Notes from the Editor Welcome to the latest issue of Diplomacy World, #118. it's overwhelming, but then you can go out with lots The 100 degree dog days of summer are upon us here of fun people in the heart of Chicago with a mob in Texas, and as it turns out, in much of the rest of the better and more exciting than Chicago has ever United States as well. But summer isn’t all just hot seen. And as you know, Chicago has seen some temperatures…it’s also going to include hot-blooded mobs in its history. I have waltzed down the streets competition at World DipCon in Chicago. Jim Burgess of Paris, Birmingham, Denver, and Baltimore among has made it his personal mission to get attendance up to others with scores of Dippers. I count these the “old days” levels of over 300. I had some important experiences as among some of the most memorable things I wanted to say here, but because Jim threatened and fun in my entire life. You really are missing out my life I’m going to keep quiet and step aside. So allow on a lot if you're not meeting other Diplomacy me to turn the major portion of this section over to Jim hobbyists in person. The mirth and laughter is Burgess, who will make his case for why YOU should contagious. Another plus that you probably will make plans IMMEDIATELY to attend World DipCon in never get a chance to do again. Our Founder of the Chicago: Feast Allan B. Calhamer recently turned 80 (on Pearl Harbor Day, as I recall...) and he lives just outside of UPDATE on The Drive for 330 at World DipCon: In Chicago. I have met him on a number of occasions the "old days" there used to be as many as 330 and am on his Christmas Card list. We are trying to Diplomacy players from around the world showing get him to make an appearance (contingent on up at World DipCon. The point of "showing up" was health etc. of course) and this is likely to be all of not to win the Tournament, as remember the more our last times to do this. That is truly a once in a players there are, the more YOUR chances go down, lifetime opportunity. Operators are standing by, let's but to get together make friends, laugh, drink, play, create a last minute stampede. YOU can attend your as you cement old relationships and make new first Diplomacy convention, your first World DipCon ones. I've not been to DipCon in a while (either and meet all of us, all in one fell swoop. How can World or North American), at least one that you refuse? counted.... (I really think the Debacle in Bangor was really memorable and fun in a certain sense). So it I'm optimistic, though yes, I'm always optimistic. I seemed that THIS year, with World DipCon in still think that Dan Burgess (no relation, but a heck Chicago, the proverbial center of North America and of great guy anyway) can still be overwhelmed with reachable in direct flights from anywhere in the the boards he's putting together (which will be quite world, that THIS was the year to head back toward special) if 330 of you show up. Find more numbers like 330. Of course, to date, this goal information at http://www.windycityweasels.org/wdc doesn't look achievable. We have 78 officially signed and I ***WILL*** see you there soon!!! I want every up as of June 20th. We will break 100, which hasn't last one of you reading this to E-Mail me with your been broken for World DipCon in almost ten years, lame excuse (that includes you, Doug!!!) at jfburgess but I really wish I could convince more of you to of gmail.com and I will shred it. Well, maybe not all show up. Within the US, flights on Southwest into of them, but a significant number of them. If your Midway are REALLY cheap. GO, right now and look brother is not getting married that weekend, your kid at www.southwest.com, you might be surprised how is not in the Olympics in London, or your wife has cheaply YOU can get there. There are people driving not scheduled you for the weekly yard cleanup, then from all over the place that might pick you up. Post YOU should join us in Chicago. at the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/chicagodiplomacy#!/eve So there you have it…if you’re NOT going, email Jim nts/237129306368896/) with requests for help of any Burgess your excuse so he can judge whether it is kind, but especially to get rides. There are all sorts worthy or not. And odds are, he’ll decide it isn’t. of options for crashing in Chicago as well, ask the Weasels themselves for advice. I’ll close by reminding you the next deadline for Diplomacy World submissions is October 1st, 2012. You also probably are saying, "how can I convince Remember, besides articles (which are always prized my spouse, significant other, guardian, or whatever and appreciated), we LOVE to get letters, feedback, why I should go to this?" You would be shocked as input, ideas, and suggestions too. So email me at to how your web, E-Mail, or IM games will be [email protected]! See you in the autumn, improved by some fun FTF play. It's loud, it's fast, and happy stabbing! Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 2 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: Matthew Shields, Email: mchirchill of gmail.com Point/Counterpoint Editor: Alex Maslow, Email: blueraider0 of gmail.com 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 2012: Chris Babcock, Jim Burgess, Joshua Danker-Dake, Rick Desper, Éamon Driscoll , Jeff Hall, Richard Hannon, Thomas Haver, Brendan Hickey, Melinda Holley, David Hood, Zachary Jarvie, Jérémie Lefrançois, Alfred Nicol, Richard Stuart Maltz, Alex Maslow, Jack McHugh, Peter McNamara, Alfred Nicol, Jim O’Kelley, Larry Peery, Brian Shelden, Matthew Shields, Nemanja Simic, David Simpson, The GM, Richard Walkerdine, Don Williams. Add your name to the 2012 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. In This Issue: Editorial: Notes from the Editor by Douglas Kent Page 2 Feedback: Knives and Daggers – the Diplomacy World Letter Column Page 4 Strategy & Tactics: The Clyde Lepanto by Alfed Nicol Page 5 Hobby History: My Life With Ulrika: Part 7 (More Trouble) by Richard Walkerdine Page 6 Feature: I Don’t Play Much These Days: A Diplomacy Appreciateion by Joshua Danker-Dake Page 8 Point/Counterpoint: How to Handle NMR’s by Jack McHugh and Alex Maslow Page 9 Convention Report: DixieCon 26 (2012) Report by David Hood Page 10 Feature: Xenogogic: An Occasional Column Devoted to the World of Diplomacy by Larry Peery Page 13 Face-to-Face: Big Rounds, Small Rounds, Drop Rounds by Matthew Shields Page 18 Strategy & Tactics: Havoc Behind The Lines: Celebrating the Rogue Unit Joshua Danker-Dake Page 22 Feature: Ask the GM by The GM Page 24 Feature: Solo Derby: A Team Tournament Concept by Chris Babcock Page 25 Point/Counterpoint: Sould England Ally With Germany of France by Jeff Hall and Éamon Driscoll Page 26 Face-to-Face: Keeping Time by Brendan Hickey Page 28 Convention News: Selected Upcoming Conventions Page 28 Variants: What Not to Put in a Variant Design by Jack McHugh Page 29 Demo Game: Diplomacy World Demo Game – “Rotary Phones & 8-Track Tapes” 1914 - 1915 Results Page 30 Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 3 Knives and Daggers - The Diplomacy World Letter Column Charles Roburn: Dear Diplomacy World, I'm writing to let you know that I'm still alive! Also to offer a few Larry Peery expresses doubts about younger writers' comments on the topic of reader and contributor abilities in the Letters column of DW #116, but I think participation - both with regard to the Diplomatic Pouch he's overly pessimistic. The Internet is full of crap, it's Zine, and in general. true: but it's also full of some very interesting and well- written material too. I'm sure there must be some This has been a common theme throughout the past few younger Diplomacy players out there who could do a issues. It was first addressed specifically in DW #113, in wonderful job in the position of Pouch Zine Editor. The Doug's article "The Hole in the Pouch", and continued only question is where to find them! with my friend Chris Dziedzic's article "Fixing a Hole" in DW #114. In an effort to jumpstart the Pouch again, I just posted another issue of the Diplomatic Pouch Zine last night I did officially resign as DP Zine Editor back in March (the Spring 2012 Movement issue, now available at 2011, roughly six months after publishing the Spring http://www.diplom.org/Zine/S2012M/ - please check it 2010 Movement issue - which was itself horribly late. It out!). This is intended as a one-time effort on my part – had become clear that in spite of my hopes, I wouldn't and I hope it will encourage somebody else to step up be able to produce another issue for some time. and resume publishing the Zine regularly. However, as Doug noted in his article, since then nobody had taken up the position. Manus followed up on I do think the Pouch still has a lot to offer the hobby (as a few possible leads, but without success. And I'm afraid does Diplomacy World!). And I don't think it necessarily that I'm not sure how to fix it. has to change format to a blog in order to do so (although the suggestion is something to consider). Of I was distressed to learn from the Editor's Note in DW the questions Doug asks in DW #113, the third - "Who is #116 that Doug himself has been getting a bit willing to take over stewardship of the Pouch?" – is key. discouraged. I sympathize - I know