I think this is one of the least ambiguous questions when it comes to diplomacy strategy, and it amazes me how much disagreement there is. It isn't "fighting the good fight" to sacrifice yourself to stop a solo. It is consigning your people to death. You should fight for a survive at all costs over a defeat.

@Uclabb
Are you implying that in a situation in which Turkey continues to attack Russia, Germany is taking his SC's, he should just sacrifice himself to stop France, while those around him remain bent upon his destruction? My opinion is : You want my help? Stop kicking me.

Obviously I am referring to Spring 1906. Spring 1907 is a different world and its 5 vs 1 all the way.

I'm saying the exact opposite- was I not clear? One's survival comes first, and one of the best ways to ensure one's survival is to threaten (and mean it) to throw the solo.

And, further, I'm saying that a survive is strictly better than a defeat.

OH! I misunderstood your comment "sacrifice yourself to stop a solo" meant he should sacrifice his SC's to Turkey and Germany because to fight them would mean helping France.
So we are both in agreement. But as you say, many on the site feel it is the wrong thing to do.

I'm with uclabb on this. My motto in this game is ""Win if you can. Draw if you must. Survive at all costs." If that means playing the asshole until your enemies back off, then so be it.

Watching for Germany to enter his disbands. I'll try to pause if it looks like he's not going to get them in.

bump

I watch this person's youtube channel!

please join http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=137045

jabarif, this thread is reserved for discussion of a particular game. There is a thread specifically for live game promotion. Please use that thread instead.

Is Germany basically a CD?

I'll PM and find out. Will let you know ASAP.

I know he is missing phases in other games as well

So what's going on with this game?

Waiting for Germany I suppose...

Let me have the mods e-mail him to find out what's up. I'll also post another thread on the forum looking for someone to replace him if necessary. We'll try to get this squared away in a day or two. Thanks for your patience.

No word from the German. The mods emailed him but have heard nothing back. In an effort to get things moving again we can either (1) draw/cancel the game or (2) I can force the game to unpause and we play on without Germany. Your thoughts?

I think playing on without Germany will result in a certain French win. If we're going to have a solo, I'd prefer it to be a hard fought one :)

I can't speak for France, of course, but if I were him I would say "if we're going to have a draw, I'd prefer it to be a hard fought one". So, I don't think that drawing the game is appropriate either.

If we had a new Germany, I think there's a chance that we could reach a draw. But, I'm not sure that anyone would want to take over this position - Germany has been incommunicado (and possibly NMRing, even though he's been checking the game) for several turns already. Could be a fun challenge, though!

I guess I'm in favour of trying to replace him, or cancelling the game if no-one wants the spot.

I would very much like to get this game moving again to clean up my games list :)

An extra thought against cancelling - one of the goals of the SoW games is to provide games with commentary for future readers. Cancelling this game would prevent this game from achieving that goal.

Well, as France I'd rather have a Germany. Failing that, I guess we should just draw as it stands. I don't like winning against a CD country. I agree canceling isn't a good plan.

Theres only one way id see cancelling this game as a viable option. Only if we restarted the game with someone filling in. I understand some may not be up to the task and wish to get it over with, but at least its not what's happening in the winter sow game. Thoughts?

I'd be up to play with you all again, with or without the SoW commentary. But, I think this game is too far in for a restart.

France has an easy road to 16 SC's but 17-18 is a rougher road but still doable. I think thats the issue with someone taking over Germany....they walk into a very rough situation with a chance of a 6 way draw or a defeat.

Definately shouldnt cancel.

NMR and CD's are a part of the webdiplomacy world. Personally, if noone replaces I think the game should be played out but thats Triumvir's option as the TD.

We have a taker for Germany, so I'll get him plugged in and we can carry on.

One of our esteemed admins has taken over for Germany and the game is back underway. You've got more than 24 hours left in this retreat phase. Use it for press! Look forward to seeing what happens next.

I would just like to comment that Abgemacht's play thus far has been rather passive. I mean, its been over 12 hours and none of his units have moved.

In all seriousness, thanks for taking over. Now give us a lesson in stopping solo!

Bump for retreats! Dyager should be pleased that there are no passive players ;)

I feel as though I've been cut off at the knees here. I cannot access the website except through my laptop, so I can check in on games once maybe twice a day provided I don't fall asleep before 9pm (within the realm of possibility considering I'm up for work at 4am). I will continue playing, but my press will remain sadly lacking in these critical phases. I wish I could figure out what's going on and why I can't access through my Blackberry anymore.