Secret Diplomacy in an Alliance?

[Lefebvre]

If you propose, publicly negotiate, and agree to an alliance in the in-game chat, is it considered permissible to use PMs for strategic planning? In a formal team game this would be an option via the team chat, but informal alliances can't take advantage of it.

[jigger1986]

Seems like this would be considered SD as in the rules is states at all diplomacy must take place is the game chat.

[Evil Semp]

http://www.conquerclub.com/public.php?mode=rules

Rule #2: No secret diplomacy

Any form of diplomatic discussion between opponents must only be posted in the game chat in English or in a language that all opponents understand. No other methods of communication may be used to hold diplomatic discussions between opponents including, but not limited to, the forum, the wall, Live Chat, or the inbox.

[Lefebvre]

Right, but I'm talking about diplomatic discussions between players who have inked a formal alliance in a non-team game - allies. The rules use the word "opponents" in all references to secret diplomacy. So are you certain that the rules should be interpreted in that manner?

[Evil Semp]

Right, but I'm talking about diplomatic discussions between players who have inked a formal alliance in a non-team game - allies. The rules use the word "opponents" in all references to secret diplomacy. So are you certain that the rules should be interpreted in that manner?

No you can not discuss it in PM's. ALL discussions must be made in game chat.

[HardAttack]

Right, but I'm talking about diplomatic discussions between players who have inked a formal alliance in a non-team game - allies. The rules use the word "opponents" in all references to secret diplomacy. So are you certain that the rules should be interpreted in that manner?

What you are asking is becoming team with the player in question you are setting alliance with. If so, i reccomend you to play team game with the player you ally with. Alliance is an option and as moderator stated, it should be done ONLY in game chat...There is a difference between team games and alliances in multi player games. Look at the matter from some other side of the matter. If it was allowed to alliance which to let allies to conduct every strategy together, use every means of commmunication whatever, then how you wud felt if certain allies keep join in your games and target you continiously ? There are written rules, and unwritten rules as well. Alliances can be formed, and all terms should be talked through in game chat, visible to all players. And also, alliances should not set be a pattern. If you set alliance in most of your games, then it will stink and you will have trouble, ppl are going to think if your alliances are abusing other players to grab their points or not.

An example, players A B C, A is too strong, it is very well understandable B and C to form alliance to not hand the game to strong player A... and this alliance should continiue till problem player A is solved. Your alliance should not be like, lets kill player A then we play 1v1...I am unsure if you get the point here. ?

Well, gl.

P.S. Saying again, if you are keen playing in team fashion, try team games more than setting alliances in multi player games.

[cavemanjim]

In more than a few of my games there will be players who i'm familiar with & sometimes we will go into an unspoken alliance. No contact of any kind, just familiarity, some trust, some luck. intuition & just how the game flops out as to whether we will communicate. I don't think that breaks the spirit of an important rule, though i've seen players get upset when they perceive some secret or unspoken alliance between 2 players. Believe the spirit of the rule is crossed when 1 player in an open alliance with another reminds his ally via the wall to check the game chat before he moves. That's contact outside the game chat. Unspoken alliances are a lighter shade of gray then reminders to another on their wall to check the game chat. These little wall notes smack more of team play then 2 players using ESP . The kind of players who you can quietly pony up with tend to be people who don't complain & doesn't break the unspoken rule of giving away troop strengths & dispositions of an opponent in a fog bowl.

[Donelladan]

Dude you're wrong.
Posting on someones wall " check the game chat before playing playing please " is 100% OK.
Every player should, imo, check the game chat before playing. There is some player that are not used to check the game chat, and when you ask them for an alliance better remembering them to do so. But as long as you only ask them to check the chat you do nothing wrong. Discussion is in the game chat, anyone can read and respond to it, and most important things, everyone is AWARE of the propositions/alliance/truce whatever you ask for.

But if there is "unspoken alliance" with people you are familiar with, then there is something other players are NOT AWARE of ! - So it is kind of a "secret" -> secret diplomacy.
Even if you did not made any contacts between you, not attacking each other because he is your "friend" is kind of cheating.
Understand point of view of your adversary here. He joined a 8 player game, he has 7 opponents. You joined a 8 players game, but only 6 of them will fight you ! Unfair for him isnt it?

If you refrain yourself of attacking someone because you are familiar with him, then dont play game with him, or only team game in the same team.

[Qwert]

Right, but I'm talking about diplomatic discussions between players who have inked a formal alliance in a non-team game - allies. The rules use the word "opponents" in all references to secret diplomacy. So are you certain that the rules should be interpreted in that manner?

formal alliance? If you want to be in alliance, then play team games.
In No team games ,you could have temporary truce, but in the end only one player can win. If you form some Alliance in this game, then this could be inappropriate, if you play with same player many times, and could be case for brake rules.

[Evil Semp]

Posting on someones wall " check the game chat before playing playing please " is 100% OK.

Just to clarify.

You are allowed to post on someones wall to check game chat. But that is the extent of it. You are not allowed to post any details of a truce or alliance.