hi mike,
 
i thought i'd give you a reply as i am fairly new to diplomacy (ie never played with people who wanted to finish a game, so i have never finished a game), and first time diplomaticcorp (online) player... dont worry i wont be dropping out
 
i guess i must be lucky as the game i have entered is going great... really exiting and everyone is involved.. i'll admit i am enjoying it more as i am doing pretty well with italy which is cool... however this is early on and i really hope it does not loose its intensity...
 
ok on to my opinion's:
 
currently there is not a "newbie' game to join right? that was the first thing i looked for..
currently all games have adjusted details such as map etc.. but it would be good if a GM can make his game with player parameters such as under 5 games exp, or over 10 games exp etc.. this also helps to keep the games balanced experience wise.. and all people who are active and proven that they stick out a game will get to enjoy a good battle amongst each other... while newbies wont be blown out of the water early and quit.
 
i'd also recommend DCorp gets its most active and interested people to GM the newbie games, giving them a really great intro into dip.. my feeling is that anyone who plays a whole game and really gives it a go will love it and become a convert regardless of how they fare, and the GM is the glue that keeps them going till they get to that point.
 
please be mindful of making too many laws that restrict and turn off newbies... diplomacy is such a great game and should be widely available..
 
it could also help if a few keen DCorp players put their hand up to be "fill ins" who's job it is to enter games when someone quits.. some experience and new life into a falling nation could keep a game exiting for another 6 people...
 
it seems to me the GM is really really important. again i am lucky in my game as andrew the GM is very active/responsive and even throws in a bit of commentary during adjudications which gives a "media" like effect to the game which is good.
 
in regards to limiting players to games or based on their history of abandoned games; again i think this is a parameter that the GM should be able to choose rather than a strict inflexible rule.
 
the rule that states a player on his first game may not enter a second until he gets the OK from the GM is good i think. it allows flexibility for someone really interested in dip, but it keeps out other less interested players as they would have to make the effort of writing a persuasive and coherent email.. this type of system works i think..
 
one last point (sorry to go on and on)...
 
i imagine a large reason for people dropping out and games getting abandoned is because of a lack of communication, and people dont feel involved or connected to the other players.. i think the best way to fix this is:
allow players from one game to be able to chat (typing chat in real time). if i am making plans with eng and france id like to be able to type chat with them both at once to cement the relationships.. if each game had its own chat; players would get to speak to people they might not have emailed otherwise, it might be held on DCorp site or an external one (i am no computer wiz).
 
another possibility is a forum for each game.. basically some communal place where a nation leader can "play up" his profile, or write a weekly "Press Release" or make an international statement about his intentions, or submit a trivia question etc... this would make online diplomacy more like real life diplomacy; as it is not all about one on one interaction but also about public profiles which can effect other players decisions.
 
thanks for your time,
 
regards,
 
jake.