Omar Bennett
Diplomacy is a popular turn-based strategy board game that can also be played online on websites like webDiplomacy. The game is set in Europe in the years leading to the First World War and involves players controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The objective is to be the first nation to own half of the supply centres in the game. While the game is officially said to take six hours, players have reported varied experiences, with games lasting between 120 and 360 minutes. The length of the game can be affected by factors such as the number of players, their experience level, and the chosen game settings. Online games can be played over a longer period, with phases set to process every two days, while in-person games can be played in one sitting or across multiple sessions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average time taken to complete a game | 4-5 hours |
| Official time taken to complete a game | 6 hours |
| Time taken for the first three or four turns | 5 minutes |
| Time taken for the eighth turn | 5 minutes |
| Time taken for each turn | 15 minutes |
| Number of turns in a typical game | 20-24 turns |
| Number of turns in the longest game | 104 turns |
| Number of players | 2-7 players |
| Time taken for each phase in online play | 2 days |
| Time dedicated to online play each day | 1 hour |
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What You'll Learn
Online vs. in-person gameplay
The length of a game of Diplomacy varies, but it's generally agreed that it takes a long time to play. The "official" answer is six hours, but this is a median and not a mean time. One source states that a minimum of 5 hours is more accurate, and others have seen games lasting from 120 to 360 minutes. It's also common for games to last multiple days, with players taking a weekend day or a day off work to play. The longest game of Diplomacy ever recorded is still ongoing, having reached the year 2000 after three and a half years of play.
The length of a game of Diplomacy depends on several factors, including the number of players, their experience, and the tactics they use. The game is designed for 2 to 7 players, and the rules vary slightly depending on the number of players. For example, for 4 or 5 players, it is suggested that the 'Wilson' or 'Public Press' rule applies, meaning that all discussions must take place in the open with no whispers or secret signals. The game also involves negotiation and diplomacy, which can lead to protracted engagements on multiple fronts as players form and betray alliances. To make the game go faster, it's recommended to have an experienced player resolve all orders at the end of each turn and to set a time limit for each turn.
When playing Diplomacy in person, it's often played as a PBM (Play-by-Mail) or PBEM (Play-by-Email) game, which can help to spread out the time commitment over a longer period. However, this can lead to "endless wrangling and backroom deals" and the paranoia of seeing other players talking in the breaks can be unbearable.
Playing Diplomacy online can also help to reduce the time commitment, as phases are usually set to process every 2 days, and players only need to dedicate an hour or so a day to the game. This also means that the set end date used in most in-person games isn't needed, and the game can be played to the win condition stated in the rulebook. However, this also means that games can last for months or even become 'eternal games' due to stalemates.
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Average game length
The average game of Diplomacy takes between 4 and 6 hours, with a median of 5 to 6 hours. This equates to around 20 to 24 turns, with each turn lasting approximately 15 minutes. However, it's important to note that the game's length can vary significantly, with some games lasting as little as 2 hours and others extending beyond 6 hours. The length of a game depends on various factors, including the number of players, their experience level, and the complexity of the strategies employed.
The length of a game can also be influenced by the chosen ruleset and variant. For example, the 'Wilson' or 'Public Press' rule, which requires all discussions to be held openly without whispers or secret signals, can add time to the negotiation phases. Additionally, different variants of the game, such as Machiavelli, Kamakura, and Classical, may introduce new rules and mechanics that can impact the game's duration.
Online play can also affect the game's length. In online versions, such as webDiplomacy, phases are typically set to process every 2 days, and players can dedicate an hour or so each day to the game. This flexibility in timing allows for longer games that can span several months or even result in ''eternal games' due to stalemates.
It's worth noting that the length of a Diplomacy game is part of the experience. The game is renowned for its intricate negotiations, alliances, and backroom deals, which can take time to develop and execute. As such, players should be prepared to invest a significant amount of time when engaging in a game of Diplomacy, whether played in person or online.
