Shows
Diplomacy GamesFace to Face with Reily ChapmanWith the guys about to head off to WDC in Bangkok, they play a face to face game & discuss their learnings to apply. Plus updates on their podcast listener game and new variants in development at vDip.
Intro
The guys introduce their drinks and tonight’s initial venue (0 mins 10 secs)
They talk a little around their plans for Bangkok's WDC before a bit of an intro on their recent face to face game in Brisbane (3 mins)
Chat with Reily Chapman on their face to face game in Brisbane
The guys set up the context of their chat with Re...
2023-08-131h 45Diplomacy GamesEven longer between drinksKaner & Amby catch up to discuss the upcoming new official board game rules, their game with podcast listeners and much more.
Intro
The guys introduce their drinks and tonight’s venue (0 mins 5 secs)
New board game rules & face to face
They talk about the proposed board updates and rule changes from Renegade, the new publisher (7 mins)
Amby discusses the beer taps before they move onto the last 2 rule changes (25 mins 40 secs)
They discuss whether any of the upcoming tournaments from August on, including WDC, will be playing against the rules (33 mins)
The guys talk about their plans for WD...
2023-06-021h 09Diplomacy GamesLong time between drinksLots of stuff been happening in the guys' lives, so they catch up to discuss the game.
Intro
The guys give some context for the delay in podcast episodes (0 mins 10 secs)
Kaner gives Amby his belated Christmas gift (1 mins 50 secs)
They discuss their face to face game in January, their first game since Covid. They discuss having another game in mid-April (5 mins 20 secs)
The guys move onto discussing ChatGPT and using it for a Diplomacy game. Kaner discusses the jail breaked version (10 mins 30 secs)
They realise they'd forgette to introduce the bar and their drinks (13 mins 45 secs)
Amby t...
2023-04-031h 21Diplomacy GamesvDip & webDip love match? An interview with KestasThe guys interview Kestas about his suggested options for how vDip and webDip could better work together or possibly merge. Plus how their games are going.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, venue and drinks (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Kestas on vDip and webDip
Kestas is welcomed back to the show and starts by discussing his thoughts on how vDip and webDip could possibly work better together (4 mins 30 secs)
He outlines some of the challenges for vDip and how webDip may be able to assist (9 mins)
Kestas describes how he's testing the water with the community for their...
2022-10-232h 04Diplomacy GamesInterview with Joren on Diplomacy mapsThe guys interview Joren, one of the Diplicity app's incredible map creators. They talk all things Diplomacy maps. Plus all the cool updates over at webDiplomacy will blow your mind. And Kaner picks on Amby's 1066 variant.
Intro & webDiplomacy awesomeness
The guys introduce the show, the venue and their drinks. They then go through how the show will run this episode (0 mins 15 secs)
Kaner introduces a new games engine introduced to webDiplomacy: a great new click interface, against bots and no account needed! You'll find it at play.webdiplomacy.net Thanks Andrew Goff for the hot tip (8 mins)
Amby...
2022-07-101h 51Diplomacy GamesInterview with Tejas Patel from DARPAThe guys interview Tejas Patel, who is DARPA's the project lead for SHADE: an AI research initiative using Diplomacy to better understand the nuance of communication intent behind actions. Plus the guys games and how does a famous UK Diplomacy player get himself a novice rank in Australia's Diplomacy association.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, the venue and their drinks (0 mins 15 secs)
They discuss getting how to get a French fleet into Tunis. Hint hint, they're wrong! (Spring 1901 MAR-GOL, PAR-MAR, NAP-TYR; Fall 1901 Convoy MAR-TUN (2 hrs 45 mins)
Interview with Tejas Patel from DARPA
The guys introduce their thoughts...
2022-06-261h 29Diplomacy GamesHappy accidentsThe guys get into the new Bourse game, talk Amby's happy little accident, games and much much more.
Intro & Diplomacy talk
The guys introduce the show, the venue and their drinks (0 mins 15 secs)
Bourse 2022
Kaner kicks off discussions on the new Bourse game he's adjudicating and Amby is playing. Kaner reminds listeners if they missed previous shows what a Bourse game is (5 mins 45 secs)
They discuss pumping up the value of currencies (9 mins)
Amby discusses how he's previously approached the start of earlier Bourse games and how his opening strategy has changed (11 mins)
Kaner reflects on Amby having...
2022-06-041h 11Diplomacy GamesInterview with MaccaThe guys interview face to face Macca, a local vDiplomacy player over a drink about all things Diplomacy.
Intro & Diplomacy talk
The guys introduce the show, the venue and their drinks (0 mins 15 secs)
They discuss being involved in the most recent DBN Deadline News as guests in a panel discussion about Diplomacy variants (3 mins)
Amby recently got Covid and talks briefly on that (4 mins 40 secs)
He goes onto discuss his excitement about attending PoppyCon this weekend (10 mins 50 secs)
The guys clarify that they have a guest joining them at some stage during the show (11 mins 30 secs)
Kaner asks...
2022-04-221h 23Diplomacy GamesInterview with Kestas: webDip’s Facebook friendThe guys invite Kestas back onto the show to discuss webDip's partnering with Facebook. Plus lots of Diplomacy chat, including variants and Kaner's great game result.
Intro & Diplomacy talk
The guys introduce the show, the venue and their drinks (0 mins 15 secs)
They reflect on last episode where they misheard what was happening in Ukraine at the time (4 mins)
Interview with Kestas
Amby welcomes Kestas back to the show after an absence for 4 years on the podcast. He asks about some of the latest developments at webDip and the artificial intelligence collaboration with academia and Facebook (5 mins)
Kaner asks...
2022-04-082h 04Diplomacy GamesThe calm before the stormWith flooding forecasted and too long between episodes, the guys catchup online to talk PoppyCon, Ukraine, What the Dr Recommended and lots of Diplomacy talk.
Intro & Diplomacy talk
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and their situation for the evening. They talk about concerns about flooding and pooh-pooh it, only for a couple of days later (after recording) for the rain to start bucketing down and flooding locally (0 mins 15 secs)
They touch on interviews that were planned and haven't yet happened (3 mins 15 secs)
Amby says he plans to go to the PoppyCon tournament, with Kaner shortly later...
2022-03-051h 13Diplomacy GamesDiplomacy Wives ClubWe interview Mrs Kaner and Mrs Amby about being Diplomacy wives. Plus we talk current games.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and tonight's venue (0 mins 15 secs)
Interview with Mrs Kaner & Mrs Amby
The guys introduce today's interview: their partners (6 mins 50 secs)
The interview starts with Kaner starting to talk detail about a game which quickly turns to him asking Mrs Kaner what she thinks when he talks about his games, before they ask Mrs Amby the same question (7 mins 30 secs)
Mrs Amby talks about when Amby has to record an interview and her understanding of...
2022-01-151h 15Diplomacy GamesInterview with tobi: saving a Diplomacy websiteWe interview tobi, who saved vDiplomacy. Plus we celebrate Christmas and discuss our games.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and tonight's venue (0 mins 15 secs)
Interview with tobi
The guys introduce today's interview. Tobi is a developer who saved the day when vDiplomacy ground to a halt. Even if you're not on vDip, there's still some lessons here for other Diplomacy sites (3 mins 50 secs)
The interview starts although Kaner didn't turn up. They begin by looking at what went wrong with vDip and how it relates to other Dip sites (5 mins)
Tobi talks about his skillset...
2021-12-251h 26Diplomacy GamesInterview with Matt CalkinsThe guys interview game designer, World Boardgaming Champion and CEO Matt Calkins about his love of Diplomacy.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and tonight's venue (0 mins 15 secs)
Interview with Matt Calkins
The guys introduce today's interview (6 mins 30 secs)
Amby asks when Matt first got into Diplomacy and which aspects of the game's design he likes (7 mins)
They discuss some of the board games Matt has commercially published and their relationship with the game. Matt's games include the award winning Sekigahara (the most similar to Diplomacy), Tin Goose and Magnet (10 mins)
Matt talks about the World...
