webdiplomacy.net

I'm looking for 14 players to try out a special idea for a game. This variant, which I have branded as "Pairs Diplomacy", the game will be played by 7 teams of two. Each team will consist of a "diplomat" and a "general". The idea is that all communications will be handled by the diplomats and all moves will be submitted by the generals.

But here's the catch: all press in this game will be public, including any communication between the diplomats and the generals. All communication will take place in a forum thread which only the diplomats are allowed to post in. The generals will submit their moves in a no-messaging game. The game will be anonymous, so the diplomats will not even be able to see who their teammate is.

I'm interested to see how the dynamics of this will play out compared to a standard public press game. While the diplomats may construct alliances and plans through the public forum, the ultimate decisions of which moves to make lie in the hands of the generals.

Here are the proposed parameters for the game:

2 day phases
Unranked, 5 point bet
1 excused missed turn
Hidden draw votes
Anonymous players (for the generals)

If any of these parameters are wildly unpopular I am willing to change them.

Please sign up as a diplomat or a general here. Before the game starts, the diplomats will be randomly assigned to the 7 nations.

I'm signing up myself as a general since I'm usually more of a gunboat player.

Diplomats:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.


Generals:
1.UnknownHero
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

If these slots fill up and anyone would like to standby as a potential sub, you may also sign up for that here.

This sounds interesting! I’d sign up to be a diplomat if possible

I like this idea! I have no Idea where I would fit in though.

Diplomats:
1. JustAGuyNamedWill
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.


Generals:
1.UnknownHero
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Pengwinja, I'd be happy to slot you in as either a general or diplomat, it's up to you!

UnknownHero wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 07, 2024 7:27 pm

Diplomats:
1. JustAGuyNamedWill
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.


Generals:
1.UnknownHero
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Pengwinja, I'd be happy to slot you in as either a general or diplomat, it's up to you!

Well, I can’t play gunboat well, but i do have a degree in Yapology, so I will be a diplomat. :)

Novel idea! I'd love to join if I had the time, but unfortunately I'll be a bit preoccupied for the foreseeable future.

Something else I thought might be neat - this can maybe be attempted in some future game - is that the diplomats are not allowed to see the board. Instead, the generals give verbal reports to their diplomat teammate about what is happening, and maybe they can only report based on what is "within sight," i.e. one space away from one of their fleets/armies. The generals then must follow the orders of the diplomat to the best of their ability.

You've had an excellent idea, and I think this could open up many possibilities!

burner wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 07, 2024 9:46 pm

Novel idea! I'd love to join if I had the time, but unfortunately I'll be a bit preoccupied for the foreseeable future.

Something else I thought might be neat - this can maybe be attempted in some future game - is that the diplomats are not allowed to see the board. Instead, the generals give verbal reports to their diplomat teammate about what is happening, and maybe they can only report based on what is "within sight," i.e. one space away from one of their fleets/armies. The generals then must follow the orders of the diplomat to the best of their ability.

You've had an excellent idea, and I think this could open up many possibilities!

This would be so epic too

I'm in. What exactly would generals and diplomats communicate however?

I'd prefer being a diplomat, but am happy to be a general too

Also, how would terrain affect the generals planning? Terrain is a crucial factor to consider in Diplomacy. Different terrains offer varying levels of protection and can influence the outcome of a battle.

Here are some examples:

Coastal territories: These are generally easier to defend due to the limited number of access points.
Mountainous territories: These can be difficult to attack, as the terrain can limit the number of units that can move into and out of the area.
Steppes and deserts: These are often less defensible due to their open nature, which allows for easier movement of troops.
When making decisions about attacks, players must carefully assess the terrain of both the attacking and defending territories to determine the potential advantages and disadvantages.

The concept here seems interesting, however, with public-only communication (including between the general and the diplomat) it seems like the diplomat won't have much to do.
I will nonetheless sign up... as a general :)

DiplomacyandWarfare wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 07, 2024 10:28 pm

The concept here seems interesting, however, with public-only communication (including between the general and the diplomat) it seems like the diplomat won't have much to do.
I will nonetheless sign up... as a general :)

Your going to have to change your name to just Warfare, or just Diplomacy if you were a diplomat.

I would be down to join, in either role.

My one question - while someone else said the diplomat won’t have much to do, I kind of feel like it’s the opposite. A good general will follow through on any and all promised made by the diplomat.

Diplomats:
1. JustAGuyNamedWill
2. Pengwinja
3. DarthPorg36
4.
5.
6.
7.


Generals:
1. UnknownHero
2. Warfare (andDiplomacy)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Although I won't be participating myself, I'm curious to see this happen, so I updated the signup from previous responses.

Thanks for updating the list, burner. DreamTrawler, we have open spots for either role so let me know your preference and I'll add you to the list!

In response to some of the conversation here, before I came up with this idea I was wondering about how much a gunboat game would be impacted if there was a public commentary of the game going on during the game, potentially influencing moves or providing focal points for coordination to help players when they have to guess how to support an ally. It then developed into this idea, where the commentary is actually between players with a stake in the game. I'm curious to see how the power balance between the diplomats and the generals unfolds. How much will the presence of the public forum and the diplomats make this game play out differently from a true gunboat?

The inability of the diplomat to communicate secretly to the general distinguishes this from a normal public press game. When coordinating supports with allies, the result may be similar to normal public press. But if the diplomat wants to facilitate a stab, for example, they cannot reveal that to the general. They could convince an ally to open up a vulnerable supply center and hope the general gets the hint, or claim ignorance if the general stabs on their own initiative.

I've always wanted to try a game like this, with pairs per nation. It seems like you've struck a pretty awesome idea. Unfortunately, my engineering degree won't earn itself, so I don't have time for such a game. I wish all players Godspeed and happy warring!

I think I will sign up to be a diplomat, in that case.

DreamTrawler wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 07, 2024 11:15 pm

I would be down to join, in either role.

My one question - while someone else said the diplomat won’t have much to do, I kind of feel like it’s the opposite. A good general will follow through on any and all promised made by the diplomat.

OTOH it seems that the diplomat could just and let the general play.

I am in as a General

Diplomats:
1. JustAGuyNamedWill
2. Pengwinja
3. DarthPorg36
4. DreamTrawler
5.
6.
7.


Generals:
1. UnknownHero
2. Warfare (andDiplomacy)
3. Qrzy
4. Jamiet99uk
5.
6.
7.

In as a general!