Hey guys -
What would y'all think if I pulled out a solitaire game like Empires in America (http://grogheads.com/rev-eia.html) or (Lord help us) the solo rules for something like A Distant Plain (http://grogheads.com/int-adp1.html), and we run a game that posts here in the forums?
Or, we discuss in the forums, decide a COA here, and recap the turns as an AAR to the front page? Are enough of y'all interested that we could sustain a game here?
What about a game with teams here in the forums? We could easily create some limited-access sub-forums just for the teams to discuss and post their moves, and then update to a dedicated 'game results' thread that would let everyone into the game. We could really cast a wider net then, and pull out something like Maneouvre (http://www.gmtgames.com/p-247-manoeuvre.aspx) or Crisis 2020 (http://victorypointgames.com/details.php?prodId=80), or even something not yet released, like Orange Crush (http://www.bayonetgames.com/nworangecrush.htm) or Asian Thunder (http://www.bayonetgames.com/wasianthunder.htm).
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 25, 2013, 04:20:16 PM
Hey guys -
What would y'all think if I pulled out a solitaire game like Empires in America (http://grogheads.com/rev-eia.html) or (Lord help us) the solo rules for something like A Distant Plain (http://grogheads.com/int-adp1.html), and we run a game that posts here in the forums?
Or, we discuss in the forums, decide a COA here, and recap the turns as an AAR to the front page? Are enough of y'all interested that we could sustain a game here?
What about a game with teams here in the forums? We could easily create some limited-access sub-forums just for the teams to discuss and post their moves, and then update to a dedicated 'game results' thread that would let everyone into the game. We could really cast a wider net then, and pull out something like Maneouvre (http://www.gmtgames.com/p-247-manoeuvre.aspx) or Crisis 2020 (http://victorypointgames.com/details.php?prodId=80), or even something not yet released, like Orange Crush (http://www.bayonetgames.com/nworangecrush.htm) or Asian Thunder (http://www.bayonetgames.com/wasianthunder.htm).
i think the team things sounds great, get supporters on either side of the forum and get everybody contributing - i would like to see that
Sounds interesting.
I'd be interested in the team game idea.
Asian Thunder looks really interesting Brant - I'd like to participate in something like that.
I would LOVE to play one of the COIN games via Vassal. I don't think that any of them really work as team games, though. Even A Distant Plain (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/127518/a-distant-plain) really only has alliances of convenience due to common foes. In Andean Abyss (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/91080/andean-abyss), the government and AUC come close to being a team. In the upcoming Fire in the Lake (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/144189/fire-in-the-lake), the US and South Vietnamese government come closer, as do the NVA and VC, but in the end there can only be one winner. Semi team game?
Sounds like it would be a great idea. I don't own any of those games, though...
No one needs to own anything. I'll post pics and SITREPs and offer up options for next moves, roll dice for combat and update the map and post more pics, etc.
If we do it as a front-page AAR, we'll put some narrative behind it all, but no need to own anything unless you want to.
As to the COIN games, the idea would be that we're all the same faction making decisions as a group, and the other 3 players would be controlled by the "AI" that's built into the rules with a flowchart.
Ahh, I see what you're saying now. I like it.
Maneouvre might be fun to try.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 25, 2013, 09:56:23 PM
No one needs to own anything. I'll post pics and SITREPs and offer up options for next moves, roll dice for combat and update the map and post more pics, etc.
If we do it as a front-page AAR, we'll put some narrative behind it all, but no need to own anything unless you want to.
As to the COIN games, the idea would be that we're all the same faction making decisions as a group, and the other 3 players would be controlled by the "AI" that's built into the rules with a flowchart.
Having said that and having a group of players make executive decisions surely it would be more fun to have the other side as another team.... you could recruit on the forums for either side but still have just 2 guys actually making the game moves over vassal....it could be a great exercise in diplomacy and democracy with maybe spies in each camp and defections.....unless I'm a bit too enthusiastic!
I don't know if you're able to add restricted areas to the forums, but if so, we could have two teams with each team having their own "private" forum to discuss their moves without worry of being seen from the other side. Of course, there could always be "spies" as well. In game turn results could be posted to the general forum for all to see. Then, at the end of the game, those private forums could be opened up for general public view perhaps or just removed. Sounds like a lot of work for you though Brant.
