Sorry for the short comments, but I'm travelling, so my time is limited.

Europe/Libya/China have smeared Pac Russia from the map. There have been some fantastic stabs in this game, and that's another one. PR will be gone next year.

The only real question is whether or not this 3 way allaince will allow anyone else to be in the game at the end. Lord alone knows what the USA/Argentina/Quebec forces are doing.

And yay to South Africa. Stll there (although only for 1 more year)

And so the end begins.

It looks like USA and Argentina have decided they can be part of a draw without Quebec. As the European navy appears on the American coast, things are about to get interesting.

South Africa dies (sad). PAc Russia is going. And Frozen, depsite a spirited defence, looks ally-less till the end. Whilest the Chinese incursions are pushed back, the Libyan navy turns up to say hello.

The only question now is whether or not the MEGA-ALLIANCE will allow USA & Argnetina into the draw

I think the real interesting point is that Europe did not take Gothab. This indicates to me that the MEGA ALLIANCE hopes to use Quebec as armor, and wants to land decisive forces on the North American mainland. The longer Quebec lasts, the easier that is. That, in turn, indicate that the MEGA ALLIANCE isn't interested in inviting someone else into the club

...

close to the end on this one. or not.

Sad to see Pac Russia giving up (although it was inevitable).

Quebec goes from early leader, through stagnation, to the next victim. The MEGA ALLIANCE ( (c) stratagos 2010) has managed that rare thing - balanced growth for all concerned. And look at the positioning of the units - each member has their own 'sector' of the front as far as possible, and most of the units are facing out the way.

Frozen begins the slow slide to oblivion - considering the (apparent) lack of allies, he's done well to last this long.

USA & Argentina will grab a couple of Quebec centres, but will it be enough? Or do we have another few years as they too fall to the MA?

I agree with Pete - the West made a *huge* error when they stabbed Quebec - either they were played by the MA, or they thought they could yank enough of his centers fast enough to build out and protect the coasts. The problem, obviously, is by the time Quebec is toast the *Mega Alliance* will hold the coast, and unlike Libya and the west coast of Africa, they lack enough numbers to hold off a convoy on the east coast *and* simultaneously hold the west coast

No real shockers for Spring 2009. Quebec is getting hammered, and the West is starting to lose territory to the Mega Alliance. When something *interesting* happens, I'll write a longer commentary

Interesting is that Argentina didn't move into position to take the last Quebec stronghold in South America.

Otherwise, the blueness of the northern seas continues apace, and China & Libya slowly squeeze Frozen to death, although there is some bounciness for China in the Pacific.

...

... is a good comment, Babak. Europe gains the first foothold in the Americas, and Frozen goes the way of so many (one more year..)

But it looks like the MEGA_ALLIANCE is going to close out the game. It will be long and drawn out, but quite simply, USA & Argentina cannot defend the northern, Pacific and Atlantic coasts all at the same time. It may take a while, but sooner or later, they will be forced. The MA just has too many fleets, and then the armies will land. It might take a few more game years, but a 3 way draw looks like the most likely outcome. I can't see the any of the alliance going for the solo - the balance is too good

I don't have anything to add - it's just going to be a slogfest from here on out, unless something radically changes. I'm going to *love* to hear the EOGs from Argentina and USA so they can explain WTF they were thinking

And the sloggiest of fests continues. Quebec dies, but it's still too late for Argentina & USA. The MA navy has arrived at the Pacific coast, is all over the north of Canada, and is ready to take out Frozen. All that remains is control of the Atlantic (which will come) and it's an exercise in tactics.

I'd echo strat's call for EOGs as well. When the game finally finishes, it will round off the thread nicely

EOG's in this space when the time comes. meanwhile, a potentially interesting turn?

Potentially..

I'd need time to analyse Europes moves north of Canada, but that may just be a screw up, rather than a stab. An agreed transfer of centres between MA members makes sense, as Libya didn't have any obvious gains, but the balance of power in the MA may have shifted.

USA has two builds but is it too little, now that China pretty much owns the Pacific- As China and Libya just need a few units to subdue the south, they are going to have to start going somewhere..

Agreed. And, hey, guys, you *can* finalize early

Given the moves this turn, it looks like it was a centre swap that went wrong. The only thing that'll keep this going now is tactical errors from the MA. The weight of numbers is just too strong.

MA +4, ROW -4. Goodbye to Frozen. Well played, as you never ever seemed to have an ally.

I'm not sure if any more commentary will add any value, other than to keep bumping the thread for EOGs from those who can remember what they did......

Oh, it'll be an exciting race to the bottom, to see who gets eliminated first Pete

I'm going for USA, given the hordes on 'his' continent

Nothing exciting with the builds; nothing to see here

It's like watching a slomo accident now - you can *feel* the pain of USA & Argentina. There still fighting as hard as they can, but the Libyan navy now controls all of the Atlantic, and China the Pacific, and Europe the north.

FTF, you would call it now. We don't have that luxury

yeah - this process slowed down huh?

boy do I wish I could say some things...

i fear that by the end of the game i'll be so bored i won't be able to write a EOG

So, Babak, are you USA, or Argentina?

MM - I'm not allowed to talk about the game... but suffice to say that my actions will not affect the game one way or another at this point =)

Nice post, Babak, I still don't know if you are already dead or Arg or USA! I am pretty confident you are not China, Europe or Libya; though I suppose I haven't been following closely and could easily be wrong, just reacting to your last post...

If the players could *finalize* things would move faster. There probably isn't a hell of a lot of negotiation at this point, guys - just enter your orders and *go*!