Diplomacy (1959)

This classic game of pure negotiation has taken many forms over the years. The first Avalon Hill-version has perhaps the widest release, but Avalon Hill (Hasbro) re-released the game in 1999, complete with a colorful new map and metal pieces. They recently released a 50th anniversary edition with a new map and cardboard pieces representing the armies and navies. In the game, players represent one of the seven "Great Powers of Europe" (England, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia or Turkey) in the years prior to World War I. Play begins in the Spring of 1901, and players make both Spring and Fall moves each year. There are only two kinds of military units: armies and fleets. On any given turn, each of your military units has limited options: They can move into an adjoining territory, support an allied unit in an attack on an adjoining territory, support an allied unit in defending an adjoining territory, or hold their position. Players instruct each of their units by writing a set of "orders." The outcome of each turn is determined by the rules of the game. There are no dice rolls or other elements of chance. With its incredibly simplistic movement mechanics fused to a significant negotiation element, this system is highly respected by many a gamer.

Avalon Hill Complexity rating - 3

Re-implemented by:

• Colonial Diplomacy
• Diplomacy - Classical Variant
• Diplomacy - Hundred Variant

Awards

• 1993 Origins Awards Product Hall of Fame.
• Games Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee.

Online Play

• Diplomacy Guild on BGG - A guild on BGG to schedule and organize games on http://www.dipbounced.com.
• DipWiki - the online place for all things Diplomacy. Community-driven wiki - information, strategy, discuss, play.
• Play Diplomacy Online - web version the classic Diplomacy board game (with graphics)
• http://www.diplomaticcorp.com (PLAY ONLINE) - A play-by email Diplomacy community - over 30 active human-run games.
• stabbeurfou (PLAY ONLINE) - a bilingual french/english site allowing free games online (regular, negotiations) and the "Diplomacy National World Cup"
• amarriner.com (PBEM)
• http://www.ludomaniac.de/ (PBEM) - a German site for play-by-email Diplomacy.
• http://www.dipbounced.com - online diplomacy community.
• http://www.redscape.com - A play-by-email Diplomacy community.
• http://www.worldleadersthegame.com - A web version of Diplomacy, featuring 4+ maps and innovative user interface.

Microbadges

Diplomacy fan
Diplomacy fan

Diplomacy (1976)
Previously published stock sold in Avalon Hill packaging
Designed by Allan Calhamer

DIPLOMACY was purchased outright from Games Research, Inc.—a one game company run on a part-time basis. DIPLOMACY had been around for many years and had become a separate part of the hobby altogether—distinctly separated by its own choosing from the major branches of miniatures and board games. AH limited its contribution to packaging and an enlarged version of the playing board.

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.13,No.6
  • Diplomacy – “Two Player Diplomacy” (Variant) Lewis Pulsipher
• The GENERAL Vol.16,No.1
  • Diplomacy – “A Fight to the Finnish - Diplomatic Strategy in the Far North” (Strategy) Tom Hubbard
• The GENERAL Vol.16,No.6
  • Diplomacy – “1914 Diplomacy - A More Historical Variant For Diplomacy” (Variant Discussion) Lewis Pulsipher
• The GENERAL Vol.18,No.1
  • Diplomacy – “The Art of Negotiation in Diplomacy - The First Installment of Installment of a Four Part Series on Diplomacy” (Strategy) Lewis Pulsipher
• The GENERAL Vol.18,No.2
  • Diplomacy – “Strategy in Diplomacy - Part II of a 4 Part Series on the Game With No Dice” (Strategy) Lewis Pulsipher
  • Diplomacy – “Tactics in Diplomacy - Part III of a 4 Part Series on the Game With No Dice” (Strategy) Lewis Pulsipher
• The GENERAL Vol.19,No.3
  • Diplomacy – Diplomacy: “A Quarter Century” (Commentary) Rod Walker
• The GENERAL Vol.19,No.6
  • Diplomacy – “The Compleat Diplomat, Italy: Thinking Beyond Lepanto” (Strategy) Rod Walker
• The GENERAL Vol.22,No.4
  • “The Compleat Diplomat; Russia: Master of Two Worlds” (Strategy) Rod Walker
• The GENERAL Vol.22,No.6
  • "The Rulebook Says That???" By Rod Walker
• The GENERAL Vol.23,No.2
  • “SCIENTIFIC Diplomacy: Manipulation Strategies for the Amoral Player” (Insert) By Dean H. Judson
• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.4
  • Diplomacy – “The Power and the Glory-Triple Alliances in Diplomacy” (Strategy) by Mark L. Berch
• The GENERAL Vol.27,No.4
  • Diplomacy – “Leviathan - A GM's View of Game 1988HW” (Session Report) by Gary Behnen and Rex A. Martin
• The GENERAL Vol.30,No.4
  • Diplomacy – “Sun Tzu and the art of war” (Strategy) Tim Hoyt

Panzerfaust Article List:

• Number 53 May-Jun '72
  • Diplomacy - "Diplomacy: Russia's Northern Offensive" (Strategy), Rod Walker [Reprinted from Hoosier Archives]
• Number 55 Sep-Oct '72
  • Diplomacy - "Diplomacy: Absolute Alliances" (Strategy), Gary Gygax
• Number 56 Nov-Dec '72
  • Diplomacy - "Diplomacy: The Fool's Mate in Diplomacy?" (Strategy), Rick Brooks [Reprinted from Hoosier Archives]
• Number 59 Jul-Aug '73
  • Diplomacy - "Diplomacy" (Variants), Lewis Pulsipher [Reprinted from Hoosier Archives #105]
• Number 62
  • Diplomacy - "Diplomacy: A Fight to the Finnish" (Strategy), Tom Hubbard [Reprinted from Diplomacy World]

Contents (Avalon Hill (Hasbro) 1999 Version):

• Mapboard
• Conference Maps
• 70 Army Playing Pieces (10 x 7 Colors)
• 70 Fleet Playing Pieces (10 x 7 Colors)
• Flag Markers (154) (22 x 7 Colors)
• Rulebook