Old-timers will recall that we tried Axis and Allies by email oncet or twicet. I thought it was fun, but it was kind of hard to coordinate battles, what with rolling dice and all. Also, we had a pretty shitty way to represent the board.
I propose that we try out Diplomacy. It has some advantages over AnA that make it more suitable for email play:
- No dice
- All moves simultaneous
- Fewer territories and pieces, so a paper map with pencil would work for keeping up with the board (there may even be some actual usable electronic tools
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Actually, there isn't REALLY any combat. It all boils down to who has the most units committed to a battle, and you don't lose a unit if you have an empty territory to withdraw to.
I'd suggest reading the rules from the "online resources" of that page I linked. The main fun in the game is backstabbing the other players.
Ok, I have the Diplomacy software, it's dos based. And not easily ported for JPG release, but it's saveable and such. Uh, I might be able to make it easy PBEM. If I can get this to work, I offer to run it whilest yous guys go at it.
Ok, I can make a save file that can be e-mailed out and loaded upon arrival so everyone can see what the responses are. Then you guys can just e-mail your orders to me. Viola. And I found some jpg maps that I can paintbrush modify to give updates on the site. Who's in?
Depending on the planned rate of play and when the game is slated to begin, I'm in.
Diplomacy has a lot of pulling people aside for private convos in between rounds to make and break alliances. Much fun. Almost as good as Makiaveli (or however you spell that).
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I figure we can start mid January and roll turns once a week, mebbe every Sunday? And you can turn in orders any time between Monday and Saturda? Kind of like you loosers and your NFL thing.
mbilderback wrote:I figure we can start mid January and roll turns once a week, mebbe every Sunday? And you can turn in orders any time between Monday and Saturda? Kind of like you loosers and your NFL thing.
Huh, direct quote, why is it removing my 'y' in Saturday?
Aside from the peanut gallery, any ideas, Gordo? :p
Also, just to put a solid date on the start, what do people think of starting January 16th? That'll get peeps to finish the holidays. Also, Gordo, can you add us a forum for Diplomacy?