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A place to discuss topics/games with other webDiplomacy players.
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Enriador (1507 D)
07 Apr 18 UTC
(+2)
New Variant: Manifest Destiny III
Hail diplomats,

Yet another variant is coming: Manifest Destiny III. It's set in North America during the conquest of the Wild West.
35 replies
Open
Dr. Recommended (1660 D Mod (B))
24 Dec 16 UTC
(+2)
Variant Tournaments
I've really enjoyed playing variant-specific tournaments such as the Known World 15x15 currently underway.
700 replies
Open
Enriador (1507 D)
10 May 18 UTC
[Variant] Florence Diplomacy
What happens when you move two little dots around?
5 replies
Open
kaner406 (2181 D Mod (B))
07 May 18 UTC
(+5)
Server not processing games.
I've gone ahead and added 24 hours to all games, to avoid any problems preemptively.
5 replies
Open
GOD (1850 D Mod (B))
16 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
GODMODE
Hello everyone, If like to host a special rules game, if we could find enough players interested:
21 replies
Open
fasces349 (1007 D)
26 Dec 10 UTC
(+16)
Advertise live games here
Like in webdiplo, this thread will be used to help people find live games
3618 replies
Open
Oli (977 D Mod (P))
29 Apr 18 UTC
Help needed: Our 4 press-types.
Hi everybody.
I'm working on a rules-page about our 4 press-types.
Someone willing to submit some guide what these different press-types are, and what these mean for playing the game?
34 replies
Open
Siagas (1965 D)
17 Apr 18 UTC
Looking for replacement quickly
Looking for replacements in the following game : Public WWIV
http://www.vdiplomacy.com/board.php?gameID=33046

You would play as Egypt in the map World War IV. This game is Public Press so everything you say everyone can see. For more detail, go look the new message in the thread.
8 replies
Open
ubercacher16 (2169 D)
30 Apr 18 UTC
Replacement needed
I need a replacement for China in the bourse game.
2 replies
Open
islefan5 (968 D)
28 Apr 18 UTC
Problem: cannot set orders
I have the message “loading order” but cannot enter any orders. Is the site down?
7 replies
Open
Anon (?? D)
08 Mar 18 UTC
New Variant: 1913
1913 is a revision of the Classic map, having both balance and historical accuracy at its heart.

The first game is live! http://vdiplomacy.com/board.php?gameID=34011
16 replies
Open
Sky_Hopper (365 D)
04 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
Imbalanced map?
It seems as if several maps need some balancing work. For example, England* v Turkey is skewed toward England, and in Rinascimento, the French are virtually at the hands of other players’ wills.
11 replies
Open
Safari (1530 D)
05 Jan 18 UTC
(+1)
Austrian Succession: New and Improved
After four years, War of Austrian Succession is nearing completion! Please come help test it so that I can perfect the balance.
It would be very helpful if we could have no NMRs for the first few phases. http://lab.diplomail.ru/board.php?gameID=64
38 replies
Open
gopher27 (1606 D Mod)
23 Apr 18 UTC
War of Austrian Succession....being obnoxious
Does history matter and should it fall to a mathematician to be the history nerd?
11 replies
Open
CCR (1957 D)
12 Dec 17 UTC
A Reconquista variant
http://www.variantbank.org/results/rules/i/iberian.htm
38 replies
Open
stephan (1062 D)
16 Apr 18 UTC
Vermont needed!
Vermont in „the trump effect“ 50 states game has been basically abandoned and is still in its (characteristically) stronk position, but not for much longer. grab while supplies last!
3 replies
Open
Sky_Hopper (365 D)
15 Apr 18 UTC
Blank variant?
On the variants page there's currently a row with no assigned variant. Can you fix this?
6 replies
Open
TheFlyingJarate (923 D)
15 Apr 18 UTC
Hello, I have a problem
Hello, I have a problem. I am going away for a few days (tomorrow), and I don't know how to quit the game I am in. There are 36 players, so I cannot reasonably ask for all of them to pause --- besides, there isn't enough time --- so I am stuck.
6 replies
Open
Maiorianus (1000 D)
14 Apr 18 UTC
Playing with fewer players
Hi all!

