Ageod - Alea Jacta Es - Now available for preorder

[Bison]

Ageod games can take awhile to learn and get into game system.  Worth the time investment IMO because they are such good historic operational games.  There are not many games out there that fall into this genre niche.

[Gusington]

This may be my entry point then.

[Toonces]

I look at the AGEOD engine similarly to the EU3/CK2, etc. engine.  I know these are great games but require a significant investment of time to learn.

But once you learn, there are a ton of games that suddenly become accessible and you know you're going to have some fun.

I'm glad I invested the time to learn CK2 and at some point I will really sit down and figure out AGEOD.  I've tried a few times, but they really aren't easy!

Anyway, this game sounds like fun and for $20 it IS pretty hard to say no.

[Gusington]

You had me at hello. Want to see if a printed manual will be available with this.

[Jarhead0331]

I find that the ageod games are much easier to get into than the paradox grand strategy titles. However, they have very deep organizational systems that do take longer to master. For me, ease of initial accessability is the most critical factor to sticking with a game.

[Martok]

I'll probably wait and see what your guys' reactions to the game is, but I'm definitely interested.  For me, the biggest factors are generally as follows: 

1.)  Immersion/atmosphere
2.)  AI
3.)  Accessibility/learning curve 


If a game does well in at least 2 out of those 3 areas, I'm usually going to want it. 

Gus, Gus, Gus.  Are you a wargamer or a mouse?

Not a knock against him - just an observation. Gus is more of a strategy gamer than quintessential wargamer.

Same here.  I'm utterly fascinated by wargames, and I own several, but grand strategy games have long been my bread & butter. 

[mikeck]

Toonces, if you are looking for an introduction to the AGEOD games, Wars in America is a good bet. I'm not a fan of the 2 week turns and it lacks a lot of the things other AGEOD games do, but the lack of Corp and division creation and recruitment means that its easier to get into.

Rise of Prussia is good too but there you are dealing with complex organization and leader qualities as well as recruitment, recruit depos and such. I would bet that the Rome game will be closest to rise of Prussia

[Gusington]

Martok brings up a good point...how is the atmosphere in AGEOD games? Rise of Prussia and Revolution Under Siege have interested me forever too.

[Bison]

I love the atmosphere of Ageod games.  Best maps in any wargame IMO.  Cool army counters.  Great period music.  The WEGO system really adds a special depth to the game. 

[Nefaro]

Martok brings up a good point...how is the atmosphere in AGEOD games? Rise of Prussia and Revolution Under Siege have interested me forever too.

As far as turn-based wargames go, the AGEOD ones have excellent 'atmosphere' since the whole interface is period artwork, not to mention all the art done for each counter's uniform or the actual general displayed on them, the map art, etc. 

I'd say they're probably the best for atmosphere because of all that great artwork.  For me, it can also be immersive in a tabletop sense since you give orders by picking up the army pieces and dropping them where you want them to go.  That's pretty cool too, although people are so used to a Select+Click method that they tend to think the whole order system more complicated than it really is - it's actually easier than what they're used to in that sense (you just drag & drop them where you want 'em).

The big difficulties come when you're learning how to organize your chain of command as efficiently as possible for your intended purposes.  Add to that having to figure out how to best guess the Fog Of War info you get, fingering out the detailed supply line rules, and dealing with replacements/recruitment.  It's quite a learning curve, but once you've figured out how to create & break down your armies with the interface buttons & drag-drop, while using your Command Points effectively, then the rest is cheese.

[TheCommandTent]

I am in a similar situation as Gus and you guys are making alot of sense.  Still I am trying to hold out until I find out what you guys think after its released.

[Martok]

Martok brings up a good point...how is the atmosphere in AGEOD games? Rise of Prussia and Revolution Under Siege have interested me forever too.

I actually have both those games.  I've admittedly done little more than tinker around with them, but I can say both have a solid sense of atmosphere.  Revolution Under Siege does an especially good job in this respect (love the music!), but neither is a slouch in that department. 

[mikeck]

AJE is as sure of a bet as you can get. The AGEOD "Athena" engine is highly developed and works great when its not asked to do too much. There will be a few things here and there but will generally be solid from the start.

As for atmosphere, as stated, you can't get more. Period maps, music and artwork.

[Gusington]

Great answers. The price point is strong too. I want it! I'll need to mentally prepare for the organizational learning curve, I think.

[MetalDog]

What is the MP capability? None? PBEM? Or Internet?