Requirements: for each game, we will strive to have 4-5 rookies and 2-3 vets. before each game starts, we will also need at least two vets to commit to commenting on the game (commit to 2 posts per game year)

All SoW games will be WTA - low points (5 ususally) - and passworded. they are open only to those who have applied and been accepted in this thread. The deadlines will be decided on a game-by-game basis.

Admissions officers currently include myself, TheGhostMaker, and djbent - though this is a public good for the community, so any other vets that want to put in a bit of time to help out - we'd really appreciate it and accept your help.

Application process: We dont have stringent guidelines yet - but minimally, we want the rookies to have a Ghost rating of no higher than 150, we want to to commit to playing out the game and not NMRing or going CD. we also will look highly on those applicants who are participating in the various commentary threads and asking probing questions - another words, players who genuinely want to learn from this game and will use this opportunity well.

We also need 'professors' and 'teaching assistants' ;) or TAs will be in the game (2-3 per game) while our professors will be analyzing, commenting, and otherwise dissecting the games for public review. These can be difficult circumstances to play in - as the 'spotlight effect' might actually affect the game itself - so it will be very important for our TAs and professors to be aware of this and self-police as best they can.

our in-game vets will be asked to provide genuine and candid advice to the rookies... to encourage diplomacy... to help and guide the other players as best they can in-game.

our commentators will be asked to provide sound analysis, not personal opinion on what tactical moves players should or should not make. They are asked to analyze a game where they are not aware of the internal diplomatic circumstances, which is difficult, but also to be aware not to affect the game outcome through their commentary. This is not an easy task, but manageable. We want other readers/observers to learn how to analyze moves, be shown or consider options they would not normally consider, and even be given ideas on what kinds of diplomatic tracts could/should be taken given a certain set of circumstances.


last but not least - this is meant to be an inclusive process - so please do share your ideas, volunteer to help out, or otherwise make the experience more enjoyable and enlightening in the various SoW commentary threads.

note: This is NOT a commentary thread... this is only a place to admit new players, and help start new SoW games.

some important links:

The "School of War" blog: a central location to keep track of games and commentary for posterity (thanks Ghost)

link: http://ghost-diplomacy.blogspot.com/

(also: http://sites.google.com/site/phpdipschoolofwar)

SoW I -

game link: http://phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=10755

commentary: http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/index.php?viewthread=414033#414033

SoW II -

game link: http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/board.php gameID=10963

commentary: http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/index.php?viewthread=418594#418594

SoW III -

game link: http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=11113

commentary: http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/index.php?viewthread=421434#421434

before I sign off...

if you indicated interest in playing, teaching, or analyzing in a SoW game but are not in the first 3 games... please indicate your interest below... even if you have posted your interest elsewhere.

I look forward to a great new school year ;)

Quick question - is the School of War blog (ghost's site) primarily SoW 1 at this stage? Just making sure I'm not missing anything :)

jason - in all honesty - we are trying to figure out the best use of the blog. the fact is, people will follow the games more on here on the forum than on the blog... but we always run the risk of losing threads on the forum specially after the games finish obviously..

so we, including Ghost, are open to the best way to use that blog. what would you feel to be most useful?

I have regularly followed it on the forum, which is obviously accessible and easy to see updates etc - for posterity's sake, the blog really does look nice though :) I don't know a whole lot about formatting etc, but if the blog was easy to determine what was where (perhaps at the end of the game, having a side bar with School of War 1, 2 etc and sub tabs of 1901,1902..) would make it a lot more accessible. Obviously with it being new and all, people aren't necessarily really aware of it, and it would be hard to draw peoples attention to it whilst the game was being played.. But certainly for a finished product. Perhaps the posts here of significant commentary could be uploaded to the blog during/after? I'm sure it is all a lot of work though :)

This thread will be used to follow along with game 3 of the "School of War" Series.
game link:http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=11113
SoW link: http://www.phpdiplomacy.net/index.php?viewthread=421804#421804

doh! plz ignore the above msg. it was meant to be a new post ;)

jason - yeah - that's the main idea behind the blog idea. I'm comfortable letting it develop as we go forward... but the issue is indeed time, and I feel bad for Ghost since he already has a league to run :P

On the upside, the blog really does look great :)

I would like to play a SoW game.

