Understanding Press

"Press" is just e-mails sent to other players through the Judge. In most games you may send press to individuals. In others, you may only send broadcasts, and thus you must persuade without giving away too much to your enemies. Finally, some games allow no press at all, and so your moves themselves will signal you desire for alliances, enemies, etc. Here's a quick explanation of the various types of press you'll encounter.

White
The Judge tells you which Great Power has sent the letter. Note: If you are playing a White/Gunboat game, you will be told which power has sent the letter, but not who is playing that power. In White/Non-gunboat, you'll see the e-mail address of the player in addition to his/her Great Power.
Grey
The Judge does not tell you which Great Power has sent the letter, so it is possible for the author to claim any identity. Grey games will almost always be gunboat as well.
Partial
Press may be sent to individual (or multiple) Great Powers.
NoPartial
If press is allowed at all, it must be Broadcast to all players and observers. If not, the game allows NoPress at all (except to the master).
Fake
The list of recipients may be altered. Thus a letter to Russia and Turkey can look like it was only sent to Russia. (This setting is not used very often, and I would suggest that "newbies" avoid games that use it until they are comfortable with the more conventional types of press.)

Return to the Guide