Thank you all for participating in the game. It was great to have a game where most of the players were able to remain engaged most of the time, and no one dropped out.

While I certainly share in the congratulations to the winners, I also appreciate the time and effort of all the players in keeping the game going, especially when their positions were no longer tenable... And, of course, a big thank you to our GM who did a great job.


The geography of China posed initial planning issues as it had to prepare to hold the North from an arctic assault as well as the seas and her land borders. Having no safe rear area meant having to cover all areas and being able to concentrate on none of them...


While an initial alliance developed with Persia & Europe for the destruction of Russia aided in initial growth, ongoing conflict with the movements by Persia meant I could never have security on that border and was twice forced to move to defend it at key times where I could have expanded South and East. It's my belief that this, more than any other issue, kept China from further expanding and being able to have more strength to either defend herself in the latter stages of the game or grow to a size where she could have been a viable long-term partner. When Persia refused to build a fleet to help counter the expansion of Oceania, I knew my fate was sealed...


Negotiations with the sea powers to the South &  East changed from turn to turn so there was never really any security there.

While I would have loved to expand West but could not disengage enough units as I had to keep garrisons everywhere as I had no peace with anyone.


Ah well, such is always the fate of some powers in every game.

I always enjoy a "global" game of Diplomacy as if offers a much richer and varied option of strategic choices. I do feel that having one arctic sea zone as opposed to two dramatically shifted the focus of many of the powers. Not sure if that should remain one zone or not as it borders on so many other zones...if it must be kept as is, consider a similar zone at the bottom of the map...


Anyway, appreciated everyone's time - good luck to all in the future!

Gino
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Gino Karczewski
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