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Shortest and longest games
The length of a game of Diplomacy varies, but it is known for being a long game. The game is a multiplayer, turn-based strategy game that is played on a board with a map of an entire continent. It is set in Europe in the years leading up to the First World War and involves players forming and betraying alliances. The objective is to be the first nation to own half of the supply centres in the game.
The "official" answer to how long the game takes is six hours. This is based on studies that show a typical game lasts 20-24 turns, with an average of 15 minutes per turn. However, this is a median and not a mean time. One tournament game lasted 104 turns, which would significantly increase the mean time. Some players have experienced games lasting at least five hours, and they often take a full day to complete the game. Others have seen games lasting from 120 to 360 minutes.
The length of the game is due to the complex negotiations and strategies involved. Experienced players can prolong the game by creating plots and being devious, leading to protracted engagements. To speed up the game, it is recommended to have an experienced player resolve all orders at the end of each turn and set a time limit for each turn.
The longest game of Diplomacy ever recorded is the 2012 webDiplomacy World Cup Final, which had been ongoing for three and a half years. This game had reached the year 2000, long after all the other games in the tournament had finished. This is an extreme example, but it demonstrates the potential for Diplomacy games to continue indefinitely.
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Phase length
The length of a game of Diplomacy varies depending on the number of players, their experience, and the chosen phase length. The game is played by two to seven players, with each player controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The players spend a lot of time forming and betraying alliances, negotiating, and plotting, which can lead to protracted engagements.
In the online version of the game, phases are typically set to process every two days, and players can dedicate an hour or so each day to the game. This means that games can last for months, and there is also the possibility of an "eternal game" due to stalemates.
For in-person gameplay, a whole day is typically required to complete a game of Diplomacy. The "official" answer for the length of a game is six hours, with a typical game lasting 20-24 turns. At an average of 15 minutes per turn, this equates to a game length of 5-6 hours. However, this is the median, and individual games can vary significantly, ranging from 120 to 360 minutes.
To speed up the game, it is recommended to have an experienced player resolve all orders at the end of each turn and set a time limit for each turn, such as five minutes. Playing in one or two-hour sessions and leaving the board set up between sessions can also help manage the time commitment.
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Rules and variants
Diplomacy is a strategic board game that simulates pre-World War 1 geo-politics and the players represent the Great Powers of Europe. The objective of the game is for one player to gain control of 18 supply centres, thereby "gaining control of Europe". The game is best played with seven players, but can be played with as few as two.
The game is not played with sequential turns. Instead, all players secretly write down their moves after a negotiation period, then all moves are revealed and put into effect simultaneously. The diplomacy period lasts 30 minutes before the first move and 15 minutes before each move thereafter. During these periods, players can go off in private to negotiate, bargain, plan militarily, exchange information, or even spread rumours.
There are several variants of the game, with six commercially released versions: Machiavelli, Kamakura, Colonial Diplomacy, Hundred, Ard-Rí and Classical. Machiavelli, for example, is set in Renaissance Italy and introduces rules changes such as money, bribery, and random events like plague and famine. Other variants include new maps and rules, or vary the original game, such as the Fleet Rome variant which replaces the starting Italian army in Rome with a fleet.
There are also different game options and features available on online versions of the game, such as webDiplomacy and PlayDiplomacy. For example, webDiplomacy offers variant boards where you can play with up to 34 players or as few as two, and PlayDiplomacy offers a wider selection of variants for premium members.
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Frequently asked questions
The time taken to complete a game of Diplomacy depends on the number of players and their experience. A game with 4-5 players can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, with an average of 4-5 hours. The game can be sped up by setting a time limit for each turn, such as 5 minutes.
Online games of Diplomacy can be played at a more relaxed pace, with phases usually set to process every 2 days. This means players only need to dedicate an hour or so each day to the game.
Tournament games of Diplomacy can last much longer than the average game. One tournament game lasted 104 turns, reaching the year 1952. Another game from the 2012 webDiplomacy World Cup Final has been ongoing for three and a half years.
To speed up a game of Diplomacy, it is recommended to have an experienced player resolve all orders at the end of each turn. Setting a solid time limit for each turn, such as 5 minutes, can also help to keep the game moving.
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