Introduction to Newcomers

This site is dedicated to the playing of Diplomacy by E-mail and this introduction is for those players who might only have played face-to-face before. If you want to play a game, clicking here will take you to the waiting list page where you will find a list of games waiting for players. Click on the link there for the Waiting List Form and fill in your details, and as soon as the game is full you'll receive an automated notification of your gamestart. It is recommended that you check the Houserules for the game you are interested in playing, and our FAQ. I also suggest you have a look at the Games page, where you will see the latest adjudications an maps.

"Diplomacy by E-mail" means just that: you negotiate with the other players by e-mail (except Gunboat) and you send orders to, and receive adjudications from, your GM by e-mail [see 'Writing Orders For Diplomacy' on how to write orders].

We run to the traditional UK two-season game year. This means that retreats are sent with your orders. These retreats can be conditional on that season's moves, including the moves of all the other players. Builds and disbands are also sent with your Autumn/Fall orders and these can be conditional on that season's moves and/or retreats [see 'Houserules' for further details]. If the set of conditions get complicated it is a good idea to put a catch-all at the end of your orders. Any unit not ordered to retreat will be disbanded by the GM, and if there are any disbands not ordered the GM will choose these as governed by the houserule.