Malcolm Rivera
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954 and released commercially in the United States in 1959. The game is set in Europe in the years leading up to World War I and involves players forming and betraying alliances with other players and forming beneficial strategies. The map design is a crucial part of the game, with the classic map being torus-shaped, allowing for dense provinces in the middle of the board and larger provinces around the outside. Variants of the game have been created with different maps, but many of these are considered inferior because they do not take into account how the shape of the map affects gameplay. For example, the standard map ensures that every country has at least three neighbours with whom they can interact, while some variant maps place countries too far apart, reducing interaction and diplomacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 3, 4, 7, 34, or 17 |
| Map variants | Ancient Mediterranean, Atlantic Colonies, Anarchy in the UK, Modern Diplomacy, Youngstown variant |
| Country strength | France and Russia are strong, Italy and Austria are weak |
| Country relationship | Asymmetric relationship between Italy and France, England and Turkey with Russia |
| Country resources | France gets three points for every two that Italy gets |
| Country positioning | England can muscle into St. Petersburg, Turkey can force a way into Sevastopol |
| Game rules | Each player starts by choosing a unit type, no official events sanctioned by the manufacturer |
| Game format | Online, board game |
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What You'll Learn
- The original Diplomacy map is torus-shaped, with dense central provinces and large outer provinces
- Diplomacy variants often fail to consider how the map's shape affects play
- The Diplomacy map is widely considered unbalanced between countries
- Diplomacy's negotiation phases and absence of random elements distinguish it from other board wargames
- Diplomacy has inspired many variants, both commercially published and created by fans
The original Diplomacy map is torus-shaped, with dense central provinces and large outer provinces
The original Diplomacy map is a classic and a favourite among players. Its torus shape is a unique feature that sets it apart from other strategy board games. The torus design creates a unique gameplay dynamic, with dense provinces in the centre and larger outer provinces. This setup ensures that every country has at least three neighbours to interact with from the outset, fostering an engaging and interactive gameplay experience.
The torus shape also adds a layer of strategic complexity to the game. For example, England and Germany both share a border with Russia, but Germany appears to be closer on the map. However, due to the torus design, England is only three moves away from Russia, while Germany is two. This creates an asymmetric relationship between countries, with Russia being more vulnerable to attack from England and Turkey than the other way around.
The Diplomacy map's asymmetry has been a topic of much discussion among players, with some arguing that it is unbalanced. France and Russia are often considered the strongest countries, while Italy and Austria are seen as weaker. However, others disagree, stating that it is possible to win with any power and that the map is not as unbalanced as it may seem. The asymmetry in the map also creates unique strategic challenges and opportunities for each country, adding to the complexity and replay value of the game.
The Diplomacy map's torus shape and asymmetry have had an impact on the development of variant maps. Many variants aim to replicate the success of the original map by retaining its torus shape or incorporating asymmetric elements. However, some players feel that variant maps often fall short because they fail to consider how the map's shape affects gameplay, resulting in a less engaging and interactive experience.
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Diplomacy variants often fail to consider how the map's shape affects play
While there are many variants of the game Diplomacy, with different maps and rules, it is interesting to note that the impact of these variations on gameplay is often overlooked. The original Diplomacy map is well-crafted but has been criticised for its imbalance, with France and Russia considered stronger countries and Italy and Austria weaker. This imbalance has led to the creation of variants, such as the Youngstown variant, which extends the map to include Asia and its colonies, adding new powers like India, China, and Japan. Another variant, Modern Diplomacy, updates the map to the 1990s and introduces new powers based on population size.
However, the impact of these map changes on gameplay is not always fully considered. For example, the addition of new powers in the Youngstown variant may significantly alter the dynamics between countries, especially in terms of their relationships with Russia. Similarly, the introduction of population-based powers in Modern Diplomacy could lead to unexpected strategic challenges and opportunities.
The variants often fail to address the underlying issue of imbalance in the original map. While they may introduce new territories and powers, they do not necessarily resolve the asymmetric relationships between countries. For instance, Italy's position in the original map makes it challenging for the country to accumulate resources and launch attacks, which is not addressed in many variants.
Furthermore, the variants often do not consider the impact of map shape on gameplay. The original Diplomacy map is asymmetric, which creates unique strategic challenges and opportunities for each country. However, some variants may not fully appreciate the impact of altering the map's shape, potentially leading to unintended advantages or disadvantages for certain countries.
