Notes from the Editor Welcome to another issue of Diplomacy World. prizes. But by the time the deadline rolled around, we Sometimes it feels like one issue has been out for only a actually had more entries than prizes! For me, that’s few weeks and the next is upon us. This time, for quite a moral victory. The judges are going over the whatever reason, it seems to be the opposite: to me, it submissions, and next issue the results will be feels like there hasn’t been an issue of Diplomacy World published, along with at least one or two of the entries in six months. I suppose that’s just a consequence of a (all of them will be published in DW eventually, over the very hectic real life, for me and the rest of the Diplomacy next two or three issues). If any of you have ideas for World staff. Actually, I sometime shave to remind myself new contests, please let me know. I’m always trying to that since the rebirth of DW with #97, when I returned as come up with ways to get more reader participation! Lead Editor and when Jim Burgess took a more active role again, we have been able to produce some terrific Speaking of participation, we are STILL in need of a new issues on a regular, dependable schedule. I’ve always Club and Tournament Editor to replace Jim O’Kelley. felt that above all else, in order to maintain momentum This is the editor who focuses on face-to-face play, and and keep a loyal, interested readership, you have to be tries to keep in toush with the various hobby groups. able to publish on time. Obviously what you publish is We’ve considered splitting the task into multiple just as important, or moreso, but if you know Diplomacy editorships, but I believe it is best for one person to hold World is going to be released at the beginning of every the position, and they can then try and solicit material quarter – early January, April, July, and October – it from the local hobbies all over the world. If you’re makes it that much easier for you to stop by the website interested or have questions, get in touch. Our face-to- and check out the issue. Thanks to all of you who have face articles continue to be well-written and entertaining, supported Diplomacy World through the years, but most but with all the activity going on we need MORE of them, especially those who have supported us, contributed covering MORE regions. Every major tournament articles, suggested topics, sent feedback, or simply let should be able to find a participant to produce an other Diplomacy fans that we exist over the last four interesting article for the zine. At least that’s the way years. We couldn’t do any of this without you…and why *I* feel about it. would we want to? I almost feel like saying we need a new Interview Editor too…what’s the deal with Jim Burgess? He needs a good kick in the rear end from from all of you. I can’t remember the last time he did an interview for the zine. Actually, part of the problem is coming up with worthwhile interview subjects. So if you’ve got ideas about that, send them in. The Variant Roundtable he did a few years ago was great fun, maybe there is some other sort of roundtable interview he could organize…a tournament champion roundtable? Let me know what you can come up with! One great subject would be John Boardman, publisher of Graustark (the first Diplomacy zine ever, if you didn’t know). I wouldn’t want this issue to go by without mentioning his ill health lately. John had to spend some time in the hospital recently, and our thoughts and prayers go out to him for a quick recovery. Geez, we’re all getting older, aren’t we? This sucks. Oh well, its part of life. And a reminder of why the hobby always needs new blood…new Diplomacy players…new enthusiasm! I’ll close by reminding you the next deadline for Diplomacy World submissions is July 1st, 2010. Remember, besides articles (which are always prized and appreciated), we LOVE to get letters, feedback, input, ideas, and suggestions too. So email me at I was generally pleased with the response to the [email protected]! See you in the summer, Diplomacy World Variant Design Contest. At first I and happy stabbing! wasn’t sure we’d even get a single entry; response to my contets ideas has always been rather low, despite the Diplomacy World #109 – Spring 2010 -Page2 Diplomacy World Staff: Managing Lead Editor: Douglas Kent, Email: diplomacyworld of yahoo.com Co-Editor: Jim Burgess, Email: burgess of world.std.com Strategy & Tactics Editor: Joshua Danker-Dake, Email: jadddiplomacy of gmail.com Variant Editor: Jack McHugh, Email: jwmchughjr of gmail.com Interview Editor: Jim Burgess, Email: burgess of world.std.com Club and Tournament Editor: Vacant Demo Game Editor: Rick Desper, Email: