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RAM END-GAME STATEMENTS
GM:
Ally Bain [EGS]
Started: 11th November 2002
Finished: 28th August 2003
Result: Four-way draw
| Country | Player | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | Result | | Austria | Roberto Pimentel | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | Draw | | England | Jan Willem Omlo | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Draw | | France | Chaz Smedley | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Survived | | Germany | Robert Dane | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | Draw | | Italy | Sean Cable | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Anarchy | | Russia | David Smith | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | Draw | | Turkey | David Anderson | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated |
AUSTRIA (Roberto Pimentel) RAM was a full year game. I know that because its start coincided with my arrival in Canada, as much as its end matches my depart from it. It will be always associated in my memory to my experience of living overseas, and it will be a fond memory, since it was played in such good company.
As Austria, the very first season is particularly more dramatic than for the other six powers, so I gave it my best guess: I tried to put a hard foot on the Balkans and block Italy at the same time. Of course this left room for a possible Russian attack, but my bet that Russia would start cautiously paid off reasonably well. However, what really made my debut successful was the full-blooded cooperation from a conscious Germany (in the gentlest person of Robert Dane). Were it not for his twice blocking of the green men in Tyrolia and my role in the game would have been totally different. So I was indebted to him since the very start. Another source of relief was Turkey's agressive attitude towards Russia - what promised to be a battle between Goliahs ended up, fortunately for me, being tout simplement a fight between two Davids (sorry, I couldn't resist the pun). With a Juggernaut out of the way, I seemed to be safe. All my guesses had been right and things went smooth for a while.
Then Italy abandoned the game, which, for the benefit of the doubt, I prefer to believe might have been caused by some personal problem with Blue, incapacitating him to keep participating normally on the game, rather than by some insuperable sense of unfairness after being tricked twice by the austro-german alliance. I guess players that get that far in this site don't simply abandon games for things like that.
Anyway, although to my advantage, it introduced a clear unbalance in the game, since now I didn't need to worry at all about my western front, and, having a strong ally to the north, was free to harvest SCs in my only, eastern front. It took some time, as it always does in the Balkans, but with Russia and Turkey still fighting each other, it wasn't too difficult to guess the outcome. For a long time I sincerely considered an alliance with Russia, which could prevent Germany from growing faster than I could - by the time I feared Robert would have the whole of Russia for himself before I could say "Sevastopol". Lucky again, for the northern triangle got more and more entangled among French, Germans and British. What really decided I wouldn't commit with Russia was David's stubborness regarding Rumania. It clearly couldn't be kept if I didn't want to, so I didn't even argue about it.
The crucial point was the building of my third fleet, which finally gave me the certainty that I would be able to deploy units in Turkish soil. Turkey was already contained, which is in itself a mighty achievement, but an invasion, as anyone who ever tried it knows, was another story. By the time I was actually able to do that I had my doubts if the Turks were still in play or if they were proxied to Russia or someone else. I felt sorry for David (Turkey), because the game became too boring for him, tactically. Later on I would miss his messages full of good humour and initiative. Were we in any other positions on the board and I would possibly consider other options, but as Austria and Turkey, there wasn't much we could do.
Robert always demmanded me to terminate the italians, which I should have done - and would have, if he himself hadn't allied with Russia by the middle of the game. After a bad move from my part that gave strategic Tyrolia to Germany, and realizing the russian-german pact and the weird pro-russian behaviour the French fleets started to demonstrated, I feared for the worst. I thought that in possession of French and Turkish fleets and allied with the Germans, the Russians would be able to launch a full-scale attack on me and on England, in both cases supported by the Germans, but taking the best part of it.
