I've never really tried Vassal. It looks like a clunky way to play, but a lot of grogs swear by it, so maybe I'm missing something. Anyone want to teach the system to a newbie?
Michael
or two newbies?
Funny thing, I was just thinking I'd try a couple of turns of Patton's Best this morning.
I've checked it out and tried a few Solitaire games for a couple of rounds but never played another person.
My problem is that when I'm home I have constant family distractions and can't stay in front of the computer
long enough to play more than a turn or two every couple of hours. I do want to try a more traditional PBEM
type session sometime maybe. No meaningful tips to pass on yet though. What I know is probably what you
know already if you have it installed and you've D/Led a module for a game you know . Most of the actual
playing looks very straight forward. It's module design that looks more intimidating.
What games to you guys want to play on VASSAL?
I'm farily versed on the in's and out's. I usually play LnL's Band of Heroes series with VASSAL both live with Skype and PBEM.
A Skype session is usually a lot easier to explain how VASSAL work but it can be done using the chat function.
We could set up a session with a game that most know and then have as many people as are interested join in to learn/watch/kabitz. The basics can be learned in less than an hour, as long as we're not also teach the game rules itself.
Module design can be very intimidating. But the way I learned was to reverse code existing modules. I've done a bunch of LnL's games for the owner for both play testing and for free release. I can't do any of the real fancy stuff yet, java coding, but i'm learning all the time.
I'd like to start with something simple. Maybe War at Sea, or something like an old AH or SPI Quad Game?
Michael
Man, it's been years since I played War at Sea... that might be fun to try.
Let me down load the module and read my old copy of the rules and I'll get back to you.
When are you able to play? Do you want to try live or just PBEM?
I can play some live stuff online, but my availability is a bit screwy - it's actually easier for me to play during the day while I'm at the office than when I'm at home.
PBEM would work fine for me, but the pace might be too slow for others.
What game are you interested in trying out Brant?
I'm with Michael - War at Sea is fine, but an old SPI quad would work, too.
Tank-on-Tank takes about 5 minutes to learn, so might be a decent VASSAL game to focus on VASSAL instead of game rules
Tank on Tank would be great game for this. I actually made that module for Mark Walker.
As for timing, to teach VASSAL we'd really have to do it live but it could all be done through the chat function.
I can play at lunchtime, 12 to 1 pm EST, or after work. (I should really be writing an engineering design note for an FEA I did on Dipole magnets right now, but it's a bit boring..)
I can do 12-1 EST (not sure Mike's out of bed by then!) but not 'til next week :)
Next week is fine, just let me know when you like to try it out.
I'll post some info here on how to get setup and connect in the next couple of days.
Anyone else reading this is welcome to join in and watch/ask questions.
Actually, because defense journalism is centered on the East Coast, us Left Coasters have to get up early.
I'm open to trying it in the A.M. PST. Not my best time, but I'll do it just to learn Vassal from Master Barthheart.
Michael
Instead of chatting over the forum, we're going to need an email list.
Michael
Funny to see mention of Pattons Best as I have been prepping for a game of it this weekend. It has been close to 25 years since the last time that I played it. I've had the game components sitting in a box full of baking soda for a year now to help take the musty smell down a few notches.
While I prefer to play the hard copies of my solitare games, it's great to have the option to play them on vassal on a quiet graveyard shift or on the road.
As for learning Vassal, 99% of the interface/mechanics that are used while playing are specific to each game module. This means there is a learning process for each new game. It is an awesome system and well worth the effort.
Perhaps I'll have to get in on the action...
Quote from: DicedT on February 23, 2012, 09:58:15 PM
Instead of chatting over the forum, we're going to need an email list.
Michael
If we get enough interest I'd be glad to sticky the topic so folks can concentrate on on thread.
That's a great idea, Longblade.
I think we'll also need an email list just to contact each other during the game. I did a bit of RPG-ing over Skype. There's always someone who can't connect on Skype, so the email is a backup.
