What are FTF, PBM, and PBEM Diplomacy?
These are the three main ways Diplomacy is played. FTF stands for “face to face.” It refers to games played the traditional way, by a group of people sitting around a table. An FTF game of Diplomacy can be played in an evening and is often more like a raucous party than a boardgame, with people sneaking off in groups for secret conferences and furious last-minute negotiations. PBM stands for “play by mail.” It refers to games that are played by sending letters back and forth between players or calling each other on the phone. Players in PBM games often never actually meet one another. PBM games are played at a stately pace and can take a very long time (years) to conclude. There’s something about writing letters, however, that gives a PBM game a distinctive grace and gravitas. PBEM stands for “play by electronic mail.” It refers to games that are played via the worldwide web using email. This is now probably the most common means of playing Diplomacy. At any given time there are hundre
