A new Diplomacy game is about to begin ... January 16, 2015 10:51 AM   Subscribe

There's been too much real-life nastiness on this site in the past day or so. So I am proposing some make-believe nastiness instead: A new game of MeFi Diplomacy is now open for entrants.

Want to play? Head over to www.playdiplomacy.com, and search for game #95800. The game is named "MeFi Jan 2015." (Clever name, huh?) You'll need the password to join, and that password is "hugs."

The last few games I've played with mefites have not only been fun but intellectually stimulating and cathartic. Hope to see some new folks, and some old enemies, over there soon!
posted by jbickers to MetaFilter-Related at 10:51 AM (113 comments total) 16 users marked this as a favorite

Ping me if joinups stall at six.

(Mainly I just wanted this in my Recent Activity. If any new players want assistance/advice/whatever, let me know.)
posted by Etrigan at 10:53 AM on January 16, 2015


What could go wrong?!
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:04 AM on January 16, 2015 [2 favorites]


I am in.

I already hate everyone here so there's nowhere to go but lateral.
posted by Tevin at 11:06 AM on January 16, 2015 [11 favorites]


There's been too much real-life nastiness on this site in the past day or so.

jbickers

Eponystericalish? ;)
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:09 AM on January 16, 2015 [2 favorites]


Oh ya for clarity I am totally down and already in.
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:14 AM on January 16, 2015


Eponystericalish? ;)
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:09 PM on January 16 [+] [!]


I believe you're look for "Abuse." That's two threads down.
posted by jbickers at 11:15 AM on January 16, 2015 [7 favorites]


For interests sake, here are the threads about the last time we did this: 1, 2.

If anyone new to Diplomacy is thinking about joining in: I joined one of the games pretty much as a new player, and found the experience agonizing and fun in equal measures. I'm pretty sure I'm not in a fit emotional state at this point in my life to play again, or ever. (A Grantland article on the game for those not familiar with it.)
posted by nubs at 11:22 AM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


I've signed up, and I suck at it, so do play, you can beat me easy.

or can you? DUH DUH DAAAA
posted by alasdair at 11:55 AM on January 16, 2015 [2 favorites]


I'm in.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:04 PM on January 16, 2015


A note to everyone who has signed up: Once you've done so, you have to check your email and click the "confirm" link.
posted by jbickers at 12:17 PM on January 16, 2015


I am trying to confirm and am getting the message "Someone else is in the process of confirming; please try again shortly."
posted by Tevin at 12:19 PM on January 16, 2015


Yeah I think someone was in it and then dropped; there's only 6 of us in the game at the moment. So we got the email but it doesn't work. Did you get the follow-up email as well?
posted by Lemurrhea at 12:21 PM on January 16, 2015


Yes, I did but misunderstood what they were saying. This makes more sense now. Back to waiting.

And scheming.
posted by Tevin at 12:23 PM on January 16, 2015


Alright, I got the new confirmation email and, uh, confirmed.
posted by Tevin at 12:36 PM on January 16, 2015


(OK folks, four of seven confirmed ... watch your email!)
posted by jbickers at 12:37 PM on January 16, 2015


People quit playing games with my heart.
posted by Lemurrhea at 12:48 PM on January 16, 2015


I CALL AUSTRALIA 2 EXTRA ARMIES BAM!
posted by The White Hat at 12:50 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


Are all the spots taken at this point? Still waiting for my registration confirmation.
posted by Celsius1414 at 1:08 PM on January 16, 2015


I've always wanted to play this game but I'm kind of trepidatious of joining in on a game this notorious with seasoned players.

Does the only version have some kind of spectator mode?
posted by sparklemotion at 1:14 PM on January 16, 2015


I just checked my Diplo pendulum and it's currently at the apex of a swing to the What The Fuck Are You Even Thinking About That For end of its period, so I wish you all luck and will be over here nursing a beer in sunny Switzerland.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:21 PM on January 16, 2015 [12 favorites]


Does the only version have some kind of spectator mode?

Yeah, once the game starts, there'll be a link to view the game. Be sure to watch all of my moves, as textbook examples of how to routinely get your ass handed to you in the least amount of time possible.
posted by jbickers at 1:22 PM on January 16, 2015 [3 favorites]


Game on!

From your friend, the ambassador of [REDACTED]
posted by Lemurrhea at 1:23 PM on January 16, 2015


Oh wait we see who everyone is at the get-go? Interesting...
posted by Lemurrhea at 1:24 PM on January 16, 2015


Oh good, I'm playing Austria. [/sarcasm]

(Ah, are we supposed to keep our identities secret? I think I blew that one with my username...)
posted by alasdair at 1:25 PM on January 16, 2015


Do I have to go premium to play? It seems to think I need to.
posted by ipsative at 1:32 PM on January 16, 2015


Ahh it's not open anymore...
posted by ipsative at 1:37 PM on January 16, 2015


You don't have to be premium, no. You can also start a new game and post the game # here, if you'd like ... (The last time we did this, we got 3-4 games going, and it lasted for several weeks.)
posted by jbickers at 1:40 PM on January 16, 2015


Got it!