Michael
Roger. Stickying now.
Thanks LB. :)
You're welcome.
I'm playing Paths of Glory with an old buddy of mine on Vassal.
We use Skype (run it in the background while the game board is on screen) while we play and it's just like we're sitting across the table from each other. We usually do one turn per session and then save until next time.
I really like it.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 23, 2012, 01:47:01 PM
I can do 12-1 EST (not sure Mike's out of bed by then!) but not 'til next week :)
Brant are you free this week at lunch? I can do every day except Friday.
Mike and I might try War at Sea tonight between 7 and 8 EST.
You'll need to download this installer if you haven't already:
http://www.vassalengine.org/releases/VASSAL-3.1.17-windows.exe
I'm still using ver. 3.1.17 because there seem to be problems with the newest ver. and some modules.
Then you'll need the Tank on Tank module itself. Send me an email and I'll send you the very latest version I haven't posted yet. It will be good to test it with another player.
I keep all my modules in folders under the same directory as the VASSAL program.
Can do WED or THU. TUE I'm out most of the day.
I will try to get stuff installed tomorrow tho, and maybe we take a swing at it on Wednesday?
Wed. sounds good.
Argh! I have to cancel today's tryout. I have a meeting that starts at 11:30 am.
Maybe next week after dinner some night? My wife is out of town starting Tuesday my nights are free until Sunday.
Bummer!
I'll have to let you know about next week. We leave on WED for Detroit for a few days. Bayonet Jr is playing in the national finals for his age bracket in indoor soccer, so I'm on the road w/ family most of that week.
Like I said, w/ 'dad' duties taking up most of my evenings (not to mention unpacking a house!) I'm easier to reach in the daytime than evenings :)
If you still want to give it a try we can go right now! Meeting ran short for a change!! :o
Just posted an updated module for Tankon Tank to the VASSAL website.
Let me know if yer free this week at lunch to give it a go.
Here on BGG is a great bunch of tutorial videos on how setup and use VASSAL:
http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/123628/i-want-to-learn-how-to-use-vassal-but-i-dont-kno
These are way better than what I was going to post.
This week is no good for me - we're on the road starting WED for Bayonet Jr's soccer tournament.
Later part of next week should work for me. Dunno 'bout DicedT, tho :)
Next week is fine.
I'm around this week.
Upcoming virtual convention of Lock 'n Load Publishing products run completely through VASSAL!
http://virtualcon.weebly.com/
Come on out and see what's up.
Quote from: DicedT on March 06, 2012, 11:01:34 AM
I'm around this week.
Hey Mike how about Friday evening?
Anyone up for some Tank on Tank this week at lunch?
I think I can do THU or FRI. Today/tomorrow are a train wreck, and recovery from that will determine just how f'ed up my WED will turn out to be.
OK, both Thu anf Fri work for me so far. Let's aim for Thu and Fri backup.
I'm game.
Michael
Great Michael. The new module is loaded up at the VASSAL site.
Anyone else interested is welcome to come out too. 8)
so you use a computer to run a counterintuitive program that runs hard to understand boardgames and on top of this mess you pretend to have fun with this?
just in case you all missed it: you are playing this on a computer that will most likely run modern games aka computer games.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgromitjk.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fcommodore64setup.jpg&hash=55dfcc7a7be66da662bfa5877bc04e8ae1e09293)
Yes, Keunert, we could stick to real computer games. Because God knows, there are hundreds of historical simulation games on an Israeli strike against Iran, or the American Indian or Zulu wars, or Alexander the Great.
It's not that I like Vassal. It's that the alternative are brain-dead shooter games or twitchfest RTS titles, both of which have as much as to do with history as Dr. Seuss has with atomic physics.
