Italy's perspective...
This was the first time I've played Italy for ages, and, sad to say, it remains my least favourite power - you end up getting stuck on 5 or 6 centres for too long...
At the start of the game, I was trying to keep the three eastern powers engaged with each other which would give me some scope to grow and chip away to the east - helped by a very useful non agression pact with France. However, I managed to annoy Austria sufficiently to make any progress against him impossible, and Turkey and Russia both seemed to be matching my warm words and no commitment with warm words and no commitment. I didn't support Turkey into Greece in the early part of the game, which caused some ructions, especially as I wanted to get some naval power into the Med.
France proved to be the best early game ally, supporting me into Munich, riling Germany extensively in the process. I had a bit of fun with Germany then, promising to work with him, only to grab another centre off him in Berlin. At the same time, Russia, Turkey and I agreed to divvy up Austria, and I reached the dizzy heights of 8 centres. This was always a false position I felt - Berlin was undefendable long term, and my TRI gain gave me no scope for further eastward movement.
About this time, Mike (I think) suggested a RIT alliance against what seemed to be a strong EF...it was a novel idea, but my first thought about it (Turkey wouldn;t have any frontline troops, and no room for expansion) proved to be it's undoing. We made some progress at first, with the objective of a 5 way draw (and thanks to mike on his extensive work on a stalemate line!!), but Turkey very effectively stabbed me. At this point, I pondered extensively a move against RT (France was keen to point out that I was likely to be juggernauted by them) by moving TRL into the vacant Balkans, but figured that if I did this, i'd rapidly be squeezed from both sides and be out of the game pretty sharpish. I figured my longevity in the game would be best served by forgiving Turkey - Russia seemed to take the same view, as by this point, he was getting squeezed as well.
There followed a number of years of me being on three centres and helping Turkey to move
east...NMRs spoiled things a little (we ended up with a shot at MAO through NMRs, but I think a further NMR spoilt that chance), as did an adjudication/order dispute. The latter years of the game involved everyone pointing out that Turkey had a good shot at a solo, Mike beavering away with England regarding a threat to throw the game to Turkey, and France beavering away with me to do something to give him room for manuver against Turkey. I maintained the view that my continuing survival was dependent on Turkey's goodwill, and that moving against him would lead to me being wiped out within a few seasons.
Overall, a five way draw is a fantastic result for me, given where I was at just after Turkey's stab. I'm really surprised that Turkey didn't go for the solo. Slightly unsatisfactory ending to the game, with a couple of NMRs on the five way draw vote.
So thanks to Wolf for GMing the game. I really like the blitz format (largely because I'm an impatient person!) and I'm sure GMing one is a pain. Thanks also to all the players in the game - Mike for showing his obvious massive experience in the game, Turkey for not wiping me out when he could, Germany for trusting me enough to allow me to grab two of his home centres, Austria for having the virtually impossible job of having three bloodthirsty neighbours, France for his numerous, well argued emails and England for keeping Russia busy.
Michael
--- On
Thu, 16/10/08, The White Wolf <cloudhurler77(at)yahoo.com> wrote:
From: The White Wolf <cloudhurler77(at)yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: dc198 Russian EGS
To: "Andrew Cassese" <landru428(at)aol.com>, "Forum DC-198" <dc198(at)diplomaticcorp.com>, "Jon Kudlick" <jkudlick(at)gmail.com>, "Adam Kujawa" <edisun_end(at)hotmail.com>, "Drew Ott" <drew3739o(at)yahoo.com>, "Daniel Sloane" <eagles_fan_07(at)comcast.net>, "Michael Thompson" <psychosis(at)sky.com>, "Michael Sims" <mike(at)southwall.com>
Date: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 3:10 PM
Way to plug the Blitz, Mike! Just goes to show, even as a player, you're a great Mod.
I'll think about it, eh?
I'm a Firefly fan and proud! Read my fiction:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1369632/
--- On Thu, 10/16/08, Michael Sims <mike(at)southwall.com> wrote:
[quote:cb9c2861fc]
The game was fun tho – lots. And perfectly GM’d (now that you’re seasoned at running these speedy games, we’ve still got that WB spot open!)
[/quote:cb9c2861fc]
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