2021-12-191h 27Diplomacy GamesInterview with R. Jamie Langa, Diplomacy novelistKaner & Amby catch up with Diplomacy novelist R. Jamie Langa, talk about the new recorder & lots of Diplomacy stuff.
Intro
The guys introduce the show and discuss the new audio recorder they've had to buy thanks to our Patreon supporters (0 mins 15 secs)
You can provide a one-off contribution of $5 towards buying the new recorder at our Diplomacy Games Patreon feed (5 mins)
Amby talks about how he's gotten into Aussie Peppa Pig
** language warning! ** (6 mins)
Interview with R. Jamie Langa, Diplomacy novelist
The guys start introducing this show's interview guest R. Jamie Langa, author of Diplomacy novel "Art...
2021-10-232h 04Diplomacy GamesCrab shells & faultlinesThe guys catch up for some drinks to discuss their games, with Kaner sharing his Diplomacy theory of crab shells and faultlines. Plus the Middle Earth variant.
Intro & Around the grounds
The guys kickoff and Kaner outlines why he dislikes playing England (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss the venue and their drinks (3 mins 50 secs)
They talk about the lockdown that never happened and a general Australian COVID update (6 mins 15 secs)
Amby discusses an Australian MP who has wild theories about COVID. Amby shows his website domain that didn't get reregistered (8 mins 30 secs)
Kaner shares a joke or two with A...
2021-09-261h 16Diplomacy GamesInterview with Bryan Pravel & Zach Moore about Diplomacy at the OlympicsThe guys interview Bryan Pravel and Zach Moore from DBN about Diplomacy at the Olympics and where the game is going.
Intro
The guys are in pre-lockdown. They expect the government will do a lockdown when they planned to record so catch up on Skype instead. (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Bryan Pravel & Zach Moore from DBN
The guys welcome Bryan and Zach to the show, before jumping into the 2032 Olympics and DBN's plan to partner with 2032 Olympics broadcaster NBC (5 mins)
Amby asks what steps DBN needs to take to be ready by 2032 (8 mins 20 secs)
They discuss how people in...
2021-09-121h 47Diplomacy GamesInterview with Primacy app creators Matt & DavidThe guys interview Matt and David, creators of the Primacy app which is playable on Apple and Android platforms. Plus 2032 Olympics talk, around the grounds and Amby's Summer Classic experience.
Intro and Diplomacy news
The guys are at the Guilty Rogue and discuss Brisbane officially hosting the 2032 Olympics. So its time to make Diplomacy an Olympic sport (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby asks if Diplomacy was an Olympic sport right now, who'd be representing their players and which countries would have a team (2 mins)
They talk specialist players for each country and what would be the scoring system for Diplomacy...
2021-08-071h 45Diplomacy GamesInterview with Ed Sullivan/GoHornsGo and Village Idiot/Ewok on Media Wars 2The guys unpack Amby's draw in Media Wars 2 and get the take of the board topping Ed Sullivan/GoHornsGo and Village Idiot/Ewok in an interview. Plus much more.
Intro and Diplomacy news
The guys begin at Bar Brutus and do a mea culpa (0 mins 10 secs)
With some clever editing we've removed all the fucking train noises. They talk about their recent holidays that have partly delayed episodes (2 mins 10 secs)
Kaner talks about a board game he bought: Imperial Struggle (5 mins 50 secs)
Amby asks how a Diplomacy game would work if you couldn't eliminate a player in the...
2021-07-101h 55Diplomacy GamesInterview with Isabelle VladoiuThe guys interview Isabella Vladoiu from US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights about how the game relates to real life Diplomacy. Plus they discuss their games and a public service announcement from all Mods.
Intro and Diplomacy news
The guys are still at the Empire Hotel. Amby disses Google. They do a drinks update (0 mins 10 secs)
They give a Diplomacy face to face update and ideas to get more people into the game (3 mins 30 secs)
Interview with Isabelle Vladoiu from US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights
The guys set the scene for their interview with Isabelle Vl...
2021-06-121h 08Diplomacy GamesKaner vs Brother Bored
Kaner takes on Brother Bored in a live France vs Austria game and learns a few lessons. Amby is also "learning lessons" in his Media Wars 2 game.
Intro and Diplomacy news
The guys discuss the venue, drinks and set the scene for today's episode (0 mins 10 secs)
Kaner discusses the Summer Classic virtual tournament being held 23-25 July (2 mins 35 secs)
They discuss work and life commitments have been getting in the way of their Diplomacy interests (5 mins 20 secs)
Kaner vs Brother Bored live game: France vs Austria
Amby sets the scene in the Kaner vs Brother Bored game of...
2021-05-281h 14Diplomacy GamesComing off a small breakThe guys have had a small break and come back re-energised for the game. They discuss an upcoming face to face game, Media Wars 2 and test unbreakable alliances.
Intro and Diplomacy news
The guys discuss the venue and throwing stones (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss they're out of lockdown and Kaner explains how he'd taken a break from the game for a little while. He talks about his decision making process for choosing a game to join (2 mins 50 secs)
Amby's had a lot going on in real life too and has reduced the number of his games (4 mins 55 secs)
...
2021-05-011h 10Diplomacy GamesFace to Face is back! Interview with Jamal Blakkarly winner of PoppyCon 2021The guys interview Jamal Blakkarly, winner of PoppyCon 2021, the first face to face Diplomacy tournament since Covid (excluding that 7 player European championship.) Plus they chat about Media Wars 2 and much, much more.
Lockdown intro and Diplomacy news
The guys set the scene about the most recent lockdown in Brisbane and their drinks (0 mins 10 secs)
They're going to do their first live interview on the show. They set the scenes for the interview (4 mins 20 secs)
Amby discusses briefly the guys' France v Austria 1 on 1 game on their Patreon feed and give a shout out to our latest Patreon supporter (7 m...
2021-04-021h 15Diplomacy GamesInterview with Peter McNamaraThe guys interview winner of the DBI Invitational, Peter McNamara about his gameplay. Plus Bronze Age Diplomacy, variant ideas from the guys and much more.
Intro and Diplomacy news
The guys talk about their drinks and venue (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Peter McNamara
Kaner & Amby begin to introduce the interview with Peter McNamara and what's coming up (2 mins 30 secs)
The interview starts with setting the scene after Peter's win at the DBN Invitational. Amby asks how people were invited to attend the tournament (5 mins)
Amby asks about the earlier rounds and seeding (8 mins 20 secs)
They discuss why Peter we...
2021-03-191h 51Diplomacy GamesInterview with John DansieThe guys interview Australian Defense Force chaplain John Dansie on using Diplomacy in professional military education of officers. Plus they talk about upcoming face to face games, their online games and Kaner makes a helluva mess.
Intro
The guys restart talking about other podcasts and Amby gives a big thumbs up to Brother Bored's Diplomacy Dojo (0 mins 10 secs)
They talk about their drinks (1 min 45 secs)
Amby talks about Bin Chicken Paradise. More here. (2 mins 45 secs)
Interview with John Dansie
Amby starts setting the scene for our interview with Australian Defense Force chaplain John Dansie (5 mins 30 secs)
The guys...
2021-02-201h 39Diplomacy GamesThe Juggernaut Victorious!The guys record a back-to-back rather drunk episode. They talk about their (at the time) current games and prove the slow but effective Juggernaut alliance, before starting on an Anschluss alliance game.
Intro & Diplomacy chat
The guys restart on their 3rd drink at Brisbane Brewing Co and talk about their planned Diplomacy Wives Club interview they planned that never happened (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby presents Kaner with his belated Christmas present (5 mins 30 secs)
Around the grounds
They provide (by now) a belated Around the grounds update, starting with their anonymous Europa Renovatio team game where Kaner is effectively playing...
