Gameplay in Brief:
Played on a map of Europe circa 1900, Diplomacy may be the ultimate negotiation board game. The goal is to take over a set number of European countries, but there are no dice to determine the outcome of battles. It's done by mixing clever military tactics with superb negotiation -- and, usually, more than a little backstabbing. A game of Diplomacy is a full-day commitment, but there's nothing quite like the feeling of convincing an opponent to help you secure your own victory.
The Basics:
For 2 to 7 players (but definitely best with 6 or 7), ages 12 and up. Diplomacy takes six to eight hours per game, sometimes more.
Designer and Publisher:
Designed by Allan Calhammer, Diplomacy was originally self-published in 1959. It was published by Games Research in 1961 and is now published by Avalon Hill / Hasbro. Editions have also been published by at least 10 other companies.
Genre:
Diplomacy is a negotiation game.
Also by Allan Calhammer:
Diplomacy is by far Allan Calhammer's best-known game. He also designed Hyperspace (1967, self-published) and Suriago Strait (1979, Nimrod Game Development). He is also the author of the 1999 book
Calhamer on Diplomacy: The Boardgame "Diplomacy" and Diplomatic History.
Awards:
Diplomacy is on my list of the
best negotiation games.
Why Diplomacy is Part of the Games Timeline:
No other negotiation game is more cutthroat or more intense than Diplomacy. Here are the other games I believe are
the most culturally and historically significant games published since 1800.