what it's like to feel The main thing is to find someone with the motivation burned out! However, I think he's been doing an and drive to keep it going, in whatever format it takes. absolutely stellar job with Diplomacy World during the whole time he's been in charge - it would be a terrible I hope we will. loss to the hobby if he stopped. Speaking as a (former) Zine editor myself, I greatly admire what he's been able Racan Souiedan: A few of us are trying to organize a to do. Diplomacy tournament in Vancouver during the fall, which would run from Friday, September 21 to Sunday, As I said in the "About the Pouch" article of the S2010M September 23. The exact structure of the event is not issue, I don't have any one explanation for why I clear yet, but it would in all likelihood be a three or four suddenly lost steam. It wasn't because of a specific round event (one round Friday night, one or two rounds personal crisis (thank goodness). And while it's always on Saturday, and a final round Sunday morning). The nice to get recognition, I don't think that lack of feedback scoring system is also up in the air for now. We have a was a significant problem for me in itself. I can say that I tentative venue booked (the Holiday Inn at 1110 Howe did enjoy publishing the Zine tremendously for a long Street in downtown Vancouver), and there would be a time - but at some point, it simply became too much. I small fee to cover the cost of renting the space, but we'll just became partly burnt out, partly busy with other try to keep it as negligible as possible. commitments, partly short of articles, and partly short of quality articles. We think this would be a great way to further develop the Diplomacy hobby in Vancouver. Believe it or not, but the Having seen something similar happen in a professional city hasn't had a real Diplomacy event since the 2007 group I'm a member of, I think that this cycle is actually World Championship. Frankly, it's high time Vancouver pretty normal for any volunteer-based organization. stepped up and enshrined its place on the Diplomacy People are eager to participate when they first get map. involved; but in time their priorities change, and they begin to direct their energies elsewhere. The key seems If you're new to the game, please don't feel intimidated to be recruiting new volunteers to replace the old; but I'm by the idea of a Diplomacy "tournament". Really it's just not sure how to do that with any reliability. It seems that I a way for us to get together, meet, socialize, and have beg for submissions and volunteer help in each issue (as fun on and off the board. It's difficult enough putting have the Editors before me), but with disappointing together a seven player house game, so sometimes a results. tournament is the easiest way of making sure boards fill Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 4 up and everyone gets to play. Learning Diplomacy is committee: Chris Brand, Jay Heumann, and John easy (only takes about ten minutes), and you'll probably Jamieson. Right now we're trying to gauge interest in the find that players of all levels are welcoming and eager to tournament, and assess whether or not it's even a try and ensure that you walk away with a good feasible idea, so if you're committed to attending, please experience. Players are free to commit to the entire let us know as soon as possible. Otherwise this whole tournament, or simply a round or two. idea might suffer a sick, sad death. Let's not let that happen, people! We're also happy to direct out-of-towners to potential lodgings in the area, and will try to provide crash space if See you in fall 2012, where I'll be supporting YOU into renting a hotel room is outside of your budget. Belgium. Vancouver's a beautiful place in early fall, so in our time away from the board we'll hopefully get the opportunity Email – racansouiedan “of” gmail.com of sampling some local flavor. Downtown Vancouver is easily accessible from YVR Airport by the Canada Line Facebook Event Here: Skytrain, and is a short drive from the American border. https://www.facebook.com/events/480794888601019/ If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me, or the other friendly members of our organizing The Clyde Lepanto: An Original Opening Strategy for Turkey By Alfred Nicol This article works on the premise that surprise and the Germany and it may well be good to seduce Russia’s unexpected have especial cache in a Diplomacy world cousin’s postman’s brother. This could provide useful defined by familiar openings and predictable strategies. diplomatic leverage in the crucial period at the end of the It came to me in a moment of particular