What saved me (but not as much JW) were two things: first, if my suppositions were correct, the Russian vanguard would be played by foreign units (French and Turkish), so David wouldn't be able to build anyway. France was already a German protectorate, basically, and with their pact I guessed (correctly) that France wouldn't try to retake its home SCs. That was the dangerous part, since there would be very little I would be able to do regarding France building (by the way, it would be interesting to know exactly when Chaz really dropped his units to David - if it was really the case). Turkey was an easier task, since I could smother it myself and incapacitate it to build. The second thing was that German apparently adopted a similar strategy towards myself, while diplomatically tried to convince me it was just a question of keeping up our balance (when of course if it was the case he should have attacked Russia in the first place!). I didn't fall for that, but Robert brilliantly succeeded in keeping me on my home SCs, impeding me from building for at least two consecutive years. Unfortunately for them, my situation was quite different from Turkey's. While I managed to totally imobilize Turkey, the German-Russian occupation of Tyrolia, Bohemia and Galicia, however terrorizing, didn't block my fleets and southern armies, so I was still free to collect SCs even if I couldn't translate them into new units for a while. My wishes for the German armies to move down the italic peninsula didn't become real, or at least not thoroughly, so I needed to cope the best I could defensively while at the same time trying to undermine any possible progress from both powers wherever I could.
A fantastically fruitful open space left by the German-Russian pact, both diplomatically and geographically, was England's position in the western seas. Robert have neglect building fleets for some time, and was still trying to catch up, while Russia lacked the possibilities of doing so. As soon as I realized England would not have the best share of France as Germany moved decisively into it, I approached JW knowing he would be my last chance to secure Gibraltar to the future of my then growing fleet. I wasn't sure if I could dispose of any of my fleets, but sent one straight forward westbound more for the seeming than for the being at first, since I really wanted to have England by my side when things got really bad with Germany and Russia, especially if I couldn't make it to the stalemate line in southern Russia.
In the end, not only I made it the line - in a lucky strike that gave me both Galicia and Ukrania at the same time, but could have resulted in jeopardizing Viena to start with -, but also turned my western fleet into the most active unit in the whole Austrian armed forces, thanks to the full-hearted cooperation of JW. It didn't save the British islands, in the end, but it sure gave especially Germany a lot of headache - remember the convoying of British forces from Brest to Spain, for instance. By the time the stalemate line was consolidated on the east, Robert forgot an important retreat possibility that gave us Iberia and Marseilles in one single shot. We had greater things in mind when we first thought of 'Waterworld' (our codename for the operation of taking German SCs by naval attack - by the time we named it our naval forces together were far superior to Germany's, while Russia, together with its blue ships, still lacked a role in the open north seas), but we had a lot of fun with it all the same, I cannot complain.
I finally managed to free some space at home so I built two units from the three SCs I hadn't put to use yet, and had my only shipyard available again, which was my main preocupation. Had the game gone on I guess I would be able to throw my (by that time legendary) western fleet northwards, penetrating the stalemate line towards Britain, and moved the other three westwards to make Iberia secure and bring the Italian SCs plus Marseilles in the process. Securing Portugal this way, it might have given me the game in the end.
Nevertheless, some of the other players were already proposing draws, which I consider always a sign that the game is not that interesting anymore. Alliances were consolidated and I guess the only thing that could happen later on would be JW (if still on board) turning against me to try to stop me from the solo - however I think even this would be improbable.
So when someone proposed a three-way draw (A/G/R) I replied saying that I would veto it but only because it left JW out of it. In the end it was the four of us playing, and I think it wouldn't be fair to let anyone out, so I (apparently concommitantly with Robert) proposed the four-way draw that ended the game, to much surprise of some of my fellow players. It seems that for most of them (if not all) I would (or should) try the solo. I guess I owe them some explanation about that, somehow: the truth is simply that it wouldn't be fair. The game was unbalanced since the Spring of 1902, when Italy abandoned and I was given a tremendous advantage over all the other players, especially over England, Germany and Russia - precisely the ones that played until the bitter end. As far as the game was producing good situations for us to have fun stabbing and lying to each other, it was good fun, but then I guess it came to a point where everybody was more interested in going on for another game and bury this one. I guess the draw was a fair and noble way to do so.
