Malcolm Rivera
Creating a variant of the board game Diplomacy can be a fun project, but it requires careful consideration of several factors. Firstly, you should think about the gameplay concept and how you want it to differ from the original game. This could involve changing the rules, adding new types of units, or modifying the division of the board. It's important to strike a balance between flavour and playability, ensuring that any changes made create a fun and engaging experience for players. Seeking inspiration from existing variants, such as the Chaos variant or the Cold War variant, can be a great starting point. Additionally, utilising resources like the Yahoogroups community list, which connects you with veteran players and designers, can provide valuable guidance and insights.
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What You'll Learn
Map design: aesthetically pleasing, with an eye-catching design
When designing a map for your Diplomacy variant, it is important to consider the aesthetics of the map to make it eye-catching and visually appealing. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Choose a Theme and Style: Select a theme and artistic style that complements the setting and tone of your game. Consider the time period and location of your game, as well as the overall atmosphere you want to convey. For example, if your game is set in ancient times, you might opt for an antique map style with weathered textures and intricate illustrations.
Colour Scheme: Decide on a colour scheme that is visually appealing and helps differentiate various regions, territories, or areas of interest on the map. Consider using complementary colours or a limited palette to create a harmonious look. Avoid overly bright or clashing colours that may distract players.
Illustrations and Details: Enhance the map with carefully selected illustrations and details. You can include landmarks, terrain features, or iconic symbols associated with the locations on the map. These visual elements add interest and help players immerse themselves in the game world.
Balance and Symmetry: Aim for a balanced and symmetrical layout, ensuring that the map doesn't appear lopsided or cluttered. Strategically place elements to create a sense of visual harmony. Leave some negative space to avoid overcrowding and make important features stand out.
Clear and Readable: While aesthetics are important, ensure that the map remains clear and readable. The gameplay information, such as territories, routes, and markers, should be easy to understand and navigate. Avoid excessive clutter and use appropriate font sizes and styles for any text on the map.
Tools and Resources: Utilise tools like Photoshop or other graphic design software to create your map. There are also online resources and communities, such as r/BoardgameDesign on Reddit, where you can find tips, tutorials, and feedback on creating aesthetically pleasing maps for board games.
Remember, an eye-catching map not only enhances the visual appeal of your Diplomacy variant but can also contribute to a more engaging and immersive gameplay experience for your audience.
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Setting: historical time and place, or a made-up world
When creating a Diplomacy variant, the setting is a crucial aspect to consider. This can be a historical time and place or a completely fictional world. Here are some factors to think about when determining the setting:
Historical Setting:
- Time Period: Choose a specific time period that interests you, such as the early 1600s, 1700s, or a more recent era like 1900 or 1994. Consider the political, social, and technological advancements of the chosen time period and how they might impact gameplay.
- Geographic Location: Decide on the geographic scope of your game. It could be focused on a single country, a continent like Europe or South America, or even span the entire world. Consider the real-world geography and how it might influence gameplay, such as the presence of canals or waterways.
- Real-world Events: You can base your variant on historical events, such as recreating a famous war or exploring potential conflicts between superpowers, like the Cold War variant set before the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Fictional Setting:
- Map Design: Create a unique map that is aesthetically pleasing. Consider the balance of the map, ensuring that gameplay is fair and engaging. You can include neutral territories or introduce new rules for unit transformation.
- World-building: Develop a fictional world with its own history, geography, and factions. You can draw inspiration from fantasy settings, science fiction, or create something entirely unique.
- Creative Liberties: Remember that flavour and creativity are important, but always prioritize playability. Players are more likely to engage with a game that offers a fun and balanced experience, even if it deviates slightly from its source material.
Whether you choose a historical or fictional setting, ensure that it complements the gameplay mechanics and provides an enjoyable experience for your target audience.
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Board division: real-world geography or entirely fictional
When designing a board game, one of the first things to consider is the setting of the game. Is it set in Europe, but in a different time period, or is it on a different continent? The game could even take place in a single country or the entire world.
The next step is to decide on the division of the board. This could be based on real-world geography, or it could be entirely fictional. For example, the board could be geometrically congruent, or it could have canal provinces like Constantinople in the standard board. It is important to consider whether it will take too many moves to go across the board or if it will create too many stalemate lines. The board should also have enough blank supply centers for each player to take at least one guaranteed space in the first year.
If you choose to use real-world geography, you can use the planet Arrakis as a reference, or you can look at the fundamental elements of the base game for faction placement. Alternatively, you can use a map of the real world and change it enough to break the associations with the real world, as in Warhammer Fantasy. For example, you can center the map at a different spot, turn it upside down, or mirror it.
