Diplomacy

Lore & Background

The idea for Diplomacy arose from Allan B. Calhamer's study at Harvard of nineteenth-century European history under Sidney B. Fay and from his study of political geography. Calhamer also drew inspiration from the card game of Hearts, in which he observed that players were at an advantage when they teamed up against the leader, and from the game of chess, which inspired him to use a limited number of spaces and pieces.

Reader's Guide

Diplomacy was the first commercially published game to be played by mail (PBM); only chess, which is in the public domain, saw significant postal play earlier. It was also the first commercially published game to generate an active hobby scene with amateur fanzines; only science-fiction, fantasy and comics fandom saw fanzines earlier. Competitive face-to-face Diplomacy tournaments have been held since the 1970s. Play of Diplomacy by e-mail (PBEM) has been widespread since the late 1980s. The game has been published in the United States by Games Research, Avalon Hill, and Hasbro; the name is currently a registered trademark of Hasbro's Avalon Hill division. Diplomacy has also been licensed to various companies for publication in other countries. Its emphasis on negotiation and simultaneous movement, without random elements, made it a unique influence on later strategy games and a lasting fixture in hobby gaming.

Did You Know?

• Diplomacy was the first commercially published game to be played by mail (PBM).
• Russia is the only player to start the game with more than three units, beginning with two armies and two fleets.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some people think Diplomacy can be played with only two players, but the game is designed for two to seven players, and the standard version is intended for seven. Another misconception is that the game involves dice or other random elements; in fact, it is notable for having no random elements at all. Additionally, some may believe Allan B. Calhamer created the game alone without academic inspiration, but the facts show he was influenced by his study of 19th-century European history under Sidney B. Fay and by the games of Hearts and chess.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

Diplomacy endures because it rewards pure strategy, negotiation, and psychological insight over luck, making every outcome a direct result of players’ decisions and alliances. Its focus on trust and betrayal in a zero-sum geopolitical setting offers a timeless lesson in the human dynamics of power, which is why it remains a classic more than half a century after its creation.