2021-01-301h 44Diplomacy GamesInterview with Edi BirsanWe catchup with legend of the game, Edi Birsan, around so, so much about Diplomacy. Your head will spin! Plus the guys discuss their virtual WDC experience and webDip 2020 World Cup.
Intro
The guys introduce today's venue and location before discussing their drinks (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Edi Birsan
They start introducing the interview with Edi Birsan (3 mins 40 secs)
Amby asks Edi how he got started in the game in the 1960's (4 mins 40 secs)
Amby reflects on Edi's response about psychologists using the game to build resilience. Edi gives some further detail and touches on Kissinger playing Diplomacy...
2021-01-162h 13Diplomacy GamesThe Lying InterviewWhat makes a good Diplomacy lie and can you pick one when you hear it? The guys catchup with academics Jordan Boyd-Graber and Denis Peskov about their paper on lying and Diplomacy. Plus Sloth, a player in the study, also joins us. And don't forget Christmas 2020 and much more.
Intro
The guys have got the recorder working again, although they're trying something different so it doesn't cut out again. They discuss their drinks and venue (0 mins 10 secs)
They throw around a couple of jokes (2 mins 20 secs)
The guys set the scene for the interview today with Jordan Boyd-Graber...
2020-12-181h 58Diplomacy GamesInterview with David HoodThe guys catchup with David Hood and talk about his role in DBN's Deadline News and much more. Plus a bumper amount of Diplomacy news and an Around the grounds. Enjoy!
Intro
The guys discuss their drinks and venue... which apparently they've drunk at before. They discuss their rule on not recording in the same venue twice and whether it counts if the bar has changed hands/changed names (0 mins 10 secs)
They quickly jump into the interview with David Hood (3 mins 15 secs)
Interview with David Hood
They guys welcome David to the show before Amby asks about how h...
2020-11-211h 53Diplomacy GamesInterview with Legendary TacticsThe guys interview Legendary Tactics, receive a variant question from Brother Bored and continue their Juggernaut game.
Intro
The guys discuss their drinks, the big draw card for recording the show and venue. (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss the upcoming interview with Legendary Tactics and question from Brother Bored (3 mins 15 secs)
Interview with Legendary Tactics
They guys welcome Legendary Tactics (LT) to the show (4 mins 10 secs)
Amby asks about what got Legendary Tactics into Diplomacy (4 mins 40 secs)
He goes onto discuss the Legendary Tactics Youtube channel (6 mins 10 secs)
Legendary Tactics flips the table on the interview and asks Kaner an...
2020-11-062h 15Diplomacy GamesInterview with Dave Maletsky about eCarnage and WDCThe guys catch up with Dave Maletsky about eCarnage and what's happening with the World Diplomacy Championship. Plus talk about Diplomacy news and discuss variant development.
Intro
The guys discuss their drinks and venue. Amby mentions how he met well known Diplomacy player, Peter McNamara at the Fox very early on in the podcast (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby introduces an interview with Dave Maletsky about November's Carnage - now eCarnage - and the roadmap ahead for the World Diplomacy Championships (4 mins)
Interview with Dave Maletsky about eCarnage and the WDC
Amby asks about what's happening with this year's Carnage (6...
2020-10-101h 56Diplomacy GamesInterview with David E. CohenThe guys interview renown Diplomacy variant creator David E. Cohen before they test out an alliance for the ages: The Juggernaut.
Intro
The guys discuss their drinks and venue (0 mins 10 secs)
They introduce the interview with David E. Cohen (3 mins 40 secs)
Interview with David E. Cohen
The interview starts badly with lots of technical issues - both in the initial connection and also the quality of the recording. Bear with us listeners, slightly normal service soon returns. That said there are chair squeaks and other background noise throughout the interview at our end (4 mins)
Eventually their perseverance pays...
2020-09-273h 03Diplomacy GamesTrainspottingUnder the never-ending clickity-clack of the train line, the guys catch up in a brewery for a little Diplomacy chat... and the odd drink or two!
Intro
The guys introduce the show, the venue and their drinks (0 mins 10 secs)
They talk about surfing, waterskiing and serenity (2 mins 45 secs)
Around the grounds
They flag there may be a bit of train noise in the background as they're near a rail line. Kaner asks Amby how his games are going. Amby talks about the Big Hitters game (5 mins 20 secs)
Amby discusses his offer to GM a Winning game for players...
2020-09-121h 10Diplomacy GamesInterview with Harry TurtledoveThe guys interview renown alternate history author Harry Turtledove about his love of the game Diplomacy, Amby laments his Liberty Cup gameplay, more Media Wars chat and a Declaration of War experiment.
Interview with Harry Turtledove
The guys introduce the show to new listeners as they may be Harry Turtledove fans. Harry is a renown alternate history author (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby and Kaner give a super quick crash course on what the game Diplomacy is all about (1 min 45 secs)
The interview starts with the guys welcoming Harry to the show and ask how he got into writing alternate...
2020-08-222h 11Diplomacy GamesDiplomacy grab bagThe guys grab some beers and discuss a bunch of Diplomacy stuff including the Diplomacy Broadcast Network, Amby's Media Wars game and losing streak. We play "Where's Kaner?" and get back to some good old Diplomacy chat.
Diplomacy news
The guys discuss their beers, the venue and playing some face-to-face Diplomacy there in the future. Amby suggests a game on 9 August [Note: due to a flare up in Corona again, we've put that plan on ice] (0 mins 10 secs)
Kaner discusses being in stitches after watching the Diplomacy Broadcast Network's first Deadline monthly news. They talk about getting some...
2020-08-071h 10Diplomacy GamesInterview with Martin Bruse, Diplicity app creatorKaner & Amby interview Martin Bruse, creator of the Android Duplicity app. A bit of Diplomacy chat and an update on Amby's variant development plans. And who is that boom box guy?
Intro
The guys discuss their beers, the ban on dancing and everything else being totally open now there's practically no Coronavirus in Queensland (0 mins 10 secs)
Kaner & Amby are recording two episodes back to back in different locations 3 15
Interview with Martin Bruse, creator of the Diplicity app
They begin to introduce their interview guest, Martin Bruse, the Android app developer of Diplicity (3 mins 45 secs)
The interview starts with...
2020-07-101h 51Diplomacy GamesInterview with Oliver Lugg, Diplomacy Youtuber extraordinaireThe guys interview Oliver Lugg, a Diplomacy loving guy who has created an awesome Youtube video about the game. They also discuss stupid greedy vs smart gains, the Western Europe 1300 variant and Amby's Diplomacy variant development plans.
Intro & news
The guys are recording at Malt, a serious proper bar. Kaner quickly picks on Amby's handwriting. Then they get onto drinks. Amby laments a little Covid weight gain (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Oliver Lugg: Diplomacy Youtuber extraordinaire
The guys give a full disclosure that the interview with Oliver Lugg is being recorded after they actually catch up (4 mins)
Kaner...
2020-06-262h 06Diplomacy GamesInterview with Brother BoredThe guys interview prolific Diplomacy writer Brother Bored and discuss other Diplomacy stuff including the Scottish Clan Wars variant before Amby stuffs up.
Intro & news
The guys are still at Red Hook (a back to back recording) (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Brother Bored
The guys introduce the interview with Brother Bored, who plays as swordsman3003 at webDip (2 mins 40 secs)
Brother Bored discusses how he got into Diplomacy (3 mins 30 secs)
He talks about how the flexibility of online Diplomacy really worked for him, how he got competitive about the game and how he started teaching his friends about how t...
2020-06-131h 14Diplomacy GamesInterview with Chris Martin on the Diplomacy AcademyThe guys are back to drinking face to face as Australia starts coming out of Coronavirus lockdown. They interview Chris Martin about his Diplomacy Academy videos on Youtube. Plus they discuss Kaner's big points draw in EU IV and more.
