The 1200 Variant was developed by Tommy Larsson, the same designer of 1600, originally intended to play with Royale Rules with smaller powers than 1600, allowing a shorter midgame duration. The 1600 was the "official" map variant for Royale Rules, but we realiazed it was too large for Royale Rules purposes, and then Tommmy came with 1200 map proposal.
Yes, both originally intended to play with Royale Rules (<http://aefgirt.atspace.com/royale.htm>), but while I still figure out implementing an adjudicator for Royale, I suggest bringing both maps to vdiplomacy without the Royale Rules, for now. What do you think?
Note: Under Royale Rules, the units of the Papacy power should be controled by the player who controls the Pope, and they stand holding until the election of the first Pope (supporting eachother to hold). In vdiplomacy, Papacy would be a normal power.
Version 1.2: 46 Supply Centers, 19 powers: 9 "major powers" (2 or 3 SC's at start), 9 "minor powers" (1 SC at start) and the Papacy (2 SC's).
You will note much of the design was taken from Tommy's 1600 (versions earlier than 2.8 - the final one).
One game was played in USTR Judge, 15 years ago, I was the GM, game played under Royale Rules, with 9 players, each of them controling one major and one minor power, due to lack of interest in the Judges community, game reached the year 1250 (royale counting) and then suspended when a multi-cheater was identified. I believe 18 (or 19) players can be recruited in vdiplomacy ;)
Version 1.4: 40 Supply Centers, 15 powers: 7 "major powers" (2 SC's at start), 7 "minor powers" (1 SC at start) and the Papacy (2 SC's).
A reduction of version 1.2, given that Royale game tend to last longer, due to more rigid alliances.
One tentative game was formed, 10 years ago, I would be the GM, to be played under Medieval Royale Rules, with 7 players, each of them controling one major and one minor power, though the game never actually began, due RL sent the GM away from the hobby for a big while (game Crusades Royale at <http://aefgirt.atspace.com/>).
Since the different powers start from very different positions in both maps, I suggest applying to them the pot distribution developed for Rinascimento (<http://vdiplomacy.com/variants.php?variantID=29>)
Both maps were implemented in the USTR Judge, what means that David Norman has all the files to implement the maps in Realpolitik, thus I believe in vdiplomacy as well. I mean the map variants only, not the royale rules...
What do you guys variant lovers think??
Note. Perhaps this could have gone to the "1600 and 1900" thread, as the maps have a connection with 1600. I decided to come with a new thread, assuming all the risks of doing so *grin*