Diplomacy World Blog

Ft. Worth, TX Gaming Convention

2010-03-06T18:10:00Z

In case I hadn't mentioned it before, there is a new Texas gaming con called TexiCon which takes place May 21-23 in Ft. Worth. Their web site is:

http://www.texicon.net/index.html

I've sent an email to the guy in charge of Board Games to see about a) the possibility of trying to get a one or two round Diplomacy event scheduled, or b) a teaching game one or two of the days. I'll let you know.

Either way, take a look at their site and see if you're interested in attending. We need to support local gaming!

Eternal Sunshine #38 Released - March 2010 Issue

2010-02-25T02:08:00Z

Eternal Sunshine #38, the March 2010 issue, is now available. Among the usual foolishness, you can find:

Columns from Andy York, Paul Milewski, and Jack McHugh
The latest chapter of Fire and Rain
Jokes
Photos
Two new variant openings (including rules and maps)
Letters
Hypothetical Questions
More of the Movie Quote Contest
The Baseball Prediction contest
and lots more!

You can find the pdf version in the Eternal Sunshine Yahoo group at:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/eternal_sunshine_diplomacy/

or both the pdf and html versions at:

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/

Check it out and make sure you send in some feedback!

Diplomacy World Variant Design Contest Reminder

2010-02-13T19:55:00Z

Just wanted to remind everyone that the deadline for the DW Variant Design Contets is March 15th. We've got a few fully-completed entries so far, but I am hoping to get at leats two more. Take a look at the contets if you haven't already. Remember, it doesn't matter how "pretty" the map looks. And if you don't think you're much good at variant design, perhaps somebody can take your initial ideas and build them into something better later on!

Check out the contest rules and guidelines at the Diplomacy World website (http://www.diplomacyworld.net) or use the direct link to DW #108 at:

http://www.diplomacyworld.net/pdf/dw108.pdf

And don't forget, whether you submit a variant or not, we are always looking for more material for the magazine itself!

Doug Kent
Lead Editor - Diplomacy World

DipCon 2010 in San Francisco Reminder

2010-02-07T16:11:00Z

This in from Adam Silverman:

We're just about 2 months away from DipCon 2010 in San Francisco. I
send this message to remind those of you who are thinking about coming
to mark your calendars, and for those from out of town that its time
to start looking into airfare and accommodations. Details are below,
and you can also get more information or pre-register on our website:
http://www.bayareadiplomacy.org/dipcon.php

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or let me know
if you need help making arrangements. We look forward to seeing many
of you out here in April!

The DipCon/Whipping 2010 Tournament Committee
Adam Silverman
Edi Birsan
Andy Hull
Condy Creek

------

DipCon 43/Whipping 7
April 16-18, 2010
Four rounds of Diplomacy (Friday 7pm, Saturday 930am and 7pm, Sunday 930am)
Location: Hotel Tomo, Japantown, San Francisco
(http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/tomo)

Rooms at the Hotel Tomo are $109/night. Our contact is Dara DeBruin
the Guest Experience Manager. Mention that you are with Edi and the
Diplomacy tournament, and as always, for those in need of cheaper
accomodations we can offer bed or floor space with some of the locals
or shared rooms at the hotel.

For folks coming in from out of town, the area is serviced by three
airports, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose (in order of closeness
to the tournament site). We are happy to help with transportation
arrangements such as rides between the airport and tournament site -
just drop us a line.

Please visit our website for tournament rules, scoring system, and
additional information, or to pre-register and see who is attending.
http://www.bayareadiplomacy.org/dipcon.php

Fort Worth, Texas Gaming Convention

2010-01-28T15:54:00Z

Not sure if there will be Diplomacy there, but if we get a volunteer GM there SHOULD be!

Texicon MAY 21 – 23, 2010
www.texicon. net

Sheraton Hotel – Fort Worth
1701 Commerce Street
Ft. Worth, TX 76102
Phone (817) 335-7000
www.sheratonfortwor th.com

Game Masters, please contact Matt at msims@swbell. net

Player Pre-Registration Prices: $25/day or $35 for the entire convention.
At The Door: ...

Eternal Sunshine #37 Released - February 2010 Issue

2010-01-26T23:03:00Z

Issue #37 of Eternal Sunshine has now been released! More of the usual foolishness, including columns from Andy York, Jack McHugh, and Paul Milewski....Part 3 of Fire and Rain...the latest rounds of By Popular Demand and the ES Movie Quote Quiz...Letters, Movie Reviews, and more!

