Zoe Cameron, an enthusiastic Diplomacy player since 2024, shares her insights on the game’s social dynamics. She emphasizes the balance between strategy, tactics, and relationships, advocating for players to embrace vulnerability, whether they're novices or veterans. Zoe discusses regional playing styles and the unique bonds formed through gameplay. She also shares exciting news about organizing an upcoming tournament in Melbourne, which promises to enhance the rich tapestry of the gaming community.
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insights INSIGHT
Diplomacy as a Relationship Game
Diplomacy is ultimately a game about relationships, trust, and communication with others.
It attracts diverse players fascinated by human psychology and social dynamics.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Balance Relationships with Strategy
Prioritize relationships but work on improving tactical and strategic board reading skills.
Practice faster games like Blitz or speedboat to enhance board reading and tactical awareness.
insights INSIGHT
Value Your Instincts
The "lizard brain" or gut instinct is often underestimated but crucial in Diplomacy.
Players often start relying on gut feeling but may suppress it, which can backfire.
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We're joined by relatively new but very experienced player Zoe Cameron as she shares great advice for new and existing players alike.
Intro and Diplomacy chat
The guys introduce the venue and their drinks (0 mins 10 secs)
They set up this episode's interview with Zoe Cameron (3 mins 30 secs)
Interview with Zoe Cameron
The interview with Zoe kicks off who has only been playing since early 2024 but has got massively into the game and some of her thoughts on the game (5 mins 5 secs)
They get into a discussion around the Venn diagram between strategic play, tactical play and relationship play (10 mins)
Lizard brain contemplations (15 mins)
They talk about their drinks for the interview and DBN After Dark (18 mins 20 mins)
Zoe has some great advice for new players (22 mins 45 secs)
They discuss the connections created from the game and the "free jazz of social dynamics" (25 mins 30 secs)
She discusses the importance of vulnerability whether you're a new or experienced player (31 mins 20 secs)
Zoe says she's coming to the Cane Toad Classic, with Ken showing her the Toadiest Toad trophy (40 mins 45 secs)
She talks about different geographic playing styles (43 mins 30 secs)
After Ken asks about Zoe's best game she discusses getting the best sense of flow in a game (51 mins 30 secs)
She talks about an upcoming Melbourne tournament she's organising for 17-19 October 2025 (59 mins)
Zoe gives a shout out to tournament organisers before they start wrapping up the interview (1 hr 5 mins)
The guys chat about the interview (1 hr 7 mins)
Gavin acknowledges he probably needs to try giving Discord a go again (1 hr 11 mins)
Cane Toad Classic - it's happening!
They talk about the tournament the weekend of 30-31 August at Meeple and Mug in Brisbane's West End, the social and formal structure for games (1 hr 13 mins)
Ken talks about the trophies, including the infamous Toadiest Toad award (1 hr 18 mins)
They talk about the upcoming Sydney Cup on 21-22 June (1 hr 21 mins)
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