The best message I ever received was:

"WTF you dick face!"

Best message I received was: You Muppett!
Truly awesome!

I've received a direct command as the first message from a player before, during the second phase of the game. It made my day.

you followed it right?

I feel comfortable saying I agree with number 1. Number 2 I'm not as sure about. There are times when you have to play a role in order to influence another power in the right direction. Sometimes that role is the subservient one.

I think a better way to phrase number 2 would be to say: they understand what they need to say in order to obtain their desired result. Sometimes that means a heavy hand and sometimes it's a delicate touch.

Good thread, by the way. I like this topic.

I love games where people role play in their messaging. Am playing one game where the the Plenipotentiary of the Sultan of Turkey cordially sends his masters greetings before engaging in entertainingly witty attempts to entreat with me. I cannot wait for the next installment!

My first game as Turkey, I get a message from Austria that reads: "How's it going, Turkey! Ready for a long and fruitless battle in the Balkans?"

My first game, I was Germany, I left Holland open for my English "ally," and within thirty seconds of the turn progressing he sent me a message saying "What can I say? I just really like tulips."

My first game as Austria, I sent a message just like that to Turkey. ;)

i hate when players talk too much
the king bla bla salutes you bla bla our aliance bla bla
just say what you need and what you offer and be polite(or dont)
its not dungeons and dragons
its diplomacy

Russia about me on Global chat:

"Please bring about his death sooner rather than later. In fact, I will send you all certified checks if you do so. Simply email me with all your personal information and I will make it so..."

@TheJok3r: Yeah, I remember that. :D

"How's it going, Turkey! Ready for a long and fruitless battle in the Balkans?"
hahahah excellent

(To: Global, from Russia) - Spring, 1903: i did say global was only for deciding on a draw, but.....what the heck. why not?
20 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from you) - Spring, 1903: Allies Russia? :P


Half a game later:
21 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from England) - Spring, 1908: Isn't this against the type of the game. Rules?
21 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from England) - Spring, 1908: How is possible to have alliance in this game??

21 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from England) - Autumn, 1910: By using IM in anonymous game
21 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from you) - Spring, 1910: How am i a cheater?

(To: Global, from England) - Spring, 1912: And who is Russia I would like to know since using IM isn't something you should do in anonymous game

21 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from England) - Turkey and Russia are joining anonymous game and work together. I refuse to play in such game.
21 Feb 2010 (To: Global, from England) - Cheating in this game doesn't make me RETARD!. You can't use IM in anonymous game with public chat only.

That was a public chat only live game where England believed the fact me and Russia made an alliance meant we were cheating.

Alternatively...precisely one year before I stabbed England and soloed...

(To: You, from England) - Autumn, 1909: i don't really mind either. frankly, i think the only one who'd really have a good chance soloing right now would be me ^^

A big chunk of the game IS the exchange of text:
be it true/false (or almost!), role-play or mere direct toilet in the face ;P.

When I played Edi Birsan, it was an eye-opening experience.

The game should be renamed to 'negotiation'. What are the best rules of negotiation and game theory?
1.) You get benefit
2.) To get benefit you have to give benefit
3.) Don't let them on about #1

So, it's all about showing them what benefits they get, getting good benefits yourself, and not letting on (too much) about the benefits you get.

My favorite messages?

"Dirty German." -Havoc as England after a nasty delayed sealion.

"Fuck you I'm never playing PPSC again." -ghug (with some justification)

Best one I got. "You're a dick" from France. After I refused to draw and killed him.

Oh i got another one!

"The sanctity of the mod position has been violated by their circle jerk cluster fuck suck off of Babak's dick." -Draugnar Smash!