The forums would suggest either 12 or 80 depending on the thread. I'd put a lot of money on it being somewhere in between.

It depends what average you're using.

Based on previous surveys, I'd say the mean is around 35 with a mode of 18-25 and a median of 40.

31 years 5 months

People actually playing Diplomacy: 25-35
People on the forum: 13-14

Just based on my experiences.

Actually, the number next to people's names is their age.

When I play on stabberfou I check the age and most of them are over 40 years old. That explains why all the negotiations I have in that server is like every move is a life and death situation... and then I come here.

If you'd like to play with better people, I suggest you play WTA over PPSC. You also play crazy weird phase lengths. The most common is 24-48 hours, so I suggest you try some of those.

You can also always feel free to advertise in the forum. This site actually has a lot of good players that are looking for games.

Age has nothing to do with in game personality. Im 18 and tend to be reasonable and responsible in my negotiations. I mean if I feel a player is a push over I will take take take as much as I can.

Commander, I'm a psychologist and yes, age can be a factor in decision making. I'm glad you are reasonable and responsible, but age (and of course, other factors) can help understand why persons act in a way.

@josepr but there are exceptions yes? being that we are playing what is widely considered a game popular among mature groups, and in the world of today introduced by higher education in most cases; does it not stand to reason that the population of the younger bracket of webdip players would be disproportionately in the exceptions group when compared to overall global populations? further simply by admitting that exceptions exist it is implied that age is not an definite way to predict the actions of a person. I can attest from my own experience (of which i admit is not as professional or developed as yours) that some adults well into their 30's lack a sense of responsibility that many of the Cadets I have trained and been trained by have a full grasp of. I completely understand that most young adults lack the ability to responsibly make decisions and in most cases do not look to consequences; but I would argue that a proportional number of adults lack the ability to responsibly decide as young adults who can responsibly decide. I admit many people my age are not capable of holding positions of responsibility; but I also suggest that many people well into their adult years can't handle responsibility. One example of this could be the superintendent of the large inner city school district from which I was educated; He on several occasions requested to speak to members of my unit and used our suggestions directly in his policy decisions. The same story can be told for our school principal who is on his way to being fired, while my school goes through a restructuring that will include many changes I suggested in my second year attending the school.

It's not only age, but experience with the game. Some new players aren't used to the idea of a draw especially with with multiple CDs at the start. I've seen idiots refuse a draw and then get wiped out within 3 years so the rest could end the game.

There are always exceptions. I am 46 and have had the pleasure of playing with the commander. I can vouche for his ability to see reason above his age and commander is not the only teen here that has that ability. There are quite a few.

Commander, of course there are exceptions, that is why I was glad to hear you act differently. But in average people can be somewhat predictable.

@ssorenn and josepr , that is my only point- that diplomacy being a classically mature game most players are mature here and when josepr applies psychology (which I would be very interested in possibly some reports on once you get some good examples) he should do so with the broad assumption that most players are mature. It is the easiest way for you to use psychology here, otherwise you will spend more time in the early to mid game trying to figure out someones age.

For example, playing with younger players can be very beneficial, especially when taking risks or trying something new. Playing with older not necessarily can be a good thing, they scare too easily and can be over cautious.

@josepr - I tend to take a middle ground in 1901 I play cautious and feel around to see which players are aggressive and which are defensive. Once I get that feel I can use that against them playing a different style on each front.

Diplomacy players know psychological profiles exist. Diplomacy players do not want to give you the edge this might offer. Diplomacy players can therefore be expected to refuse to supply the requisite information, or outright lie about it, on a frequent basis.

Commander, knowing age or other characteristics helps. Of course one has to take other things in consideration but knowing a profile of a player... just helps to predict. That's all.

@josepr I think that you agould go into games here with an open mind and you might find you will be completely surprised at the depth of competition here both in press and gunboat. After games, inquirer ages and the rule here kinda goes out the window. Don't make your judgement one one player. The bigger concern with the site is people who throw tantrums when they are losing and quit. Those people are all ages

@ josepr - please don't feel I am disagreeing completely with you. I am actually curious how effective psychology can be. I think it would be a fantastic experiment to place you in a match with 6 others players and tell you their age and gender and see how accurately you can predict. Make it a non-press game and just tell you the age and genders; maybe the whoever runs the school of war might want to take that up as a small side project may give serious insight into the game.

Ssorenn, bad losers comes at any age. Hehe ;-)

that is all to true!!!!!!!!!

I thought you were new to site(on my iphone) Josepr, but at 30 games in 5+ years you might as well be....you should know that quality on this site doesnt discriminate by age, just look at players GR rating

Commander, psychology can be very effective for many things. Especially profiling. What I can say to you is that I always try to check the profile of a player when beginning a game. Know a little about the person. Even the nick they use... you never know. He he maybe you can start that routine yourself. Doesn't hurt. :-)

Ssorenn, I don't play much diplomacy. Im into baduk, chess or backgammon. Also, I play little in other diplomacy servers.

i'd like to play a game with you, and lets see how your profiling stands up

i play both chess and backgammon, the latter i prefer to play for money

I want in on that game as soon as I have Diplomacy points which should be in a few days when I win this game.