is this pause almost done?

Seeing that everyone in this game has been online within the last 12 hours, I suggest an immediate unpause

The game is unpause..sorry for not informing.

Alright, students, make sure you PM your advisers that the game has started again. Some may have stopped checking. I will inform the professors.

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Apparent logical continuation of the alliance structure discussed previously. Progress appears pretty slow -- in fact, it would seem only RG v E is seeing anything happen at all. EvF is still a stalemate, one that is likely to crack in a couple years' time with the progress RG are making (can't keep those fleets on the Atlantic fringes forever!). The East had no movement at all last turn. IT still have the clear advantage in my mind, but the lack of armies in that alliance right now makes me wonder whether or not they can finish the job completely without a stab.

Apologies for the short post, but there's really nothing going on. Any further commentary I had I felt would be crossing the thin line between commentary and advice -- definitely want to stay on the right side of that!

I don´t exactly agree with you PE, I see some interesting movements last turn.

Russia was the great winner of this year, while Germany was the biggest loser. Russia managed to get Germany support to take Swe in the summer and England support to take Nwy in the Fall, in a great comeback. Germany in the other side is the biggest loser, Swe and Den are gone and he had also burned some bridges with both England and Austria that leave him with only France as an ally. Not a good thing for a central power.

Austria was stabbed all around, even Germany tried to get a piece and I think he will be the first to go, as his position is really hard to defend, but while is a center there is still hope, so I think that messages should be flowing from Vienna
.
Turkey get Russia support to get Serbia and is back on track, the build next turn will tell a lot about his intentions, as he could ally with Russia or Italy or even try to get working with both against Austria (but not for long).

Also, France finally did something in the game and the moves were really strong. Maybe the tactic of wait the other fights to find a hole will pay back. And I don´t see a F v E stalemate, I see England in deep trouble as an army will be landing on the island next year and France don´t have to worry with Germany and Russia like England, so the Brit only hope is on diplomacy.

I am also really impressed with the many alliances shifting in this game, I guess the mentors are doing a great job. And I expect some more changes next year, but like PE said don´t want to cross that advice line.

I think the reason for so much disagreement is that you have commented the situation in different turns! When PE wrote, it was still the Autumn 1904 diplomacy phase, while rdrivera has commented when it had already moved into retreats!

bump!

Will wait for the Spring moves to enter some commentary as the builds were pretty as expected and I don´t have much to add on my last comment.

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Wow, such an interesting turn, specially in the East. In the West we still see a poorly coordeanted F/G against E, that will eventually win by numeric superiority. In the East things are more subtle. Do we have a Jugg? Or we have a R/I alliance. Or even a I/T? Anyway, no doubt that poor Austria isn´t on anyones plans.

England have done a pretty good job defending from France but Den is gone and he will die a slow death if he can´t break the F/G alliance.
Germany have done the expected moves and will be back to his 1901 position, can´t say this is a great achievement, but he is in the game.
France didn´t advance a yard. Also, not moving to EC was a really poor choice. Anyway, France have a good position as Germany can´t afford a stab and Italy is busy in the East.

Talking about Italy, I am not exactly sure if he did the best choice moving to EM last turn. He can ´t go anywhere from that right now and gives some chance for Turkey to take Ionian in the Fall, but will not say much about that to avoid interference in the game.
Austria keeps going to extinction, and decided to go faster not covering Vie, but I can´t really blame him. With a retreat to Gal he could have a chance to survive for more one year if he knows how to play the "mercenary" role.
Russia traded Bud for Rum and should be taking War back. This was a good choice or not? We will see soon. Anyway, those three armies on the north are uselles and need to move south fast.
Turkey, oh Turkey. The Sultan usually have a boring life at start, but then the genious get out of a bottle and start to spread all around.... Good move supporting Russia into Bud to take Rum. Just don´t get why Smy didn´t move. Anyway, Turkey still has one of the strongest position on the board.

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...