I know this is probably a noob question, but I need to resolve this issue: is it possible to start a game with fewer players than those normally expected? I tried it once with the Rinascimento variant, but the game didn't launch just because there weren't 12 players.
Thank you in advance!
3 replies
Open
Enriador (1507 D)
02 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
Machiavelli Variant
Hail diplomats,

'Machiavelli', a legendary variant of Diplomacy, will soon be made available here on vDip using Andrew Jameson's adaptation.
50 replies
Open
drano019 (2710 D Mod)
05 Apr 18 UTC
Variant Design Help
See below.
20 replies
Open
Oli (977 D Mod (P))
05 Apr 18 UTC
(+3)
New convoy-code.
Thanks to tobi1 we have a new and improved convoy-code.
This was really a problem for all "big" variants.
Very cool you could solve this problem. I did take a look at your code, but I'm absolutely clueless... :-)
4 replies
Open
Sky_Hopper (365 D)
06 Apr 18 UTC
Gunboat specs
If the "Gunboat", "Public Press", or "Per Rulebook" rules are employed, shouldn't the game be automatically "Anon" as well? If it weren't, then players could just PM each other, defeating the purpose.
6 replies
Open
gopher27 (1606 D Mod)
06 Apr 18 UTC
Question about social norms for players
In a large game, a reliable player asked the mods to extend the game for Easter. The request was general and largely in the name of other player: "Hey guys, it's Easter, and in a big game, some people will probably be traveling to see family." The extension was granted, and requests like that are likely to be accepted.
gopher27 (1606 D Mod)
06 Apr 18 UTC
Does such a player have an ethical obligation to post in the public press that he has made such a request?

Do people feel that mods have an obligation to enter the game and publicly explain the situation every time they get such a request? My concern would be that obligating an unpaid, volunteer mod to enter into a subsequent discussion with any players who have some objection would be enough of a time and energy requirement that individual mods would stop granting such requests.
Only an obligation to post that they have extended the game for the holiday. Is that not better than having to get into a discussion later with an upset player because a unilater decision was made and no reason given?
Enriador (1507 D)
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
1) I believe an exceptional extension should only be made if a majority of players agree.

2) Ideally, that extension should happen through normal means (the Extend button) to avoid bothering the mods - who already have plenty of things to do.

3) And yes, I believe the player who has made such a request has the ethical obligation to warn the others about it.

Personally, if I think a holiday will harm my game, I will ask my fellow players myself and suggest an Extend rather than bother the mods. We vote, and if a majority is reached we extend.

If we don't have a majority, well, we can't push the whims of the minority against the majority, right? It's every individual player's duty to plan in advance (Diplomacy games can last weeks!) and make sure they can follow up with their duty.
Retillion (2304 D (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
First of all, I would like to thank the Administrators team to bring that question in the Forum.


1° There is an "Extend" button and a rule that specifies that "If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the [sic] current phase will be extend [sic] by 4 days.".
In that case, why do some players allow themselves to ask Extends in another way ?
And in that case, why do some Administrators allow themselves to grant the Extend ? The Administrators should simply answer to the player that an Extend has to be asked in the game itself.

2° Why would the request for an Extend made by one single player be granted, even though it may not be the choice of the qualified majority of the other players ? The only answer that I can find would be that an Extend should be granted whenever it is asked. But then, why, does the rule specifies that "If 2/3 of the active players vote Extend the the [sic] current phase will be extend [sic] by 4 days." ?
If an Extend should be granted whenever it is asked, then the Extend button should be removed, or, better, the rule should be changed and specify that "If one single of the active players vote Extend the current phase will be extended by 4 days.".

3° The players know their game much better than the Administrators do. For example, the large game gopher27 is talking about is a Divided States game (variantID=105). That variant is made is such a way that, if at least one player NMRS during the first year, there will be an automatic Extend whose duration is equal to the Phase length. In the game gopher27 is talking about, a few hours before the first Spring turn happened, a player asked directly to the Administrators team an Extend and an Administrator, who has a life like most of us too, gave generously some of his time to consider the situation and to make the decision that he thought was the best one : he granted a 24-hour Extend. I thank that Administrator very much for his volunteer work but nonetheless he made a wrong decision because the 24-hour Extend did not even prevent NRMs and we had anyway a full Phase Extend.

4° I have always failed to understand why some players consider that holydays are periods of time when they have less time to play Dipomacy. Is that because many players play Diplomacy at work ? Or at school ?
I understand that travelling can impair the ability to check games but travelling happens both during holidays and work, or school, periods.

5° YES : as a player, I would like very much to know that one of my games has been extended. Checking one of my games and seeing that the next Phase will happen, for no apparent reason, at a different moment than the one it should gives a feeling that anything can happen without even being told about it.


As conclusion, why don't we all play as gentlemen ? If one player needs an Extend, he simply asks for it and he has the courtesy to give a reason ; then, the other players, have the courtesy, the generosity, the fair play, whatever you call it, to grant the Extend. The 2/3 majority rule prevents any abuse from some players who would want to delay the game for some unfair reason.