pseudo-spiritual beginning of the middle game. insight when meditating on the role of the region Clyde. Consider first this question: Which zone is least entered Once you get to Clyde pass it off as a defensive move in any game of diplomacy? I’d argue Clyde would be a on his behalf…after all France is in NAO and England good contender. Secondly, who is England’s most desperately needs armies to complement his obsession unlikely enemy early on? Yes it is Turkey, so combine with fleet builds. From Clyde apply the devastating stab these two facts and you have the beginnings of a full- on Lvp or Edi and watch England crumble. In return for proof opening strategy already potentially as popular and the convoys promise support into Finland for Italy, A/H quite literally game changing as the Hedgehog, Octopus and France and then sit back and watch them squabble or recently revived Zombie Hamster. over Finland. Once they are fully embroiled in Scandinavia, something most Italians can’t resist, you The essence of the strategy involves an unexpected mop up the centers until you get all 18. It could not be (and that’s the beauty of this idea) convoy of army con- more original or simple. Clyde in fall 02. I know it sounds simple and you are already itching to try it, well here’s how it works. Turkey Next issue I shall be discussing the merits of a new needs French fleets in Mid and NAO. He needs Italian approach to openings in contrast to the norm where the fleets in Wms and Tys and then an A/H fleet in Ion and strategy is developed and then a name chosen. In this of course a Turkish fleet in Aeg. The order is A Con- eagerly anticipated article I will be advocating the Clyde with all the appropriate convoy orders in place. advantages of coming up with names first and then “But how does one establish such an opening?” I hear trying to develop strategies to match. Suggestions you say; well here’s what to do. include “Kangaroo pouch”, “Lichen in Lichtenstein”, “Flying penguins” and the “Vegetarian transvestite Establish rock solid alliances with A/H and Italy, beg vampire”. borrow and promise to consolidate them, pretend you’re going for Russia, and bounce him in Bla to prove it. If you’ve been reading Diplomacy World lately, France will be easy to get on board as England is surely Alfred Nicol is becoming a familiar name to you. his greatest threat. Secure good communications with Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 5 My Life with Ulrika: Part 7 (More Trouble) by Richard Walkerdine THE STORY SO FAR. Walkerdine has finally won the I managed another small grin as I handed her the sheet Zine Poll, his ultimate ambition and something that of paper. “Because the alternative was to have him send would almost certainly cement his dream of total Hobby this notice to every planet in the galaxy.” domination. His beloved Ulrika has been rescued from her coffin and now surely nothing can stop him from becoming the most famous and successful editor in the She looked at it and shuddered. “Oh Richard, you mean entire history of the World (and with the lovely Ulrika you gave up the Zine Poll to save me from this? Oh my permanently in his arms). But he has admitted to her that darling.” She fell into my arms again and I held her something is wrong (these things never go smoothly) close, knowing I had done the right thing. and Ulrika looks at him in horror. Oh dear, what can have happened while Ulrika was in that coffin? Well, But then she pulled away. “But what do we do now?” quite a lot actually, and none of it good.... Now read on... I hugged her more tightly. “It’s Piggott, he’s been even more devious than I could ever have expected.” She looked up at me in surprise. “Piggott, but I thought von Metzke had taken care of him?” I managed a small grin and a shrug of my shoulders. “No Ulrika, that was apparently yet another simulacrum – so good it even fooled that hideous multi-dimensional creature von Metzke. My goodness but that man Piggott is clever.” She hugged me more tightly. “Oh Richard, what has happened?” I broke the embrace and picked up a sheet of paper. “I’ve had to give him the Zine Poll, which of course means I will never win it again – Piggott will see to that.” She looked at me in horror. “But why?” I laughed as I held her slim body closely against me. “Oh Ulrika, my love, there is only one thing we can do now. We timeslip and get out of this mess, to a time long after Piggott has left the Hobby. Now that I have achieved all my aims I don’t much care about it anymore.” She looked up at me with wonder in her lovely eyes, “But how Richard, how can we do that?” I kissed her gently. “Well the Tardis finally fell to pieces so we can’t use that. But come to the storage room and I will show you.” Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 6 We stepped over the cleaning robots and made our way to the storage room. When Ulrika looked inside she looked at me and smiled. “I remember,” hissed Tarantula, “doing the time warp, drinking....” “It’s astounding, time is fleeting,” sang the Cornelius brothers, “madness takes its toll.” “Those moments when,” muttered Doctor Strange, “the blackness would hit me and the voice would be calling, LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!” With my beloved Ulrika beside me we all took up the chorus. “It’s just a jump to the left and then a step to the right, with your hands on your hips you bring your knees in tight, then it’s the pelvic thrust which really drives them insa-a- a-a-ane LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!” And in an instant the storage room was empty... Ulrika understood and joined in. “But listen closely,” she sang, “not for very much longer. I’ve got to keep control.” (TO BE CONTINUED) Ever notice how Richard always threatens you with “To Be Continued” at the end of each installment? Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 7 I Don’t Play Much These Days: A Diplomacy Appreciation By Joshua Danker-Dake Let me make a confession: I haven’t played Diplomacy Diplomacy than in most any other game, in large part, I much lately. As you can probably attest, it’s often well- think, because we tend to invest ourselves in our nigh impossible to get seven people around a table. But alliances. And then we take it personally in spite of that’s really not why. And I just had my second kid, but knowing perfectly well that we shouldn’t: “Why would he that’s really not why either. No, the real reason is the stab me? Doesn’t he know how good a player I am? investment. What an idiot.” In the 2012 movie The Grey, Liam Neeson and a bunch of oilers try to survive a pack of wolves in the Alaskan wilderness. With a thoughtful, pervasive focus on the ever-present threat of death, the film is imbued with an engrossing level of visceral energy. A good game of Diplomacy is like that: emotive, suspenseful. If you’re like me, a good game of Diplomacy can leave you hanging on every order reveal. If you’re like me, a good game of Diplomacy can make getting stabbed feel like getting gut-punched. I suspect that this is so for many people. Diplomacy World #114 featured an article by my brother Sean about the bad sports of the Diplomacy community. Undoubtedly, a major underlying factor for bad sportsmanship is a lack of maturity, which can be severely exacerbated by the particular capriciousness of Diplomacy’s shifting winds of fate. I’ll be the first to admit that games have gotten to me on a number of occasions, and that I’ve lost my cool more than once. I have to be in the right frame of mind to play Diplomacy. I have to be able to steel myself to remain calm, to not take it so seriously, and to roll with the punches. It takes a level of mental energy that I don’t always have available. I know of no other gaming experience that can kick you in the stomach like Diplomacy can, if you let it. But this is also exactly why we play, is it not? Are the highs as high as the lows are low? Well, your mileage there may vary depending on your personality, but they can be pretty darn high. Being on the giving end of a crushing blow, pulling off a successful coup – these things can be If any of you out there can get through your Diplomacy immensely satisfying. One man’s rage is another man’s games with the clinical detachment of a sociopath, well, triumph. For me, at least, the satisfaction of winning at kudos to you. I can’t. I feel the strong pulls of conquest Diplomacy is greater than that of winning at pretty much and betrayal, and they wear on me over the course of a any other game. You work so hard for so long – to be game. The game calls upon me to invest, and I do, the last man standing over six other players trying to because sometimes it pays off tremendously. screw you to the wall – what’s better than that? That’s the biggest reason why I haven’t played much Not that we conquer by trolling (although some certainly lately. It’s also the biggest reason why I love Diplomacy do); rather, we often simply troll by conquering. Such is so much. the nature of conquest. There’s very rarely anything malicious in the initial attack or stab; like Herm Edwards Joshua is Diplomacy World’s S&T Editor. said, you play to win the game. All the players are trying to win the game, but it’s easier to lose sight of that in Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 