Mary K. Kuhner wrote:
> I think a moderated group would be just as dead as this
> unmoderated one; the only way to get signal is to write
> some. Removing noise doesn't actually help if there is
> no signal.
Yeah, mom used to tell me I wouldn't get any mail unless I sent some
first. To be honest with you, I don't even know where the stamps are or
what postage is actually on them.
So if you want to read on-topic postings...
>
> In the spirit of that:
>
> Every once in a while I have a game where I know from
> the initial round of negotiations that I'm in really
> bad trouble. A nice set of alliances has fallen together
> and it doesn't include me, and no amount of '01 negotiation
> seems likely to change anyone's mind. People aren't
> listening anymore; they have to get going with their
> plans (we play on a tight clock locally) and those plans
> seem to involve my immediate demise.
>
I think this is a huge problem. I know we always deplore the the number
of abandonments, but I can't even get players to acknowledge a
diplomatic overture. I don't need you to reply in full regalia as Barry
Rhys-Terwilliger, Sub-Assistant to the Foreign Secretary, Whitehall, but
a simple "Let's keep our options open" reply can at least lend the
appearance of motion.
> What are strategies to use in that situation? I observe
> that players who give up and roll over are invariably
> rolled over, and that the really good players can sometimes
> pull out a good result from games like this. I know I
> should be postponing my tactical destruction as best I can on
> the board. But what are the diplomatic strategies, other
> than looking for and exploiting fault lines in the enemy
> alliances?
>
> Mary Kuhner mkkuhner@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
say do something unconventional and keep negotiating. If you're going
to be eliminated by F1904, you might as well take a stab at playing
spoiler or lackey. I don't like the spoiler part myself, but if *no
one* is communicating with me, I don't feel bad about inflicting some
interesting orders on players who have proven themselves unworthy of a
game named "Diplomacy."
If they're communicating with me but intent on steamrolling me on there
way to European dominance, I take my lumps, look for op****tunities, keep
lobbing good-nature insults, and soldier on... but never stop the chatter.
-Del
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