Intro & news
Isolation is starting to lift in Australia as the guys introduce their venue and drinks for the episode (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss the pronounciation of the vDip player ingebot, who stabbed & killed Kaner in his public press State Your Business Divided States game. Amby discusses ghee. Kaner asks about Amby's quarantine beard (2 mins 45 secs)
Interview with C...
2020-05-301h 28Diplomacy GamesNever bored with boardsThe guys take a deep dive into different Classic Diplomacy boards. Amby now owns three and so does Kaner, so we compare and contrast them all!
Intro & news
The guys are getting closer to isolation being lifted with talk that the pubs will be open soon. They then discuss their drinks and Amby's Larry can (0 mins 10 secs)
Kaner asks about Amby's quarantine beard (3 mins)
Tournaments seem to be all online with Amby considering participating in DixieCon, but unfortunately the timing is really bad in Australia (4 mins)
Diplomacy board talk
Rob Schone who's attended some of the Brisbane games...
2020-05-1641 minDiplomacy GamesStill in LockdownThe guys are still stuck at home. Amby discusses playing in the Minnesota Diplomacy Club's online game and an around the grounds with Kaner getting a really good draw while Amby is eliminated from the Order of the Dragon.
Intro
Its been so long since the guys were in the pub they can't remember how to start the show. Kaner is missing pubs and massages. They discuss their drinks and Kaner prepares his tunes (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby plays with the Minnesota Diplomacy Club online
Amby logged on at 7 am that day to play in one of the Minnesota...
2020-05-021h 13Diplomacy GamesPlaying tournaments during Coronavirus: interview with Garry Sturley & Andy HarrisLike most of the world the guys are stuck at home thanks to the Coronavirus. They interview Garry Sturley and Andy Harris on attending the MaccCon tournament while effectively in lockdown. Plus a bit of a games and variant development update.
Intro
The guys introduce the show from home due to pubs all being closed due to Coronavirus. They try to replicate the feel of being in a bar (0 mins 10 secs)
They talk the local government elections and Amby's vote for Kaner (7 mins 20 secs)
Kaner sends Amby a text - a whiteboard version of Diplomacy (8 mins 45 secs)
They t...
2020-04-041h 53Diplomacy GamesPissed at PoppyCon - a Patreon preview for those in Coronavirus lockdownKaner and Amby are hammered. They give their take on Day 1 of PoppyCon. Released first on Patreon, we wanted to share this with all you in lockdown going crazy due to the Coronavirus. Hope you, your family and friends are well.
The guys discuss Day 1 of gameplay at PoppyCon in Melbourne
Amby complains its cold (1 min 15 secs)
Amby gets tangled in a poncho (2 mins 35 secs)
They discuss Austria getting eliminated from 5 SCs to zero in a single turn (3 mins 30 secs)
Kaner was tempted to wipe Amby off the board in game one. Amby (Germany) was included in the...
2020-03-2825 minDiplomacy GamesPoppyCon & interviews with Melissa Call & Andrew GoffThe guys make it to Melbourne for PoppyCon and discuss their plans for the tournament, an interview with host Melissa Call, and follow up interview with multi-WDC winner Andrew Goff and Melissa, before a wrap up of Amby's Divided States game and more.
Intro, news & their thoughts on what to do at the tournament
The guys introduce the show, making it to Melbourne before the Coronavirus really started impacting. They introduce their drinks, venue and Kaner asks Amby what is game plans are for the PoppyCon tournament. Kaner goes onto give some history lessons about Victoria (0 mins 10 secs)
T...
2020-03-213h 02Diplomacy GamesThe Mongolian EmpireThe guys talk Corona Virus, Primaries, the new Mongolian Empire variant, current games & much more.
Intro and news
The guys introduce the show and quickly get into discussions around what's going on in the world (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby explains why Hitler had a funny mustache (1 mins 45 secs)
They discuss the Super Tuesday primaries and how their presidential campaign is going. Amby explains why they've got such a good chance of winning the election (2 mins 25 secs)
They belatedly intro the bar and drinks, before Amby explains his vote winning strategy (4 mins 20 secs)
The guys give a hat tip to...
2020-03-071h 10Diplomacy GamesInterview with Doug Kent from Diplomacy WorldThe guys interview Doug Kent, Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly publication Diplomacy World. Plus they talk trust for newbies and their current games.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and the venue (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Doug Kent from Diplomacy World
They begin to introduce the interview (5 mins 25 secs)
Amby asks about how Doug got into Diplomacy (7 mins)
Amby asks about Doug’s collection of old Diplomacy zines and whether he plans to bring any of them online (11 mins)
Kaner asks if he has a favorite zine or collection (12 mins 45 secs)
Amby asks what came next for Do...
2020-02-222h 26Diplomacy GamesInterview with Erik van MechelenThe guys interview Erik van Mechelen from the Minnesota Diplomacy Club & host of the Diplomacy Podcast. Plus lots of around the grounds, drinking & openings for newbies.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and the venue (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby talks wine and getting fat (2 mins 50 secs)
Interview with Erik van Mechelen from the MN Diplomacy Club and the Diplomacy Podcast
Kaner starts introducing this episode's interview with Erik van Mechelen from the Minnesota Diplomacy Club, creates the Diplomacy Podcast and writes books on Diplomacy (4 mins 35 secs)
The interview starts with Erik, how he got into the game (6 m...
2020-02-082h 28Diplomacy GamesInterview with Umbletheheep from the Diplomacy BriefingKaner and Amby interview Umbletheheep, publisher of the weekly email newsletter the Diplomacy Briefing, and discuss people in the Dip community giving something back.
Intro
The guys introduce the 60th show, their drinks and the venue (0 mins 15 secs)
Kaner talks about being tempted to make a cheeky stab and they both discuss paranoia (3 mins 20 secs)
Interview with Umbletheheep from the Diplomacy Briefing
Kaner starts introducing this episode's interview with Umbletheheep who publishes the weekly email newsletter "Diplomacy Briefing" (5 mins 45 secs)
The interview begins with Amby welcoming Umble to the show and asking why he created it (7 mins 30 secs)
...
2020-01-251h 05Diplomacy GamesInterview with Ira Hall on Diplomacy and Christian faithKaner and Amby interview Ira Hall, a Christian pastor and Diplomacy player. The guys delve into how Christians manage the Bible's strong stance on lying, deceit and deception while still playing Diplomacy. Plus they travel to Kaner's stomping ground of Ipswich and discuss a heap more Diplomacy stuff.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and the venue (0 mins 15 secs)
They correct the dates for the Melbourne Open tournament, which is actually 14-15 March (3 mins 45 secs)
Next up is confirmation of the Canetoad Classic tournament in Brisbane on 2-3 May and talk about gaming pieces. Amby discusses...
2020-01-042h 06Diplomacy GamesA Very Diplomacy Christmas 2019It's Christmas! And the guys get very drunk talking Diplomacy. 'Nuff said!
Intro and Christmas chat
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and the venue (0 mins 15 secs)
They quickly touch on their Presidential election campaign and introduce a new Hawaiian shirt plank and discuss Kaner's new look (3 mins)
Kaner and Amby are planning to go to the next Melbourne Open tournament on 21-22 March 2020 (5 mins 50 secs)
They announce an official Queensland tournament, being run by Tony Collins. They discuss possible names for the tournament and land on The Canetoad Classic (6 mins 50 secs)
They talk about ideas for...
2019-12-221h 26
Diplomacy GamesMake Diplomacy Great Again #MDGAThe guys talk what makes a good Diplomacy neighbor, a new upcoming variant, bonus stuff for our Patreons and their 2020 Presidential/VP bid to Make Diplomacy Great Again #MDGA.