You can find it in the ES Yahoo group in pdf format at

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/eternal_sunshine_diplomacy/

Or in both pdf and html format at

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/

Check it out, and send some feedback! Also, if you're playing in games, remember February is a SHORT MONTH! Don't wait till the last minute!

Direct links to the zine are:

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/dw/eshtml37.htm

and

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/es37.pdf

Enjoy!

Diplomacy World Variant Design Contest

2010-01-24T19:10:00Z

Just a reminder that there is currently a variant design contest underway, with **real** prizes. You can see the details in Diplomacy World #107 or #108:

http://www.diplomacyworld.net/pdf/dw107.pdf

http://www.diplomacyworld.net/pdf/dw108.pdf

The contest rules are simple, the prizes worthwhile, and the deadline is still almost two months away (March 15). Give it a shot! We've got a couple of finished entries so far, but the top three variants win, so if response doesn't pick up you could win something by default!

Oh, that reminds me, the "theme" of #109 (with a deadline of April 1) is Economic Variants...so anything you'd like to contribute on that or any other variant topic, for ANY Diplomacy World issue, please do! If you need more information or have questions, email me at:

diplomacyworld@yahoo.com

Doug Kent

Diplomacy World Website "Article of the Week" Section Updated

2010-01-22T22:41:00Z

I've updated the Article of the Week section again. Be sure to check it out at:

www.diplomacyworld.net

Just click on Articles, and the button on the left is for the Article of the Week. I generally update it on Thursday or Friday.

Happy stabbing! ...

Dutch National Diplomacy Championship, February 6th to 7th, 2010

2010-01-11T18:53:00Z

This in from Frank Oosterom:

Hi folks,

To get comfortable in Dutch waters, I can announce that next month the Dutch NDC will be held, for the first time in open tournament style.

One weekend, one cup, one champion! I am currently in negotiations with a Stayokay Hostel in beautiful Arnhem, which is easy to get to by public transport.

We will have three rounds of games played till 1908, starting each day at 10:00 with a prize ceremony on Sunday at 15:00.

People who like to attend this first Dutch event of the year can contact me. This helps me getting an idea how many beds are needed. So keep February 6th and 7th free in your agenda.

Further info is soon to follow.

Cheers,

Frank

2010 Grand Prix Schedule

2010-01-06T16:30:00Z

Jim O'Kelley has announced the tournaments that have indicated that they would like to be included on this years Grand Prix Circuit. Below is the line up. I've asterisked the three New England local tournaments, and if you include Husky Con which is an easy drive from New England then there's 4 tournaments everyone should be able to attend fairly easily.

The Grand Prix is the tournament of tournaments and you gain points for how you place in any individual tournament. You can find out more about the rules here http://diplom.org/~seattle/grandprix/

Good luck everyone!

Jim wrote:

The North American Diplomacy Federation is proud to present the 2010 Grand Prix!

This year's race will feature 12 eligible tournaments. To qualify, each tournament must field a total of at least six boards in the three largest rounds. The 12 eligible tournaments are:

**1) Temple Con, Feb. 5-7
Providence, R.I.
Host: Jim Burgess

2) CODCon Open, April 10-11
Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Hosts: Jim O'Kelley and Kevin O'Kelly (no relation)

3) DipCon at Whipping, April 16-18
San Francisco, Calif.
Host: Adam Silverman

4) DixieCon, May 28-20
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Host: David Hood

**5) Boston Massacre, June 19-20
Cambridge, Mass.
Host: Alex Amann

6) Origins, June 23-27
Columbus, Ohio
Host: Dan Matthias

7) HuskyCon, July (exact dates TBD)
Long Island, N.Y.
Hosts: The Woodring Family

8) PacificCon (Conquest), Sept. 3-6
Santa Clara, Calif.
Host: Edi Birsan

9) Weasel Moot, Sept. 24-26
Chicago, Ill.
Host: Jeremiah Peterson

10) Buckeye Game Fest, Oct. 1-3
Columbus, Ohio
Host: Thomas Haver

11) Tempest in a Teapot, Oct. 8-10
Falls Church, Va.
Host: Joe Wheeler

**12) Carnage Accords, Nov. 5-7
Fairlee, Vt.
Host: Bob Holt

Gone from this year's eligible field are WACCon, which will be hosting the European Championship in Paris this summer; PrezCon, which to date does not have a TD; the National Block Party, which is relocating to the PSC Game Fest in Lexington, Ky., in October; and the World Boardgaming Championship, which failed to hold a Diplomacy tournament last year and has not indicated that it will hold one this year. Note that the PSC Game Fest is considered a new tournament and thus will not be eligible for Grand Prix participation until its second year.