Michael
Quote from: Keunert on March 19, 2012, 05:39:27 PM
so you use a computer to run a counterintuitive program that runs hard to understand boardgames and on top of this mess you pretend to have fun with this?
just in case you all missed it: you are playing this on a computer that will most likely run modern games aka computer games.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgromitjk.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fcommodore64setup.jpg&hash=55dfcc7a7be66da662bfa5877bc04e8ae1e09293)
A VASSAL thread, I love it! bayonetbrant sent an invite for me to join here and this looks like a nice place to be, thanks for the invite.
I redid the graphics for the Patton's Best VASSAL module; a very fun game. I haven't played in some time and would love to do so again. I often thought of making a PC game version, where it would roll the dice for you and do all the chart look ups but you know what? It wouldn't be as much fun! There's something about just knowing that your high roll means you're in trouble and when you go to cross-reference that result and you confirm your fears....now that is some fun sh$%.
By the way, my very first VASSAL module that I played was "Under Fire!" on my Commodore 128 back in 1985. It used Squad Leader board #3 (I believe) and a few SL counters and the screen looked like the one above. All text based but it played the AI and it actually played fairly well.
Excuse me now while I go brain-dead blowing up stuff in Battlefield 2142. ;)
Edit: the old AH C128 game was actually "Close Assault" http://www.retrogames.co.uk/more/on/details/000372 (http://www.retrogames.co.uk/more/on/details/000372) and not "Under Fire!" (though I think I had both).
Hey, GJK,
If you're up for Vassal (brain-dead or non-brain-dead are equally welcome), let me know.
Michael
Quote from: GJK on March 19, 2012, 09:17:46 PM
By the way, my very first VASSAL module that I played was "Under Fire!" on my Commodore 128 back in 1985. It used Squad Leader board #3 (I believe) and a few SL counters and the screen looked like the one above. All text based but it played the AI and it actually played fairly well.
I recall spotting Under Fire on a store shelf once, WAY back in time. Wish I'd picked it up as I never saw it again. I still like the idea of a computer AI for some board games.
GJK, I remember you talking about a project you were working on to update the map for VG Carrier. How did that turn out?
Quote from: Rekim on March 20, 2012, 07:54:26 AMGJK, I remember you talking about a project you were working on to update the map for VG Carrier. How did that turn out?
Yes Gary - share!
(For those that don't know, GJK is a pretty talented game artist.)
Carrier is done- screenshot here (this is the ZunTzu game box):
www.garykrockover.com/zuntzu/carrier_screenshot.jpg
The VASSAL module is done as well but it uses my first map which is just a recreation of the games original map.
Since Carrier is solitaire only, I find that it plays very nicely in ZunTzu.
Quote from: GJK on March 20, 2012, 10:15:28 PM
Carrier is done- screenshot here (this is the ZunTzu game box):
www.garykrockover.com/zuntzu/carrier_screenshot.jpg
The VASSAL module is done as well but it uses my first map which is just a recreation of the games original map.
Umm...that map looks amazing. Have you tried printing it for use on the table?
it sounds like you are working on some pimped up versions of the map. What kind of tweaks are you considering? Sounds like it might be more than just cosmetic.
Thanks for sharing.
Quote from: Rekim on March 21, 2012, 07:15:15 AM
Umm...that map looks amazing. Have you tried printing it for use on the table?
it sounds like you are working on some pimped up versions of the map. What kind of tweaks are you considering? Sounds like it might be more than just cosmetic.
Thanks for sharing.
I haven't printed it- it is a raster based image and not vector so I'm not sure how it would come out.
No further tweaks planned; the game itself is very solid so my tweaks were purely cosmetic.
Brant, Mike, we on for lunch today?
:o
:D [move]
[move] :-*
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- http://i2.listal.com/image/704036/600full-theodor-fontane.jpg (http://i2.listal.com/image/704036/600full-theodor-fontane.jpg)2
[/move]that's pretty good programming lad![/move]
:o
Great job, Gary. Looks very nice.
