I'll comment tomorrow,when I have time to study the map a bit more. It's been a busy old weekend

Fall 2002

Spring has sprung (and I didn't have the time necessary to make comments), so I'll go with what we see now

North America / South America:

It appears that there is an alliance with USA, Quebec, and Argentina. Brazil is probably hosed - he was willing to support the USA fleet, but I don't think that's going to be to his benefit. Canada is also in trouble - unless the alliance fractures soon, both those powers are doomed. The question then is "what next"?

Africa:

The question I asked last time was "is Africa large enough for three powers?" Ghana evidentally doesn't think so - signs point to a move on South Africa in the immediate future. Ghana is probably making excuses for the move to Congo as being a matter of paranoia, but one has to ask where Ghana will grow next - Kenya's centers are spoken for, there are too many fleets to the north to make a reasonable stab at Europe, and making a go at Libya before the builds he is about to generate end up on the map would be impossible. Not a lot of room except to go south

Europe:
The fate of the Indian army in Iraq will be telling. I would suspect that Europe will be supported in there this year or next. Quebec's support of Pacific Russia's move into European territory is a sign of where Quebec's expansionist tendencies will be. There won't be a lot of concern from the east, as....

Asia:
Near East has decided to take India with him into the Great Dark, and China/India alliance has completely broken down - although China really didn't have any other options when it came to retreating to Bombay, the other moves were pretty hostile. With Pacific Russia distracted with Russian troops in his territory, there isn't going to be a lot of foreign adventures for awhile in that mess.

Australia / Antarctica:
Both powers aren't likely to lose any territory this turn, but they're also not likely to *gain* anything. Antarctica may pick off one of the two open territories on the landmass, but he's going to have to do something quickly, or Argentina is likely to expand south once Brazil goes down. There is a possibility the two nations could work together, but there aren't a lot of vulnerable territories for them to pick off. I think at this point they're both due for eventual elimination.

Spring 2002 – What an interesting season. As always, these comments are made without knowing what has been said diplomatically. And for that, reason, please take everything with a pinch of salt. Also, strat posted while I was typing, so apologies for the duplicate points (if any)

1. North America: W Can slowly gets strangled by the Quebec/USA/Argentina alliance. The retreat was good, but there is still a good chance he’ll be a centre down by the end of the year. It’s all about the guesswork now.

2. South America: Ah Brazil. Not only do your footballers fail in South Africa, but your future in this game does not look good. I’m not sure supporting the USA fleet towards your shores was the best move ever made, and you have two occupied centres

3. Oz/Frozen: That lone army in Antarctica has some possibilities now. Will it make a premeptive grab? OZ’s navies cluster on the beach, looking for a friend.

4. Africa: Ghana looks strong, but needs to be, as the Libya-Europe alliance finishes off the Mid-East. South Africa might be worried – a support for a unit that moved, and no guarantee of picking up the last Kenyan centre. Great turn for Libya – 2 centres secured, and, without some unexpected turn of events, no danger of losing either

5. Europe/Middle East: W Europe will be happy – a nice self bounce to ward off any Quebecois fleets. Russia less so – a good gain on land, but the loss of Scandinavia doesn’t bode well.

6. Asia: Not a good day to be an Indian. Mid East has found a hidey hole that cannot be dislodged without support, and I’m not sure the Chinese would be inclined to give it. Almost brilliant – supporting a move out of Indonesia with one fleet, and moving the other in behind. But that retreat to Bombay puts the Indian’s in a bind, and this year has all the hallmarks of a disaster.

1. Atlantic: Peaceful. Very peaceful, apart from the S African hold for the Ghanaian navy that moved.

2. Pacific: The USA/Argentina fleets can lock up the coast after this year

3. Indian: Frozen stakes a claim to a larger slice of the pie, and now has a lot of options. Right now that is the largest co-ordinated navy in the game.

4. Northern: So the Pac Russian fleets divert back to Europe, with a little help form the Quebecois, allowing the Quebecois to control the north of the Americas. Nice. As long as the alliance stays in place, the northern seas are pretty much locked up.