In conclusion, while Diplomacy variants offer new settings and rules, they often fail to fully consider how the altered map shapes affect gameplay. A deeper understanding of the strategic implications of map changes is necessary to create well-balanced and engaging variants that offer a fair playing field for all participants.
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The Diplomacy map is widely considered unbalanced between countries
Some have argued that the map is not very unbalanced, as it is possible to win with every power. However, there is a continuum of results, with some countries performing better than others. This may be due to the number of inhabitants of each country, with any country with more than 30 million inhabitants being made a power, and those with over 60 million given four home centres. Russia, with over 200 million people, was given five home centres.
The asymmetry of the map has led to the creation of many variants of the game, with different maps and rules. These include the Youngstown variant, which extends the map to include Asia and its colonies, and the Treaty of Verdun, a well-balanced 3-player map. Other variants include the Fleet Rome variant, which replaces the Italian army in Rome with a fleet, and Machiavelli, a game set in Renaissance Italy with rules such as bribery and random events like plague and famine.
The Diplomacy map's asymmetry has also led to heated confrontations among players, with tokens being swept from the board during particularly intense games.
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Diplomacy's negotiation phases and absence of random elements distinguish it from other board wargames
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhammer in 1954 and released commercially in 1959. Its key differences from most board wargames are its negotiation phases and the absence of random elements. The game is set in Europe just before World War I, with players controlling the armed forces of major European powers. The objective is to defeat opponents and gain control of strategic cities and provinces marked as "supply centres" on the map. These supply centres allow players to produce more units.
The game proceeds by seasons, with each year divided into three phases: spring, fall, and winter. Spring and fall are negotiation and movement phases, where players issue attack and support orders, followed by retreat or disband adjustments. The winter phase involves building new units or removing old ones. Each military unit has the same strength, and there are no random elements like dice rolls or card draws. This absence of random elements sets Diplomacy apart from other board wargames, as it relies solely on strategy and negotiation.
The negotiation phases in Diplomacy are a significant aspect of the game, with players forming and betraying alliances to gain an advantage. This dynamic interplay of alliances has been described as "charming" by Nick Palmer in his book, "The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming". Diplomacy is also known for its active hobby scene, with amateur fanzines and competitive tournaments.
The Diplomacy map has been criticised for being unbalanced, with France and Russia considered stronger countries and Italy and Austria as the weakest. However, others argue that it is possible to win with every power, and the imbalances even out over time. Variants of the map have been created to address these imbalances, such as the Treaty of Verdun for three players, which is well-balanced and "cut-throat".
In conclusion, Diplomacy's negotiation phases and absence of random elements make it unique among board wargames. The game's focus on strategy, negotiation, and alliance-building has earned it a reputation as a fascinating and challenging wargame. The variations in map balance also add to the complexity and intrigue of the game, with players devising strategies to overcome any inherent advantages or disadvantages of their chosen country.
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Diplomacy has inspired many variants, both commercially published and created by fans
In addition to these commercially available versions, fans have created hundreds of Diplomacy variants, using altered rules on the standard map, standard rules on a different map, or both. Variants created by fans include different settings, such as the ancient and renaissance worlds, new maps and rules, or variations on the original game, such as the Fleet Rome variant, which replaces the starting Italian army in Rome with a fleet. The Youngstown variant is an extension of the normal map, including Asia and colonies. For example, in addition to the usual home centers, France starts with a fleet in Saigon. The Chaos variant is played by 34 players, each owning a single supply center on the standard Diplomacy map. Modern Diplomacy is an updated map from circa 1994, set in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Any country with more than 30 million inhabitants was made a power, and those with over 60 million got four home centers. Another variant is based on the world around the time of Machiavelli and is set in Italy, with the Great Powers being city-states such as Venice and Genoa.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy is a strategic board game created by Allan B. Calhamer in 1954. The game has many variants, with different maps and rules. The original map is considered the best by many, but some variants have maps that are asymmetric. The map design is crucial to the game, and the classic map has the wonderful feature of being torus-shaped, with dense provinces in the middle of the board and larger provinces around the outside.
The original map of Europe is considered the best by many players. The Diplomacy II map is also considered a good variant, as it includes interactions between France and Germany that affect the game for other countries, such as Egypt.
The paper maps that come with Diplomacy are used by players to reference the geography of the board while having secret discussions away from the main room. Players can use pencils to indicate moves and plan out complicated maneuvers. Players can also use smartphones or tablets to update the map easily.
