Curry

interesting I especially like Iraq being British from the get to.

Still 5 hours to go here on the East Coast, but a very happy new year to all you Euro's.

Much more difficult against a human than the AI. One of the lessons many new players learn playing also. yes its a great option to have the western allies attack Norway and the Russian attack Finland and meet in Sweden. But that is an option on paper, against a good player that is hard to accomplish.

feisty isnt he. Hey if I can find it anyone can. I am Technology disadvantaged since I was born in the 1950's.

Thanks JJ. And thanks to Battlefront for allowing it.

Well, Go away on vacation for awhile and all sorts of things happen. I wish to make a few of my own observations on the matter of Rambo being banned and from this thread and the others on the same subject. They are just my observations but I wish to make them as a member of this community of the SC battlefront forum. 1. I am sorry to see Rambo has been banned. 2. I am not surprised. I think battlefront had sufficient reason to ban him. Many of his posts offended me and many others I am sure. They were as younger people say today, "over the top". However, I do hope they (Battlefront) gave him some warning first. (I would guess they did) 3. I wish that battlefront could ban someone from just one forum. In my humble view battlefront was very justified to ban Rambo from the general forum. However, I dont believe Rambo needed to be banned from the SC forum where he did contribute to the game of SC. On the SC forum Rambo was understood for who he was. My case in point would be Kuni and Rambo. I think Kuni and Rambo would be on the far end of almost any political issue and have had more than their share of differences but it was Kuni who has come first to Rambo's defense. That says a lot to me. (Now lets all hold hands and sing kumbaya) 4. I hope that what was posted by Kuni from Rambo was not all that Madmatt wrote to Rambo announcing to him that he is banned. Here is what was posted that he wrote to Rambo. If Madmatt and Battlefront wishes to be taken seriously as a mature organization and a mature bulletin board then when it bans someone it certainly needs to do it in a mature way. If this is the ONLY response of Madmatt to Rambo informing him of his banning then it is in the same tone of Rambo's posts and in the same tone of what he is banning Rambo for. It seems very immature to me of Madmatt. I am a successful buisness person, 48 years old, working with human resources. I would never deal with anyone in this tone especially if I am dealing with a serious issue and want to be taken seriously myself. Madmatt I hope that you did better than this or Battlefront should ban you as an administrator in my humble view. No disrespect is intended and I do speak from what I do not really know which is dangerous. If I am wrong I give you my apology in advance. 5. Les. I have observed you since I have been on this forum. Les - it's always been about Les. Here even when discussing the banning of someone else its all about Les. It's always about Les. Enough said. 6. I hope that Battlefront will allow Rambo back someday if Rambo will change his ways. 7. Rambo. I like you and have learned about SC from your posts on SC. However, please know I also feel many of your posts are disrespectful to many other people. You dont seem to care. You need to grow up and mature and show respect even for those that do not agree with you. Thanks for listening. No more from me on this subject.