I would like that the Administrators take a clear posture and state what the rules are.
Mapu (2086 D (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
I think the mods did the right thing. I was looking at the game that morning. There were about to be 9 NMRs. I requested an extend. They granted 24 hours.

By using the extend button, 34 players on that map would have to vote yes. With 9 players AWOL, it would have been impossible to get the votes in time.

The special rules state: "Custom Start:
The game starts with a build phase for every power. If a player does not check in during the first build phase his status is immediately set to "Left" and the country gets a "default build" so another player can take over without a weak start."

Not sure where the part about auto extending for Spring 21 is. And did it even extend a 2nd time? Not sure it did.

In fact, only 3 players (maybe 4) ended up NMRing, so I think overall it was the right thing to do in order to avoid complete unbalance.

So there you go. It was me. Yell at me or get over it. I'd do it again and have no regret.
I understand the mods needing to make emergency extends. I had a heartattack last June. I still managed to get my orders in but an emergency extend could have been enacted. The only real issue to me on those is communication.

As was pointed out, the game gopher extended would have extended any way. So it wasted half a phase. As far as the reason, the player in question knew it was a holiday and should have planned accordingly.

But in the end, it came down to communication. You must tell us why you are extending or pausing if you do so.
Mapu (2086 D (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
I should have communicated it on the board. You are correct.
I don't know if that instance has no NMR turned on or not.
Sky_Hopper (365 D)
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
Shouldn't it be:
If 2 or 3 of the players vote "Extend" then the phase is extended?
This could prevent abuse of the button and could allow for certain exceptions.
Retillion (2304 D (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+1)
Thank you, Mapu, for giving us your reasons. It helps to better understand the situation.

It is true that it is not written anywhere that the Divided States variant (variantID=105) is made is such a way that, if at least one player NMRs during the first year, there will be an automatic Extend whose duration is equal to the Phase length. It would help if that was added in the variant description.

And it is a fact that, after the 24-hour Extend that was forced, we had another Extend that lasted 50 more hours (i.e. the Phase length).

The fact that there was a useless Extend is not such a big deal, what bothers me more is that it came unexpectedly without any notice.
Mapu (2086 D (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+2)
I need a hug!
Dr. Recommended (1660 D Mod (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+7)
I'm taking my mod hat off and responding personally here. My opinions are my own and do not reflect in any way those of other mods or the team in general. I will take a day or so to consider just stepping down from the mod team, and they may make the decision for me after reading this post. I know the preference is that I let it go and let it pass, and I usually do, but once in a while shit needs to be said.

Trying to help out here too often turns into a shit storm. Congratulations, we're an internet comment section in board game form. In a community built of people from all over the world and the spectra of age, politics, etc., it is a miracle that broad agreement happens even as often as it does. As a mod and a frequent tournament director, I have been endlessly amazed by the constant stream of unexpected issues that can arise, turning easy enjoyment into complicated, tense messes. Some here seem to want to legislate every conceivable minor permutation. "Section 54.6756m of Rule 974f clearly states that when Player X scratches his ass, Regulation 65345 shall be invoked, requiring a response according to Ordinance XVII of the Second Book of Important Statutes, Page 874, Column 3, wink wink nudge nudge say no more..."

Is that what you want? No matter how minutely precise an operating manual might get, ***there will always be issues that come down to a judgement call, and there will always be someone whose sensibilities are offended***

I've got two things to address, and then I’ll get off my soapbox:

First, the incident in question. Easter Sunday, I was at my in-laws' house with my extended family, between brunch and watching the toddlers run around looking for eggs. I opened my browser on my phone, vDip was already open and I saw a mod forum post alert. Being a mod, I habitually check when I see that, in case there is something time-sensitive. I read the extend request. (Uh oh, the wife's calling me outside.) I opened the game link and saw 2 hours remaining before the turn. (Whole family is calling me now, what are you doing, come outside the kids are waiting.) I saw a large number of red exclamation points when I scrolled down the page. (Dude, what are you doing, everyone is waiting for you.) I made a judgement call, extending the game by 24 hours. I rejoined my family and enjoyed the rest of the holiday with them. When I next had time to engage with vDip, I went to the game I had extended, read the inevitable bellyaching, and posted my explanation and apology for not explaining sooner.