~

Well, after this turn we have the first power to say "Goodbye, cruel world!". And what a huge surprise (not): It´s Austria.
On behalf of Fabio we can say that Austria is usually hard to hold if you don´t have a good start, as it have the worst defensive position on the board.
Now we have two rising nations on the East: Italy and Turkey. But seems really unlikely they will unite, so a fight between this two wanabee giants should be expected. In the other end of the board, England is slowly fading away as expected, but the speed of the advance remember me a Iranian film I once watched.....

On the individual analisys:

England is fighting hard to stay alive, but unless he convince Germany or France to stab the other there is very little he can do to say alive longer then two years.
Germany - Good year. Taking Den and NS on the same year is a huge achievement. Now, what´s next? Germany can probably land an army on the island, but is this the best choice? Securing Scandinavia for him is another way to go, and the build will likely show that.
France - Slow, slow, slow. I know it´s hard to break the English defense, but France didn´t advance a single feet in a whole year. Why insist in the same obvious moves turn after turn? On the other side, Italy could have three builds this turn (yes, because that fleet dislodged from Smy will probably be disbanded). So, if Italy and Turkey somehow get a deal, France will be in deep trouble.
Italy- What an interesting year. Two builds from Austria and a good position to geep growing. Now Italy is challenged on what to do next: face Turkey or try to ally with the Sultan and keep growing. Not an easy choice, specially because Turkey has three fleets facing Ion.
Turkey - Solid advance. Another build and a really strong position, even with Italy having two builds. Now the key for Turkey would be Russia, either to take his centers or to ally to a late Jugg and steamroll into the Med.
Russia - Russia is still fighting to stay alive, but now in a much stronger position. Anyway, wihout an alliance it will be harder. The Scandinavian units are pretty much uselles, so seems that Russian faith will lie in the East anyway. At this position, Russia could play the kingmaker for both Turkey or Italy and use it´s favour to win centers in the Balkans.

"but the speed of the advance remember me a Iranian film I once watched....."

Would the professor care to enlighten me as to the reference? =)

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Humm, can´t remember the name of the film, but it was slow, paifnfully slow and with a lot of sand.

*laughs his ass off*

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bump for commentary

Interesting Spring moves after some obvious builds.

In the West, England downfall continues and he will probably down to one after this year, but the decision to give Edi to Germany could really change the balance between the two western allies.

In the East, seems Italy and Turkey have agreed some cease fire to focus on Russia, but will it really last? This turn will tell a lot about this unusual alliance.

On the individual analisys.
France - Well, England took it personally and decide to give up on Edi to Germany and Lon will be probably talking Deutsch in the next year. But France should have a much needed build this year and Italy seems focused on the East, so things are still under control, but he will need to find another source of centers if want to keep on top of the board.

England - Well, sometimes we can´t do much other then choose to who we will give our centers. Even the chance to have a rogue fleet seems pretty small.

Germany - Good convoy to Edi, but this required a lot of trust on both France and Italy. Also, a 50/50 on Swe/Nwy. If Germany get a second build, Russia will be in deep trouble next year. Keep France as friendly as possible is the key at this point.

Russia - Well, seems Russia don´t have any friends at this point, and this is a good path to elimination. But, alliances shifts always can happen, so if he managed to survive this year with minimal losses there is still some chance to the mother Russia.

Italy - Great moves again. Not too agreesive against France, but show a point, somehow managed to keep Ion, that now is sealed and now Itlay can choose who to fight against. Alliances with any other living power is possible at this point, and I hope to see at least one new build for the Italian army this year, so the sun is shinning over Rome again.

Turkey - I really don´t understand what Turkey is doing now. If you have the chance to take Ion, you take it, unless you have a big advantage not doing this. Doesn´t seem the case. Unless I am really wrong, I don´t see a good winter for the Sultan this year, as there is a lot of armies pointing for the balkans, and almost half of the Turkish units are useless fleets pointed for a now completelly defended Ion.

FOUND IT FOUND IT FOUND THE THREAD

I'm sorry I disappeared. I lost the threadID and couldn't locate this thread. Analysis:

England's demise is clear, and it would seem the intent here is to give centers to Germany -- probably to make life difficult for France (who will be hard-pressed to expand against a strong Germany and strong Italy) and Russia (who will be hard-pressed to survive a hostile Germany and Turkey, even if Italy decides to ally with Russia instead).