If you choose to create a fictional world, you can draw inspiration from speculative fiction, such as the works of Tolkien and Le Guin, or create an alternate history of Earth, like in the DC Universe. You can also give fictional names to continents, countries, and cities inspired by their real-life historical counterparts. Another option is to create a completely made-up world, with fictional administrative divisions like "Hold" from Skyrim.
Remember that the key thing to consider when making a game is that playability should always come first. Players will be more likely to accept a game that takes liberties with its source material as long as it delivers a fun and balanced game experience.
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Rules: what new rules do you want to introduce?
When creating a variant of the board game Diplomacy, it is important to first consider the purpose of the variant and whether it works within the framework of the original game. The variant should prioritise playability and fun over strict adherence to the source material.
For the rules specifically, a good starting point is to assume that the usual rules of Diplomacy apply, except for a few changes. For example, do you want certain units to be more powerful than others? Do you want to introduce new types of units, such as airplanes? You could also consider changing the starting point of the game, such as beginning in a different historical time and place. For instance, the game could be set in Italy during the time of Machiavelli, with the Great Powers represented by city-states such as Venice and Genoa.
Another option is to change the number of players and the corresponding dynamics. For instance, the "Chaos" variant introduces 34 players, each owning a single supply centre on the standard Diplomacy map. Alternatively, you could design the variant for a smaller number of players, such as two, and adjust the rules accordingly.
Finally, you could consider adding or changing the tools available to players, such as including adjudication tools like Jim Van Verth's Realpolitik, which allow players to learn the strategy of the variant in depth and maintain running maps during gameplay.
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Adjudication support: tools to help players learn the strategy
Adjudication support is a key aspect of "Diplomacy" variants, and providing tools to help players learn the strategy can enhance the gaming experience. Here are some ideas for such tools:
A comprehensive rulebook is essential for players to understand the unique mechanics and strategies of your "Diplomacy" variant. Clearly outline the rules, turn structure, and any special mechanics introduced in the variant. Include detailed examples, illustrations, or diagrams to help players visualise the concepts. The rulebook should be well-organised, with a table of contents and clear headings, making it easy for players to refer back to specific sections as needed.
Introduce a set of tutorial scenarios designed to teach players the strategic nuances of your variant step-by-step. These scenarios could cover specific aspects of gameplay, such as unit movement, special actions, or the impact of terrain. Each scenario should have clear objectives and gradually increase in complexity, allowing players to master one aspect before moving on to the next. Provide step-by-step guidance, hints, and tips within the scenarios to help players understand the strategic decisions and their consequences.
Create a reference guide that outlines the potential strategies and tactics players can employ. This guide could include general strategic principles, such as forming alliances, managing supply lines, or exploiting terrain advantages. It could also highlight specific tactics unique to your variant, such as using special units effectively or leveraging new action options. Providing real-world examples of successful strategies from playtesting can help illustrate the concepts and inspire players to develop their own tactics.
Develop an interactive tutorial system that guides players through the game setup, turn structure, and strategic possibilities. This could be in the form of a digital tutorial integrated into the game or a physical setup with guided instructions. Allow players to explore different options and see the outcomes, providing immediate feedback on their strategic choices. The interactive tutorial should cover the core mechanics, turn phases, and any unique aspects of your variant, ensuring that players grasp the fundamental concepts before diving into full gameplay.
Provide a digital rules reference and strategy guide that players can easily access online or through a dedicated mobile app. This digital tool should offer a concise summary of the rules, turn sequence, and any variant-specific mechanics. Additionally, include a strategy section that provides tips, examples, and guidance on developing winning strategies. The digital format allows for easy updates and the inclusion of multimedia content, such as video tutorials or interactive examples, further enhancing the learning experience for players.
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Frequently asked questions
Start with the concept at the gameplay level. How do you want the game to be different from the base game?
You should consider whether your board is based on real-world geography or is entirely made up. You should also consider whether you want it to be geometrically congruent, whether there are enough blank supply centres, and whether it will take too many moves to go across the board.
Examples of variants include the Chaos variant, which is played by 34 players, and the Cold War variant, which is set before the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Rule changes can include allowing certain powers to use certain provinces, such as allowing Russia to use the Trans-Siberian Railroad, or adding new types of units.
Adjudication tools such as Jim Van Verth's Realpolitik are favoured by players who like to learn the strategy of a variant in depth.
