The details have not yet been worked out exactly, we are planning to use a scoring system similar to the Carnage scoring system developed by Dave Maletsky. An explanation of the scoring system is included below. We have decided to change our scoring system from the traditional draw-based system for several reasons
- Failed Solo Punishment: We all know that the purpose of the game of diplomacy is to get 18 centers. We also know that this is very hard. In a tournament setting, when players are playing for score, draw based scoring systems act as disincentives for soloing. While a solo is often worth many points, failing to solo is extremely costly. Players stopped at seventeen are sometimes forced to agree to large draws that destroy their point totals, even though they played a good game. A placement based scoring system eliminates that punishment and allows any board leader to take a shot at the big win, as they should.
- More Fun For New Players: We do not advertise HuskyCon as a cutthroat weekend of super competitive Diplomacy because that's not what it's meant to be. HuskyCon is meant to be a con for everyone to relax and play some good Diplomacy, learn something, and socialize with other members of the hobby. Draw based scoring systems come down to, "either you are going to be in the draw or you are out," at which point, a small power's future becomes very bleak. Often, younger, less experienced players will lose interest and motivation to play. Using a placement based scoring system, players always have something to play for (6th and 2nd can work together to hopefully bump each other up each one place). This gives players - regardless of placement - a good measure of their success within the tournament, and against any personal goals they might have had. No longer will there be a list of players who couldn't get in any draw at the bottom of the ranking, many points behind everyone else.
Those are our two main reasons for not using a draw based scoring system. The jury is still out on whether or not to give zero points to all other players on the table in the event of a solo, and on what point values to use for each place. Let me just say that this will not be C-Diplo-like. The C-Diplo system places too much of an emphasis on centers, by awarding low placement points.
Carnage Scoring System
The game is scored based on placement. Each player gets placement points added to his or her center count. Placement is determined by center count, or year of elimination:
- First place receives 7000 points + center count
- Second place receives 6000 points + center count
- Third place receives 5000 points + center count
- Fourth place receives 4000 points + center count
- Fifth place receives 3000 points + center count
- Sixth place receives 2000 points + center count
- Seventh place receives 1000 points + center count
In the event of a tie, The placement points for all tied positions are added and then divided evenly amongst those involved (ex: if three players share the first place with 10 centers they all get (7000 + 6000 + 5000) / 3 = 6000 points + 10 centers = 6010 points each)
A solo victory (an 18 center win) goes un scored. The winning player is effectively moved up one 'level.' He/she automatically finishes above everyone else below their level. So if one person solos, it doesn't matter how the rest of the tournament goes; if that's the only solo, they win the tournament.
Placement will be used to determine best country awards. In the event of a tie, center count will be used as a tie breaker.
Any other ties/disputes will be settled by the tournament director at his discretion