Intro
The guys introduce the show before Kaner taunts Amby on maths (0 mins 15 secs)
They discuss their drinks and the venue for tonight, Frankie and George. They provide a tease about a recording for our Patreons (1 min)
They talk about the recent fires in Queensland and New South Wales (3 mins)
Newbie Chat (part 3): Neighbors for Newbies
The guys introduce their 3rd segment for newbie players, this time talking about w...
2019-11-161h 27Diplomacy GamesSlightly slurry DiplomacyThe guys start the show sober but by the end... oh dear. Part 2 of our newbie series, lots of post face-to-face game analysis and Amby learns about blocks up and blocks down.
Intro
The guys introduce the show before their 3rd face to face game in Brisbane. Amby mentions he caught up with "The General" during the week for a Diplomacy crash course reminder (0 mins 5 secs)
They are recording at the Croft House and introduce their drinks (1 min 45 secs)
They bring up the tournament being held in Canberra this weekend (3 mins 30 secs)
Around the grounds
Kaner talks about...
2019-11-011h 05Diplomacy GamesVery superstitiousThe guys go back to the 1970's with an old school guide to Diplomacy from Kaner while Amby channels his Stevie Wonder "Very Superstitious" habits. They start their Newbie Guide to Diplomacy and do an updated Around the Grounds for their games.
Intro
The guys start with plastic glasses at the Wet Deck pool bar at the W Hotel overlooking the Brisbane River. Its already hot in mid-spring (0 mins 5 secs)
They discuss how long Diplomacy has been played before Kaner brings out a 1978 Gamer's Guide to Diplomacy produced by Avalon Hill. Kaner talks about how he got a...
2019-10-121h 32Diplomacy GamesConfessions of a lapsed Diplomacy player
The guys meet Matt. He's selling Amby his Diplomacy board. Why? He doesn't play Dip anymore. The guys find out why and try to bring Matt back to the game. Plus a big Around the Grounds session.
Interview with Matt
The guys welcome Matt, a lapsed Diplomacy player who is selling his board to Amby (0 mins 5 secs)
Amby asks why Matt what’s going on (1 min 10 secs)
Matt talks about how he’s turned more to Twilight Imperium as a Diplomacy engine substitute which is less “brutal” and more adaptable in gameplay (2 mins 15 secs)
Matt talks about his...
2019-09-271h 07Diplomacy GamesRise of the Bots: an interview with jmo and peterwiggin from webDip on AI & DiplomacyWhat happens when a robot learns to play Diplomacy? Listen to jmo and peterwiggin (pw) from webDip on the most transformative online Dip development in many years. This is a game changer folks! Plus talk on WDC in Marseilles, DipCon in Seattle, the 2nd face-to-face game in Brisbane and panhandle closure. Phew... this is a packed episode!
Intro
The guys channel Guns’n’Roses before discussing their drinks and venue (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss their previous recording with jmo and his post-interview discussion with the guys about bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to webDip. They give the cont...
2019-09-141h 45Diplomacy GamesInterview with Nathan Barnes about DipCon 2019The guys interview Nathan Barnes about DipCon 2019 in Seattle before shooting the breeze on diplomatic uniforms, face-to-face games, current online games and what exactly is the Florida Panhandle.
Intro
The guys introduce the show and flag today’s episode has an interview with Nathan Barnes who is coordinating the 50 year anniversary of DipCon at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss their drinks briefly (3 mins 20 secs)
Amby mentions this is the second time Nathan has been on the show, previously interviewed about their former podcast, DiplomacyCast (4 mins)
Interview with Nathan Barnes about DipCon 2019
The guys we...
2019-08-282h 23Diplomacy GamesInterview with Zack Twamley from When Diplomacy FailsThe guys interview Zack Twamley, the host of the history podcast When Diplomacy Fails. They talk about parallels between the game and real life events. Plus Google Translate chat and their first Face to Face game in Brisbane.
Intro
Kaner and Amby start by forgetting to introduce themselves before celebrating their 50th episode at Gilhooley’s Irish Pub and running through their drinks (0 mins 5 secs)
They then discuss their upcoming guest, Zack Twamley, host of the history podcast When Diplomacy Fails (1 min 20 secs)
Zack recently completed an 85 episode series about the Treaty of Versailles and has name dro...
2019-08-172h 00Diplomacy GamesInterview with jmo from webDiplomacyThe guys interview jmo from webDip about all the great recent - and future - developments over there and how it relates to vDip. Chat also about Minecraft Diplomacy, playing Diplomacy in the navy and much more.
Intro
Show introduction and discussion about Kaner and Amby’s drinks (0 mins 5 secs)
They are getting together before their first face to face game of Diplomacy in Brisbane. Amby suggests if trying to grow the game locally, perhaps reaching out to university board game clubs to facilitate a game (2 mins 40 secs)
Kaner talks about his father’s Diplomacy experience in the A...
2019-08-031h 20Diplomacy GamesInterview with Emmanuel du Pontavice about WDC 2019 in MarseillesThe guys interview Emmanuel du Pontavice about WDC 2019 in Marseilles, before talking about new variants including Technostar's latest massive map, Europa Renovatio, War in the Americas and 1898. Plus a bit of chatter about their current games.
Intro
The guys are at Felon’s Brewery and start the show talking about Amby’s clumsiness and glasses (0 mins 10 secs)
Amby starts with a Felon’s Australian Pale Ale while Kaner is on a Treehouse Cider from the Granite Belt Cider Company (2 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Emmanuel du Pontavice about WDC 2019 in Marseilles
The guys start introducing their interview guest: Emmanuel du Pon...
2019-07-061h 42Diplomacy GamesInterview with Ajax about Diplomacy NexusKaner's work has him under the pump, so this episode is just a short intro from Amby and then an interview with Ajax about Diplomacy Nexus: a community bringing players together from the various online platforms to battle it out in cross-platform Dip tournaments.
Intro
Amby introduces the show. Kaner is busy with real life stuff so no pub recorded episodes for a couple more weeks. Amby then introduces this episodes' interviewee: Ajax from the Diplomacy Nexus tournament (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Ajax from the Diplomacy Nexus
Ajax founder of Diplomacy Nexus describes what its all about and h...
2019-06-1646 minDiplomacy GamesCreating a Face-to-Face community, variants, billionaires & democracy sausagesThe guys squeeze a lot in a short time: Rebranding, getting the word out about diplomacy groups around the world, Amby shares his efforts to get a Diplomacy community going in Brisbane & how you can do the same, new variants, site updates, billionaires & the good ol' Australian democracy sausage.
Intro
The guys stuff up the podcast entry and then get into an argument about pronouncing Toowong before talking a little about the Royal Exchange hotel, known locally as the RE (0 mins 5 secs)
The guys introduce their drinks (2 mins 20 secs)
Face-to-face and old school wisdom
Amby and Kaner discuss...
2019-05-091h 14Diplomacy GamesSettling back inKaner & Amby start settling back into the online scene but have started applying their face-to-face Dip ninja skills to online gameplay. Plus their current games and new variants.
Intro
The guys introduce the show and reflect the site and podcast album art probably needs to reflect Diplomacy as a whole - online and face to face (0 mins 5 secs)
They’re drinking at Finney Isles in Fortitude Valley. They talk about their drinks and settling back in. (1 min)
Amby says that family commitments in reflection will prevent him from going to the 2020 WDC in Vermont. Kaner still may go. But...
2019-04-121h 13Diplomacy GamesOur first Face to Face TournamentKaner & Amby fly to play in the Melbourne Open Diplomacy tournament. They get schooled but can they come good in the end?
Intro in the airport
Venue: Brisbane Airport
Drinks of choice:
Kaner & Amby - 150 Lashes Australian pale ale by James Squire Brewery
The guys are recording initially at the Brisbane domestic airport waiting for their flight to the Melbourne Open face-to-face tournament (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss their hopes to catch up with players outside of the games (4 mins 20 secs)
Kaner talks about his return to the Melbourne “big smoke” talking about grow...