I've played in SoW over on facebook, and I'd be happy to join in again. I don't know where I fit in the grand scheme of things, as I've only just started on this site

The blog will work if everyone who commentates posts on it.

great idea babak to centralize all this. i would offer to help more with the blog but i just don't know too much about how to do it.

@jason - i think the idea was to "tag" each post with the appropriate game, so that you could select that tag and see all the posts from that game.so, we just need to start getting folks to post over there as well, as ghost has said.

also, i have tried to help with admissions process b/c i don't feel that i am quite expert enough to be one of the expert commentators, but i could play in a game if needed for the next class.

Pete - we'd love to have you here as well - its great to see you joined this site ;)

Ghost - indeed... maybe I should put reminders in the commentary threads... but also - does that mean you'd have to give editor access to all commentators? maybe a quick little intro sheet too on how to 'tag', link, or put up pics etc... many ppl are intimidated by the blog idea (as was I b4 I had to do one for work).

dj - well I want to thank you enormously for getting 2 and 3 started... I'd love to appoint you the Dean of the College of Lies & Stabs if you'd take the position =P



dj-

p.s that's the only college in our school ... hahaha.

hahaha i must humbly accept this honor. but you better not be doing it to fulfill some title IX quota!! =P

i am very dedicated to improving the skills of the newest generation of online diplomacy players, encouraging them to be good allies, smart in betrayals, vicious in fights, and friendly in the end. blah blah blah....

ps - i realized the blog is on blogger (i think?), so i do know how to do it. i can help transfer over commentary, if needed.

oooh... that would be great dj... and I'm sure Ghost would appreciate having the help... specially since I tend to use my phone much more than a PC - (I cant copy/paste using the G1 - or at least I dont know how to lol)

as for new students... what happened? we had so much interest earlier... we just dedicated this brand new Administration building and now you all stop applying?

Would a SoW Gunboat game be an idea players might be into? I for one would love to hear some commentary on this variant as it's seems to be almost a whole other game. Personally I've only attempted 1 (badly ending in a draw due to unforeseen circumstances) and would be keen to hear some insights from experts in this genre. I'm sure there are many players that would be interested/curious like me about this variant and it might be something a little different for SoW IV.

I would like to play one of these rookie games please.

I will be willing to play SOW 4. Place me as whatever you will (rookie, mid-level, or experienced)

woooo - you are most def an experienced player.
spyman - we'll add you to the list.
texas - hmm... maybe an idea for later... but Gunboat really is a diff game, and I'd rather we highlight the importance of diplomacy for these newer players.

I'm thinking that down the road - we may embark on a SoW advanced course of sorts... maybe with 7 mid-to-high level players but each with a 'tutor' who is a top 10 or top 25 Ghost ranker or the like. but thats also for down the road.

Alright. Just let me know when the game starts.

SoW 4 interest so far:

rookie:
spyman
Hamilton


vet:
wooooo
djbent

commentator:


notes:
PeteU - you'd count as an expert based on your FB acct, though you have zero points right now. would you be willing to be a commenter for SoW 4?

jasoncollins - were you interested in playing?

so we need three new noobs?

or 2 and a vet?

I would be interested in playing again - I want to be fair, so if it comes up contested, I'm happy for someone else to take it on board, but I am definetely up for it!

i'm going to change this slightly. i'm putting myself into the mid level category, b/c there is no way i should be put as a veteran. so another veteran in addition to wooooo would be good, as well as two more players with less experience.

rookie:
spyman
Hamilton

mid:
djbent

vet:
wooooo

commentator:


notes:
PeteU - you'd count as an expert based on your FB acct, though you have zero points right now. would you be willing to be a commenter for SoW 4?

jasoncollins - were you interested in playing?

Jasoncollins wants to play. Need 2 more.