Les the Sarge 9-1b

Well I didn't want to go overboard on my first post (I didn't have the sp[ecs that JJ obviously had handy That the hood was a "fine ship" was a reflection on the opinion of the sailors of the time though. I don't really think it has anything special to it's look personally. But as JJ reeeeeeeeally pointed out (did a fine job JJ), you have to open the book too heheh.

Was not even aware of the other email actually, I used the one you originally wisely put in the body of your post, you outsmarted yourself heheh.

The Hood was indeed a fine ship, it was also not a battleship not a pocket battleship, but was in fact a battlecruiser. I hope your homework's marks improve dude heheh

Oh look at my sig line, people that say people no longer play board games are in denial

Victory it's Blue vs Red no historical limiting bias. Its simple, but not moronic (which is nice of course). The game uses basic units, basic military hex using turn based systems. The neat part is low counter density, and with the blocks you get a modest fog ow war element (which is also very nice). Customisable, and expandable. You get a 2 player set in basic purchase. You can get the elite sets for each side as add ons (not required). You can purchase additional sets of differing colours so multi player exists (how many wargames of any quality can sit 6 players comfortably). Of the Front games hmmm. Well East Front has the Volga Front add on. But West Front is after all not the oh yet another East Front game. Med Front is also nice (as it is not yet another East and/or Western Front game). Beauty is they all link together eventually, so hey you can always get the others if you like one. Worth the money? When was the last wargame a grognard and a beginner could both like, that you bought? Before you get Axis and Allies Europe, check out Axis and Allies Pacific. Both are great, but there seems few good pacific board games out there. You might find a Pacific game a refreshing difference. Email on the way by the way.

Jergen, good news and bad news. Good news, I am behind a payment on my Karma heheh. Bad news, Steel Panthers WaW is routinely something like a 400+ meg file download (yes large file). The game is quite frankly one of the hobby's best offerings, inspite of it first hitting the shelf in 95. Variations are open. You can get demos of SP1 SP2 and SP3 from here. http://www.theblitz.org/downloads/demos.php#sp Perfectly acceptable copies of the game, but all early editions. SP2 is more fully Steel Panthers Modern Battles. It has since been re built into the full version free game from Wargamer.com known as SPMBT. SP3 is more fully known as Steel Panthers Brigade Combat (it's platoons of units not individual vehicles). The only downside of the demos, they are only demos. And they are DOS environment games. SPWaW 7.1 though is fully XP capable (with no odd hassles needed). Wargamer.com, has recently been acquired by Military Gamer Online. http://www.militarygameronline.com/insidemgo/index.php (I think everyone knows that though). The files should appear there soon enough. But you can locate SPWW2 and SPMBT through the old Wargamer. SPWW2 is incidentally the differing opionion of the better game, from SPWaW. Regarding Columbia Games. I am not experienced with their non WW2 titles, but I do have Victory the blocks of War and their "Front" titles East front etc. I recommend both, but Victory is hands down, price friendly, beginner friendly, and it is like chess, easy rules (fewer than Axis and Allies literally) but definitely a challenge against a smart opponent. Ok back to the Karma statement. I have a cd burner, and basically ever known demo at my finger tips (ok every known demo that means a hoot to mainstream computer wargaming). I have in the past recieved help with troublesome files, and I have also sent others files they had trouble gaining (some of us are not blessed with nice hi speed connections ). So my point is, do you wish me to send you a cd crammed with the best in wargaming free on the net (free as in honest up front free, the sort you will not find an affront to your sense of honour, I am not suggesting free games that are commercially on sale). A Steel Panthers ultra cd is possible (ie has every known SP file a SP fan would like a copy of). And when mailing, 1 cd or 2 is about the same expense. I could throw in an assortment of other popular, normally available downloads (such as Allied General and Third Reich). You are only required to give me somewhere to mail said cds (which we can establish through email, I will send you a greeting from me to the one you posted for that purpose if you desire). Choice is yours, and comes free of expense (gotta like that eh). Karma, ya gotta love it hehe. [ February 23, 2003, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: Les the Sarge 9-1b ]

Hmmm Best Wargames Hmmmm Ok I am just going to skip right past games that will cost you a fortune as they are mostly not entry/price friendly subjects ie Advanced Squad Leader, or Advanced Third Reich. I will strongly suggest you visit Columbia Games though... http://www.columbiagames.com/index2.html Because they have the best price friendly entry level board games out there (my opinion). And they are still on sale, not some "look on eBay" notion. For Computer Games, well considering most titles most will suggest are not on sale now (in routine places), you will need a place like here... http://www.cdaccess.com/index.htm They sell retail copies too (interpret as meaning the original version rules books etc). Although free is nice of course. If you have never played Steel Panthers, you have missed the best free full version wargame in existence. It doesn't get better than this. http://www.matrixgames.com/insidemg/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=2 You can also find nice variations on Steel Panthers at Wargamer.com And if you wish, you can find numerous other nice demos of good wargames here... http://www.theblitz.org/downloads/demos.php So as you can see, you have your work cut out. Of course check out the other battlefront games too eh. [ February 23, 2003, 04:42 PM: Message edited by: Les the Sarge 9-1b ]

Cat comments I love cat comments. A cat would only jump on one of my wargames ONCE. Then I would not own a cat.

