RB Diplomacy Game #4

[Rowain]

Though I would push for GM acknowledgement of receipt of orders, where time allows. Not anything like "this seems weird, are you sure?", just "this is what I have you doing".

I've done that in the last game I GM'd - jDip has an option to show only orders from a selected player, so I can send a picture of just your orders to you. I'll start doing that from here out, asssuming I have time.

I'm strictly against it. It takes away the excuse of miswritten orders. A GM should simply process the moves as ordered.

I also think any discussion about moves have to be done by PM. The way MJW handled it makes it harder to spin it as stab from him (but maybe that was intended )

[Mardoc]

I'm strictly against it. It takes away the excuse of miswritten orders. A GM should simply process the moves as ordered.

I see your point, but preventing actual mistakes is worthwhile too. I think I'll continue with roulette. I will do what I can to correct miswritten orders, but if I run out of time, then you get the mistake enacted.

I figure I'll only catch a small fraction of mistakes this way, so that excuse is still firmly in place for the future. All it takes is either me or the mistaken one to be AFK at the appropriate time; I didn't manage to find time to send any confirmations so far, for instance.

Edit: Just bear in mind, actually resolving the seasons is a high priority for me, but all other correspondence will only happen after all my civ games and dedlurking duties and housework is caught up.

I also think any discussion about moves have to be done by PM. The way MJW handled it makes it harder to spin it as stab from him (but maybe that was intended )

I don't understand what you mean. You mean I should ban e-mail? I firmly disagree, it's set up much better to use and store messages than a PM system.

Or you mean MJW's request for a redo? As long as you remember that the only communication taken as gospel is the privately sent orders, I think it's fine to talk here.

[T-hawk]

Somewhat tangential question, but is there any reason that Diplomacy orders always use the 3-letter abbreviations rather than just spelling out the names? I've only lurked but I can't possibly be the only one who's gotten confused between North Sea, North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, and Norway based on the abbreviations. That seems the only way to avoid the Vienna/Venice problem described here. GM confirmation with the same abbreviation wouldn't help MJW realize the erroneous move.

[Rowain]

I don't understand what you mean. You mean I should ban e-mail? I firmly disagree, it's set up much better to use and store messages than a PM system.

Or you mean MJW's request for a redo? As long as you remember that the only communication taken as gospel is the privately sent orders, I think it's fine to talk here.

I mean the whole talk from MJW about his mistake above. Correspondence between player and GM should be private(doesn't mater if email, PM, phone, sms or what ever) not public.
For example the mistake MJW made would have made it possible for someone to tell the world: Italy and Austria are allied else MJW would have taken Vienna. With this public announcement and what followed - that becomes much harder. That's also the reason why GMs don't check with players if the orders are complete or not or for any other possible mistakes. Diplomacy contains a lot of misleading, deceiving and painting others in a bad light so it is very bad if a GM runs around making sure that no mistakes happen. There must be the chance for real errors else every error that happens is automatically a clear stab and giving players that kind of assurance is basically against a part of the game.

@T-hawk: It is usus. As the abbreviations are printed on the map it avoids all ambiguity what was meant.

[Mardoc]

Running behind, I'll post the resolution shortly

[Mardoc]

It looks like Rowain's position is going to be adopted by default. At least anytime soon, I just don't have the time to do more. I will try to answer direct questions but even there it's tight for me to do so right now.

[Mardoc]

But to make up for being late, I have the retreat order already and permission to resolve early, so retreat is also up and we're into Winter 1903 already.

[NobleHelium]

Somewhat tangential question, but is there any reason that Diplomacy orders always use the 3-letter abbreviations rather than just spelling out the names? I've only lurked but I can't possibly be the only one who's gotten confused between North Sea, North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, and Norway based on the abbreviations. That seems the only way to avoid the Vienna/Venice problem described here. GM confirmation with the same abbreviation wouldn't help MJW realize the erroneous move.

By the rules you can also type out the zone names.

[Mattimeo]

As much as I was all "hey, let's resolve the retreats early", I forgot that I basically won't have internet access for what will now be the entirety of what will be Spring 1904.
Any chance the resolution of that phase could be pushed back a day?

[Mardoc]

Somewhat tangential question, but is there any reason that Diplomacy orders always use the 3-letter abbreviations rather than just spelling out the names? I've only lurked but I can't possibly be the only one who's gotten confused between North Sea, North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, and Norway based on the abbreviations. That seems the only way to avoid the Vienna/Venice problem described here. GM confirmation with the same abbreviation wouldn't help MJW realize the erroneous move.

This is just a guess - but it seems to make a lot of sense for an in-person game. I'd bet the habit transferred to online/postal with the players.

In person, abbreviations are easier to write in secret. You can cover with your hand easier, your paper is exposed less, and to a casual accidental glance, all three letter abbreviations will look similar, while different length names will stick out. Still probably won't help against a deliberate cheat, but it will do a lot to remove temptation from an honest person.

Also, in person, abbreviations will write faster, leaving you potentially a few extra seconds of negotiation. And on top, that's how they're written on the board, so you can just look at it if you don't know your geography that well.

Almost all of those reasons seem less important online, but if you have the habit, you'll keep it.

As much as I was all "hey, let's resolve the retreats early", I forgot that I basically won't have internet access for what will now be the entirety of what will be Spring 1904.
Any chance the resolution of that phase could be pushed back a day?

Sure - but I'll do it by extending Winter. I could use the extra time tonight anyway.

That makes Winter 1903 due at 8 pm EST Friday March 21st, and Spring 1904 will be due 8 pm EST Sunday March 23rd.