Schwerpunkt games?

[Grim.Reaper]

Thanks Spelk, I'll review the material you linked.  Seems like this might be a good game.  Are you able to compare this to something like Hps or toaw?  Which type would you prefer?

If this was a download game I would likely already be downloading:)

[Staggerwing]

Grim, this thread made me curious about why I was having trouble with AGW. It turns out that the help system which is important to playing the game, is based on the old Windows Help which is not present in Win7 (and probably not in win8 either) so I just found a replacement utility from Microsoft. I don't know if MDE has the issue also but here is the list for various versions of windows from Vista on if anyone else needs them since other legacy programs may have issues as well:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/search.aspx?q=windows+help

I might just find some time later to give AGW another whirl.

[Grim.Reaper]

Grim, this thread made me curious about why I was having trouble with AGW. It turns out that the help system which is important to playing the game, is based on the old Windows Help which is not present in Win7 (and probably not in win8 either) so I just fount a replacement utility from Microsoft. I don't know if MDE will need this also but just incase here is the list for various versions of windows from Vista on if anyone else needs them since other legacy programs may have issues as well:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/search.aspx?q=windows+help

I might just find some time later to give AGW another whirl.

Thanks for the update.  Seems like this would likely work on win 8 if it works on win 7.  I did send a email to the developer to see if they could confirm, but haven't heard back yet.

[spelk]

Are you able to compare this to something like Hps or toaw?  Which type would you prefer?

I'm not experienced enough to really make a useful/balanced comparison - all I can tell you is that I have a number of HPS titles, including Panzer Campaign ones and they've never managed to grab me as the Schwerpunkt game did. I know RGW is very old, 12 or 13 years now(?), but once you've overcome/assimilated the amount of information on the chits, it plays more in the league of Decisive Campaigns.

TOAW, even with the newer graphical update, still has me baulking at the interface - if they uncouple the newer good bits from the old pixellated framework, I'd be more willing to delve into it.

I'm sorry I can't give you a more reasoned and balanced argument than "RGW just felt better to play".

If this was a download game I would likely already be downloading:)

Yeah, I had to import all three games! I think making the game downloadable was at the top of potential gamers lists. If you want to sell, you should get noticed to open up your audience and then get it online to maximise availability.

Looks like I'm going to have to go look at wargamer.com to check on how Ron's doing.. :)

[Grim.Reaper]

Are you able to compare this to something like Hps or toaw?  Which type would you prefer?

I'm not experienced enough to really make a useful/balanced comparison - all I can tell you is that I have a number of HPS titles, including Panzer Campaign ones and they've never managed to grab me as the Schwerpunkt game did. I know RGW is very old, 12 or 13 years now(?), but once you've overcome/assimilated the amount of information on the chits, it plays more in the league of Decisive Campaigns.

TOAW, even with the newer graphical update, still has me baulking at the interface - if they uncouple the newer good bits from the old pixellated framework, I'd be more willing to delve into it.

I'm sorry I can't give you a more reasoned and balanced argument than "RGW just felt better to play".

If this was a download game I would likely already be downloading:)

Yeah, I had to import all three games! I think making the game downloadable was at the top of potential gamers lists. If you want to sell, you should get noticed to open up your audience and then get it online to maximise availability.

Looks like I'm going to have to go look at wargamer.com to check on how Ron's doing.. :)

Thanks again Spelk, it really does sound promising.  I really like the material covered in the Middle East game so I doubt I'll be able to resist:)

[spelk]

Forgot to mention....

They come with a ring bound manual, and a printed colour reference card! (complete with chit stat explanations, turn phases, resolution tables and hotkeys)

Looking at the MDE one (72 pages), it does say under System Requirements (Win98/XP/2000/Vista/7) - so it should officially support at least Windows 7.

[mikeck]

Can't advise about windows 8 or continuing support as i haven't played in a long time. Turn times were fairly quick. Units have strength points I believe but not sure about aircraft. Put it this way, I never said "geez, I really wish this game had *****" it's got everything u want

[Grim.Reaper]

Spelk, I have to say you do an awesome job with you aar reports....really helps get a person interested in the games...thanks for sharing and I enjoyed reading them.  I can see myself buying the me game in the near future.  Do you know when his newest Europe game will be out?

[Grim.Reaper]

Can't advise about windows 8 or continuing support as i haven't played in a long time. Turn times were fairly quick. Units have strength points I believe but not sure about aircraft. Put it this way, I never said "geez, I really wish this game had *****" it's got everything u want

That is a heck of an endorsement..appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

[mikeck]

One more thing...it is one of those games where you have to move every chit (that you want moved) but there aren't many. It's not like War in the East

[spelk]

Spelk, I have to say you do an awesome job with you aar reports....really helps get a person interested in the games...thanks for sharing and I enjoyed reading them.

Thanks for the kind words, the amount of time I've spent doing these things, to hear folks actually get something out of it, is the best reward I could wish for.

I can see myself buying the me game in the near future.  Do you know when his newest Europe game will be out?

I don't think there's been a date set as such, Ron just keeps plugging away at it. He posts status reports now and then in his Scwherpunkt sub-forum over at Wargamer.com

Here's the latest news...
http://www.wargamer.com/forums/posts.asp?t=584761

He's running playtests with a select few, so its a case of him crafting the scenario's and then getting them out to playtest. I'm hoping it is released this year sometime. Looking forward to seeing how the interface has further evolved.

While I'm at it...

Bootlegger267 did an extensive AAR in MDE on the Yom Kippur War over at Wargamer.com
http://www.wargamer.com/forums/posts.asp?t=583926

[spelk]

I've not been over at Wargamer.com for a long while, but I've just found the post Ron did that had some sample screenshots of his new game WWIIE in development.. so here are the teaser links..

http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_a.png
http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_b.png
http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_c.png
http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_d.png
http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_e.png
http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_f.png
http://schwerpunkt.wargamer.com/Saving_Moscow_1941_g.png

[Zulu1966]

I have all their games and personally I think they are excellent.

The interface looks very DOS and takes a bit of getting used to - but once you do I actually think its a very clever way of running things. I have always thought right clicking a mouse to access options is very slick.

All the games come with a ton of interesting scenarios and the mechanics are very detailed in a subtle way.

The only possible negative comments I would have would be about RGW which was built before he switched to hexside rivers. I hate full hex rivers (which is why I dont play TOAW) - but thats just a pet peeve as I know others dont have a problem with it.

the only other problem with RGW for me is that it ends in 1944 - which personally for me not being able to take berlin as the russians is just one huge anti climax. Though having said that the AGW game has several scenarios depicting the later russian drives in the final year of the war.

Personally I cant wait for his full europe game - if only to play the  full russian front. Knowing the game it will be the russian front game and will be much that WiTE so failed to live up to. Rons games have great strategic and tactical depth without disappearing into a minefield of barely intelligible layers of complexity.

In short - higly recommended if you like board wargames and want to play one on your computer.

[Bismarck]

I've supported Schwerpunkt since his DOS games. Ron will talk with you about games over the phone.

BTW, he's a head NASA engineer so good games DO need a rocket scientist!  :)

[bayonetbrant]

^^ I'm sure Cap'n Darwin will agree with you :)