5. Southern: Frozen has control of most of his coast. It’s not a bad place to be.

I'm expecting to see further shifting in the alliances come the Fall. Right now, any nation without allies is in a bad spot. It might not look it now, but all the free centres are gone, so expansion is going to have to come at the expense of someone else

Bump

Bump

Fall 2002 – Plenty to talk about here – great moves, poor moves, defiance and some real painful end results. I’m officially begging for EOGs now – I really want to know what has been promised in some cases.

1. North America: W Can loses a centre, and will lose at least 2 more next year – Quebec just moves into position. First outright criticism – I don’t understand W Can mving Monterrey to NPO. USA had an uncuttable support from Indian Terr, so why not try for California. Worst case there is level pegging, but now you’re doomed.

2. South America: Brazil has 2 centres left, and that’s because of what looks like a miscommunication between USA and Argentina, with the USA supporting the wrong unit in. So Argentina has to delay one build, not 2. One more year and we’ll be down to 3 power blocs on the Americas...

3. Oz/Frozen: Frozen tries a sneaky grab, which SA blocks, but that won’t be for long. I don’t understand Oz’s moves at all – they were bound to fail if Frozen supported himself in – and he did. Even a supported hold would have been a better defence from that set of moves.

4. Africa: Strat called it – South Africa is the loser, as Ghana & Libya realise 3 into Africa doesn’t go. It will be interesting to understand if the Algeria move was planned, or a mini-stab. I *LOVE* the defiant ‘Fuck you’ from Kenya, supporting the Frozen fleet in. This is diplomacy guys, and as long as you have a unit, you are of value. Also interesting is the Indian support of the Libyan move – did Libya ensure that Iraq was unmolested in return for the help?

5. Europe/Middle East: interesting. The predicted assault on Iraq never came, and Europe and Russia are beginning to look a bit stifled. The Europe/Libya alliance seem to have broken down somewhat, and an opportunity may have been missed. Europe could have taken Iraq without any help at all. Pac Russia out-smarts Russia, but swapping centres back and forth and re-building destroyed units doesn’t help either. Decisive intervention is needed.

6. Asia: A truly awful day to be Indian. From 7 centres a year ago to 3. However, China has done you up like a kipper – obviously promising to move out from Bombay, and support the recapture of Afghanistan . India’s existence now looks short and unpleasant. The Pac Russian fleet moving out from Japan suggests another 2 deciding the third is not needed. Where and what Pac Russia builds will tell us all a lot about that relationship. China has 3 builds. 3, count em!

1. Atlantic: The Ghanaian navy still dominates the East Atlantic. The west has gotten emptier, and it’ll be interesting to see if Brazil decides to keep his fleet.

2. Pacific: Still no strong claim being staked, although the Pac Russian are beginning to live up to their name. The lonely W Can fleet will be lonlier still come the builds, I expect.

3. Indian: This is beginning to look like a Frozen lake. Now the Indian navy is compromised by disband requirements, the interaction between Libya, Frozen and China is going to be fun to watch. Poor old Oz is going to slowly fade from view now I think.

4. Northern: Quiet, just some moving into position, and good use of the support from Pac Russia. The sheer size of some of these Sea zones, and the number of points of contact, mean that fleets are always a danger

5. Southern: Very quiet. Too quiet. Nothing to see here. Move along.

So, 2 years in, we’ll have our first elimination (Kenya), and 6 lame ducks (South Africa, Brazil, W Can, Oz, India, Near East). 10 runners left. Alliances swapping all over the place, and a fantastically executed stab. Roll on 2003!

I must say, PeteU and stratagos do a fantastic job at this.

Pete's guilt trip was ineffective but ego stroking always works ;)

Fall 2002 -

This set of moves reminds me of one of the taglines from the (classic) Battlestar Galactia series: "Now begins the final annihilation of the life-form known as man. Let the attack begin."