Here is an interview that Hubert gave for our league newletter for the SC PBEM League. http://www.myleague.com/scpbem/ We will be forming a new league when SC II comes out. Here is the interview. Many thanks again to Hubert for giving the interview for the PBEM league newsletter. Here it is 1. Lets first talk about SC-I. Briefly, can you tell us how you came up with the idea for Strategic command as a game to design out of all the possible choices? Great question Growing up I only played a few war and strategy games, but for those few that I did play, I think it would be safe to say they had the biggest influence on my decision to create a game like Strategic Command. My all time favourites were Chess, Axis and Allies (Boardgame), Clash of Steel, Panzer General, and High Command. While varying in depth, scale and scope, they were relatively easy to play and offered hours of fun whether you were playing against the computer or just head to head with other players. I enjoyed the tactical/strategic nature of these games but like most gamers eventually found myself thinking of ways to improve the game systems. I had put together a few ideas and brainstormed over the years but it wasn't until I graduated in Computer Science in 2000 that I really thought to myself, "Hey I can really do this!" Always the amateur WWII historian/buff I finally decided to take the plunge and hammer out a game system for the computer. The biggest debate was whether it would be a global game or just a single theater, but considering this was my first game I decided to keep it a little smaller In hindsight, I could have even kept it simpler as I later found out I was quite optimistic of how long a game like this would take. In fact, I originally figured it would only take me about 6 months to complete... but after about 2 years SC was finally out the door. In the end, I think what you see in SC are a few influences from each game I played as well as an incorporation of my own style/preferences when it comes to gaming. I really put in a lot of effort to trim the fat and simplify where applicable, while at the same time providing enough flexibility without overcomplicated/overbearing rule sets. I never was a huge fan of the multitude of special rules that accompany some games, but I took extra care to try and balance out (as much as possible) each and every action and overall decision. Basically I prefered to allow the player to explore as many strategic decisions as possible but have each decision balanced by a strong pro and con or necessary risk. Come to think of it, the paper/rock/scissor framework is also a simple yet effective system I tried to emulate wherever applicable. Overall SC may not be the perfect game but I think it comes pretty close to what I was trying to achieve, and for a first game, I can only be happy about the final outcome. 2. SC-I is very attractive to many in the Old war gaming community. Will SC II’s new features take away from that or enhance the features that have been so attractive to the old line players? I really do believe SC2 will surpass SC1 in terms of game play as well as enhance the features that have been so attractive to all players. I realize I am the game designer and you really wouldn't expect any statement less than that, but truth be told I honestly am excited about what SC2 will have to offer. This really is the game I have always wanted to make, and while certain realities prevented me from making this type of game first time around, SC1 was a tremendous foundation builder in terms of experience and extended funding (professional artwork this time around) that SC2 is now possible. Pretty much I have worked at great lengths to preserve the integrity and ease of play of the original game system while adding an incredible amount of depth and editing options. It really was no small task, and while it has been a continued challenge, working as a lone wolf developer, I have had some fantastic feedback from my beta testers to help make this all possible. As they say, proof is in the pudding and since there WILL be a demo available, in the end everyone will have the chance to decide for themselves. 3. I was a founding subscriber to Strategy & Tactics magazine and have been playing hex based war games since the early 1970’s. In my view SC is one of the all time great hex based war games if not THE best. Has it lived up to your own expectations? Wow It is a great honour to hear that and please believe me when I say I really don't take compliments like that lightly. In terms of expectations, SC1 was really a huge risk for me back in 2000 as I did not work (read get paid) for the first few years after graduation and I also had a sizeable school loan to pay off. My logic at the time was that I would give it a shot and in a worst case scenario it would at least look good on my resume and hopefully better than if I had just been working somewhere for a few years. I tried to keep the expectations realistic and simply hope for the best, but I have to say that immediately after the game was announced, and after the impressive interest in the game, it had already exceeded my original expectations. To think that I could produce something that was of enough interest for gamers to buy, and create communities and even leagues, including PBEM! was a fantastic feeling and made it very much worth it in the end. While I have been a little quiet on the boards lately, reality of having to bear down and actually work , it has been an interesting few years and I really do relish every minute of it, so thank you to everyone 4. The PBEM community is not as vocal as the TCIP community on the battlefront forum boards, but by judging from the size of the leagues the PBEM community is about 4 times larger. And judging from the content on the battlefront forums about 25 times more mature. So without going into a lot of detail will SC II have any added features to secure playing by mail to help all of us that play via email? This is something I have kept in the back of my mind and I do have a few ideas, unfortunately and for obvious reasons, my primary focus is still on just getting the game done. After that I plan to spend some time, as time allows to add in a few items here and there before official release, and of course add a few more that I will inevitably miss after that. 5. Is there any one thing about to SC-II that excites you as a developer? Of course without going into detail. I think the most exciting thing is the anticipation of release. We have all been working hard over here, between myself, beta testers and Battlefront, and I think once you know you are on to something people will enjoy, it becomes a little exciting when the end is in sight because you know you will finally get a chance to share it with everyone else. I really think this is going to be great game and simply put, I just can't wait 6. I know you are from Canada. I am a big Tamp Bay Lighting fan here in south west Florida. Do you miss the NHL as much as I do here in Florida and do you think they will play at all this season? On some levels I do, but on others I really don't. The game has changed so much over the last 15 years that on some nights it really is hard to watch, and even before the lockout I don't remember the last time I watched a full game other than in the playoffs. Playoff hockey has always been great because they finally start to play hockey with limited clutching and grabbing and the fighting is for the most part left out. Regular season hockey has its good games but all too often players just don't get the chance to really play because of all the obstruction/interference going on in the game. Due to the lockout, some of the sports stations have played some classic games from the early 80's and late 70's and while it seems a little slower, the game on the surface just appears to be that much better. Excellent skating, nice crisp passes, coordinated breakouts and gaining of the offensive zone, none of that awful clutching and grabbing which leads to the really boring dump and chase hockey we see now. Don't get me wrong, I'll most likely end up watching it again when it comes back, but in the meantime I'll just have to stick with my monday night pickup hockey to pass the time Hubert