Gazza, how did you install the game? I attemped to install the game both via a genuine original cd, as well as via the download at Underdogs. Regardless of my attempts (I used the whole schlameal on it), the original cd has told me to "get bent". I had no trouble with the free download from Underdogs though (which mystifies me to no end). It has a convoluted install required thanks to the myriad zippped files that must be perfectly uncompressed and sorted out though. But if you are running XP, and download the Underdogs file, and then reference the post that can be found at the link in my first post of this thread, you should have no trouble. I didn't do anything odd with the insall. No XP jump through hoops tricks or anything. Guys please take note also. The Underdogs route requires you launch game from within game directory, it doesn't like shortcuts being made. Here is the link to the Underdogs copy of the game. http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=1153 As with a lot of things, sometimes a game at Underdogs is there one moment and not the next. If you have a passing interest, get it now. Occasionally someone acquires the rights to a game, and then it gets pulled off Underdogs.

Originally my first feelings were "no stacking, this sucks". I still moan about it under my breath a bit I suppose. But if we added all of JJs comments from his most current post, we get amazingly close the playing TR PC. Now if I want to play TR PC, I might as well play TR PC hehe. Granted, a lot of JJs comments would not hurt if put in SC2. I didn't see anything wrong with them. Because SC is not identical in all respects to TR. The most notable being TRs seasonal turn aspect. I like the seasonal turns by the way. I also like the turn structure in SC as well. They work nice for both games. Must admit my first serious (read I was actually trying, not fiddling) attack on Poland though surprised me hehe. I am used to one maybe two turns then poof no Polish. So when they were still there that one game on the 4th turn I was scratching my head thinking what the heck they ain't dead yet. Takes a while getting used to the fact that the game uses more turns. I still though, return to the simple fact, my main beef with CoS, was the game has a crummy interface. Whatever it's merits (technical wise), it is just no competition for well designed software. If Hubert had shamelessly copied, yes outright copied CoS, but used his clearly decent talents to make a good interface, ya know, I would still not be offended. I am only now playing TR PC, because in spite of it's age, the visual appeal the ease of play appeal, is not a hassle. It IS indeed old software. It does indeed play better in 98SE than XP (although it does run in XP, 98SE does do it better). Back when CoS was released, I suppose it was considered great. That was then, this is now. I am not likely going to rave about 8 tracks, 5.25 floppies, AM radio, Black and White TV, and electric typewriters much either heheh. [ February 19, 2003, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: Les the Sarge 9-1b ]

Highschool hmmmm let me see, hmmm I know it was sometime during the last century. I have a vague recollection of it being about the time Saigon fell (that's Ho Chi Minh city to you kids with current maps). Oh heck I can't remember that far back anymore.

It IS WWII Lite and it IS a beer and pretzels game. Now that said, who said that was a negative thing. I like hopelessly complicated (explains why I own the whole ASL system). But I also like well done and simple as well (explains why I don't have a problem playing Axis and Allies on the computer as well). SC is not A3R and I highly doubt Hubert is even remotely interested in making it into a game of that sort. But then why should he. Refinements, yes there might be some refinements for SC2. But there is no reason to assume layering more onto a game is defacto an automatic improvement. I have seen perfectly good games get ruined by not knowing where to stop more than once.

Was that sound problem with XP? because my XP OS won't make the sounds come out correct, while it runs the sounds just fine in 98 SE. I must inject a differing opionion though on the CoS and SC comments vis a vis continuing improvements. Regardless of its assumed merits (technical or otherwise), CoS is unwelcome on my computer. I have frankly never understood the fascination. I didn't like the interface at all among other things. And if a computer doesn't make running a game easier than a board game, then the game will "suck" period. Which is precisely why I think saying SC "looks like CoS" as a comment, is wasted on me. Hubert can design a good interface, and that was not the case with CoS. Now if SC as a game, looks like CoS, then we have established that neither is the equal of TR at the gaming level. TR might have seasons that annoy some, and it might not have overly complicated overly detailed units, but this is a grand strategy setting, not an operational one. Those looking for a lot of the wishes and wants for SC2 might actually be better off with the Europe Aflame scenario made for The Operational Art of War game. Where detail is the whole point of the game. The last thing I am looking for in a SC2 release, is an operational looking experience. I might actually be looking for some elements to be more abstracted, and not even used as units in the game. I for instance really don't like having to base my Atlantic warfare campaign, on moving around two sub counters that do nothing to simulate the submarine war.