North/South America: Brazil and Canada are just about dead. I would expect Quebec to head to Europe, Argentina to head south, and USA to head to Asia.... but the builds will be important here, and can forecast potential stabbitiness. Argentina can only utilize one of his two builds, but no one really is in a position to exploit this... yet

Africa: Kenya is the first to fall. South Africa will be following shortly, and - as with Pete - nice final parting shot at South Africa on your way out. If I'm doomed anyway, I love screwing with people on the way out.

Libya is strongest right now, but apparently is not necessarily in full agreement with Ghana and Europe. This can be bad - but it also could be disinformation. Libya doesn't have room for a third build anyway as things stand, but Ghana has a lot of territory to cover and not a lot of units. Whatever the agreement may be, I suspect an offer will be made to South Africa shortly, if it already hasn't been made.

Europe: The two Russias fight on... with Quebec waiting to jump in soon. That balance will shift shortly. If Europe cuts a deal with Ghana he may see some gains; if not, he's in trouble.

Asia: India - ouchie. While Near East is pretty much hosed - all his home centers are occupied and he's down to one unit - he's not really at risk right now. Selling his services to the highest bidder may be possible, but his long term prospects are bleak. China gets to punch out three units, and can either steamroller India, the Land Of Many Disbands, or try for Pacific Russia's undefended belly.

Antarctica/Oz - Antarctica makes his move, and Australia loses a center he can't afford to lose. His eventual doom is near certain.

The big winner this year: China - when you stab, stab well, and be in a position to follow up on your stab
The big loser: Kenya - a cautionary tale about missing turns has never been seen so plain. Style points for screwing over an enemy on the way out, however

Just a quick addendum, on the Russia retreat, which has snuck behind the Pac Russian lines. If Russia can maintain the rest of his holdings with what he has, that move changes the whole complexion of the conflict. Either way, it complicates things nicely for his foe

very nice commentary all around. Thank you two so much for this.

If there are non-player observers, please do feel free to chip in with any questions you have. or if you want to make a comment, put it in the form of a leading question =P

thanks again.

Why are my "teammates" working at such cross purposes that I should do all their work myself to save time and put them to work scrubbing toilets?

Oh, wait, you meant for the game, never mind ;)

I'll add my commentary this evening; too much going on right now

No real surprises in the build phase, we'll have to check back in tomorrow to see how everyone uses their new units - and I phrase it that way deliberately because anyone who *didn't* get a build last turn is likely to be on the defensive

Spring 2003 – Turns of the unexpected in some places, and hints of desperation in others. Plus further proof that a single unit can still be very useful indeed
1. North America: W Can doesn’t have long to go now. Potential elimination beckons, and it can’t be fun sitting there, with two powers squeezing you backwards. Unfortunately, there doesn’t look to be anyone you can make yourself useful to either. A slight lack of co-ordination between USA and Quebec (both attacking the same centre) is the only saving grace

2. South America: Even at the last, Brazil get suckered – supporting a non-existent stab by the USA. The fleet tried to make a bid for freedom, but I’m expecting the race to be run by the end of the year. The bigger question is can Argentina free up the space for his builds.


3. Oz/Frozen: Interesting indeed. Frozen supports SA back into his SC, but then bounces in the Ocean. Over in Oz, Frozen moves into position to take another SC in the Fall. Oz is still trying, but unless he can become a vassal to someone else, there’s not much hope.

4. Africa: And it switches again. SA supports Libya into Ghanaian centre. Europe convoys Libya into a Ghanaian centre. Ghana says ouch, and perhaps regrets abandoning his southern ally. When you stab, stab to cripple, otherwise this is the end result


5. Europe/Middle East: Europe takes out the last Indian stronghold in the Middle East, while temporarily losing a centre to Russia. Russia is likely to be one down, al least, and running out of places to go. Pac Russia has shifted units around very nicely, and might finally make some progress

6. Asia: Near East is still alive! And will be into 2004 (that SC is safe). I’m sure he’s getting a lot of chatter right now, as that unit could be very useful indeed. China has 6 units around 3 Indian ones – I suspect this won’t end well. The Pac Russian fleet move into the Sea of Othoksk looked defensive, perhaps concern about the growing monster to his south?

