Re: Real-time Kriegspiel online

[James Sterrett]

Sorry, missed the "is TacOps best" question.

Yes and no.

TacOps is good at what I've described above, not least in that it will provide text files you can shove out with all the basic data.

There are some "Howevers", though.

1) TacOps does modern major combat ops. This may not be what you want!

2) The method of using TacOps, described above, replicates the umpired-Kriegsspiel process we are all familiar with. You should keep in mind the question: What are you really trying to do -- replicate the feel of Kriegsspiel online? Or do you want a distributed game?

Replicating the feel is tricky but gives you the flexibility to craft your own rules around the game -- even if you are using a computer game for the most part, you'll likely want one flexible enough to alter things in midstream.

If what you want is, really, a distributed game, then find a computer game that supports sufficient players in the period of interest. (Tricky part: most computer strategy games do not support more than one player per side. )

[hammurabi70]

OK - just keeping up with this.

CC was software running a tactical combat system, not hexed based but a GOOGLE search fails to uncover any reference to it now (which should tell us something!).

I take it that COMBAT MISSION is not the same as TACOPS then? Certainly it covers a more interesting period (WW2) for me.

[MJ1]

OK - just keeping up with this.

CC was software running a tactical combat system, not hexed based but a GOOGLE search fails to uncover any reference to it now (which should tell us something!).

I take it that COMBAT MISSION is not the same as TACOPS then? Certainly it covers a more interesting period (WW2) for me.

If you play computer games and you want to play the best game of it's type covering WW2 then CM is absolutely the best. IMO.

They are currently working on the next version but that will not be ready until next year at earliest and CM is in bargain bucket price and well worth a look. I played it solid for around 5 years and at some stage I will go back to it when I fullfill my current RPG fix... Dragon Age is has me in it's grip and before that Fallout3. But I digress....

[James Sterrett]

Not part of this series, then?

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/combatcommand2desertrats/index.html

I presumed and failed.

Combat Mission demos:

Third game (North Africa)
http://www.battlefront.com/products/cmak/cmak_demo.html

Second game (Eastern Front)
http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=57&Itemid=97

First game (Northwest Europe)
http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=66&Itemid=107

[Martin]

I've often thought about using 'The Operational Art of War'. It's not perfect for this purpose - it does not have the facility to print out combat results, and has an alternating turn sequence with occasional turn flips to refect shifting initiative which don't easilly lend themselves to k/spiel.

I think it could work though as the map/movement/combat/supply engine for the rest of the game. It can also handle limited intelligence, albeit in a somewhat crude fashion.

In my view you could only use it for an email game, as the alternating turn sequence & turn flips could then be managed.

Martin

[Richard]

Many thanks James for a very useful post. I will definitely download the demo of TacOps and try it out.


Richard

[James Sterrett]

Let me know if you have questions.

[Martin]

A few questions James:

1. Have you played 'World War II: General Commander'?

2. Is it any good?

3. Could one use it for an umpired game?

Regards

Martin

PS are you still in same house (re xmas card)?

[James Sterrett]

I've never played it, and what I've heard has not been favorable -- admittedly, I have not heard much!

I have no idea if it could be used for a Kriegsspiel.

We haven't moved in the past few years.

[Martin]

Ta

[hammurabi70]

Well this is certainly proving an education.

'World War II: General Commander' looks operational/strategic whereas TACOPS/CM is, almost direct from the title, more tactical. Perhaps a matter of personal taste as to which is better but what are these negative comments on the former?

I take it these are played over the internet so there is a certain lack of social interaction during the gaming. Or do I have that wrong?

[James Sterrett]

My memory of the commentary on WW2CC -- which is dim, so apply the necessary salt -- is that it winds up being fairly lite. I very dimly recall criticism of the way the game handled forces for you and an inability to handle them effectively on your own. Honestly, you'd likely be better off finding a demo.

For my parts, I've got nothing against operational games, but my taste there tends to run towards Panther's Highway to the Reich/Conquest of the Aegean/(upcoming) Battles from the Bulge. (Disclaimer: I'm a beta tester -- as part of my day job.) I have used these, and a few others (Flashpoint: Germany, TacOps, and Close Combat Marines) in Kriegsspiel-inspired introductory staff exercises at various game conventions.

Odd but true, running games over the internet doesn't mean poor social interactions; in my direct experience it can be quite the opposite.