Barthheart - my plan is to play today, but my schedule has been screwed all week b/c of a non-Brant-related meltdown at work that commandeered my office for 4 days (they all game in on Sunday) and I'm still wading through the debris of...
Quote from: bayonetbrant on March 22, 2012, 08:31:49 AM
Barthheart - my plan is to play today, but my schedule has been screwed all week b/c of a non-Brant-related meltdown at work that commandeered my office for 4 days (they all game in on Sunday) and I'm still wading through the debris of...
Ah... sounds messy... well looks like Mike and I will be on line so join in if you can.
Well I managed to install Vassal 3.1.18 sucessfully. Now I just need to figure out this whole module thingy and wait for me and my new board games to be united in happy wargaming bliss. Then there's the whole getting an actual game setup with an actual person. But those are trials for another day.
Today's score:
Bison 1, Murphy's Law 0
OK. I've been dorking around with Vassal for a couple hours now. Mostly downloading the ASL maps, clear overlays and GJK's suggested extensions.
My question is do I need to create a seperate folder like games/vasl/module/ type set up for each game or can I create a folder system like /games/vmodules/LnL/ where any future modules would just be located in a seperate folder under the vmodules folder?
OK. I figured it out, I think. http://www.advancedsquadleader.net/index.php/Scenarios
And I don't see the ASL Starter Kit Expansion #1 scenarios offered. /sigh/ Onward with my explorations.
Come on out to this event:
http://virtualcon.weebly.com/
We'll demo'ing LnL games all day with VASSAL. Also lots of help to get you set up.
I'll attempt to make it if I can. It sounds exactly like the type of thing I need to get going on Vassal and LnL.
Got LnL:BoH module loaded up. The counters look great. Are there any folders I need to create or extensions that anyone recommends I download?
Make sure you ar using this vassal module:
http://www.vassalengine.org/wiki/Module:Lock_%27n_Load:_World_Championship
It's the best one so far and has most of the WWII series built in. No need for any extentions.
Ther's one extention listed there but it's for the WWIII game Heroes of the Gap.
Can a VASSAL game be played back later on by a third party if the actual players haven't saved the game?
I'm wondering if someone who can't sit in on an entire game can log in at the beginning and then 'record'
the entire session for later playback when he or she can actually sit down to watch. Will the session stay active
for the logged in observer so it can be saved or replayed or does the room close when the principal players have
logged off? Granted, any Skyping wouldn't be part of the recording but it'd be better than nothing if one wanted
to see how a particular game played in case no one has recorded a Youtube vid yet.
In fact, if this is the case, can one quickly log in as an observer when one stumbles across a particular game starting
up even if the actual mod isn't on that persons system and later, when there's time, look for and install the needed
mod to then replay and enjoy?
Good questions. First, you have to have the module of any particular game in order to log into the online rooms. It is by what module you have open and then connect with that determines what online lobby you enter.
As for recording another players logs- I've never tried that but as long as you're sync'd to the game when you start recording a log then yes, I believe you would successfully capture whatever is going on during the game (Skype/voice being the exception as you noted).
The vassal website also allows players to list themselves as being players of any particular game on the module listings page. You can easily send a group email to everyone listed for a particular game. You may get a positive response if you ask if anybody has some pbem logs of that game that they wouldn't mind sharing. Since pbem won't record voice, players have to be more verbose with their chat window messages during play so getting a hold of some pbem logs that you can then cycle through may actually be the best route to go.
Quote from: Barthheart on April 06, 2012, 07:26:59 AM
Come on out to this event:
http://virtualcon.weebly.com/
We'll demo'ing LnL games all day with VASSAL. Also lots of help to get you set up.
Unfortunately this con has been delayed indefinately... the coordinator had a death in the family.
I'll post again when it's back on.
ah, suck.
more than the rescheduling, I hope the coordinator comes through OK.
so how's life in the vassal world?
Like everywhere else... not enough time to play..... :-\