no one knows and the ones who do know are not yet telling.

From the recent interview for the SC PBEM league newsletter Mr. H.C. makes it clear we will have a Demo for SC II. Sounds Good! 2. SC-I is very attractive to many in the Old war gaming community. Will SC II’s new features take away from that or enhance the features that have been so attractive to the old line players? I really do believe SC2 will surpass SC1 in terms of game play as well as enhance the features that have been so attractive to all players. I realize I am the game designer and you really wouldn't expect any statement less than that, but truth be told I honestly am excited about what SC2 will have to offer. This really is the game I have always wanted to make, and while certain realities prevented me from making this type of game first time around, SC1 was a tremendous foundation builder in terms of experience and extended funding (professional artwork this time around) that SC2 is now possible. Pretty much I have worked at great lengths to preserve the integrity and ease of play of the original game system while adding an incredible amount of depth and editing options. It really was no small task, and while it has been a continued challenge, working as a lone wolf developer, I have had some fantastic feedback from my beta testers to help make this all possible. As they say, proof is in the pudding and since there WILL be a demo available, in the end everyone will have the chance to decide for themselves.

I've been around awhile but dont think I have read here that anyone has tried a game verses another human with the historical restrictions on the Axis. That is to say that the Axis cannot attack any countries that they did not attack historically. So the following would be out. Sweden, Spain, Port, Iraq, Turkey. The same would be true for the Allies. No attacking Ireland or Finland (until Finland has joined Axis). Do you think it would be an even bid?

Thanks JJ It was interesting to read Hubert's response. Especially on the questions concerning old war gaming and SC II. I am hoping that SC II will not lose the flavor of SC I which to me is the classic style of old war games which still has a lot to offer I beleive. But then I am an older on that sort of stuff.

The 6 question interview with Hubert for the SC PBEM League newsletter is also posted above in the league sticky. If you have comments about it please post them here and not up in the sticky. Please and thank you.