8 Point-Counterpoint by Jack McHugh and Alex Maslow Should a GM stop a game for NMR and wait for a new player to send in orders or should the GM just process I have heard it said that NMRs hurt countries, and surely the orders with player’s units in CD? this is true. I'd never argue that NMRs are a positive force in Diplomacy. They can easily disrupt the balance Point (Jack): A GM should wait for stand by orders from of the game and change the whole dynamic. NMRs the new player and allow players to negotiate with the should be prevented at all costs - anything else is unfair. new player. Wait. This is Diplomacy. OF COURSE it's unfair. NMRs don't just hurt the powers that make them, but it That's how the game works. hurts all the other powers in the game, even powers attacking the country that NMRs. If you're in a situation Diplomacy is a wargame. As such, anything that can where the country that NMRs may allow one of the happen on the Diplomacy board ought to have some attacking powers to take more centers than they could real-world rationale in the realm of war. You need with that player sending in orders--even if those orders supplies to increase your military, an army cannot are simply to support his own units, then that changes support another move if another unit attacks it - it must the tempo of the game. By definition one or two players defend itself first! NMRs also have a very simple real- tend to reap the benefits from NMR since countries world explanation. Sometimes, in war, military doing well rarely NMR so by definition some power or commands get mixed up. Bulgaria is ordered to Berlin powers will make out much better. while the Baltic Sea is ordered to Serbia. It is obvious what the commander meant, but "orders is orders" and, I agree that a new player makes a huge difference but dammit, we wouldn't be in the early 20th century military without a player there is no one to negotiate with which if we didn't follow orders to a crippling degree! No one is what Diplomacy is all about. The rules are so simple would argue, except of course in a house game when that there isn't much a player can do unless he has you're trying to recruit new players, that these orders someone to try and work with. I realize that there is no should be corrected. They are read as is, and that's guarantee that the new player will work with you or even that. This is also true when individual units are left listen but there is zero chance that you can work with a unordered. Too bad, tough love, but you'll remember country in civil disorder. next time, right?? As for having to change strategy, well this is Diplomacy So it's a little artificial to say an NMR is different. Surely where players can change at any time, even if players sometimes entire order sets get misplaced or don't make don't change. Hell, any Diplomacy player worth his salt it to their destination. And, in the game world, this player should be prepared for double dealing and backstabbing has now dropped to the bottom of the "people I can players at any time since that is what Diplomacy is all trust" list everyone has, not because they'll lie, but about. because they've shown themselves to be unreliable. The punishment is in-game. The other problem with ignoring NMRers with civil disorder is that I have is that I think it subtlety But sometimes a player calls it quits, and the country is encourages NMRs by saying they don't matter. I also placed into CD (I prefer to call it Anarchy). Again, this think it lessens the social forces, e.g. hobby and player can happen in the real world of war. War can be disapproval, of players who consistently NMR. Even stressful on nations, and it isn't unheard of that the local though I was a serial NMR myself due to over extension population revolts during a war, thus causing the whole and I think the lack of hobby disapproval contributed to war effort of that country to screech to a halt. my willingness to do that--I think GMs and players should be cognizant of players who NMR and try to Many would say this is game-breaking, especially if the shun, avoid or otherwise make it clear that NMRing is power has a lot of units (or a few well-placed units), but frowned upon. NMRing does affect the game and we in Diplomacy we must be able to react to such situations. should not try and sugar coat that so that players think If we're holding a stalemate line with another against a NMRing is acceptable. monster power, and that other player falls off the map, we shouldn't complain that our line is compromised - we Counterpoint (Alex): The GM should simply resolve the should be able to adjust accordingly to the new reality. orders with