1. Atlantic: Nice use of the convoy by Quebec. Mostly jockeying for position this turn.

2. Pacific: Still no strong claim being staked. Perhaps people think their fleets will get lost in that big expense of water?


3. Indian: It was Indian. Then Frozen. Now it looks Chinese. Who’s next?

4. Northern: Pac Russia and Quebec use their fleets effectively to support land based moves. There seems to be a lot of sitting still as well.


5. Southern: Frozen has shifted his focus hard(er) towards Oz. He still has a turn of safety, and has removed the SA threat to his home SCs

I don't have a lot to add; I'll wait until the fall

I'll let you go first then strat, but that last turn was ... fun

Paging Mr stratagos. We have a bump for you, sir. I'll add my thoughts tomorrow am

Bah, I'm running on less that three hours sleep, so we have the Extra Cranky Commentary version today.

North America:

Canada is just about dead, and I doubt anything will save him. USA's use of a fleet to protect his border with Canada is smart - Quebec needs fewer units to garrison, and hence is more free to move elsewhere instead of south. Of course, a few builds for USA while Quebec gets none will rapidly shift that balance of power, but we'll save the stabbing for later it appears

South America:

Brazil just lost his last center. Argentina also is skillfully using fleets to set up a border with Quebec in the northern part of the continent, which gives both countries freedom. I would expect some convoy action is due in the immediate future, presumably to the south.

Africa:
South Africa is holding on, and actually gets a build by flipping between support of Ghana and Libya- and fortunately has a free center to build in. Libya makes his move to secure control of the whole continent, but with South Africa back in the mix on the other side he may have timed things poorly. It'll be interesting to see if Argentina decides to get involved, or lets Africa continue to spar - it's certainly not a threat to anyone else at this point

Europe: The Russian fleet move into the Med seems useful, but let's not forget Russia gets a disband, while Europe and Pacific Russia grow by one... and Quebec is in the wings. It's too early to write him off yet, but hopefully he's doing a better job of intel gathering than the schmucks Moscow sent to the states, and will be able to react when the stab comes.

Asia: Bu-bye India. You played a good game, but lost all your centers within two years. I would expect Near East to follow next year. China is apparently planning on moving in all directions... and lookie here, the Great White Fleet is making a return visit to open up Japan, and no one can stop him. Expect to see a pair of fleet builds unless China is an idiot

Australia / Antarctica - Oz is toast, but Antarctica is about to get hammered by Argentina and China, and lacks sufficient units to stop it. I wouldn't expect there him to be around much longer either.

Here's one I prepared earlier.

Fall 2003 – Yet again proving that looking at a map means you know nothing about what is going on sometimes

1. North America: W Can down to one, but at least ensured that he will have an SC next year. And there are some interesting moves – Quebec supported a move that USA didn’t make, and shifted a unit to an interesting place. These two powers need to know where future expansion is coming from.

2. South America: Nice try by Brazil to support the bounce, and nicely spotted (and stopped) by Argentina. So bye bye Brazil.

3. Oz/Frozen: Frozen gets the next Oz centre. Oz seems to have little hope now

4. Africa: Planned? Or adapted to the situation? Who can tell? Nevertheless, Frozen is kicked off the continent, and Libya hammered back to his starting position for the year. SA gets a build. The Ghanaian fleet is pushed back, and the northern front might become a real problem next year, especially if the European/Libyan alliance holds

5. Europe/Middle East: Russia is the loser here. One to disband – will it be the fleet in the belly of his former ally, or the army that could be making hay in his foes backyard. That army could have done so much more than support a move almost certain to fail. Europe gets a build, and Pac Russia squeezes down on Russia. But now the challenge is how to make inland progress

6. Asia: Go China. The slaughter of India is complete, with support from Near East (and Libya). India collapses from 7 to gone in just 2 years – I don’t think I’ve ever seen more spectacular defeat. And i don’t think there was anything India could do against that assault. And I agree with my esteemed colleague - expect more Chinese navy to appear.