rick_desper of yahoo.com Technology Editor: Chris Babcock, Email cbabcock of asciiking.com Original Artwork Nemanja Simic, Email: nemanja.painter of gmail.com Contributors in 2010: Chris Babcock, Jim Burgess, Suzanne Castagne, Steve Cooley, Larry Cronin, Joshua Danker- Dake, Rick Desper, Greg Duenow, The Gamemaster, Richard Hannon, Not Jon Hill, Andy Hull, Zachary Jarvie, Kit Jillings, Kestas Kuliukas, Alex Maslow, Jack McHugh, Alfred Nicol, Lewis Pulsipher, Chris Sham, Michael Sims, Adam Silverman, Nemanja Simic, Adam Silverman, Dave Simpson, Mark Stretch, Richard Walkerdine, Stacey Williams, Conrad Woodring. Add your name to the 2010 list by submitting something for the next issue! Contributions are welcomed and will earn you accolades and infinite thanks. Persons interested in the vacant staff positions may contact the managing editor for details or to submit their candidacy or both. The same goes for anyone interested in becoming a columnist or senior writer. Diplomacy is a game invented by Allan Calhamer. It is currently manufactured by Hasbro and the name is their trademark with all rights reserved. Themes for Upcoming Diplomacy World Issues: Diplomacy World #110: Friends and Allies: Relationships On and Off the Board Deadline for #110 Submissions – July 1, 2010 Diplomacy World #111: Internet Diplomacy Deadline for #111 Submissions – Oct. 1, 2010 Diplomacy World #112: Using Social Networks in Diplomacy Deadline for #111 Submissions – Jan. 1, 2011 Diplomacy World #109 – Spring 2010 -Page3 In This Issue: Editorial: Notes from the Editor by Douglas Kent Page 2 Variants: Diplomacy Variants by Alfred Nicol Page 5 Feature: “Modernizing” Diplomacy by Lewis Pulsipher Page 7 Book Review: Total Diplomacy – The Art of Winning at Risk by Zachary Jarvie Page 9 Convention Report: TempleCon 2010 by Alex Maslow Page 12 Theme Article: Is Imperial an Economic Diplomacy Variant? by Richard Hannon Page 14 Strategy & Tactics: German Naval Power by Joshua Danker-Dake Page 15 Cartoon: Above Board by Zachary Jarvie Page 16 Hobby History: The Great Gallimaufry Hoax by Richard Walkerdine Page 17 Feature: You Are No Fun by Conrad Woodring Page 18 Convention Ad: TexiCon Ad Page 19 Theme Article: Perestroika Diplomacy by Larry Cronin Page 20 Theme Article: Perestroika V Rules by Larry Cronin Page 20 Strategy & Tactics: You Might Be a Diplomacy Jerk If… by Kit Jillings Page 22 Convention Ad: ManocCon XXVIII Flyer Page 29 Strategy & Tactics: Luck in Diplomacy by Richard Hannon Page 31 Theme Article: Bored? Try a Diplomacy Bourse! by Richard Walkerdine Page 32 Hobby Service: Ask the GM – An Advice Column for Diplomacy World by “Game Master” Page 33 Strategy & Tactics: How Does Germany Win? by Alfred Nicol Page 34 Convention Ad: HuskyCon VIII Ad Page 35 Strategy & Tactics: Whither Belgium? by Joshua Danker-Dake Page 36 Humor: A False Phophet in the Temple by Somebody Other Than Jon Hill Page 37 Theme Article: Why I Hate Economic Variants! by Jim Burgess Page 38 Strategy & Tactics: Risky Diplomacy by Zachary Jarvie Page 40 Face-to-Face: Houston Diplomacy Update by Conrad Woodring Page 43 Convention News: Selected Upcoming Conventions Page 44 Demo Game: Diplomacy World “Known World” Variant Demo Game - Spring 908 through Winter 911 Page 45 Feedback: Knives and Daggers – the Diplomacy World Letter Column Page 101 Diplomacy World #109 – Spring 2010 -Page4 Diplomacy Variants By Alfred Nicol To suggest a variant is to somewhat imply that the behavior. The great variant of diplomacy is the current offering is perhaps inadequate and lacking in psychology, aptitude, experience, honesty and some way or other. In fact one might argue that the personality of your opponents. It is this where the game numeracy of variants is indicative of some inherent flaw, holds its own and consequently does not necessarily not sufficient to damn a game altogether, no one require an artificial intervention in the form of varying the produces variants of awful games, they just make new mechanisms or context. Put simply no two games are ones, but merely to suggest that whilst the basic premise the same and furthermore, most strategy articles that and even the majority of a game’s workings are great, it focus on openings, especially those that push one is, after successive plays, in need of some form of opening above any other, are inherently flawed. Yes, tweaking. If this were true, then one might be inclined to Russia may well be Italy’s best hope of a long term ally, conclude, based on the enormous amount of variants but if Russia is played by a Muppet then probably not! (I available, that diplomacy is an essentially good yet should know, I’ve argued it, played it, lost it!) possibly flawed game.