It looks like we've got our seven players, at least tentatively. Please confirm that you are willing to commit to the game which will likely take a few hours of your time each week (not in a solid block, mind you) and will be played over several months (the exact time frame will depend on how quickly orders are submit each week, we'll discuss that shortly). Please also confirm that you will follow the rules set out below. I will switch you to confirmed once you've posted your agreement.
Please ensure you are familiar with the latest version of the rules which are available here:
http://www.diplom.org/~diparch/resources/rulebooks/2000AH4th.pdf
When writing your orders please write out the entire name of the province you are attacking or use the abbreviations found on this map:
http://www.cwgsy.net/community/wargaming/images/map.gif
Don't forget to specify coasts where relevant. In the event that you do not use the abbreviations from the above map and your order only has one logical outcome, I will allow it to go through, if this is not the case, then your army/fleet will simply hold. Double check your orders before sending them in!
The Deadline for Winter 1900 (i.e. your orders for Spring 1901 - the first turn) will be one week from the start date (TBA). Following Spring and Fall Deadlines will be every three days. Winter deadlines will be 24 hours following the Fall Deadline. Retreat and Disbandment orders following the Spring will be included with the Fall orders.
Essentially I'd like full years to be completed in a week. If this pace is too fast for some of you, please let me know as this isn't set in stone. The faster each year, the shorter the game of course.
Of course real life happens at times, and you may not be able to submit your moves by the deadline. If you need an extension for a given deadline please contact me 24 hours ahead of time with your reason. You must have a good reason for requesting a deadline extension.
If your orders are not received by the deadline, you will be marked as "No Moves Received" (NMR). In this event all your units will be ordered to hold. A warning will be sent to the player as well. If this happens twice in a game, the player will be replaced. If a suitable replacement cannot be found within two weeks, the player's country will be placed in a state of anarchy and units will hold indefinitely and dislodged units will be disbanded. If a replacement can be found before the country is eliminated from the game, the country will be removed from anarchy and play will continue.
Any press you wish to write and submit should be sent in with your moves. It can be authored or anonymous. It will not be censored, however, personal attacks on an individual will not be tolerated or published.
As the GM any issues that rise will be dealt with by me and my decision will be final. I will make my best effort to be objective and fair, despite the fact that I am participating in the game myself.
I think this more or less covers it. Diplomacy between players can take place through any method of communication you have available, provided both players agree. I suspect it will primarily take place through forum PMs, though if players wish to exchange phone numbers or e-mail addresses, this is perfectly acceptable.
Once everyone has confirmed I will assign countries (to be done at random) and announce the start date