2019-03-282h 06Diplomacy GamesBeing a Diplomacy Man of Leisure & variant funComing to the end of summer, Kaner & Amby grab some beers and dream about what it'd be like to be a Diplomacy Man of Leisure. They talk the upcoming face-to-face tournament they're attending, Amby's experience with Versailles at Play Dip, their other games, vDip's 5 new variants and using Diplomacy in the classroom. Phew! A lot packed into this episode!
Intro
Kaner and Amby welcome listeners to the show and discuss their drinks (0 mins 10 secs)
Face to Face talk and being a Diplomacy Man of Leisure
The guys discuss their upcoming attendance at the Melbourne Open Diplomacy tournament (0 mins 50...
2019-03-041h 26Diplomacy GamesInterview with CaptainMemeAmby visits Edinburgh and interviews two-time interviewee CaptainMeme. They discuss deceptive tactics, the Tournament of Time and how Nuclear Diplomacy could work. Then there's a post interview analysis with Kaner and Amby.
Intro
The guys introduce the show and have moved to The Terrace, a rooftop bar in Southbank, Brisbane (0 mins 10 sec)
Both guys admit to being a bit freaky with heights (1 min 10 secs)
Kaner is now drinking a James Squire Orchard Crush cider and Amby has a really enjoyable glass of Rusden Good Shepherd Malbec from the Barossa Valley (2 mins 10 secs)
Interview with CaptainMeme
The guys introduce Am...
2019-02-162h 23Diplomacy GamesInterview with Super_Dipsy from PlayDiplomacyAmby visits London and interviews the code guru and go-to man at PlayDiplomacy, Super Dipsy (known at PlayDip just as "Dipsy".) They talk about changes down the pipeline and afterwards Amby's toe in the water at PlayDip.
Intro
The guys introduce episode 40, recorded the same time as episode 39, their new drinks and Kaner tries to get his head around the name of where Amby interviewed Super Dipsy (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Super Dipsy from PlayDiplomacy
Amby learns about glass clinking protocol from Dipsy (4 mins)
Amby mentions this is the first time we've interviewed someone for the second time...
2019-01-311h 33Diplomacy GamesInterview with Andrew Goff, WDC 2018 winner & small variants
Amby interviews Andrew Goff, winner of the 2018 World Diplomacy Championship in Washington DC. The guys then discuss Andrew's advice before talking about current games and playing small variant maps.
Intro
The guys introduce the show, their drinks and the venue (0 mins 10 secs)
Interview with Andrew Goff
Warning it sounds like the audio dropped off in a couple of spots in the recording for a few seconds. Amby went back to the original audio and it sounds like it was when recorded. No idea why. Sorry folks!!!
Kaner and Amby start discussing the prelude to the interview w...
2018-11-032h 02Diplomacy GamesHow to choose a variant, stabbing, Hundred & the Munich Uber driverBoth guys drink beer. Both guys grow luxuriant beards. And most importantly both guys talk Dip: Great discussion on the perfect stab, how to decide what game to play and the Munich Uber driver. Doesn't get better than this.
Intro
Amby ditches red wine for an episode while Mrs Amby is away and enjoys a beer with Kaner (0 mins 10 secs)
They discuss Anglo-Saxon pronunciations and how it relates to the brewery they're drinking in and start (1 mins 20 secs)
Next up is an impromptu chat about the variant Ankara Crescent and how it got inspired but a bit of s...
2018-09-301h 51Diplomacy GamesSabotage!The guys get together for a good old fashioned Diplomacy chat, but things very much take a recurring theme of the name of the bar: Sabotage! They talk sitters, tournament rule "changes" (depending on your perspective) and alcohol sabotaging Amby's brain twice when trying to remember Diplomacy players' names.
Intro
After introducing their venue and drinks, Kaner jumps straight into joke time (1 min)
Around the grounds
Kaner asks Amby about his Crusades 1201 game and his attempt to get from one end of the board to Jerusalem. When this was recorded the anon game was still going but only 2...
2018-09-161h 13Diplomacy GamesInterview with a Newbie: The General talks about learning Diplomacy the hard wayWhat is the experience of learning Diplomacy like for a newbie? The guys interview The General about his trials and tribulations in the steep learning curve of getting your head around the game of Diplomacy.
Intro
This is the first ever three way face to face episode, introducing Dip newbie “The General” and their drinks (0 mins 30 secs)
Interview with a newbie: chat with The General
The General discusses his two games he’s signed up for (3 mins 45 secs)
Amby asks about how the communication is going. The General talks about being in a public press game. Kaner talks about...
2018-08-181h 35Diplomacy GamesInterview with Chris Martin about 2018 WorldDipConOur first arse-end episode! Aired the wrong way around deliberately, Amby interviews face-to-face player Chris Martin about World Dip Con 2018 in Washington DC before they discuss their current games.
Intro
The guys explain this episode is recorded arse-end around (0 mins 15 secs)
Kaner laments his Microsoft troubles and how it prevented him participating in the interview (0 mins 30 secs)
Amby explains how the interviewee, Chris Martin, is more a face-to-face player and is the host of World Dip Con in Washington DC in October (1 min 45 secs)
Kaner talks about what interested him in the structure of the tournament (4 mins)
The...
2018-07-311h 48Diplomacy GamesMud throwing Dip styleAfter a while between drinking sessions Kaner and Amby hook up again in a loud American bar for Independence Day before heading down to the Riverbar to throw Dip mud in each others' face.
Intro
Kaner and Amby celebrate Independence Day by starting off in an American themed sports bar called “Fat Angel”. Amby is drinking a Mojo shiraz from the Barossa Valley, Kaner is drinking the Feral Warthog IPA from West Australia. The guys felt when recording it was too loud and plan to move to another bar (although listening later, it wasn’t too bad) (0 mins 5 secs)
...
2018-07-051h 19Diplomacy GamesInterview with Dr RecommendedKaner has too much shit going on to head to the pub... the shame! But we wanted to at least share with you this interview with vDip's Dr Recommended. Everyone is drinking during the interview and its a bit of fun, especially discussion about the on again/off again relationship between Doc and Amby.
Interview with Dr Recommended
Amby asks Doc about where he hangs out in the online Dip world (0 mins 5 secs)
Kaner asks how Doc first got into Dip (2 mins 45 secs)
Kaner observes how a number of school groups have started playing Dip online and asks...
2018-06-231h 19Diplomacy GamesBetter late than neverAmby fucked up. This was recorded over a month ago but with too much real life shit it's only going up now. Consider it a point in time episode as half the games discussed finished. But we guess its better to get it out anyway and try to get better. Good philosophy for Dip anyway! Apologies on the general drunkedness.
Intro
After a post-production issue the guys open at the Brewski, just down the road in Caxton St. The guys give their diplomacy drinks analysis (0 mins 45 secs)
They move onto discussing all the new variants on vDip (although b...
2018-05-311h 38Diplomacy GamesToo many gamesSo many variants, so many games and too little time.
Intro
The guys planned to keep the “Shit Cake” theme going from last episode by going to a cake shop bar called “Cakes and Shit”, but it wasn’t that good. Instead they’re recording from the APO (1 min)
They discuss their drinks and announce the Diplomacy Games podcast, playDip, vDip and webDip have been featured in an article by Jason4747 in the Diplomacy World quarterly magazine (1 min 30 secs)
They digress a little and talk about playing Diplomacy by snail mail (7 mins 30 secs)
Kaner has decided he’s no longer play...
2018-04-072h 09Diplomacy GamesDrinking, Diplomacy & sh*t cakeThe guys keep the drinking going and Diplomacy chats rolling on Bourse, variant testing and a Conspiracy app update. Plus the odd history lesson from Amby and discussion on shit cake.
