Obituary: Allan B. Calhamer 1931-2013 Creator of Diplomacy the Board Game

I learned today that Allan Calhamer recently passed away. Calhamer was a sadly little-known, but influential game designer that created what I consider to be the best board game every made, Diplomacy. 

A game with no luck element, Diplomacy relied on the player’s persuasive ability, deviousness and ruthless self-interest to achieve total victory.   Friends became enemies, marriages fractured and tears shed over bits of land on a map.

Just like the real world.

There can be no higher compliment paid to a simulation than that.

Rest in peace Allan.

 

Trask, The Last Tyromancer