I understood what both of them means. My concern is what is the point to play without any possible way to communicate.
I mean, how to create alliances, divide the territory, etc, without chat options?

Fact: gunboat is not real diplomacy. It is for the intellectually weak.

What is "gunboat"? Is it name for "Diplomacy" without communications?

Gunboat is a name for a children's game played on the same board as diplomacy but with different rules. It's similar to how checkers is played on a chess board. I know, it can be confusing.

I like both Press and non-press (gunboat) games. GB games are easier to play with one eye on the game, and one on something else. It's hard to play games when you have to communicate with the other players when you're at work, watching football, etc.

This GB isn't real Diplomacy meme is asinine. In fact, I think GB games really help hone your skills, and help players understand positions, defense, and movement cycles.

Ok, thanks. I just read a bit about "Gunboat Diplomacy" - it seems like "hidden" communication is done via game mechanics, something similiar to Bridge (card game) communications via bidding system.

Ok, thanks guys - it is becoming clear to me.

I think the bridge analogy would be attitude/count signals and carding agreements, not bidding. Gunboat would be more like bridge with no bidding, no contract, no dummy, and uncertainty about the identity of your partner.

One more thing, games with "public messaging only" - are Gunboat or Press?

Lol Yonni

John Viva, it's just the game without any verbal communication. It's generally more of a tactical and strategic exercise at most levels of play, because ostensibly there's no way to communicate with people. But especially at higher levels of play, there's a lot of subtle, important Diplomacy going on with the moves. Expert gunboat games are every bit as communicative as upper-level standard Diplomacy games; the communication is simply only on the board of play.

Public messaging can be either and it's usually agreed upon by the other players beforehand. Sometimes it'll be full Diplomacy, with the caveat that all messages are on the board; othertimes it'll be a gunboat game where the players can discuss pauses and cancellations.

Well said Prez!

Personally, I think the WORST game style is "public messaging."

THM, nah, gunboat is like bridge with 7 dummies.. Yeesh, I'll show myself out.

But, really, gunboat is a fun and challenging game. I encourage you to check it out, John

Public means there is only one chat tab. Consider all communications to be read by all parties. Or in otherwords, you are trying to coordinate alliances in a newspaper. :-)

I hate Public Press. Hate it with a passion. Not fond of gunboat, but at least there the board doesn't lie, but even gunboat with casual chatter on the public press tab screws me as I *know* my enemies are secretly communicating in coded messages and my allies want me to see their codes, but I just can't seem to figure them out. :-)

I have a particular fond spot for public press. There's still a lot of subterfuge going on and you really have to keep your cards close to your chest. A lot of it is about rallying public support for a crusade against another power, so particular personality types really do best in it.

See gameID=93086 for a great example of the trials and tribulations of public press.

My god, is that game still going goldie?

Roughly 33000 games have been started since that game began...

Just to put that game in perspective, Sandgoose was one of the original seven players. Sandgoose.

Its still going strong :)

We're almost up to our two year anniversary. I have to say we all developed a special bond with each other.

Never forget Sandgoose!

Looking at that game inspired me to sign up for gameID=99521 which ended last December...

That's crazy, gf.

I think maybe I'll try a few gunboat games if I ever start actually playing again. I can get the stress over with in a single evening that way.

We need to have more games with no messaging, but not anonymous. What would happen? How would that differ?

Assuming nobody cheated by using the site's PM capabilities...

Huh?

The site has a pm feature. Click on a persons name and it brings up their profile where you can send them a Private Message (PM).

I think anon is especially important in gunboat. People will def. mistrust those who have certain "repuatations."