How often does this happen? Is it really a problem? I mean, big picture, head out of your ass, step back take a deep breath. Is this really a problem? YCHTT, you keep going on about communication -- in the game, in the mod forum, here in this thread. I made a judgement call. I erred in not immediately posting an explanation in-game, and I COMMUNICATED that, in-game, with an explanation and an apology. Let me now communicate to you that I apologize that my communication was not actual acceptable communication, but instead some form of non-communicative anti-communication communication.

youtube.com/watch?v=KniUNdVZvH4

I understand that we as players want to know the rules, want to be able to reliably predict what will happen in and with the games that we dedicate so much time to. And this brings me to my second point. This mod team does its level best to provide a platform upon which you enjoy (or don’t as the case may be) playing a game, in abundant variation, with people from all over the world. FOR FREE. This is not a government, it’s not the police department, it’s not a bureaucracy, it’s not your parents. There are a handful of people who volunteer their time, largely as a means of giving back and contributing to this awesome FREE online community. We can’t legislate every possible scenario. We most definitely cannot please everyone. Occasionally something like this Apocalyptic Extension happens. That will not change, because there will always be new situations and humans are here trying to make the right decisions about them.

It’s absolutely acceptable to question a mystery extension. But this has gone well over the line of reasonability. It was explained. It’s unfortunate that this existential catastrophe is still upsetting some, but fortunately this is not a detention center – all are free to seek better conditions on other Diplomacy websites. I used to play regularly on the Spanish Diplomacy site, until it simply vanished one day, permanently and without warning. It was an eye-opening event that made me really appreciate what vDiplomacy consistently provides, and I will appreciate that until the day it no longer does. In the meantime, I’m profoundly grateful for the site, the community, the staggering array of variants, the mod team that volunteers – usually without complaint – to keep it functioning and ever-improving, and the players who are rational enough to accept that it may not always be perfect, but it’s pretty damned good.
Doc - the explanation came after the concussion and queries. Perhaps while you were there extending the game, you could have posted a quick "I extended the game for Easter. Go enjoy the extra time". It was too late by the time you got around to it.

And I'll point out this thread was made by a mod. I was finished discussing it in the mod forum. I had my voice heard and was glad that the message got through. But a mod put this here and asked for input. So go hitch at your fellow mods for starting it back up.
kaner406 (2181 D Mod (B))
06 Apr 18 UTC
(+3)
Yup, getting Diplomacy players to agree on ANYTHING is like herding cats. It can't be done. That said - Dr.Rec, please don't step down from being a Mod. You've been doing a great job recently and we want you to continue.

The rest who are arguing about about this issue -v we've already had a very motivated and dedicated individual step down and remove himself from this community entirely because of just this problem. Guys deal with it. It's 24 hours not the end of the world. Yes a small note in global would have been appropriate, but don't get all witch-huntery over this issue.
Kaner, gopher asked for input. Had the thread not been created by a mod, there would be no discussion. It was over and done with.


15 replies
Sky_Hopper (365 D)
06 Apr 18 UTC
Port this?
Here's a variant we might want to try (with a few tweaks, of course):
Map: https://apolyton.net/filedata/fetch?id=8931879
Thread: https://apolyton.net/forum/miscellaneous/archives/stories-diplomacy-archive/114155-stefu-s-very-own-north-american-diplomacy-1870-map
1 reply
Open
JOIN: Imperial Diplomacy II - 3 more Players!
JOIN: Imperial Diplomacy II - 3 more Players!
1 reply
Open
Oli (977 D Mod (P))
10 Feb 18 UTC
(+1)
RSS feed for Notifications (discussion)
Hi everyone.
Don't miss PMs or game-notifications with your personal RSS-feed.
In your settings-page you can create a unique link that updates with your "Notices"-tab on your homescreen.

Feel free to post ideas for improvements or suggestions.
What's your favorite RSS-client for your platform of choice?
19 replies
Open
Sky_Hopper (365 D)
02 Apr 18 UTC
Testing a possible new variant
I've made a simple Diplomacy variant, but I haven't tested it. Would this be the place to (perhaps) gain some testers?
7 replies
Open
sarmstro (931 D)
03 Apr 18 UTC
Noob question
Hi, long time dipper, first time vdipper. Is it possible to enter orders using an android phone, or do I have to wait to get in front of a PC? The orders field just says "loading order" and nothing else happens.

Apologies for the stupid question, and hello!
3 replies
Open
Battalion (2386 D)
29 Mar 18 UTC
Bot wars
I've been wondering how well you could write a script to play gunboat diplomacy. Probably not very well (at least to begin with!), but it would be fun to try. I don't really have the time to do this properly right now, but I'm interested to know if it has been done before, or whether anyone would be keen to try at some point in the future.
14 replies
Open
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