Many thanks again to Hubert for giving the interview for the PBEM league newsletter. Here it is 1. Lets first talk about SC-I. Briefly, can you tell us how you came up with the idea for Strategic command as a game to design out of all the possible choices? Great question Growing up I only played a few war and strategy games, but for those few that I did play, I think it would be safe to say they had the biggest influence on my decision to create a game like Strategic Command. My all time favourites were Chess, Axis and Allies (Boardgame), Clash of Steel, Panzer General, and High Command. While varying in depth, scale and scope, they were relatively easy to play and offered hours of fun whether you were playing against the computer or just head to head with other players. I enjoyed the tactical/strategic nature of these games but like most gamers eventually found myself thinking of ways to improve the game systems. I had put together a few ideas and brainstormed over the years but it wasn't until I graduated in Computer Science in 2000 that I really thought to myself, "Hey I can really do this!" Always the amateur WWII historian/buff I finally decided to take the plunge and hammer out a game system for the computer. The biggest debate was whether it would be a global game or just a single theater, but considering this was my first game I decided to keep it a little smaller In hindsight, I could have even kept it simpler as I later found out I was quite optimistic of how long a game like this would take. In fact, I originally figured it would only take me about 6 months to complete... but after about 2 years SC was finally out the door. In the end, I think what you see in SC are a few influences from each game I played as well as an incorporation of my own style/preferences when it comes to gaming. I really put in a lot of effort to trim the fat and simplify where applicable, while at the same time providing enough flexibility without overcomplicated/overbearing rule sets. I never was a huge fan of the multitude of special rules that accompany some games, but I took extra care to try and balance out (as much as possible) each and every action and overall decision. Basically I prefered to allow the player to explore as many strategic decisions as possible but have each decision balanced by a strong pro and con or necessary risk. Come to think of it, the paper/rock/scissor framework is also a simple yet effective system I tried to emulate wherever applicable. Overall SC may not be the perfect game but I think it comes pretty close to what I was trying to achieve, and for a first game, I can only be happy about the final outcome. 2. SC-I is very attractive to many in the Old war gaming community. Will SC II’s new features take away from that or enhance the features that have been so attractive to the old line players? I really do believe SC2 will surpass SC1 in terms of game play as well as enhance the features that have been so attractive to all players. I realize I am the game designer and you really wouldn't expect any statement less than that, but truth be told I honestly am excited about what SC2 will have to offer. This really is the game I have always wanted to make, and while certain realities prevented me from making this type of game first time around, SC1 was a tremendous foundation builder in terms of experience and extended funding (professional artwork this time around) that SC2 is now possible. Pretty much I have worked at great lengths to preserve the integrity and ease of play of the original game system while adding an incredible amount of depth and editing options. It really was no small task, and while it has been a continued challenge, working as a lone wolf developer, I have had some fantastic feedback from my beta testers to help make this all possible. As they say, proof is in the pudding and since there WILL be a demo available, in the end everyone will have the chance to decide for themselves. 3. I was a founding subscriber to Strategy & Tactics magazine and have been playing hex based war games since the early 1970’s. In my view SC is one of the all time great hex based war games if not THE best. Has it lived up to your own expectations? Wow It is a great honour to hear that and please believe me when I say I really don't take compliments like that lightly. In terms of expectations, SC1 was really a huge risk for me back in 2000 as I did not work (read get paid) for the first few years after graduation and I also had a sizeable school loan to pay off. My logic at the time was that I would give it a shot and in a worst case scenario it would at least look good on my resume and hopefully better than if I had just been working somewhere for a few years. I tried to keep the expectations realistic and simply hope for the best, but I have to say that immediately after the game was announced, and after the impressive interest in the game, it had already exceeded my original expectations. To think that I could produce something that was of enough interest for gamers to buy, and create communities and even leagues, including PBEM! was a fantastic feeling and made it very much worth it in the end. While I have been a little quiet on the boards lately, reality of having to bear down and actually work , it has been an interesting few years and I really do relish every minute of it, so thank you to everyone 4. The PBEM community is not as vocal as the TCIP community on the battlefront forum boards, but by judging from the size of the leagues the PBEM community is about 4 times larger. And judging from the content on the battlefront forums about 25 times more mature. So without going into a lot of detail will SC II have any added features to secure playing by mail to help all of us that play via email? This is something I have kept in the back of my mind and I do have a few ideas, unfortunately and for obvious reasons, my primary focus is still on just getting the game done. After that I plan to spend some time, as time allows to add in a few items here and there before official release, and of course add a few more that I will inevitably miss after that. 5. Is there any one thing about to SC-II that excites you as a developer? Of course without going into detail. I think the most exciting thing is the anticipation of release. We have all been working hard over here, between myself, beta testers and Battlefront, and I think once you know you are on to something people will enjoy, it becomes a little exciting when the end is in sight because you know you will finally get a chance to share it with everyone else. I really think this is going to be great game and simply put, I just can't wait 6. I know you are from Canada. I am a big Tamp Bay Lighting fan here in south west Florida. Do you miss the NHL as much as I do here in Florida and do you think they will play at all this season? On some levels I do, but on others I really don't. The game has changed so much over the last 15 years that on some nights it really is hard to watch, and even before the lockout I don't remember the last time I watched a full game other than in the playoffs. Playoff hockey has always been great because they finally start to play hockey with limited clutching and grabbing and the fighting is for the most part left out. Regular season hockey has its good games but all too often players just don't get the chance to really play because of all the obstruction/interference going on in the game. Due to the lockout, some of the sports stations have played some classic games from the early 80's and late 70's and while it seems a little slower, the game on the surface just appears to be that much better. Excellent skating, nice crisp passes, coordinated breakouts and gaining of the offensive zone, none of that awful clutching and grabbing which leads to the really boring dump and chase hockey we see now. Don't get me wrong, I'll most likely end up watching it again when it comes back, but in the meantime I'll just have to stick with my monday night pickup hockey to pass the time Hubert

