Germany's view:
This will be a long EoG, but I wrote in purpose to give some hint to everyone, not just the 6 more players, how I was thinking/planning/diploming during the game. Since this is the biggest ever game, and hopefully I'll be the biggest points winner for quite some time, I feel it my duty to share my thoughts. Therefore this will not be short... I hope you'll find it interesting. Let's start!
General thoughts before the game:
-------
I love being Germany in the super high pot (7k+) gunboat games. I think Germany is the "ally chooser" in any circumstances since England, France and Russia cannot express their will [in gunboats] to build an alliance towards eachother, just towards Germany. So whoever Germany chooses (or whoever chooses Germany) will be the partner of his. I was Germany too in the previous 7k pot game (
gameID=88274), where DipperDon opened that very risky and strong anti-French alliance offering way, which I accepted immidiately and we literally cleared the board extremely fast and cooperative.
So when I got Germany at the start I was already very happy, I knew I have to choose an ally asap, and make it strong.
Starting the game:
-------
All the above said, I decided to open conservative (denmark+ruhr) and see whom can I ally with, and continue accordingly. I would refer
threadID=877939 here, about giving sweden to Russia, where I said 2 things:
"If Russia opens north (mosc->stp) you might also support him, so he will secure scandinavia resulting a weak england, so germany can fight france."
"If Russia opens weak south, you also might want to help him, because he will build south then, to support his units, slowing down turkey/austria."
So this was exactly my plan, to slow down A+T, contain England and deal with France. Luckily France offered his alliance as well, by supporting me, so I honored it by building 2 fleets, to express my commitment to north. The moment Russia built his fleet in StP north coast he was lost. (I was expecting an army, but I assume he wanted an alliance wit me too)
Early years:
-------
Having 3 fleets for Germany is great, it gives you the opportunity to secure all the northern parts later. I wouldn't go into the details, but I knew I can fight both of them [E+R] and I did. Meanwhile France played terribly, so I had noone to fear of, I could build a 4th fleet. Moreover I started abusing Russia, the main reason for that was, to give a little help (breath) for Turkey against Austria and Russia, so Austria will not bother me.
I had to intrude into Burgundy once (spring, 1094), just to prevent the Italian retreat to there, France was not trusting me, (secretly I was hoping for that, and England will grab Brest), but he realized I wasn't attacking him, when I pulled back. France was already in a really bad position, the most I could do for him, to let him work it out alone.
In Spring 1905 I tricked Russia, disbanded his fleet, took Scandinavia. I remember planning that for a while, and it worked. From that point I had more fleets then E+R together. The price was, his fleet stuck behind my lines, which is generally bad, but I knew I can contain it.
Meanwhile abusing Russia payed off, Turkey got Sevastopol and started fighting with Austria, and achieve nothing, giving me time and space to expand further.
Keeping the balance:
-------
As I started to grow, and the others don't, I had to keep the balance of powers, so none of them strengthens too much. I was still bouncing Russia and Austria. The only reason for those was, to keep them away, also to express I'm not moving against them, I'm just keeping a stable position.
Attacking France! This was crucial. I was planning it for years, to find the right moment, when I can rush on him with 3 units at least. I kept England's last unit alive, so did I keep Russia's last fleet, so A+T won't freak out. It was essential to make them beleive I'm not too big yet. I didn't want to take StP on this reason also.
My main objective was to put 1 fleet onto the mediterranean, before I get too big, so the others will not prevent it. It was more important than killing England, or advancing in France. Sadly I had to finish off England, otherwise his fleet would have caused problems. I was hoping he will leave on an army and I can spare my fleets, but he didn't.
When I freaked :):
-------
By 1907 autumn, I knew I can take 3SCs in 1 round, but I was sure, everyone will freak out and turn on me, if I do. So I let France keep Brest and I postponed one build and didn't attack Russia at all. I was thinking not building anything at all, to express my will, which is not to grow to big. Despite everyone put in their draw votes at this time, they didn't turn on me. I guess my build postpone and non-agression on Russia reached their goal. Surely, Austria didn't feel the danger.
France continued playing terribly, so I got into mediterranean, and I realized I can win this game. All I was thinking from this point was, how to get warshaw. Warshaw was my primary target, all the rest (I mean France+Iberia) was just the matter of time.
From this point I had to be very careful, how to get Warshaw. The point was, not to make Austria turn on me before I can position myself accordingly.
Making noob moves:
-------
Instead of getting StP, which would have turned back Austria immidiately, I was making noob moves, not to get it. Therefore I get time, to build up my positions to get Warshaw. Attacking Marseilles was also the noob way, I wasn't expecting to get it. With a little Italian help I did. (Worths to note, it was France's fault again, not Italy's) It was easy to count on France's mistakes, he generally made a mistake in each and every round. So my focus was Warshaw, Warshaw, and Warshaw :) Even though the map didn't show that way, I was planning that all the time. How to get into livonia, bohemia, prussia, silesia, and so on. All in 1 round, to not to give time to Austria+Turkey to react. Bouncing StP was on purpose to get livonia next round also.
A little luck:
-------
Turkey+Austria bouncing eachother in Ukraine gave me the win. Also Austria not taking Bohemia in time. I was soooo happy when I saw that, because I knew I just won. France was still annoying, but harmless, so I had to figure how can I keep Warshaw after getting it. I figured, and the 100% solution was to get the 18th 1 year later, so I didn't take Portugal (I was expecting an Italian bounce from MAO, which would have gave me Portugal, and the win 1 round earlier). I could have risked supporting marseilles north, but I was patient and waited 1 more year. Austria was sooooo late and far away, I had time to wait another year. Autria, not taking Silesia was also very helpful, to keep warshaw, but not neccesary.
Summary:
-------
I learned some new stuff in this game, which I'm not planning to disclose here, but hopefully I can benefit from them next time. Also I made some minor mistakes, but I always do, and after you see the others' moves you realize sg. else would have been better.
The others: well, Russia+Turkey hadn't got the chance to express how good they are, England+France played terribly, also did Austria I think, he turned back way too late. About Italy, well he was Italy, it's always tough :), but A+T didn't let him to stop me in time. Also France losing Marseilles took away Italy's last chance. Generally, I would blame Austria for my win, beacuse of turning too late.
About this game on this site:
-------
As you know this has been the biggest game EVER in terms of points on this site. I'm really happy I could pull it off and win and since I was the host of the game, and I personally invited most of you to join, I just want to say THANK YOU for participating in this game, I'm proud I was able to put it together and that players like you honored me with your participation. It was my pleasure, thank you!
2012 end of the world - EoG
. You can ask Thucy for routing numbers and you can check with Babak that he had to do the same thing. And oh, I'm going to need your social security number so that we can verify that you are indeed a real person and not Barn3tt's second account or MM's third. And before I forget, we are going to need...
)
)
)
)