I would like to offer to be moderator of a new game of Diplomacy for anyone interested. We started one once, but never finished it. You can see how it progressed here: theshire2004na.blogspot.com/ (I got a little sloppy near the end.)
Learn more about it here: diplomacy-archive.com/FAQ/
[quote] 3. What is Diplomacy?
Diplomacy is a boardgame of strategy and intrigue for seven players, where random chance plays no role. Luck remains crucial (can I outguess my opponent?), but the game uses no dice, no cards, and no drawing of lots beyond the distribution of who is to play what power. From there on, it is you versus the other players, with tactics, strategy, cunning, negotiation and persuasion your primary tools for winning the game.
In Diplomacy, each player controls one of the seven major powers at the start of the twentieth century: Austria-Hungary, England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, or Turkey. No one player has sufficient power to win alone, and yet cooperation is rife with risk, since nothing a player says during negotiations is binding. By negotiating alliances and treaties with the other players, each player seeks control over Europe, balancing trust and suspicion, loyalty and ruthless backstabs. This intrigue and blend of strategy and tactics has made Diplomacy a beloved game since it was first published by Allan Calhamer in 1959. Allan’s story as to how he developed the game is at: diplomacy-archive.com/resour … ention.htm.
Almost since the game was introduced, Diplomacy has been played by people communicating, negotiating, and sending orders via postal services. This form of play spread far, and there are still a large number of fanzines dedicated to this form of play. Internet Diplomacy, played much in the same way as Play By Mail (PBM) (only much faster and more flexibly) was a natural continuation of this, when it was introduced in the late eighties. Today the Play By Email (PBEM) and PBM hobbies are closer than ever, as more and more people obtain Internet access (at home or at work).[/quote]
It’s a really fun game. We can play over the internet via email (and skype, msn, whatever.) I’ll be happy to answer any questions anyone has who might be interested in playing.