the player who did not send in orders units in Civil Disorder, e.g. all units hold, and the game should Also, calls for this being unfair are a little odd. There's move on with the GM simply calling a standby for next no rhyme or reason to NMRs or countries falling into turn. anarchy. It could easily be your opponent’s key ally, and Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 9 then what? You'd game ahead! You, as a player, would feel bad and, post-game, might discuss how the game Moving away from the realities the game should try to would've gone had that not happen, but only the noblest reflect, there is yet another reason to troop on in the face of us would stop the game until a replacement had been of NMRs. Given that a paused/delayed turn can hurt the found. game so much, a GM who does that risks penalizing the other players while letting the offending player off free. Speaking of replacements, moving with my idea of NMR too much and you're blacklisted from that site, anarchy, one person can rise to the top of the ruins and sure, but there are LOTS of Diplomacy sites. grab hold of the national reins. In our game, these are Meanwhile, 6 other players are stuck with an unfinished replacement players. This is perfectly acceptable and, game and at least a few days in limbo while a new ultimately, better than a country staying in CD. But the player is found. Better to let the game troop on. A war continues. Search for new players but don't stop the replacement player can jump in regardless of the game. In game terms, stopping the game ruins the flow. "pause," so if it hurts the game but doesn't benefit the As a GM and player, I'd rather have a game continue new player, why do we do it? It's a silly and dangerous unbalanced than have it die while we wait for a new tradition that hurts a lot of games. player. I've seen it happen just too much. Dixiecon 26 (2012) Report By David Hood Thursday night at Dixiecon is always fun. As I arrange important to the ultimate tournament standings as Game the tables and chairs, procure more of each from other 1C ended in a two-way draw between Pete Yeargin’s rooms, and unload all my supplies for the weekend I Germany and Doc Binder’s France, eventually leading relish the anticipation of what is to come. Then, Maletsky them to a one-two finish in the final results. Game 1A and others show up to start playing games – and all I was a particularly long one, lasting until 1911 when care about is making sure he does not win. Graham Woodring’s Turkey was stopped at 16 by some combination of Ecton, Turnage and Maltz. Mission accomplished. Of course, I really did not win anything either, but that is beside the point. The gaming Thursday night consisted of Bruce Allen, Rich O’Brien, Peter Yeargin, Dave Maletsky and David Hood playing Twilight Struggle, Small World, and Acquire – which were appetizers for the Here I Stand game which actually did not end that night but was stopped and started the next morning. Eventually that game would end in a Papal victory. I was playing the Hapsburg/Papacy combo Thursday night. Of course at the time of the victory, Ed Rothenheber had taken over for me so I can make airport runs. Thus, the Papacy was able to win. Cause and effect relationship. Other games began to trickle in as usual throughout the day on Friday, causing a number of games to hit the tables. These included more Twilight Struggle as well as Ticket to Ride, Dominion, Monsters Menace America, Friday night non-Dip action included more players than Last Will, London and Chess. No basketball was played the 21 playing Dip, which has become standard at this year, but we did have a number of swimmers to take Dixiecon. Games played that night included Through the advantage of that aspect of staying at Granville Towers. Ages, and yet more Twilight Struggle/Chess/Last Will. In By the time 6pm rolled around, the room was ready for addition to the late night poker, the other game that the 26th annual Dixiecon Diplomacy tournament to begin debuted Friday night was Virgin Queen, the Here I Stand in earnest. sequel that was to see 4.5 games played throughout the weekend. Given the popularity of Here I Stand with both Three boards were announced, no one at all complained the current and former Dip players at Dixiecon, VQ was about their board or country assignments, and the action bound to make such a splash just weeks after its release commenced! There were no wins at Dixiecon this year, by GMT Games. Most reviews were very positive – no for the first time in a while, but the Round 1 results were doubt VQ will be played many, many times at future Diplomacy World #118 – Summer 2012 - Page 10