. Like 1 day for moving troops, half a day for retreating and half a day for building. I personally like the 1 - 1/2 - 1/2 set-up as each complete round takes two days. You need the extra time to negotiate in the first round and the 2nd and 3rd round is really just independent moves, with no negotiation. Though rounds 2 and 3 are not specifically about attacking etc. It is all about preparing for the next round. It doesn't stop you from continuing negotiations in these rounds.
Obviously you need to go to the game itself to plan all your moves and the computer does the rest, including suggestions for retreat. I'm unsure just how you talk with other players. If it is done only at the website or you have the option through e-mails. I suspect it is done through the site but you'll get e-mails saying you have mail at Play Diplomacy. Though there are no rules that says you can't use e-mails outside of Diplomacy, or for that matter things like Skype. As long as you meet the deadline your good.
There are varying scenarios, but I'll set it up with just the classic rules and beginner mode. I'll also make it that you cannot attack anyone in the first round.
We'll need a total of 7 players so counting me we need 6 more.
If your interested just post here and once we get to the magic 7 mark I'll post the name of the game (Probably having something to do with TLG) and the password. It'll be a closed game, meaning that not only is it reserved for friends but people can't pop into our game and lurk.
Those that have never played, the rules are simple, very simple. The challenge comes from your social skills and a good mind for tactical thinking. I can't stress enough, winning the game depends on how good your diplomacy skills are.
Every round falls under a season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. (Usually there are predetermined rounds, where the game ends on the last round. So, you do not need to conquer the world, just have more cities than everyone else. Ties are possible.) Your three moves, in order are...
Spring
- Order: {Attack (You need to outnumber the pieces of your attack for it to be successful. Each space can only be occupied by one piece), Support (Those supporting do not gain the territory, they just help in the attack, letting the attacker claim the land if their bid was successful..) Hold (Other troops can help defend the land, either by your own troops or convincing other players help in your defense.) Convoy (Amphibious landing. You can move a land troop, over water as long as the ships are lined up to move the piece. Enemy ships can be a part of this convoy but must declare that they are doing so, for that round.)}
- Retreats: (You can lose pieces if you have nowhere to retreat your piece.)
- Build: (You can only have troops equal to the cities you control at the end of the round. Depending on how well you played, in the previous round, you count up your controlled area, count your cities and that is the number of troops that you can place on the board. New pieces can only be placed on specific areas. If you have less, you need to take a pieces(s) off the board. by your discretion.)
Spring ends and Summer begins.
Completed seasons (Summer, Spring, Fall and Winter) equal one game round.
In a normal game played by humans, the human, referee has to be very skilled of interpreting the moves on the board. Having the computer replace a human referee makes the outcome of a round, error free and very quick.
At the begging all the countries are evenly matched, they just require different strategies.
I also can't stress enough that you have to go into the game knowing that you'll be back stabbed, Its inevitable. It'll happen to everyone. You need a good gut instinct along with the other skill sets. You could literally talk to everyone about teaming up, but I suggest you don't because, usually, it gets out and you become a pariah, in the game, and only some quick Diplomacy, a convincing argument and even some grovelling will help to save the day. Otherwise you are doomed.
Diplomacy has a way of getting under your skin and sometimes you can take your bad feelings outside of the game. I've seen friendships end because of the back-stabbing. You have to let that game go and if another game is planned try not to let those hard feelings bleed over to the new game.
The only other decision is if you want the game rated or not rated. Rated means you get points that are compared to other players on the Diplomacy website. Kind of like (enter a sports name) fantasy league. Unrated means it is just a friendly game. I'll choose unrated. Rated could be talked about in later games provided people want to do another game. Though you can join multiple games, with the same account, it is just way easier to concentrate on just one. And one of the greatest faux pas is creating a couple of e-mails so you have two countries to play with. A huge advantage in Diplomacy.