Robert was the best of allies when I needed him, and before I could do him any favour - I barely paid back in Marseilles later on -, and was quite sly when he slowly managed to strangle my factories for two long, dry years. Most of all, friends or not, he was always a gentleman and a courteous correspondant whose messages, regardless of their contents, were read with gusto.
David in Russia was actually who gave me headaches the whole game, especially when the proxies became apparent, and most of my time planning was taken trying to deciphre what exactly he would be thinking next. I remember his letters not giving much of a hint, so I was always in the dark, which is the hallmark of a great diplomat. It is definitely not easy (at all) to play Russia without Italy against a voracious Turkey, a northbound England and an indifferent Anchluss. I congratulate him for the fact that he not only survived but prospered in such adverse initial conditions.
I should also thank JW for such an unsuspected alliance we ended up sewing in the final part of the game. Although I would have liked him to have had attacked Germany openly much before, he was always open to the idea. He wouldn't limit himself to discuss the cooperative moves, but also contributed with many of the suggestions that led to the building of the stalemate line and our success in the west of the board. Had I followed his suggestions in the beginning of the stranglement Germany imposed over me and I would have avoided it completely by securing Tyrolia. However, what makes me acknowledge him as the great player I think he is is the fact that he kept playing to the very end, even knowing his England was doomed to sucumb to the enemy's navy and that his ally wouldn't be able to come in his rescue in time. That's for sure also one of the main features of a good player. I will always remember our funny puns and gags throughout our e-mails.
Finally, Ally was always the perfect GM and we should all be thankful for all the time and effort he put into its organization. I hope you all agree that GMing cannot get better than that.
We all played well and I think in this sense we were all winners, regardless of how many units each had in the end. I guess this will sound like bullshit to most ears in the Hobby, but the truth is it is still how it is. The best thing is that I feel like I took part in a great game and I hope to meet you guys all in another game as soon as possible. All the luck in your next endeavours!Return to Top
ENGLAND (Jan Willem Omlo) Hey all,
Well, a draw. A four-way-draw. Wow.
Beto, I'm amazed that you voted in favour of this, as you were well on your way to a solo. But thank you for your entertaining and friendly communication, seldom have I seen such a strong AE-alliance from the start, or have I kept such a good conversation going with a power not anywhere near me. Glad to see Operation Waterworld worked...;-)
Robert, despite us not seeing eye to eye for most of the game, exchanging cordial diplomacy with you has been a pleasure. Next time stick with me okey? And you must understand why I wanted to take Holland. There's no place like home...;-)
David, again my apologies for the F01-mail, glad to see you're still around and who knows, we might accidentally end up in a game together in the future and the thought might then even slip my mind to perhaps not start a complete war against you. You Arse...;-)
Ally, thank you for a well-run game. It must've been a weird one to watch, but I'm glad I got the draw. Phew...lucky me...;-)
I hope you give me a week extra, as the next two weeks I'll be on holiday in Italy. I was well on my way there...;-)
Cheers,
JW, EnglandReturn to Top
GERMANY (Robert Dane) Well were do I begin for this one then?! When this game started all that time ago I still considered myself new to the game. By time it finished I've become a GM and picked up a lot of useful diplomacy skills along the way. I could write a blow by blow account of the game but that would take far to long so I'll just try and explain my actions at various key points throughout the game.
Being the newbie I was at the game start I had this thing were I would believe every bit of game theory I had read. I remember coming across the statistic that in games where Austria goes out early Germany soon follows. This is partly what prompted me to decide to form a firm alliance with Beto. I found Blue's style of writing quite hard to feel I could trust. It felt like he was talking a lot about how experienced he was and how good a player he was and suggested some of the most brilliant tactical ideas, most of which would probably end up in me being horribly stabbed. Blue tried to convince me it would be a good idea for him to take Mun in A01 so I could then support the unit through France. So anyone who was surprised by my opening move to Tyr I think that should explain it perfectly. With Chaz, JW and Dave I felt the best thing to do was to try and keep on the good side of everybody for as long as possible and try to play every body of each other as best I could until I saw a away that I could make considerable gains.