Quote from: GJK on November 26, 2013, 06:42:48 AMI don't know if you're able to add restricted areas to the forums, but if so, we could have two teams with each team having their own "private" forum to discuss their moves without worry of being seen from the other side.
that's pretty easy, actually
Quote from: GJK on November 26, 2013, 06:42:48 AMSounds like a lot of work for you though Brant.
nah - take a few pictures, roll a few dice, let y'all argue about what to do in between.
The COIN games all have four factions. Let's do 4 teams! As long as we can get 8-12 ppl, (2-3 per team) it should work.
I'd be interested but I don't own the rules to any of these games. Would you just be posting all possible moves for each unit previous to each turn? That sounds like a lot of work. It would be easier if someone on each team had a copy and could guide their side during discussion of next moves.
Has anyone done this type of thing previously? We could see how that worked out to avoid any pitfalls
Quote from: Ubercat on November 26, 2013, 07:25:25 AMThe COIN games all have four factions. Let's do 4 teams! As long as we can get 8-12 ppl, (2-3 per team) it should work.
that's a lot of people... not sure we can sustain that many.
Quote from: Staggerwing on November 26, 2013, 07:31:45 AMHas anyone done this type of thing previously? We could see how that worked out to avoid any pitfalls
I've seen it done at ACG, CSW, and some other places online.
I think maybe we need to start with something smaller / simpler first, and see how it goes. The COIN games might be a bit ambitious for a first run through this.
Manoeuvre might be a challenge only b/c of the decision to play cards in the middle of the battle.
Let me think on it a bit and see what I can come up with. I don't want to go too crazy for a first attempt at this. Plus, it needs to be something I own if I'm the guy running it ;)
Twilight Struggle would be a good one I would think. Teams would see their hand of cards and make a group decision on whether to play the card for the event or for the Op points and then in what country/countries should they commit to adding influence or conducting a coup. The rules are online and I or some others that I know play the game here could very quickly get people up to speed on it. We could use ACTS (http://acts.warhorsesim.com/) to keep track of the card deck as well.
Commands and Colors, Memoir '44 would be other suggestions. Memoir is a very lite "wargame" and CC:A is easy but lots of decisions because every unit type functions differently from the others. ACTS could be used for that card deck as well.
We could just do an ASL HASL....ok, a bit over-ambitious perhaps... :)
Some of your games looked good to me too Brant, I like some of those modern titles (Orange Crush, etc). I see that the rules are available for those on your website.
My vote goes to Twilight Struggle though; some geo-political group gaming sounds intriguing to me. Team US or Team Soviet Union would have to come to an agreement on their course of action for each round of each turn.
I've done both ASL and SASL as well as WSIM at ACG and some other sites. A lot of work, and much fodder for the rules lawyers. Actually the games went pretty smooth till the last one at ACG where I was getting constant PM's asking me to explain my interpretation of the rules and how I was wrong and needed to replay the turn and so on.
My suggestion is start small with a fairly simple game and then go from there.
I was always keen on doing an aviation game like AirForce/Dauntless but that's a pretty complicated system. If there was a VASSAL Mod for Wings of Glory/War that would probably be ideal.
Brant, how about Tank on Tank? Simple game, straight forward turns, games aren't that long, get to blow shit up!.
Great tactical fun.
To me, it seems that if it's a game that has lots of units (a dozen or more would be "lots" in this context) and/or it has interactive turns (defensive fire, opportunity fire, etc) then it would be a long, slow process and I could easily see people dropping out or losing interest.
With Twilight Struggle (sorry, my example) - the Team would decide on the card to play for the round, whether they play it for the points or the event, and if for the points, where they allocate those resources.
An example would be as simple as:
Team Soviet Union plays the card "The Cuban Missile Crisis" for the OPS, placing 3 influence points in Cuba.
(that after deliberations in the private area to discuss the next game play). All know the cards available as dealt from the ACTS card dealer.)
Brant (or I volunteer) would then update the VASSAL board that is used to capture a screenshot of the current situation and then post it to the main forum for the game.
I like the sound of twilight struggle - always wanted to play that - I'm easy on the game though, its the premise that sounds great to me
Capitalist swine shall be buried under the avalanche of the dialectic warmongering that the imperialism swines create for themselves!