NEW GAME!!

Name is War by Other Means and the password is "smileysmiley" ! Number is: 95806
posted by ipsative at 1:49 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


Hmm. Not sure if I have entered my moves correctly. We shall see!
posted by alasdair at 1:56 PM on January 16, 2015


Hmm. Not sure if I have entered my moves correctly. We shall see!

Oh god, you're all getting sharked.
posted by Etrigan at 2:03 PM on January 16, 2015 [4 favorites]


Hmm. Not sure if I have entered my moves correctly. We shall see!

Moves? Doesn't every game start with like 3 dozen letters back and forth, the air black with ravens, while we begin lyingnegotiating to each other?
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:13 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


is War by Other Means already filled up or did I mess up registering?

sorry. found it. nevermind.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:21 PM on January 16, 2015


It shouldn't be, lemme check I'm waiting myself...
posted by ipsative at 2:21 PM on January 16, 2015


It's still open...
posted by ipsative at 2:22 PM on January 16, 2015


Need more players in "War by Other Means" (95806), password "smileysmiley"
I'm totally new at this, so it's YOUR opportunity to kick my (evilwendell) ass.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:36 PM on January 16, 2015


That sounds like an awesome game and I'm going nowhere near it ;-)
posted by dg at 2:51 PM on January 16, 2015


Just joined in "War By Other Means". Only 2 slots left! Look forward to playing with you all.
posted by corb at 3:15 PM on January 16, 2015


Will give it a try, 1 more to go.
posted by Reggie Knoble at 3:23 PM on January 16, 2015


Wait cortex goes to Davos?
posted by spitbull at 3:37 PM on January 16, 2015


I thought cortex was Davros.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:45 PM on January 16, 2015 [2 favorites]


I would need my lantern.
posted by clavdivs at 4:04 PM on January 16, 2015


I thought cortex was Davros.

But then who is Bernjen?
posted by nubs at 4:06 PM on January 16, 2015


Link to watch MeFi Jan 2015
posted by nubs at 4:10 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


War by Other Means needs a seventh!!
posted by ipsative at 4:18 PM on January 16, 2015


should've made it War By Otter Means
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:19 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


War by Other Means needs a seventh!!

Not anymore!
posted by threeants at 5:22 PM on January 16, 2015 [1 favorite]


Hold on, I think one of the earlier signups is in England, where it's currently after 1AM and you know how those Brits turn in early, so we may need at least one more... STAY TUNED!
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:29 PM on January 16, 2015


Hold on, I think one of the earlier signups is in England

THE TREACHERY BEGINS ALREADY
posted by threeants at 5:47 PM on January 16, 2015 [4 favorites]


(I'm in England, if it matters. I'm not ignoring you!)

I think I've moved (I can move early, because I'm completely honest to everyone about what I'm doing, straightforward honest guy, me). But I can't see any kind of record of the fact. Off to read the FAQ...
posted by alasdair at 2:15 AM on January 17, 2015


Honestly, I think I enjoy the posturing more than the game, which is always very complicated and makes my head hurt.
posted by alasdair at 2:16 AM on January 17, 2015


should've made it War By Otter Means

Dammit, shoulv've thought of that! I'd even picked the animal tokens and all!
posted by ipsative at 4:44 AM on January 17, 2015


Aw man, cortex, I thought you were in literal Switzerland for a second there and started thinking about how to steal you away for beer.
posted by tracicle at 4:58 AM on January 17, 2015


Alasdair, not everyone in our game has finalized their moves, so they haven't happened yet. If you click the "orders" button in the vaguely top-left (where the messages/etc are) you should see the orders you've placed, and whether or not you've finalized them. You can change them from there, as well.
posted by Lemurrhea at 7:30 AM on January 17, 2015


Alas. I just saw this. I was hoping to play. Always wanted to but never had a chance1
posted by Stynxno at 8:19 AM on January 17, 2015


Yay, I missed the window to sign up. If I'd seen this thread yesterday, I'm sure that I'd have signed up and then regretted it for the painful weeks of play until I got my ass handed to me once again.
posted by octothorpe at 10:02 AM on January 17, 2015


i'm in if anyone starts another game
posted by beukeboom at 6:36 PM on January 17, 2015


I didn't get in in time either, but please ping me if another one starts and I'll go register.
posted by dejah420 at 9:00 PM on January 17, 2015


Oh man, I had so much fun last time we did this, and I think we actually ended up with something like 7 or 8 games because a bunch of us played second games after the first ended.