The rules for this year's Grand Prix are largely unchanged and may be found here: http://diplom.org/~seattle/grandprix/gprules.htm. You can follow the action at the official Grand Prix website (which should be updated shortly): http://diplom.org/~seattle/grandprix. The official standings will be tracked in Laurent Joly's remarkable World Diplomacy Database. The Grand Prix site will link to the relevant page.

Once again this year, each player's cumulative score will be limited to his or her best four events. Players must compete in at least two events to be eligible to win the Grand Prix.

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing you at an event this year!

Jim O'Kelley
2010 NADF Grand Prix Administrator

PS Email me if you'd like to take this job over in 2011!

Diplomacy World #108 Released - Winter 2009 Issue

2010-01-06T00:34:00Z

Diplomacy World #108, the Winter 2009 Issue, has just been released. You can find it in pdf format both on the Diplomacy World website (www.diplomacyworld.net) and in the DW Yahoo group (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/diplomacyworld/)

Inside this issue (which had a theme of Face to Face Diplomacy) you'll find:

Jack McHugh on Favorite Con Memories

Dave Simpson on the Future of FTF Diplomacy in the UK

Steve Cooley on You Might Be a Loser If...

Chris Sham on How to Write for DW the Easy Way

Strategy & Tactics Articles from Greg Duenow, Joshua Danker-Dake, Alex Maslow, and Richard Hannon

3 more game years of the Demo Game of the "Known World" variant

and MUCH MORE!

Check the issue out and let me know what you think. Feedback is important!

WACcon 2010

2009-12-31T21:13:00Z

This in from the WACcon Committee:

Happy Holidays to all. As 2009 comes to a close, we reflect on all of the highs and lows we had throughout the year as well as look to 2010 and what the new year will bring us.

For those of us who are most excited about the curling event in the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics, as well as play Diplomacy, 2010 will represent a high water mark for excitement in the hobby, highlighted by WACcon 2010. WACcon - the Seattle Diplomacy Flagship event hosted by Nathan Barnes and Mark Zoffel - has teamed up with a international committee to merge with the European Diplomacy Championships (EDC) to host WACcon EDC 2010, in Paris France, August 26th-29th, a week after the World Diplomacy Championships (WDC) which will be held on August 19-22nd.

The WACcon Organizing Committee is spearheading the event with its usual panache and has already confirmed that more than 10 Americans have Paris on their calendars. Over the past 2 years, the Seattle based WACcon event gave away varying percentages of paid airfare to the 2010 event based on how one finished or won best counties or other awards. Those 2 years were added together and the following is a list of people and their percentages of paid airfare to the event:

Andrew Neumann (WACcon 2008 Winner), Adam (WACcon 2009 Winner), David Maletsky, Jon Saul – All 100% of cost of airfare paid!
Conrad Woodring - 60%
Adam Silverman - 55%
Nathan Barnes, Brian Shelden -- Both 50% of cost of airfare.
Stephen Weingarten, Brian Murdock, Graham Woodring, Jim O'Kelley, Eric Mead – All 40% of cost of airfare.
Chris Brand, Siobhan Granvold, Edi Birsan, Chris Martin, Andy Bartalone, Jon Hill – All 20% of cost of airfare.

We plan to begin to book people's airfare in February, so please contact us before then.

We have also lined up through a very generous offer from our French Connection, Xavier Blanchot, to have complimentary hotel rooms for all those who travel to this event.

We will be hosting a welcoming event on Thursday night ,4pm on August 26th, for all locals and travelers, to meet and greet over a 8 hour "cocktail hour" that will have speeches, performances, and prizes to go along with it.

We plan on a 4 round tournament with a C-Diplo round in the morning and un-timed round at night. More definitive details to come.

As there in no Seattle WACcon event this year, and for most who do come every year spending the money to do so, we ask that you spend that money and come to WACcon EDC this year and support our event going international. When we say, "trust us, it is going to be awesome" we, for once are not lying.

We plan to begin to book people's airfare in February, so please contact us before then. Should you have any initial questions please contact either Mark Zoffel at (206)292-6019 or Nathan Barnes at (206)850-1074 to discuss your plans on coming to this once in a lifetime (speaking relatively in Birsan years) event.

Thank you for supporting WACcon, and we hope we'll be seeing you in Paris next August!

