My only press game are here at olidip. I play on webdip but exclusively gunboats. I used to play press-games, however. My concern is with the level of communication on this site.

In my experience, appropriate diplomacy play involves regular communication with everyone on the board. I understand some of these variants have more than a dozen players and that may be infeasible. However, when the game progresses and players drop out the numbers are smaller and easier to manage.

I have run into many situations of people just never responding to my messages. Some I will ask questions directly and other maybe just mention some friendly greetings. I don't understand what one would think ignoring a message is proper or productive play.

Even when you are fighting someone, it is still important to talk.

Am I the only one who has problems like this?

Nope, I too am annoyed with people who wont even respond to simple greetings at the beginning of games. There's also players you find every now and then who won't say a single thing, to anybody! Lack of strong communication has become a serious problem with some people new to this game and site.

You aren't. Sometime I got the feeling that my neighbour is maimed. You know... It's hard to type without hands.

I always respond to everything, and also get peeved when no one talks. Alright, when I turn on someone and the tanks are rolling, I might not always say something back, but I might.

I don't go out of my way to greet everyone, but if someone greets me, I respond.

yes yes, but normally the ones that dont talk to anybody die sooner or later... ;)

It could also be a language issue. Some are more comfortable with English as a second or third or fourth language than others.

I often get no response so I will ask them to at least confirm receipt of my message. When that gets nothing back is when things are really frustrating. Even worse is when they do what I ask even without responding.

Anyway, its nice to know who I should play my games with from your posts.

I know, it is really annoying. Although there is a bit of irony in the fact that uncommunicative players rarely do well, but then there's no real satisfaction in taking down someone with no allies to back them up...

yes, it does get annoying

I think it's a combination of
- many "new" and unexperienced players (everybody is missing D-Points for high stakes games)
- language problems
and (IMHO) most important:
- because the site is new and there are so many new variants people joined too much games at once.

What does IMHO stand for Oli?

In My Humble/Honest Opinion

Oli is probably right on the reasons, but I totally agree with Jimbozig that the situation is real

hopefully it resolves itself in the future. Anyway, when I get some points (should be tonight), would some of you who have agreed with me like to start our own game?

BTW: Same topic is discussed on the webdip-board too... :-/

No question about it. You are 100% correct.

Here are my experiences with internet Dip play, not just on Webdip or VDip:

- Players have no ability to lie, masquerade or deceive effectively, because they have no time or interest once they believe they have a preferable deal with your neighbour..

- Players are lazy, inexperienced, arrogant or stupid and therefore fail to pay approriate level of attention to theri emails.

- Players abuse the issue of uncertainty about JUST HOW OFTEN you can expect another player to check in and post a reply, therefore keeping you in the dark about what information to act upon. In F2F Dip you can watch the other player and his negotiating activities.

- Players form cliques and mutual circles of approval so intend to impress each other and do each other 'professional favours'

- PM'ing must play a role in points based gaming, otherwise called metagaming

-All of the above represent types of corruption and abuse, which are BEYOND THE CONTROL OR OBLIGATIONS OF ADMIN, and therefore a reflection of real life affairs.

- why do we play Diplomacy? Ans: because it's a reflection of real life corruption and abuse!!!

Hahahahahaha.......

I've only got a few points, jim, but I'd be down for a 10 pointer or so.