I spent most of the early part of the game stabbing and unstabbing (if such a thing is possible) all my neighbours. The Italian Anarchy meant that Beto could get through Italy much quicker and give me support into France.
Later the stab against Beto came for the reason I stated in my press, Due to the Italian Anarchy He had grown very strong. I think he was on 11sc whilst me his ally was on 5, or something close to that anyway. Beto to his credit seemed to understand why i had made the moves I did. and even kept offering help to attack Russia.
The end game was very interesting as well. It felt that due to the position on the board that normal diplomacy went out the window as It felt very much myself and Dave playing against JW and Beto. In the final turn we hopefully persuaded JW to stop helping Beto and try to make the stalemate line with us.
I think that the four way draw was a valid conclusion to the game, especially if JW was going to help us ;-)
things to say to the players them selves
Beto - Thanks for being such a good ally for most of the game. Sorry I stabbed you when I did and I do believe that the solo was in your grasp. I have this weird feeling if I had stayed on board we would have got the 2 way draw like we discussed. If your were going to stab me don't tell me and I can go away thinking your a player that never stabs anyone (expect maybe Turkey). The way you accepted the draw is an action I was very impressed by when a solo could have been yours if our defence attempts didn't work.
JW - I'm quite sure if we end up in a game together again we will be able to have an unstoppable alliance going. I Think our early moves against each other made it hard to put any real trust in each other throughout the game. I was never really sure where you stood on who we should all attack which I think is a compliment to your Diplomacy.
Dave (Russia) - Your weren't meant to be in the end game, my and Beto were supposed to have eliminated you long since! Congratulations on making it to the end and providing me with the many amusing emails. Your the only player I know that can reply to an email of ideas with 5 separate emails. Make sure you find the time to keep playing. Don't let that horrible thing called real life get in the way!
Chaz - I think you were proxied to Russia for most of the end game. Sorry I was so very double crossing, I think it was unfortunate for you that Italy going into anarchy, that was the deciding factor in my war against you. Those fleet proved very useful in having England on the run. I don't know what deal you had made with Russia but he adamant they should be kept alive at all times!
Dave (Turkey) - I don't think I got to get to know you as well as the other 3 I shared the draw with. Perhaps I'll see you again someday. I think I was just feeding you with what ever information would stop you from attacking Austria. I wish luck in future games.
Ally - Many thanks for giving up your time and running the game so well. I learnt a valuble lesson about writing clear disband orders when I lost a vital army in Gascony! I'm sure you'll agree that this game was a lot of fun and played totally within the spirit of the game. I expect we will end up in the same game at some point. (Plug - If anybody reading this wants to try a game of Maneater then if you look at the psychopath site and put yourself on that waiting list!)
If anybody wants any of my moves clarifying or anything explaining (about the game!) then feel free to drop me a line and hopefully I'll be able to explain my actions for you,
Robert DaneReturn to Top
RUSSIA (David Smith) I would have liked to have spent a hell of a lot more time composing this EGS but have not had/got the time to do so following our summer holidays in North Wales and coming back to a ton of various problems.
Anyway,
Great game! Nice one Ally. This was my second Dip game following a miserable survive in Mr Stretch's 'Perfect Ten'. This time I got an er, um, miserable survive.
So, brief comments on the game (rather than extended ones).
Austria. I am surprised Beto accepted this 4 way. Thanks mate! I would have gone for the solo in your shoes. As Russia, and towards the end of the game, I had a comfortable alliance with Germany following Beto's (Austria's) advance through Turkey into my lower bits. I am not really surprised at the Austrian stab, it was not even a real stab, more a gradual encroachment of brown; the bugger. Turkey played by the other David offered me help but to no avail and was soon himself swallowed up. Well done Beto. If there was a winner here, it was you sir.