Dragon, I thought your recap of the 3 general strategies for the defense of France was well done. Of course its only general and depends on who you play. But its very good reading for any new players. These three options are the three major options and Dragon gives in my view a good recap on the advantages and weaknesses of each.

The interview with Mr. Hubert Carter is out. Not too long (only 6 questions) but interesting I hope. For all in the SC PBEM league you should be getting the newsletter sometime today. The interview is more than just facts about SC and I hope it will give us a picture of Hubert the person and how SC came into being.

Well if Rambo has beaten Terif twice also then there will have to be the great fight off between Dragon and Rambo. Now did'nt you two just try that awhile ago and you both burned out on it. Perhaps we can just leave it. Even though it would be a great match. Best to you both

I think the question is now answered who is number #2 - It's the new Junior Jedi Master Dragonheart. #2 is no longer in doubt. Is there anyone else who has beaten Terif twice? The rest now have to smack talk to see who is number #3.

Dragon, Congrats again! Well done Junior Jedi Master.

ok, I will play you with not bid. I am axis and you are allies. Sure.

would like to see it tested, Sounds interesting.

Jersey, not asking the big guy that qustion. Instead asking him, "so what do you really think of certain battlefront forum members, let's start with Jersey John." But he denied that question, said the response would be too long. There is just so much to say about such an interesting character like yourself. So instead you will have to be the next one to be interviewed... We would interview Kuni, but then that would be gay.

SC PBEM League News 1. We will have an exclusive interview upcoming with SC creator and designer Hubert Carter in our next Newsletter. Hopefully in less than a week. If you are a member of the league you will get the interview in a newsletter. 2. NEED A NEW NAME FOR A SC II LEAGUE. If you are a member of the SC PBEM league we will have an upcoming contest to name the new league for SC II. We are hoping that SC II will have some safty built into it so that PBEM will have a safe system and the league can be for both the PBEM community and the TCIP community. So we need to come up with a new name. We will have the contest in January. So if you wish to read Mr. Hubert Carter's exclusive interview or participate in the contest to name the new league then go ahead now and join the SC PBEM league. Here is a link. http://www.myleague.com/scpbem/ PS - I hope to in future newsletters do interviews with other outstanding members of the SC community. We start with the Biggest this time the creator of the game himself. [ December 15, 2004, 03:36 PM: Message edited by: Curry ]

check out the play by mail league, it has a stick thread at the top of this forum.

I believe I beat Iron, yes I did. The only one out of all those you mention and yes all you mention are - yes Very good players. But only one great. That would be Yoda. The King of Bavaria. Terif. Dragon is the same style as Terif, slow and very steady, every move a long term move and a good move. Dragon is good yes. Hats of to the young Austrian.

Dragon, I remember playing you in an email game a good time ago, where Hungary also didnt join until very very late and where you misplayed the invasion of Russia so the Russias joined before you invaded. The bid was low back in those days, around 2,000 for the Russians. You still beat me very badly so that I resigned even before you got to Moscow. Perhaps its a lucky sign for you when Hungary joins late. :cool: Seriously you are a much better player than me and that is why you killed me so badly and I just wanted to congratulate you on your win against Terif. Terif is in a class by himself and your beating him shows just how good of a player you are. Congratualations.