Intro
Kaner discusses how CaptainMeme and a few webDip folks recently hosted a live vidcast of an online Dip game (0 mins 30 secs)
They get around to introducing the Euro restaurant and their drinks. Amby gets a bit carried away with his wine and shares a story about his brother-in-law's bad drinking habits and how Mrs Amby's sister put in place a system to stop him drinking the...
2018-03-211h 10Diplomacy GamesInterview with Technostar about "Divided States"The guys interview Technostar, creator of the "Divided States" variant and discuss their in-game experience with it so far.
Intro
The guys introduce the Buffalo Bar and how Australia doesn't do American bars or pretending to be America in movies very well (0 mins 10 secs)
They set the scene about this episode focusing on the interview with Technostar and about Divided States (5 mins)
Amby apologises about the last episode's poor audio quality and they discuss plans for anyone dead keen to donate to the show using Patreon to improve the audio quality, before jesting whether some folks would prefer t...
2018-03-091h 46Diplomacy GamesA Very Diplomacy ChristmasIt's Christmas time! The guys exchange Diplomacy related presents, talk variants in development, the Kaner & Amby Book Club and the Colonial 1885 variant.
Intro
The guys introduce the Osbourne Hotel in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley and their drinks (0 mins 05 secs)
Amby explains the last podcast was late due to work business and then going on holiday. The guys then discuss their planned holidays including Amby's trip late 2018 to North America (2 mins 50 secs)
Kaner discusses how the mobile interface is now starting to get rolled out to webDip. Amby talks about the different nature of the forums across vDip webDip and p...
2017-12-231h 54Diplomacy GamesDiplomacy Chats & Boozy RantsThe guys get into some serious Diplomacy chats and boozy rants covering new variants, Dip news on the web, current games (including a special guest!) & mouth off about a range of Dip topics.
Intro
The guys introduce Riverland - a bar based around shipping containers - and their excellent view before describing their drinks (0 mins 05 secs)
We have received feedback that the last podcast was a bit too quiet. Amby apologies and also mentions that things have been busy for Kaner which has caused a bit of a gap between podcasts (2 mins 30 secs)
The guys discuss...
2017-12-171h 54Diplomacy GamesWild Ride Diplomacy talk
The guys go to another fancy pants drinking joint and jump from one Dip topic to another. Get ready for a wild ride talking rule changes to the Pirates variant and other variant development, around the grounds, the Viking variant and surrendering.
Intro
The guys introduce the Cloakroom bar, while the bartender joins them to serve orders in the JFK Room and educate the guys on glasses. This is the first time Kaner grabbed a glass of red instead of beer or cider. Plus they get a mouth cleanser rosé with ouzo spritzer and chi...
2017-10-271h 12Diplomacy GamesThe new Dip variant RenaissanceA new Diplomacy variant Renaissance dawns! The guys talk about all the new variants coming down the pipeline at vDip, "Balkans 1860", wrap up the recent massive Bourse game and talk Online Dip Pet Peeves about metagaming.
The new Dip variant Renaissance!
BIg news at vDip with variant development ramping up. The guys declare a new Renaissance while Kaner reflects on many vDip players probably never on the site when it was pumping variants out every week or two (3 mins)
Oli is updating the code base at vDip and is in contact with nopunin10did about bringing the 1900 variant a...
2017-09-271h 51Diplomacy GamesGame of Thrones/Dip interview with RUFFHAUS8Kaner and Amby talk about recent Dip changes across various sites, current games and Game of Thrones/Diplomacy interview with RUFFHAUS8.
Intro and recent changes across Dip sites
The guys celebrate their 20th episode! (5 secs)
Jason4747 suggested that Kaner and Amby provide more background info on their drinks, so the guys try (2 mins 30 secs)
Kaner talks about the new webDip forum interface (4 mins)
Oli is back at vDip! Kaner discusses how Oli worked on vDip's database of games as it was getting too large and needed resetting. This flowed through to player scores and reliability rankings (7 mins)
Amby g...
2017-08-222h 01Diplomacy GamesVariant talk & interview with Alex Ronke / nopunin10did from PlayDipThe guys keep the drinking going and the Dip talk rolling with variant ideas and interview Alex Ronke/nopunin10did from Play Dip, creator of the 1812 Overture and Dissolution variants and talk exciting development news.
Intro
The penny drops for Amby after Kaner's initial rambling start to the podcast (15 secs)
They provide an intro about the interview of this episode with Alex Ronke, who goes by the pseudonym on PlayDip of nopunin10did (3 mins)
But before that the guys go on a tangent about Game of Thrones and RUFFHAUS' naming of various vDip players' equivalent if they were G...
2017-08-041h 52Diplomacy GamesInterview with zultar from webDiplomacy & the Ancient Mediterranean variantIn this episode we take a deep dive into webDiplomacy and also one of its variants, the Ancient Med.
The guys celebrate the conclusion of the Diplomacy World Cup with a webDip player - Demon Overlord - coming in 3rd (30 secs)
Kaner discusses how one of the guys at webDiplomacy has created a pilot "Diplomacy - the Game Show". Amby and Kaner give their thoughts on it and some possible tweaks to improve it further (3 mins 55 secs)
The guys pose the question why more women don't play Diplomacy (7 mins 20 secs)
Kaner discusses the backlog of Mod issues at...
2017-07-171h 23Diplomacy GamesLong while between drinks & PlayDip's "Dissolution" forum variantAfter a full month and a half between episodes Kaner and Amby catch up on their games, with a deep dive into PlayDip's forum game "Dissolution" - a variant about the breakup of the Soviet Union.
The guys kick things off by acknowledging YouCan'tHandleTheTruth's recent efforts to still get orders in for his game despite having a heart attack! Hope he recovers quickly (30 secs)
Kaner fills listeners in about Mrs Kaner's European trip (2 mins 45 secs)
Correction from Episode 15 about Amby's personal experience on PlayDip. Super_Dipsy provides his feedback on Amby's experience (reproduced below.) Amby also explains how h...
2017-06-111h 19Diplomacy GamesLive games, Colonial Diplomacy & metagaming a******sKaner and Amby get talking about playing metagaming arseholes, live Diplomacy games online, the variant Colonial Diplomacy, possible variant ideas and get more entertaining after many more drinks
This episode is a back-to-back recording again at the Breakfast Creek Hotel. Amby pays homage to Aussie rock band "Midnight Oil" and their lyric about the pub in the song Dreamworld, and their disappoint in the political career of its lead singer (Peter Garrett) (20 secs)
Metagaming arseholes
Kaner gets hot under the collar about his recent experience with metagamers: people who come into a game with a preconceived al...
2017-04-271h 27Diplomacy GamesPlayDiplomacy (part 2), interview with Super_Dipsy & Morg and the Calhamer estate auctionKaner and Amby discuss the Calhamer estate auction of original Diplomacy paraphernalia, other news and game updates before interviewing Super_Dipsy and Morg from PlayDiplomacy before Amby gives his final thoughts on PlayDip after his exposure during his Online Diplomacy Championship game. Apologies in advance, this is our longest podcast yet at around 2 hours 15 mins!
Latest news
The guys announce that the DiplomacyCast podcast is back after a 8 month hiatus. Its a good listen focused more on the face-to-face aspects of the game rather than online which we cover off (2 mins 30 secs)
The big news is...
2017-04-132h 15Diplomacy GamesWhen the boss bans Dip, new Lab, interview with Flame & PeriscopeThe guys live stream with Periscope and hit many Diplomacy topics: when your employer blocks Dip, the new Lab & variants being tested and interview with Flame. Plus we talk Dip etiquette on readying up orders, Victory Points farming in Bourse and how they're going in their games.
