
Diplomacy is a board wargame set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I. The game is played by two to seven players, each controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The objective of the game is to be the first player to occupy 18 supply centers, thereby gaining control of Europe. While the rules of the game are not too complicated, the game can take a long time to play due to the negotiation phases, where players form and betray alliances with other players. The length of a game of Diplomacy can vary depending on factors such as the number of players, their experience level, and the specific rules being used. On average, a game of Diplomacy can take around 4-6 hours, but it can sometimes take even longer, especially if the players are new to the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average time taken to play Diplomacy | 4-6 hours |
| Time taken by new players | 50 minutes for a single game year |
| Time taken for the first five years | Minimum of four hours |
| Time taken for the first seven years | 3-4 hours |
| Time taken for the first eight years | 8 hours |
| Time taken for each turn | 15 minutes |
| Number of turns in a typical game | 20-24 |
| Longest game | 104 turns |
| Time taken for each phase | 2 days |
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What You'll Learn

For new players, a single game year can take 50 minutes
Diplomacy is a board wargame set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I. The game is played by two to seven players, each controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The objective of the game is to occupy a majority of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centers". The game is unique in that it does not involve any dice or other game elements that produce random effects. Instead, players spend much of their time forming and betraying alliances with other players and formulating beneficial strategies.
Due to the complex nature of the game, a single game year can take up to 50 minutes for new players, including negotiating time, order writing time, adjudication, retreats, and builds. It is recommended that new players take the time to familiarize themselves with the rules before starting the game. This can be done by playing a few practice rounds without diplomacy or by watching online tutorials.
The length of a full game of Diplomacy can vary depending on the number of players and their experience level. On average, a game of Diplomacy can take around four to six hours, but it can sometimes take longer, especially if the players are new to the game or if the game reaches a stalemate. Some players choose to set a time limit on each turn to prevent the game from dragging on, but this can take away from the fun of the game, which involves engaging in diplomacy and negotiating with other players.
To save time, some players may opt to play Diplomacy online, where phases are usually set to process every two days, requiring only an hour or so of dedication per day. This allows players to play the game at their own pace and eliminates the need for a set end date. However, the online version may not capture the same level of tension and excitement as playing the game in person.
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The average game length is 4-6 hours
Diplomacy is a war game based on negotiation, where players each play one of the Great Powers in the First World War. The aim is to gain control of Europe by taking key provinces known as "supply centres". The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War 1, and players can play England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and France.
To shorten the game, players can set a time limit on each turn or negotiation period. However, this may reduce the enjoyment of the game as the fun of Diplomacy lies in the negotiations and secret deals with other players.
The game can also be played over a longer period, such as a weekend day, or even months if played online. There is no official end date, and games can end in a stalemate if no player can push forward or back off without the other player winning.
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The longest game of Diplomacy ever took place over months
The board game Diplomacy is a complex and time-consuming game that involves negotiation and strategy. It is a wargame set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I, with players each controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The game is known for its focus on negotiation and diplomacy, where players form and betray alliances, and there are no random elements like dice or cards to produce unpredictable outcomes. The game can be played by 2 to 7 players, and the objective is to gain control of a majority of strategic cities and provinces, known as "supply centers".
While the game is engaging and strategic, it is also notoriously long. The length of a game of Diplomacy can vary depending on the number of players, their experience, and the pace of play. For new players, a single game year can take up to 50 minutes when factoring in negotiating time, order writing, adjudication, retreats, and builds. On average, a game of Diplomacy can last around 4 to 6 hours, with some games even taking an entire day or more to complete.
However, the longest game of Diplomacy ever recorded took significantly longer than the average playtime. In the online version of the game, where phases are typically set to process every two days, games can last for months without a set end date. This extended timeframe allows players to reach the official win condition of one great power controlling 18 supply centers, which is rarely achieved in face-to-face (FTF) games due to time constraints.
The longest game of Diplomacy ever played took place over several months and resulted in a unique outcome. In this particular game, the First World War was continuing into the 21st century, an event that had never occurred in any recorded game before. This extraordinary duration showcases the dedication and endurance of the players involved, as well as the game's ability to captivate and challenge participants over an extended period.
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15-minute diplomacy periods will take a long time to finish
Diplomacy is a board wargame set in Europe in the years leading to the First World War. The game is played by two to seven players, each controlling the armed forces of a major European power. The objective of the game is to occupy 18 supply centers, which is how victory is achieved.
The game is well-known for its lengthy duration, with one source stating that it takes a "ridiculously long time to play". The duration of the game is largely dependent on the length of the diplomacy periods, which are dedicated to negotiation and strategy formulation. While there is no typical game length, it is estimated that a single game year can take up to 50 minutes when factoring in negotiating time, order writing time, adjudication, retreats, and builds.
Assuming a 15-minute diplomacy period, a game of Diplomacy would take a considerable amount of time to complete. One source estimates that it would take around 3-4 hours to reach the year 1906, and even longer to reach 1908. Another source suggests that a minimum of four hours is required to get through the first five years of the game.
To put it into perspective, at an average of 15 minutes per turn, a game lasting until 1910-1912 (20-24 turns) would take 5-6 hours. It is worth noting that these estimates are based on the assumption that the diplomacy periods are limited to 15 minutes, which may be challenging given the strategic nature of the game.
In conclusion, while setting a time limit on diplomacy periods can help streamline the game, 15-minute diplomacy periods will still result in a lengthy gameplay experience, potentially lasting several hours. The complexity of the game, the number of players, and the depth of negotiations will all influence the overall duration of the game.
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The game can be played online, with phases every 2 days
Diplomacy is a war game based on negotiation, where 2-7 players each play one of the Great Powers in the First World War. The aim is to gain control of Europe by taking key provinces known as Supply Centres. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War 1, and players spend a lot of time forming and betraying alliances with other players and forming beneficial strategies.
In online games, the lack of a set end date means that games can last for months. There is also the possibility of an 'eternal game', where a stalemate is reached and no player can back off without another player winning. These games are usually declared a draw.
The length of a game of Diplomacy depends on the number of players and the time taken to play. For new players, a single game year can take around 50 minutes, including negotiating time, order writing time, adjudication, retreats and builds. It is recommended that a minimum of four hours is allocated to get through the first five years. There is no typical game length, but stopping after 1905 might be a good idea for a casual game.
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Frequently asked questions
The length of a game of Diplomacy depends on the number of players and their experience. For beginners, a single game year can take up to 50 minutes, and it would take a minimum of four hours to get through the first five years. For experienced players, the game can last for a minimum of five hours, with an "official" answer of six hours.
A Diplomacy game year can take up to 50 minutes for new players when factoring in negotiating time, order writing time, adjudication, retreats, and builds.
For experienced players, a game of Diplomacy typically takes four hours or more.
The "official" length of a Diplomacy game is six hours.
In online play, phases are usually set to process every two days, and players only need to dedicate an hour or so a day. Therefore, games can last for months, and there is also the possibility of an 'eternal game' due to stalemates.

























