www.diplomacyworld.net A Look Back at the Past While We Head Towards the Future! Notes From the Editor Welcome back for another issue of Diplomacy World. It places to play and people to play with, and publications has been a long time in coming – more than 30 years – like this one can still provide entertainment, education, but despite a number of obstacles along the way, and hopefully increase your enjoyment of Diplomacy – a Diplomacy World has reached its 100th issue. A lot has game like no other. changed since Walt Buchanan founded this zine. We’ve seen the growth and decline of the postal hobby; the This is my second stint as Lead Editor of Diplomacy birth and death of Compuserve’s and America On Line’s World, and although the hobby has changed quite a bit communities; the advent of the Judge systems; the since the 1990’s, I am still hard-pressed to decide switch to on-line play; the transfer of Diplomacy between whether I am enjoying myself more now or then. game companies; the release and general dismissing of Perhaps it is a bit more challenging now, but on the other Colonial Diplomacy; numerous attempts to release an hand it’s easier to get in touch with people via email, official computer version; design of various adjudication easier to transfer articles, and the days of printing out and mapping software; the recent growth in face-to-face 200 or 300 copies and stuffing them into envelopes are activity; and so much more. In so many ways, the hobby gone as well (although we still have a few copies which is completely different from what it once was. And yet, get delivered the old fashioned way). So in many above all else, there are the people and the respects, I think I am having more fun, and getting more personalities. That has always been what set apart this satisfaction, right now! Maybe it is an appreciation that hobby from so many others. Diplomacy is The Game, comes with age, or I suppose it might simply be that I but the players – the people – are what keep things don’t spend so much of my hobby time on other going. So many lifelong friendships have been formed publications the way I used to, so I can focus more through this hobby. Marriages have been born (and directly on Diplomacy World. Whatever the reasons, I plenty have been destroyed). I still remember the day I hope some of you readers are enjoying the results of our received an issue of the zine Ramblings By Moonlight in efforts as much as I am. I’m quite proud of the issues the mail which included a photocopied photograph of we’ve put together in the last year! Cathy Ozog holding her baby in her arms; at that moment I thought to myself “Without Diplomacy, that Aside from all of the other material in this issue, I am baby would have never been born!” (You can read more VERY pleased to announce that Avalon Hill (through about the beginnings of that story in this issue - see Eric Wizards of the Coast) is releasing a new Diplomacy set Ozog’s piece). If you want to look at Diplomacy as in March of 2008. A copy of the first ad, as well as pushing pieces around, and nothing more, that’s fine – whatever details I have been able to gather so far, is but you are missing so much! included starting on page 6. This can only result in positive things for the hobby, from less-expensive sets Certainly there is always a demand for Diplomacy-related being available to current Diplomacy fanatics (instead of articles discussing strategy, tactics, negotiating the exorbitant prices some used sets were going for on skills…maybe there are no truly NEW ideas on those eBay) to what I hope will be a growing group of new subjects after all this time, but most of the literature players introduced to the game for the first time. written on those topics has been lost to the ages. When you add the discussion of variants, and the new strategy I am also very pleased to announce that at least ONE and tactics necessary to master those designs, the hobby member is foolish enough to listen to me whine. number of potential articles can reach immeasurable That’s correct, the lovely and talented Jim O’Kelley levels. But for me, while I enjoy articles like that which has taken the bait and signed on as the new Diplomacy allow me to hone my skills or rethink my latest playing World Club and Tournament Editor. Don’t be left out in style, I will always have a fondness for articles dealing the cold, there are still a few Editor spots left vacant. Be more in the personality side of the hobby. A list of the the envy of all the other mental patients in your area by winners at a major Diplomacy tournament doesn’t tell signing up for one now! you the whole story; it doesn’t tell you who stabbed who, where they ate dinner, what new friendships were born, Regarding this issue, there should be something in here who had to sleep on the floor, who got lost on the way for just about everybody. Between the usual articles and there, and who kept calling their spouse to apologize for the special features provided for #100, I really can’t list missing their anniversary. everything! But among the highlights, you’ll find: Now, with the first 100 issues completed (and perhaps • An interview with Diplomacy creator Allan the next 100 on the horizon), I hope you will join us both Calhamer for a look at the past and a focus on the future. • Information on the new Diplomacy set Regardless of all the changes, the Diplomacy hobby is • The first results of the new Diplomacy World still alive, and in some cases thriving. Face-to-face Demo Game events remain active, the internet offers a wide range of • Glimpses into hobby history from some of the Diplomacy World #100 - Page 2 biggest names ever to stab somebody for a hoping to include in this issue which didn’t arrive by the supply center deadline. I plan to print in DW #101 instead. Why not • A true Diplomacy DipCon love story join them and include your own? • A 24 scene masterpiece covering the fun at Euro DipCon XV Finally, see below about the new Diplomacy World • Melinda Holley on Gunboat Tournaments Writing Contest. I was quite disappointed to see that • Report on Diplomacy in Australia and South even with the offer of cash prizes, we did not receive a Africa single entry in the Diplomacy Fiction category! That • An interview with DW founder Walt Buchanan means if YOU had sent something, you’d be $50 richer (and his ex-wife Carol) right now! Perhaps the new contest, Strategy and • And much, much more! Tactics, will result in more submissions? I’d hope that at least a few of the thousands of downloads this issue Don’t let this major landmark issue fool you, generates will decide to power up their word processor though…even before we put Diplomacy World #100 to and send something our way. bed, we started work on Diplomacy World #101. But the overall quality of that issue, like all those before it, is I’ll close by reminding you the next deadline for dependent on the articles that Diplomacy players like Diplomacy World submissions is April 5th, 2008. If YOU provide. So what are you waiting for? Start you can’t, or won’t, consider writing a full article, we’d still love to hear from you with feedback on this issue, or writing! Maybe something in this issue has inspired ideas for future articles. See you in the Spring, and you? It isn’t too late to submit a similar “my history in the happy stabbing! hobby” kind of article. In fact, there are a few I was Diplomacy World Contest The Writing Contest Continues! Okay, so nobody wanted to win any money last issue? game ideas, stalemate lines, how best to use No problem. Maybe the idea of writing Diplomacy- convoys...the range of specific topics is limitless. Length related fiction was a bit much for you. I can accept that. can be anywhere from 500 and 5,000 words, but pretty So, this time around, we’re going to go with something much I leave it in your hands. All the submissions will be simpler: Diplomacy-related Strategy and Tactics articles. judged by myself (potentially with help from other members of the Diplomacy World staff). Most (and probably all) entries will appear in a future issue of Diplomacy World, most likely #101 or #102. Just like last time, I’m going to resume tradition and offer cold hard cash to the winners. The winning entry will receive a $50 prize, with second place fetching $25, and third place $10. Both the first and second prize winners have the option of trading $25 of their prize for a new Diplomacy set from Wizards of the Coast! Otherwise you can take your prize as a money order, Paypal transfer, convenient gift card, or even a donation to your favourite charity – whatever works for you. Submissions should be in text, rtf, or Word format, and submitted by email to diplomacyworld “of” yahoo.com. Your entry will be judged as submitted, but I reserve the right to edit it for publication afterwards as I see fit.