1. Atlantic: Quebec secures the north, Argentina the South West, and Europe begins to make the navy work for him. This could be interesting in 2004

2. Pacific: Oh look – the USA have taken a firm grip of their shores, and positioned themselves to grow on distant ones. The move to NW Pacific is one you’re just itching to point at and go ‘Look – the map wraps round!!’. Japan is ready to change colour

3. Indian: The Chinese fleet maintains it presence whilst completing a stunning destruction of Indian. Frozen still has a grip, and the Libyan navy is coming out to play. AGain, this could be fascinating in 2004

4. Northern: Nothing doing. So nothing to say

5. Southern: That’s beginning to look a bit ‘gappy’, with all those Frozen fleets clustered around Oz. One big shove could bring the whole thing crashing down

bump

There isn't a lot else to discuss for a couple days, Babak ;)

But, we have had an EOG from Brazil PM'd to us, which we'll save for the wrap-up. If anyone else wants to do that, I'm happy to archive them and then post them up at the end.

So, if Kenya and India read this...

true strat... just wanted to make sure others read this thread.

do we have any spectators? this is turning into an awesome game, and I've seen quite a few great moves so far... I wish more peeps would follow ;) and I'm hopeful those that are out might want to join in and maybe even commentate... dunno, maybe not a good idea but I do love hearing the thoughts of both Pete and strat - just maybe 'the more the merrier' might apply here.

let's keep the in-game knowledge until the end please folks. good work here though.... actually helps a lot.

Bump :) (No commentary from Ghost yet?)

bump. builds in.

bump. spring moves in.

You bump, and like a good pavlovian, I comment!

Spring 2004 – Lets get it on! This game really doesn’t hang about on the action front. Lots to talk about, but not in the usual theatres

1. North America: Confirmation (if any was needed) that the USA/Quebec alliance is tight. W Can tries to make a nuisance of himself, but that’s it – Alaska falls in the Fall.

2. South America: Literally nothing happens.

3. Oz/Frozen: Frozen does a sneaky grab. Can he hold it? Oz battles bravely, and should hold out this year, but no-one seems to want him as a friend.

4. Africa: It all changes again, and this time it could be decisive. Ghana looses ground to the Europe/Libya alliance, and looks set to loose some more. South Africa gets a centre taken by both his former allies, has to disband to units, and now looks to be in big trouble

5. Europe/Middle East: Ah Russia – as you line up to potentially do some damage to your Pacific cousin, your old ally Europe slides the knife in, and there isn’t a lot you can do about it. I’m guessing the new found friends have a bit of a carve up planned

6. Asia: Not a lot to report. Mid East tries to head home, and may last another year. China and Pac Russia send their fleets outwards, and are studiously not attacking each other.

But it’s in the seas that the real action takes place....

1. Atlantic: Bang! Europe and Pac Russia push the Quebecois navy back , and it may not end there. Bang! In the south, Argentina stakes a massive claim on the ocean, but now what.

2. Pacific: The USA looks at the Pac Russian builds, realises that he couldn’t hold Japan, so doesn’t bother trying. Very nice. I’m sure there is some zen-like “To take a centre, firstly you must not take a centre” line here. 4 deep water fleets against Chinese & PR coastal boats – could get tasty, as OZ & Southern will no doubt be asking for assistance as well. In the south, Argentina sticks to the coast (for now)

3. Indian: Not a lot changes here, as the three players decide they have better uses for their fleets than fighting

4. Northern: There is only the Pac Russian fleet left, as everything else funnels towards the Atlantic

5. Southern: Frozen continues to control his homeland shores, and push on to Oz. With the destruction of the S African fleets on the mainland, his main concern now must be Argentina

So it looks like with have 2 actively co-operating power blocks, with a couple of wildcards. USA/Quebec/Argentina have the Americas sewn up, and are looking to push on to other continents. Meanwhile Pac Russia/Europe/Libya are making big gains this year. China and Frozen are still strong, but it’s not clear where they are aligned (or even if they are). Ghana, South Africa and Oz really need to find a friend, and Near East has probably served his purpose now.

Of course, I fully expect to have to eat my words when the Fall moves are in!

I hope everybody is writing some EOG statements, it will be really interesting to read it and compare to the commentators views.