I still feel vaguely guilty about backstabbing cortex so hard just because I felt that his absolute insistence that he was intending an unbreakable game-long alliance with me was a clear indication of his intention to backstab me if I didn't do it first.

Round 1

Round 2
posted by 256 at 10:54 AM on January 18, 2015


I still feel vaguely guilty

AS WELL YOU SHOULD

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

just kidding its the nature of the game

ʕノ•ᴥ•ʔノ ︵ ┻━┻

posted by cortex (staff) at 12:06 PM on January 18, 2015 [3 favorites]


I found "MeFi Jan 2015" among the active games, but not "War By Other Means". I'm interested in watching.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 12:42 PM on January 18, 2015


We're not active yet, some people still need to confirm.
posted by ipsative at 12:58 PM on January 18, 2015


Ah, got it, thanks! I assumed grey meant invalid/inactive, silly me...
posted by alasdair at 1:57 PM on January 18, 2015


Oooh, I've found a Surrender button. Sure I won't need that!
posted by alasdair at 1:57 PM on January 18, 2015


That Grantland article was pretty interesting. I've never played and have had only a slight awareness of the game, but I have followed some discussions here and elsewhere in the past. But something I'd never thought about much before but which really jumped out at me from the article is how much the in-person version of the game must differ from the mail/email/online version. In pondering it, I find the house version of the game much more appealing than a written version.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 2:39 PM on January 18, 2015


I don't know, Ivan. Pretending to be The Kaiser just isn't the same when you're talking with your hand in the chip bowl. But, it's really nice how personal space and the environment factors into a live game.
posted by michaelh at 7:14 PM on January 18, 2015


I still feel vaguely guilty about backstabbing cortex so hard just because I felt that his absolute insistence that he was intending an unbreakable game-long alliance with me was a clear indication of his intention to backstab me if I didn't do it first.

You may have explained some puzzlingly self-destructive betrayals from countries I had no plans to betray.
posted by corb at 8:53 PM on January 18, 2015 [2 favorites]


Whoever winterhill is has a few hours to confirm before we have to start over again, I think.
posted by threeants at 9:53 AM on January 19, 2015


I just hit him up on chat as a reminder, so let's see.
posted by corb at 12:13 PM on January 19, 2015


Winterhill is out, so there is one opening in the game... get in and do the confirmation process fast, pleeeze...
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:43 PM on January 19, 2015


This is War By Other Means, for those following along at home.
posted by threeants at 1:53 PM on January 19, 2015


Whereas Mefi Jan 2015 has just had its spring moves. So it begins!
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:06 PM on January 19, 2015


I've never played Diplomacy, not even in high-school history class. I'm in.
posted by EmGeeJay at 2:17 PM on January 19, 2015 [1 favorite]


It made me reconfirm while I was sleeping, and then kicked me out. Sorry everyone! If everyone confirms now, we can start soon...
posted by ipsative at 5:12 AM on January 20, 2015


The ultimate deadline for confirming is Jan 21 2015 01:10 (GMT)
posted by ipsative at 5:13 AM on January 20, 2015


I'm so glad this site is blocked at my office or I would be so fired.
posted by Wretch729 at 9:48 AM on January 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


I'm interested in playing but have never played before. Is there a group for newbies?
posted by triggerfinger at 4:53 PM on January 20, 2015


I'd be up for a newbie round too!
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:00 AM on January 21, 2015


It looks like Game 95806, "War by Other Means," is again waiting for players...
posted by EmGeeJay at 12:56 PM on January 21, 2015 [1 favorite]


I just joined Game 95806, "War by Other Means" as an abject newbie, so I could use another newbie on the board. Please.
posted by sparklemotion at 4:37 PM on January 21, 2015


oh man I keep trying to get into that and failing. I'll try again!
posted by corb at 6:29 PM on January 21, 2015


Sparklemotion, I'm also a newbie and I'm with you in "War by Other Means"!
posted by ipsative at 6:00 AM on January 22, 2015 [1 favorite]


Do you think we'll make it this time?

Two players still need to confirm they're playing, and they have 30 minutes to do it.
posted by ipsative at 6:03 AM on January 22, 2015


Looks like we are in need of 2 more players again.

Game 95806, "War by Other Means", password: smileysmiley
posted by sparklemotion at 6:59 AM on January 22, 2015 [2 favorites]


I'm in!