Around the grounds
Amby describes for new listeners/viewers on Periscope what the podcast is about (1 min)
Both of the guys say they're in way too many games. Amby says his problem is he's often having to go to 4 different Diplomacy platforms (2 mins 10 secs)
Amby describes briefly Cisco Spark, on...
2017-03-201h 45Diplomacy GamesDiplomacy Dilemmas, Sengoku (Japanese variant) & the Russian Dip siteIn this episode the guys discuss late news, introduce the new Diplomacy Dilemmas segment, review the Japanese medieval variant Sengoku and do bad Russian pronunciations while examining Diplomail, the Russian Diplomacy site.
Late news and game updates
Flame has flagged he's putting together a variant Lab. Amby mentions how Captain Meme and A_Tin_Can don't seem to be making a Lab anymore, which is ok if Flame is doing so. Kaner points out Flame is one of the admins at http://server.Diplomail.ru - the Russian Diplomacy site (2 mins 50 secs)
The guys talk about...
2017-02-231h 34Diplomacy Games1 vs 1 (Part 2), directions for Diplomacy sites & "Africa" variantThe guys pick up discussion on 1 vs 1 games following last episode's technical difficulties and look at the Cold War and Duo games they're playing against each other. Then its an unexpected journey down the rabbit hole of recent events at webDiplomacy before discussing how Diplomacy sites could better structure themselves for longevity. Then Kaner talks about his recent "Africa" variant game. Enjoy!
Amby does a mea culpa on why last episode had so many technical difficulties (2 mins)
1 vs 1 variants - part 2
The guys discuss how they've been playing against each other in two 1v1 games: Cold W...
2017-01-251h 42Diplomacy Games1 vs 1 (Part 1) & interview with DevonianThis episode sees the boys tackle 1 vs 1 games while hitting many a technology glitch. From a bad Skype connection for Kaner during our interview with Devonian, to multiple times the recording dropping out during the episode. So apologies in advance. But otherwise please enjoy!
Around the Board - game updates
The guys give an update on how they're going in the Known World 901 tournament in games three and four (2 mins)
Then its time to talk about the ongoing Bourse game and how Amby has reached the point where he's sure there's no way he can win (2...
2017-01-121h 03Diplomacy GamesDiplomacy etiquette, Christmas & the variants Atlantic Colonies & Mate Against MateTime to open the Diplomacy Christmas crackers! The guys discuss game etiquette and look at the variants "Atlantic Colonies" and the Australian "Mate Against Mate". Enjoy!
Kaner starts by discussing his drinking Christmas tradition (1 min 30 secs)
Amby talks about his recent cruise ship holiday and why his mental age is younger than his physical age (3 mins 10 secs)
Diplomacy game etiquette
Being away for his holidays Amby discusses how being on holidays with no internet on the ship (well there was but it was expensive and from talking to others onboard it was pretty crappy), Amby put i...
2016-12-241h 16Diplomacy GamesEliminations & the USA variantThe guys lament their recent game eliminations, Amby's poor Bourse game play and discuss the variant USA, a Classic wrap around map including the United States as an 8th player. Enjoy!
Exploration variant update
Amby and Kaner discuss this game that has just finished. Organised by Decima Legio, it uses the Fog of War classic map but with a special rule around communication. You can only communicate with a player that you have direct line of sight contact with: supply centre to supply centre; unit to supply centre or unit to unit (2 mins 30 secs)
Kaner and A...
2016-12-081h 38Diplomacy Games1066, big webDip news & many tangentsThe guys go down many Diplomacy rabbit holes and tangents. Our main focus was the 1066 variant but we also discuss current games for Bourse, the Known World tournament, Kaner's WWIV game, new webDip variants, an update on the vDip development server and ideas for a new variant based on the American presidential election. Enjoy!
Venue: Super Whatnot, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Kaner - Mysterio IPA from Sydney, Australia
Amby - Mr Mick Cabernet Merlot from Clare Valley, South Australia
Bourse update
Amby and Kaner give an update on how the Bourse game i...
2016-11-171h 36Diplomacy GamesModern Diplomacy and Sopwith
In this episode the guys kick off a pub crawl and dive deep into the variants Modern Diplomacy and Sopwith, while also talking other Diplomacy stuff.
Kaner talks about a recent Fog of War game he's finished (Blind War + Less Draw) that he's animated - and won! Kaner rambles off a few players' names much to Amby's amusement. (0 mins 57 seconds)
Kaner acknowledges he had a bit of a hollow victory with many disbands much to his advantage. He discusses while under the "fog of war" he got many surprises along the way as he explored the map...
2016-11-041h 02Diplomacy Games2012 WebDiplomacy World Cup Championship interview
The guys after quibbling about what episode this is, start talking about how Kaner’s new hipster beard is a clever ploy based on Diplomacy principles to get his wife to allow him to keep his moustache.
For any new listeners, Kaner and Amby get together and record these in a bar for a bit of atmosphere. So power on past our usual chit-chat as it doesn’t take long to get into Diplomacy talk:
Kaner gives an update on the Bourse game that has now started (see podcast episode 3 about the Bourse variant) and how he’s fi...
2016-10-211h 07Diplomacy GamesWorld War IV & Google Translate Diplomacy
This episode was recorded back-to-back with episode 3's discussion of Rinascimento and Bourse. As a result we'd already had a number of drinks. And then we drank some more. So in this episode apologies in advance as the guys get a bit pissy while discussing the wonderful world of Diplomacy. This probably explains why Amby gets rather excited when he discovers from Kaner the "Finished" button within each variant's page. Kaner reciprocates saying he learnt about the archived maps from within any game from Amby.
World War IV - the mother of all variants
Ka...
2016-10-0757 minDiplomacy GamesThe Italian Renaissance variant Rinascimento & Bourse, a game inside a gameIn episode 3 we look at the Italian Renaissance variant Rinascimento. What's great about it, what's bad about it, and how based on recent Forum talk it can be improved. Then its onto a game inside a game (how very enigmatic), with the variant Bourse.
Venue: Regatta Hotel, Brisbane
Drinks of choice:
Kaner - Dogbolter Dark Ale Reserve, Matilda Bay Brewing, Australia
Amby - Punter's Corner Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coonawarra, South Australia
The guys discuss their history with the Regatta Hotel, with Amby once working in the drive-through bottleshop that no longer exists...
2016-09-2354 minDiplomacy GamesFog of War, Mods and new development talk
In this episode we check out the Fog of War variant of Classic, talk about the role of Mods and what to bring to their attention and conclude with new development server talk that may get variants up and running again for the Dip community!
Apologies up front on how the ambiance gets louder and louder as more people arrive in the pub! If this pisses you off too much a) go have a drink or two yourself or b) let us know to go somewhere quieter!
How do Moderators (Mods) work?
Both K...
2016-09-2352 minDiplomacy GamesIntroducing the Diplomacy Games podcast, hosts and the variant Known World 901
Welcome to Diplomacy Games! In episode 1 we introduce the podcast and hosts Kaner and Amby and why we play Diplomacy online. Then we jump into discussing in detail the Diplomacy variant Known World 901.
But for starters, a little about ourselves - Kaner and Amby. We discuss our background and experience with playing Diplomacy. We get into the early days of playing, from face-to-face to rather embarrassing first ever opening moves when playing online. We also explain why the podcast is recorded over a few drinks in a bar.
Next up we give a bit of...
2016-08-251h 27Diplomacy GamesDiplomacy Games: Start HereThis is a pre-intro episode recorded 3.5 years after the Diplomacy Games podcast began, giving an updated context of what the show is all about.
We discuss face-to-face, online, drinking, interviews, episodes and much more. Listen to it first to get an idea of what the podcast has become.
DiplomacyGames is released usually about every two weeks. It is brought to you by two drunk Australians - Kaner and Amby - in various pubs.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, DiplomacyGames.com or practically anywhere.
2016-01-1914 min