The map looks really, really good – with the more realistic terrain depictions it has a look that’s closer to some of the better maps I’ve seen in paper & counter wargames. I really like the idea of gluing the miniatures onto counter stock that has the national flag to differentiate ownership as well as the combat values. This really adds a lot to the visual attractiveness of the game.
Looking at the units it’s obvious that this is based on a D-10 or D-12 – which is it? Either way, I think this is a good idea; it allows for a little more separation in combat values between different units.
Introducing leader units into the game is a great idea, in my opinion. One of the things I liked about World in Flames was the HQ units and the various ways they impacted the game. Going a step further, I liked the leaders in Victory Games’ “Civil War”, where individual leaders could have a significant impact on combat – sometimes in the wrong way if you were forced to use McClellan, McDowell, etc. It looks like from the photos that the leaders have unique stats – is that related to how many units they can command & control in a battle? If so, this is again a great idea. I’m guessing this is indeed they case, and that this is related to an earlier posting where you alluded to the fact that there would be a maximum number of units that could be in the front line and participate in a battle per round (the rest would be in reserve or considered to be “on their way” to the front. I think this could add a whole new dimension to the game. As things are now, you can make an attack with overwhelming numbers and be pretty sure you will succeed. In real life, though, overwhelming numbers won’t necessarily carry the day if you can’t get them deployed efficiently. Limiting the front line could mean that a large force that would overwhelm the defenders in the current game could bounce off of a moderately defended force, which could represent a force that, though outnumbered, is fully prepared, uses better small unit tactics, etc. This is one change I really look forward to.
Based on the number of units on the map and the turn indicates that you’re in still in 1940 it’s obvious that in addition to having more territories you also have larger force pools. More units = more fun (at least, to me).
One question I have – what are the measurements of the map? With more territories and with each territory seeming to be larger than the current game I’m assuming the map will be considerably larger.
Seeing the map made me realize something I missed before – this game only covers Europe, right? If that’s the case, are there plans at some point to also have an Asian theatre game that would link to this game? If so, are you working on the rules, production, etc. for the Asian game while you’re developing this game? My thought is that merging two games together into one supergame is easier to accomplish if at least the groundwork for the 2nd game is done before finalizing the first game. Otherwise, you’re faced with the possibility of all kinds of adjustments and errata for the first game when the second one comes out. Of course, with two giant maps the question of where you’re going to lay them out to play does become an issue. I’m not sure I’d be able to convince my wife that I need a second ping-pong table so that I can play with my “little toys.”
I’m not sure what my commitment would be to buy a game that only covers one theatre of the war. Typically I’ve looked at most games that cover half of the war as being “half of a game.” I do like what I’ve seen here though.
One question – has any thought been given to publishing a rule set to convert the existing game to the same D-10 or D-12 system as this proposed game? If both games had units with the same factors the units would then be interchangeable. Just glue the stuff you already own to the counters, and then you could use them with whichever game you want. Otherwise, I would probably have to pass on this advanced game. There’s no way I could ever hope to justify a second expenditure like the first game to my wife; if I could use the miniatures I already have I might be able to swing the price of the map, counters, and other paper stuff.