(I have no idea what I'm doing. Hopefully the weekend will be enough time to familiarize myself.)
posted by triggerfinger at 6:59 PM on January 22, 2015


Get your confirmations in, War BOM Mongers!
posted by sparklemotion at 7:00 PM on January 22, 2015


Triggerfinger you're the last we need to confirm! Go back in if you can! :)
posted by corb at 7:39 AM on January 24, 2015 [1 favorite]


sorry to hold everyone up!
posted by triggerfinger at 8:51 PM on January 24, 2015


Here's the link to watch War by Other Means! :D
posted by ipsative at 2:21 AM on January 25, 2015


Oh, balls, I just went to a conference all week and completely forgot about this. So sorry everyone. I suck.
posted by alasdair at 5:40 AM on January 25, 2015


Oh, don't worry about it.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:08 AM on January 25, 2015


War by Other Means players, just to confirm, are the rounds really only 12 hours apart for every single move?
posted by triggerfinger at 7:33 PM on January 25, 2015


Yeah, uh, if rounds are 12 hours, I have to say, we may see a lot of turns like that last one.
posted by corb at 9:02 PM on January 25, 2015


Damn, my bad!

Is it possible to change it or do we need to create a new room for that?

I can't find any "options" to modify the game.
posted by ipsative at 2:32 AM on January 26, 2015


ipsative, taking a quick look at the forums it looks like it can be changed by emailing a mod. Though this is a few years old so it may have changed.
posted by triggerfinger at 4:59 AM on January 26, 2015 [1 favorite]


What are you guys thinking for more reasonable deadlines? Based on that forum post, we might all want to proactively acknowledge in the shoutbox that we are ok with longer deadlines.
posted by sparklemotion at 6:48 AM on January 26, 2015


I think at least 24 hours is a lot better. It also gives us more time to engage in diplomacy - I'm noticing a lot less messages than are generally flying around and the ones that go through are shorter - and I'm also noting my own messages are shorter, because I want to get them out before the turn ends rather than spend time crafting.
posted by corb at 7:32 AM on January 26, 2015 [1 favorite]


24 hours would work for me. I have zero time to look at any of the moves or do any diplomacy at work right now, so that only leaves me a window of about two hours when I get home at night to look over moves, think about strategy and email other players to hit the nightly deadline. To hit the next morning's deadline, I have a couple more hours before I go to bed, but that gets to be a tight timeframe given everyone's varying schedules.
posted by triggerfinger at 10:15 AM on January 26, 2015


Just mailed the mods requesting 24 hour deadlines + free weekends!
posted by ipsative at 5:51 AM on January 27, 2015


Sweet. In the meantime, shit is crazy!
posted by corb at 7:08 AM on January 27, 2015 [1 favorite]


uh oh
posted by triggerfinger at 6:43 PM on January 27, 2015


In retrospect, I wish I'd remembered the "can't retreat to a battled location" rule.
posted by corb at 9:18 PM on January 27, 2015 [1 favorite]


Actually though - once this game ends, I'm up for a new one with longer turns - I feel like this game got kind of weird through fast diplomacy early on.
posted by corb at 9:18 PM on January 27, 2015


As one of the few players who can apparently keep to a 12 hr schedule, I love short turns.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:31 PM on January 27, 2015


I'd be up for another game afterwards too. Fast turns were exciting and forced me to think quickly, and I could do them if need be; but as time goes on it could become super stressful for me during busy times at work (like now), where I get home and have to rush through everything. I'll be interested in seeing how the longer deadlines works out.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:55 PM on January 27, 2015


Short turns are fine for me too but that might be because I'm a bit dim and have all my thinking done in 5 minutes.

I'm happy either way though.
posted by Reggie Knoble at 1:05 AM on January 28, 2015


So, I asked for 24 hours and we gor 48, so we all have plenty of time now. Feel free to react as quickly as you can manage to, though!

And absolutely, you blink a couple of times and suddenly Russia and France are all over the board!!
posted by ipsative at 6:26 AM on January 28, 2015


Yeah, I think the main problem I have with short turns is that it doesn't allow enough time for actual diplomacy and makes it a little more like a game of Risk.
posted by corb at 8:21 AM on January 28, 2015


I don't have time to look right now but I thought I saw somewhere that if everyone finalizes their orders early, the game will just automatically move to the next round.

(I may be stating the obvious here)
posted by triggerfinger at 10:46 AM on January 28, 2015


That is the case. Finalizing all orders will end the turn.
posted by Etrigan at 10:50 AM on January 28, 2015




It looks like playdiplomacy.com is down for everyone, not just me.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 5:11 PM on January 29 [+] [!] [quote]


Well that's just taking backstabbing and treachery too far.
posted by Reggie Knoble at 10:44 AM on January 29, 2015 [2 favorites]


It's back online, but it looks like the turn timer might have been reset.
posted by jbickers at 12:01 PM on January 29, 2015


It doesn't look like it, in our game.
posted by ipsative at 5:26 AM on January 30, 2015


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