Now that IS funny sea monkey heheh. I do so love "correcting" the younguns out there on their misconceptions about how much "strategy" they really know.

Last night had to visit family. Decided to indulge a bit of pure blind hope. Showed my nephew Strategic Command. Played the game rather fast and without a lot of fuss on minutae. Trashed Poland without much finesse then atacked France again without putting much thought into it. I just wanted him to enjoy me moving things around and shooting up pieces. He said the ultimately most important phrase "this game looks fun". We can only hope he retains the attitude and stays with wargaming. He is in his early teens. His dad's religious beliefs fortunately keep a wide swath of competing game titles out of the home. so wargaming might not have a lot of competition eh. Keep yer fingers crossed.

I have had the pleasure of an actual mint copy of Third Reich PC (still can't understand why my non wargamer buddy bought it though, bargain bin or not). Suffice it to say, and despite the angry protests of some of the more vocal copywrite crowd re: free downloadable old wargames at places like Underdogs, I have had zero success getting the real thing to install eh. While on the other hand, while it is a slow tedium to install the downloadable file from Underdogs (multiple zips are never thrilling), it at least works at the end of the process (it has been tested on both XP and 98 SE). For those interested in TR PC, you might find (if you have the real thing, but have not installed it recently), that the Underdogs file might actually be your only option. It's not to obvious how to install the Underdogs file though. Check this thread out (it has a very well explained process if you require it). http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32839 Currently (in my opinion), grand strategy on the computer (for the thinking player, not just dolts with unlimited cash), the only useful options are currently TR PC (even if the game is a bit long in the tooth and not really A3R), and SC. Anything else grand strategy, is probably a waste of your funds (and probably your time).

Pre planned set ups under any circumstances are a hassle in my opinion.

I might like Battlefront to employ different software, but as it goes, I think the way the forum is organised as per topic matter is unlikely to alter in a radical fashion. I like several other forums, and they are pretty much the same. If they are active and well liked, they soon end up with a long list of past threads. If a newbie wants to find something amongst what looks like 83 pages of SC threads, the only logical solution is to use a search. Failing that, endure looking like a newbie and just ask your question in a new thread and request knowing members to insert links to past threads they might know about. We were all newbies at one time. [ February 11, 2003, 06:12 PM: Message edited by: Les the Sarge 9-1b ]

Ok this has little to do with SC SC2 global SC etc. If this gets dumped into General I won't really care, but as the General forum wizzes by at lightening speed, I would ask that it at least be left open for at least one day here in SC land at the very least. Ok found this link http://www.aworldatwar.com/ Looks like it will interest our board gaming A3R loving, wish it was Global crowd. I am interested myself. I would like to buy it in either format, board game or computer platform. Don't hold your breathe waiting for the computer version though. This game has been under construction as a board game for a few years now. It will likely appear before Computer World in Flames though.

WW1 stalemated for a number of reasons. All of which may or may not end up recurring in a game that will not have to follow history any more than the current SC has to follow WW2. I am not overly worried about it, any more than I am overly worried about oddities occuring in SC as it currently exists. Napoleonic would be no different. Sure the nations would allow it to be grand strategy, and sure the military weaponry would differ. But remember Calvary were employed pretty much the same as mechanised formations. The time scales might alter, but the battlefield won't really look to drastically different. Might take you a bit longer to get there from here is all. Modern will be the big challenge. Nukes, rogue nations, meddling UN politics. Information technology, real time reporting, peace protestors. Can't leave any of that out eh.

Back to SC, hmm let's just go wide here. How many would like SC done for Napoleonic or Civil War or WW1 settings. No I am not specifically a fan of those settings, but I am always curious about who likes what.

Not to put down Underdogs, but most of my downloads from them in the past, have featured files that have several layers of zipped files, that make installation a real chore. You get the game all loaded only to get "please insert cd". Even if a program is there, don't automatically assume you are going to be able to run it.

Because sometimes people just don't know about the existence of some forums out there sometimes, I submit this link for the Operational Art of War fan, that might appreciate it. http://www.warfarehq.com/forums/index.php?s= They have a nice Operational Art of War sub forum.

Actually to further add, that game (People's General) is indeed available as a free download (I have gotten it from here myself). http://www.peachmountain.com/5star/ It should also be noted, it is a functional download, and it likes XP.

I remember liking the game Supremacy. I think the game could handle a free for all mess ala Supremacy perhaps. Not entirely sure. WW3 anyone. North America vs Europe vs Russia vs China vs Africa vs South America. Who says it has to emulate current politics. 20 years from now the world will likely surpise a lot of people.