France and Russia... see above. They're going to have some trouble in the future. France could possibly intervene against Germany if it moves right away, but otherwise Russia will probably collapse and lose vital centers to Germany and allow Germany to take the fight to France instead. It's a race of titanic proportions -- will Germany get through Scandinavia in time to hit France, or will France get through England in time to hit Germany?

Turkey is in an awkward spot. Russia and Italy could combine on Turkey right now. Italy is in a very good spot as a result, because Russia is not in a position to profit from a Turkish carveup; the Black Sea should never fall to Russia and without that Russia has no chance of getting anything substantial. Russia really would like to continue the RT alliance, but Turkey tossed it aside for an IT that doesn't appear to be developing.

Italy, see above; in a great spot right now. Alliance with Russia is more profitable because Italy would probably only get Warsaw before becoming bait for Turkey. The only thing that could throw a serious wrench in things would be a French attack, but France is hardly in a position to do that and with German help (which should probably be forthcoming) France never will be in such a position.

Prediction now is a German or Italian solo, or a GI_ 3wd (probably GIT), where the third party is the party who survives long enough to play Kingmaker and forces a three-way draw.

^

Bumping for comment.

Nothing really new in the front this turn but we can feel the tension in the air. Now that the easy targets are almost gone we will see which alliances will last and which will fall apart.

In the West, England is down to one and Lon will be speaking Germany next year. One build for France and one for Germany and no sign that the alliance is breaking. Good job all around I must say. France opened Mars for the build and anything diferent from a fleet there will be a surprise (but surprises can happen at this point). Germany have more options, depending on who is his next target, but having only one unit (now two with the build) on the mainland doesn´t seem the safest path for Germany.

In the East, Italy is on the top spot, but things are still a little blur at least for this commentator. Why Italy supported Rum and Turkey didn´t hit Bud is a good question? In the end Russia is the biggest loser, but still has a good corner position and a chance to play kingmaker for one of the alliances or to break one of the alliances.

On the individual analisys

England - England fought hard, but it´s hard when you don´t have any ally.

France - Well, taking only Lyp from England after that many years of fight is a bit frustrating. Now, France is a little boxed between Germany and Italy and have to choose carefully where to move next, but he also have a great position on the corner and neither Germany or Italy seems able to hit him, so he can even choose the wait and see tactics.

Germany - Having only one unit on the mainland is risky, but is paying back. Also, good diplomacy with the Eastern powers seems to be paying back too for Germany. But he also will have to choose a path now and in this case the options are more limited, as attacking France isn't a real option and attacking Russia could backfire (as usual for Germany) so a lot of diplomacy will be required.

Italy - Great year for Italy. One more build to take the lead and full control of the balkans and the Med. But being the top power bring some problems, you got a target on your back and everybody looks at you with suspicious eyes. Italy don´t have a corner to hide, so he needs to keep moving and at this point gains will only be achieved if Italy can find a realiable ally. Good news for Italy is that a lot of options are still on his table: Turkey, Russia, France and even Germany could be great options for an alliance.

Russia - Russia still don´t have an ally and I don´t know if it´s his fault or other powers fault (wish I can read the messages). But Russia now is desperate and having a desperate nation as an ally could be a great thing. Not in direct danger of being eliminated as ther corner helps a lot. Realistically, Russia should now be looking for a way to be a part of some stalemate line to enter in a draw.

Turkey - Losing Ser to get Sev doesn´t seem a great trade for Turkey. I don´t know what is going on between Rome and Constatinople, but I think the tension between them will only grow in the next years.

I don´t agree with my fellow commentator PE that a German or Italian solo or a GI_3wd (GIT) is the most likely outcome. But I will not tell what I think would/should happen next to avoid influencing the game.

yes, Eden please don't speculate quite that far as to future alliances so not to influence the outcome of the game. Otherwise, thank you to both professors for doing a great job!

^