Skies above the great war

Tripoli · July 05, 2023, 04:10:38 PM

Same here. I'll try to start it up tonight

Gusington · July 05, 2023, 04:31:37 PM

Finally found the demo

Tripoli · July 05, 2023, 05:29:33 PM

Did a very quick look around and decided I need to find the document that describes the key bindings. Once I do, I'll play the demo and give my impressions. Certainly, the operational/strategic aspect of WWI in the air has not been touched by any games (as far as I know) It looks interesting, so I backed it on Kickstarter.

ArizonaTank · July 05, 2023, 07:40:11 PM

Quote from: Tripoli on July 05, 2023, 05:29:33 PMDid a very quick look around and decided I need to find the document that describes the key bindings. Once I do, I'll play the demo and give my impressions. Certainly, the operational/strategic aspect of WWI in the air has not been touched by any games (as far as I know) It looks interesting, so I backed it on Kickstarter.

There was an operational WWI game about 20 years ago. It was by an obscure publisher who also did sports management games. It was 2D and seemed half-hearted...so I never got it. Anyway, I can't remember the title or publisher now, and a search did not yield anything.

But there certainly have been some very good physical board games touching on the subject.

A few of my favorites:

"Wings for the Baron" by Victory Point Games (OOP, good luck finding a decently priced copy).
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/184866/wings-baron-second-edition

"Bloody April: Air War Over Arras, France" by GMT (uses a variant of the air operational system seen in Lee Brimmicombe-Wood's "Downtown: Air War Over Hanoi") In addition to the "Bloody April Campaign" (April 1917), the game has its "Eagle of Lille" expansion that covers the "Fokker Scourge" (mid 1915 to early 1916).
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/69136/bloody-april-1917-air-war-over-arras-france

Grim.Reaper · July 05, 2023, 07:47:22 PM

Quote from: ArizonaTank on July 05, 2023, 07:40:11 PM
Quote from: Tripoli on July 05, 2023, 05:29:33 PMDid a very quick look around and decided I need to find the document that describes the key bindings. Once I do, I'll play the demo and give my impressions. Certainly, the operational/strategic aspect of WWI in the air has not been touched by any games (as far as I know) It looks interesting, so I backed it on Kickstarter.

There was an operational WWI game about 20 years ago. It was by an obscure publisher who also did sports management games. It was 2D and seemed half-hearted...so I never got it. Anyway, I can't remember the title or publisher now, and a search did not yield anything.

But there certainly have been some very good physical board games touching on the subject.

A few of my favorites:

"Wings for the Baron" by Victory Point Games (OOP, good luck finding a decently priced copy).
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/184866/wings-baron-second-edition

"Bloody April: Air War Over Arras, France" by GMT (uses a variant of the air operational system seen in Lee Brimmicombe-Wood's "Downtown: Air War Over Hanoi") In addition to the "Bloody April Campaign" (April 1917), the game has its "Eagle of Lille" expansion that covers the "Fokker Scourge" (mid 1915 to early 1916).
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/69136/bloody-april-1917-air-war-over-arras-france

Guessing you might mean wings over France by Richard Hannah who makes a ton of sports pc games from board games. Not compatible with modern operating systems so longer an option for most.

https://www.roogames.co.uk/wings.htm

em2nought · July 05, 2023, 11:07:57 PM

I think there was someone working on a PC version of Bloody April several years ago which I guess became vaporware.

ArizonaTank · July 05, 2023, 11:22:12 PM

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 05, 2023, 07:47:22 PMGuessing you might mean wings over France by Richard Hannah who makes a ton of sports pc games from board games. Not compatible with modern operating systems so longer an option for most.

https://www.roogames.co.uk/wings.htm

Bingo!!!

ArizonaTank · July 05, 2023, 11:29:34 PM

Quote from: em2nought on July 05, 2023, 11:07:57 PMI think there was someone working on a PC version of Bloody April several years ago which I guess became vaporware.

Yes and Yes. The Lordz were working on it...then seemed to have dropped it. Found this tidbit on the Matrix forums.
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=332964

Grim.Reaper · July 06, 2023, 06:16:44 AM

Quote from: Tripoli on July 05, 2023, 05:29:33 PMDid a very quick look around and decided I need to find the document that describes the key bindings. Once I do, I'll play the demo and give my impressions. Certainly, the operational/strategic aspect of WWI in the air has not been touched by any games (as far as I know) It looks interesting, so I backed it on Kickstarter.

I backed it as well, although not sure it's going to make the goal...guess we will see

JasonPratt · July 06, 2023, 08:09:30 AM

According to a thread on BGG last month, Wings for the Baron has been picked up by GMT for redesign and republishing!

Can't find mention of it at GMT's site tho, so treat as unsubstantiated rumor for now I guess.

ArizonaTank · July 06, 2023, 08:42:09 AM

Quote from: JasonPratt on July 06, 2023, 08:09:30 AMAccording to a thread on BGG last month, Wings for the Baron has been picked up by GMT for redesign and republishing!

Can't find mention of it at GMT's site tho, so treat as unsubstantiated rumor for now I guess.

Not to derail the thread, but this is excellent news. There is a complete TTS module for "Wings for the Baron," and I have been studying it as a possible game for our group.

Sorry all...back to "Skies Above the Great War."

Grim.Reaper · July 06, 2023, 08:52:52 AM

Was posted here about gmt picking up....although sounds like a ways to go as just not a reprint but sounds the update as well and then person has multiple jobs to complete before it

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3000008/article/42367121#42367121

Grim.Reaper · July 21, 2023, 05:27:07 AM

With only 4 days to go on Kickstarter, still short $2,500 for it to be successful, has only collected $2,000 to date so highly likely the campaign won't meet it's goal. However, the developer did provide an update that he plans to finish the game regardless so hopefully it does keep moving forward regardless and still will contain the content that was planned.

Grim.Reaper · July 26, 2023, 04:19:56 AM

As expected, Kickstarter failed but developer did post a message that he planned to carry on and release something eventually into Early Access. It will be interesting to see how this one turns out, especially the strategic later, wish the developer the best but I am not going to be surprised if it releases later and/or doesn't include everything they originally planned. We'll see.

ArizonaTank · July 26, 2023, 02:14:04 PM

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 26, 2023, 04:19:56 AMAs expected, Kickstarter failed but developer did post a message that he planned to carry on and release something eventually into Early Access. It will be interesting to see how this one turns out, especially the strategic later, wish the developer the best but I am not going to be surprised if it releases later and/or doesn't include everything they originally planned. We'll see.

Crossing my fingers on a good Early Access release. Would love to see a game do this subject matter well.