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> 7+ hours to spare It only takes this long if you don't use a round timer and you don't allow shared victories. Even with new players we usually wrap up the g

> 7+ hours to spare It only takes this long if you don't use a round timer and you don't allow shared victories. Even with new players we usually wrap up the game in 4-5 hours (people will start getting eliminated around hour 2 - so usually we have a "loser room" with other games and stuff to do). You can also do it online with a turn a day (I ran an office Diplomacy League this way). It's worth noting that you can play the game completely openly and honestly. We have had complete victories where the winner never once backstabbed anyone (he was just a very shrewd negotiator). It's just pretty rare because the more honest you are all game, the more reward you will get for a well placed backstab.

legitster 4y ago
Also, my advice, have a cash pot. Even if it's just $20 a player. You'll only get players who are actually competitive. Also, weirdly, fewer hard feelings - I guess knowing you got betrayed for money stings less than knowing you got betrayed for fun.
- mckeed 4y ago
  Do you allow negotiation over how the pot is split for shared victories? Like can a weak player help the leader win in exchange for a small cut of the winnings?
  - legitster 4y ago
    Exactly. Usually I set it up like "The pot is $350. The game is over as soon as all remaining players can unanimously agree on how to split it up." It also adds much more drama to the end game. If you are down to a small couple of territories and basically out of the game, you might still have a lot of power to negotiate your way into the winner's circle.
lumenwrites 4y ago
Are there games similar to Diplomacy that you can play in 1-1.5 hours, over discord video chat?
- legitster 4y ago
  There are a lot of negotiation/tactical games (Game of Thrones board game comes to mind), but they all can be equally long and none have the simplicity of Diplomacy. IMHO, the fun of Diplomacy is sneaking in little side conversations and hiding in a corner to tell a secret. In person, it's very fun. A better approximation online would be to play asynchronously (like a turn a day) via a website.

legitster 4y ago

Also, my advice, have a cash pot. Even if it's just $20 a player. You'll only get players who are actually competitive. Also, weirdly, fewer hard feelings - I guess knowing you got betrayed for money stings less than knowing you got betrayed for fun.

mckeed 4y ago
Do you allow negotiation over how the pot is split for shared victories? Like can a weak player help the leader win in exchange for a small cut of the winnings?
- legitster 4y ago
  Exactly. Usually I set it up like "The pot is $350. The game is over as soon as all remaining players can unanimously agree on how to split it up." It also adds much more drama to the end game. If you are down to a small couple of territories and basically out of the game, you might still have a lot of power to negotiate your way into the winner's circle.

lumenwrites 4y ago

Are there games similar to Diplomacy that you can play in 1-1.5 hours, over discord video chat?

legitster 4y ago
There are a lot of negotiation/tactical games (Game of Thrones board game comes to mind), but they all can be equally long and none have the simplicity of Diplomacy. IMHO, the fun of Diplomacy is sneaking in little side conversations and hiding in a corner to tell a secret. In person, it's very fun. A better approximation online would be to play asynchronously (like a turn a day) via a website.