Yours,
The WACcon Organizing Committee

Montpelier, Vermont Game Proposed for January 23

2009-12-31T02:11:00Z

This in from Chris Campbell:

Folks, I'd like to host a friendly house game once again this year at my home in Montpelier, VT. A December/early January house game in Vermont has been a recurring event since MADip-L came along. I'd like to see if we can get a game together this year on Saturday, January 23. I have room for at least two boards, if there is enough interest. This would be a non-tournament game, and beginners are welcome as well as those who have played before.

My house is at 846 Gallison Hill Road in Montpelier, VT. I'll set a game time when I see where people are coming from and how long they can stay, but I am shooting to start mid- to late-morning. We'll organize that when I see who is coming and from where. Once again, the game is Saturday, January 23.

If you are coming from out-of-town, I have at least two extra beds for overnight accommodations if need be. If history is any guide, there may well be carpool opportunities with folks coming north from Boston and New Hampshire, and southeast out of Burlington. If you want to bring kids or non-Dip family for the day, there should be some good outdoor winter activities in the near vicinity (Nordic or Alpine skiing, sledding, snowshoeing) .

This is an open invitation-- feel free to forward to other players or potential players.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/MADip-L/

World Boardgaming Championships

2009-12-31T02:09:00Z

This in from Don Greenwood:

So how long have you been hearing about the World Boardgaming championships and wished you could check it out? We're not getting any younger. If not now, when? WBC is on the verge of its 20th year. Don't miss the fun.

BPA DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE EXTENDED: We want to give away free WBC t-shirts and full color yearbooks so we've extended the deadline to give you time to enjoy our best rates. Only five days remain to buy your membership for 2010 and get a free WBC souvenir T-Shirt and yearbook. We urge you to commit for 2010 NOW both to save money with our lowest rates and to vote your choice of the 25 Continuing Trial events to be offered this year. This is your chance to retain your favorite events or introduce new ones. Your vote must be postmarked by January 2nd to count. On line payment is limited to those residing outside the United States. The December membership application is posted with the 2010 Ballot for Trial events at http://www.boardgamers.org/forms/MemberForm.shtml

2009 AFTER ACTION REPORTS: The 2009 Event After Action Report pages complete with the latest Laurel counts and photos as only WBC does them are now available at http://www.boardgamers.org/yearbook09/ Peruse them now to see what you've been
missing before deciding what events to support with your votes when buying your 2010 membership. The initial lineup of eligible events for the 2010 WBC pending membership vote and GM commitments is listed on your membership ballot and in more detail at http://www.boardgamers.org/wbc/orphans.htm

2010 MEMBERSHIP POLICY: We will again enjoy a full week of gaming running from Monday morning through Sunday evening with assorted pre-cons during the previous weekend. The Sampler Showcase and WBC Auction and Auction Store will again begin the week before the main tournaments commence in earnest on Tuesday evening. The Showcase will be open to all paid WBC attendees. Open Gaming in the popular Showroom setting will commence a day earlier on Wednesday with expanded use of the BPA Gaming library. A small number of events and Open Gaming will continue to be run on Monday to augment the Sampler Showcase, but the bulk of Tuesday will remain dedicated to the Auction and Auction Store.

A normal Sustaining Membership covers all WBC events from Monday thru Sunday for $70 - no annoying parking or event fees to pay. However, all members joining by the extended January 2nd deadline will receive both a free full-color Yearbook mailed in May and a WBC Souvenir T-Shirt upon arrival. Those joining afterwards will only be able to purchase these items separately while supplies last. The convention schedule will remain separate from the full-color yearbook in a smaller, one-color booklet made available at registration. Check the full details on our membership terms page at http://www.boardgamers.org/bpaterms.htm for payment deadlines and shirt size exceptions.

Don't delay. You know you want to be at the WBC this summer. Drop your check in the mail today for the best deal.

Donald Greenwood CD

cd@boardgamers.org

If you are not already receiving our monthly newsletters, please subscribe by visiting http://lists.boardgamers.org/mailman/listinfo/bpamail to confirm your address. Subscribing is free, takes only a moment and ensures your privacy. We are unable to add you to our mailing list otherwise.

Eternal Sunshine #36 Released - January 2010 Issue - Diplomacy Subzine

2009-12-30T19:42:00Z

Eternal Sunshine #36 is now available for download. You can find the pdf version in the ES Yahoo group at:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/eternal_sunshine_diplomacy/

or in both pdf and html version at:

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/

This latest issue includes such items as:

Part 2 of a new essay, Fire and Rain
Movie Reviews
Letters
Hypothetical Question of the Month
The 10-round Movie Quote Quiz
Paul Milewski
Jack McHugh (and his new Adults-Only By Popular Demand)
Game results
and much more!