Turkey. Now there's another story. David exchanged loads of email with me right at the start of the game and I was convinced we were on side together. Even after studying 'Opening Game Tactic's and other such game geek stuff which all advised I should go for the Black Sea bounce I decided I was safe down there and instead moved north in an all out against Norway (and by extension of course, England). Turkey, the lying swine, moved all out north himself. Bloody hell! Stabs in S1901. Naturally I lost Sev and was set to be booted out of the game in due course UNTIL, luck of luck, David mis-ordered. Arf, arf, arf, David. It was a real shame we never had time to ally and play alongside each other, as we would no doubt of got on famously, sharing the same sense of humour. Anyway, you lost. So there. Moral: Never attack Russia (Well, when I'm Russia at least).
England, played by that illustrious GM, JW, was a right pain. 'What an Arse' was a turn of phrase we used often against each other once we had established proper communications. JW took monumental offence against my opening moves, to the extent that he sent me a loving email explaining my cock up/lack of skill/poor judgement/impending elimination/general smell, and we fell into silence for several years, both doubtless thinking the other to be a complete arse. I'm not sure how we started to talk again but somewhere along the game I managed to convince JW it was not me who was the arse and we started to exchange jokey emails again. Oh, joy of joys........
JW, we really must learn to be honest. You would not believe the amount of sleep I lost over my lies to you. You would not believe anything I said come to think of it ........
Germany. Robert, playing Germany was another devious player. Good on you chum! I thought Robert was a very wishy-washer player, unable to make his mind up where he was going. Later I realised he knew exactly where he was going and had simply been playing his neighbours off against each other all time. We fell into partnership not through any agreement but as a result of Austria's inexorable expansion. I think we may have been able to thwart Beto within a few moves had not JW been such an arse in our sides keeping that lone army in Mar, (forcing the four way draw to his benefit). Mind you, had we pushed Austria back Robert would have stabbed me anyway as he was twice my size. Christ chaps, are none of you to be trusted, lol?
Italy. Twat. Signing up for a game, then going into anarchy within a couple of seasons. Why bother? A game where seven people swap email is suddenly reduced to six (which is the point of playing), and gives an extremely unfair advantage to the immediate neighbours. Aha!, an excuse for Austria almost winning............
Seriously, (just for a moment). Italy, I forget your name. POOR SHOW.
France. Hey ho Chaz. Kicked into touch in Autumn 1905 and left with just two fleets. I thank you for your offer of proxy control which I used to my and Germany's benefit right up to the end of the game. I honestly felt guilty being party to the demise of France through my inaction but I had another lager and got over it. We had some nice emails exchanges though! The hardest part, by the way, was keeping the deception up that I thought Chaz was still playing.
Russia. (Are we allowed to summarise ourselves? Yes? Great. Here I go .......)You were brilliant mate, what a star player. You were robbed, should have got a solo, and would have done had it not been for Austria, Germany and England. I love you.
Finally, and seriously (twice in one email!), thanks all, an enjoyable game. I know my replies dried up near the end of the game. I have learnt a valuable lesson about time management here and will not be putting my name down for another game before winter/spring where I will be able to devote the necessary time to plan moves and actually send email to other players rather than merely reply with brief or terse comments. This is a time consuming hobby you know!
Thanks Ally, for running a good game and the advice (on rules) you sent me when requested.Return to Top
GM (Ally Bain) As you've all said, this was a great game & better still, you're still all mates!
One of the reasons I decided to GM this game was due to JW. He GMd the first game I played on this site, Forgotten Sons, & also put my name forward for GMing. I therefore felt this was a return of a favour, i.e. him putting my name forward & I enjoyed that game & his GMing, even though the sod doesn't send the maps. :-)
See you on the boards.
AllyReturn to Top
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