Errm...sorry, flexing my speech muscles for a possible TS game. :D
TS would be a good game too.
Here's the problem with TS - I don't own it. Someone else would have to take over running the game at that point. I can set up the forums for everyone, but can't shepherd the game along.
The more I think about this, tho, the more I wonder if something without cards would be good for a first run, just while we figure out how this whole process might work.
I do like the idea of Tank on Tank just to get started. The action points would work well in the blind game, too, since neither side would know exactly how many actions they would have as they plot their turns.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 26, 2013, 09:23:28 AM
The more I think about this, tho, the more I wonder if something without cards would be good for a first run, just while we figure out how this whole process might work.
While I'd love TS, I agree with this. Keep it simple for the first run or two, then progress further if we're comfortable with it.
+1, whatever's easiest until the wrinkles are ironed out
It's also a good opportunity for Brant to get a boardgame AAR on the front page
I can organize a TS group game. It wouldn't be difficult at all. The team captains would set up a game in ACTS and would be responsible for sharing with their team what their current hand is. The main board would be kept up to date using VASSAL and I would just screenshot it after each round is completed. TS would work very easily actually.
The rules for the game are available on GMT's website as well. There are no charts or CRT's.
I (or whomever) as gamemaster could facilitate any die rolls with an online randomizer and then share the results. There's not much rolling in TS - just for coup attempts so that would be a plus.
A ts splinter group has formed already!
Lol I'd love to play ts it looks awesome.... maybe a poll Brant?
Quote from: undercovergeek on November 26, 2013, 10:12:17 AM
A ts splinter group has formed already!
Lol I'd love to play ts it looks awesome.... maybe a poll Brant?
You capitalist pigs and your polls!!! The results should be decided militarily!
Quote from: GJK on November 26, 2013, 10:19:53 AMThe results should be decided militarily!
you want to pick a fight with the guy who controls the DNS server for the entire site :o
;D
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 26, 2013, 10:23:33 AM
Quote from: GJK on November 26, 2013, 10:19:53 AMThe results should be decided militarily!
you want to pick a fight with the guy who controls the DNS server for the entire site :o
;D
Careful - I have a high OPS valued card, some hot dice and a coup attempt ready to be rolled for!
Here's a log of a TS game in progress using ACTS:
http://acts.warhorsesim.com/dynamic/journal.asp?id=54186
I've only used ACTS a couple of times but can brush up the process but from what I remember and from what I see in these logs (that anybody can view), the system tracks all of the card play so it would handle all of that bookkeeping. The gamemaster would simply copy/paste the output from the ACTS log and then update the VASSAL board, take a screenshot and then post it to the running commentary for the game here. The player teams would get in cahootz with one another in their private forums to discuss their card play for the round.
Attached are a couple of play aids for TS. These are really all that the players need to read. The gamemaster would make any rule enforcement rulings (don't forsee any really). Again, the rules are available on GMT's website for those that want to read them (it's like 5 pages of rules with a long example of play). Very simple game.
As you can sense, I'm pretty amped to get this going - I think that it would be a lot of trash talking fun!
Gary - if you want to run TS, I'll set up the forums this weekend and let you sort out the teams, take the pics, etc.
Let me know who's on which team and we'll get the right forum permissions set up.
I'll defer another game 'til after the holidays and we'll see about a January start for a different game and see what we come up with for something else. I may pull up Orange Crush or Asian Thunder just to get a playtest game or two in before I launch a Kickstarter campaign for them.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 26, 2013, 11:40:51 AM
Gary - if you want to run TS, I'll set up the forums this weekend and let you sort out the teams, take the pics, etc.
Let me know who's on which team and we'll get the right forum permissions set up.
That sounds good. I can start a new post that will be the main room (public) for the TS game and I'll ask for player volunteers there.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 26, 2013, 11:40:51 AM
I'll defer another game 'til after the holidays and we'll see about a January start for a different game and see what we come up with for something else. I may pull up Orange Crush or Asian Thunder just to get a playtest game or two in before I launch a Kickstarter campaign for them.
I'd be interested in joining either of those as a player!
I'm interested in joining anything I can...TS or otherwise.
For TS, it's been a few years since I've played it. I have no preferences.
^ Same.
Don't own any of the games but like the concept. Count me in please.