Check it out and send me some feedback!

Direct links to the pdf and html versions are:

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/es36.pdf

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/eshtml36.htm

2010 Australian Diplomacy Championships

2009-12-20T16:10:00Z

Australian Diplomacy Championship

Sat 23rd - Mon 25th January, 2010

NOTE: Mon 25th is NOT a Public Holiday. The Australia Day P/H is Tuesday 26th.

Location: Summer Hill Community Centre, 131 Smith Street, Summer Hill, Sydney, NSW 2130

Continuous Format: Play up to 5 games over 3 Days. Best 4 results counted.
Registration: 9-10am daily.
Playing Times: Sat 10am - 7pm; Sun 10am - 7pm; Mon 10am - 5pm.
Scoring System: Owls System
Tournament Director: Thorin Munro

Prizes: By Seropeco www.seropeco. com.au <http://www.seropeco .com.au/> .
Check out the Christmas specials.

1st Prize: Return Airfares & Accommodation to the Value of A$3000.00 to
attend 2010 World DipCon Championship in The Hague, Netherlands. .. Join
Will Black & Shane Cubis on this European Diplomacy adventure.

Other Prizes: Champions shield / 2nd / 3rd, Best Countries, Best Novice

Entry: $30 for the 3 days or $15 per day, new players free
Free Refreshments: Tea, Coffee, soft drinks and snacks.

ADC Dinner: Saturday 23th January, 7:30 PM @ Summer Hill Hotel.
For more information contact Thorin Munro: thorinmunro@ hotmail.com

DAANZ website link for the championship:
http://www.daanz.org.au/index.php <http://www.daanz.org.au/index.php>

BoardGamesGeek link for the 2009 Championship including full
reconstruction of the three days play...
http://www.boardgam egeek.com/ thread/349474/ australian- diplomacy- champion\
ships-january- 2009
<http://www.boardgam egeek.com/ thread/349474/ australian- diplomacy- champio\
nships-january- 2009>
Players already confirmed.
Andrew Goff (current Diplomacy World Champion)
Tristan Lee
Steve Lytton
Shane Cubis
Thorin Munro
Geoff Kerr
Jason Collins
Sean Colman
Gabriel Singer
Matt Cobb-Clark
Peter McNamara

Diplomacy World Web Site "Article of the Week" Section Updated

2009-12-19T17:49:00Z

Tour of Britain - 2010

2009-12-12T14:30:00Z

This in from Dave Simpson:

Yep, you heard it here first (probably!)

After a whole 8 players made it to ManorCon in 2009, UK Diplomacy players had a bit of a wake up call as we faced the possible extinction of organised UK F2F Dip.

Some action has already been taken and we made it back to MidCon in 2009 (first Diplomacy tournament there since 2005). Now we're planning to run a proper "Tour of Britain" in 2010, just like you guys do over there on the continent.

The plan so far is...

Feb 2010, Edinburgh - most likely Feb 26-28.
May 2010, Brighton
Jul 2010, ManorCon (already well known, of course)
TBC 2010, London
Nov 2010, MidCon (equally well known)

I'm going to do it properly (when we have proper dates) and publish everything via the tournament calendar etc. but this is my first European notification.

This is also an invitation (or plea!)for any help and support that any of you guys are prepared to offer, after all, I'm new at the whole Con organisation thing. We already have some serious organisational muscle involved, namely David Norman, Toby Harris and Gwen Maggi, so I'm far from being alone (and David Wigglesworth deseves extra special mention for organising Edinburgh) but the more the merrier eh?

The Group page for ukf2fdip is at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ukf2fdip/

Anyone with advice or plans to visit the UK to play Diplomacy is most welcome!

I hope to see some of you in 2010...

Cheers,

Dave.

Diplomacy World Web Site "Article of the Week" Section Updated

2009-11-28T03:52:00Z

Eternal Sunshine #35 Released - December 2009 Issue - Diplomacy Subzine

2009-11-25T19:33:00Z

Eternal Sunshine #35 is now available for download. You can find the pdf version in the ES Yahoo group at:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/eternal_sunshine_diplomacy/

or in both pdf and html version at:

http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/

This latest issue includes such items as:

The conclusion of I'm No Edward Norton
Part 1 of a new essay, Fire and Rain
Movie Reviews
Letters
Hypothetical Question of the Month
A new 10-round Movie Quote Quiz
Paul Milewski
Jack McHugh (and his new Adults-Only By Popular Demand)
Game results
and much more!

Check it out and send me some feedback!