Mark H. Walker Signs With Matrix Games!

[David Heath]

Mark H. Walker Signs With Matrix Games! New Game Brings Lock ‘n Load Game Series To World War II

Staten Island, NY, April 12th, 2005 - Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) today announced that acclaimed Author and Game Designer Mark H. Walker has signed on to release Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes under the Matrix Games label. Band of Heroes is the next title in the well-received Lock ‘n Load series of squad level board games and will mark the highly anticipated debut of the World War II period in the Lock ‘n Load system.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, commented, “Just about all of us started as board gamers and we still are, along with much of the Matrix Games community. We’ve admired Mark’s work for years and the development of Band of Heroes will be great news for fans of squad-level World War II games. We look forward to working closely with Mark on the release of the first board game in the Matrix Games line.”

Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes is the second complete module in the Lock ‘n Load game system, covering the battles of the 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) during World War II. Gamers who are familiar with the Lock ‘n Load system will be able to immediately start playing out of the box. As with the original game, each hex is 50 meters, turns are a few moments, counters represent squads, leaders, heroes, medics and even the occasional chaplain or scout. In addition to their own firepower, squads employ machine guns and squad automatic weapons, including for the Americans the .30 Cal, the Browning Automatic Rifle and the bazooka; for the Germans the MG-34, MG-43, Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck. Both sides are supported by tanks and assault guns.including Stuarts, StuGs, Shermans and an array of Panzers.

Mark H. Walker, Designer of Band of Heroes, said, “I'm thrilled to be part of Matrix Games' expansion into board games. David Heath has a commitment to the war gaming hobby -- whether it be computer games, board games, or miniatures -- that inspires me. I think gamers are going to be happy with the union of the Mark H. Walker, Lock 'n Load and Matrix Games.”

The scenario list for Band of Heroes is not yet final, but should include actions in the vicinity of Foucarfille, street fighting in Ste. Mere-Eglise, the battle for the La Feire farm and much more. Band of Heroes is schedule for a Summer 2005 release.

For more information, check the main Lock ‘n Load page at www.locknloadgame.com and the main Matrix Games website at www.matrixgames.com.

[Fred98]

Good news for Matrix!

[David Heath]

Hi Everyone

Let me make this clear now... this is a board game. I already been asked if we plan on making this a computer game. We are considering it but nothing has been decided yet.

David

[Marc von Martial]

Iacta alea est!

[Fred98]

In the event it is made into a computer game, my credit card is at the ready.

And a computer version, must make use of comoputers to make it BETTER. Specificaily, information needs to be graphical - characters typed on counters is no good.

[wodin]

Same here.

If its made into a PC game I will buy it no problem.

I mentioned wanting Lock n Load to be converted awhile ago. I hope it happens.

[AlvinS]

This is great news. I love board games and this will be on the must buy list. If you make a computer game for it I will buy that as well. If you decide not to make a computer game I would recommend making an official VASSAL module like was done for Lock N Load. That is a great way to play your favorite board game.

[markhwalker]

Yeah, I think it is exciting news too. I look forward to working with Matrix.

We'll have some screen shots in a couple of days.

Best, Mark

[ravinhood]

ORIGINAL: David Heath

Hi Everyone

Let me make this clear now... this is a board game. I already been asked if we plan on making this a computer game. We are considering it but nothing has been decided yet.

David

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO a board game??? We want a COMPUTER GAME of it damnit! lol

[Fred98]

I would be keen to see a computer version.

It needs to be single player AND multiplayer

Multiplayer needs to be PBEM, not continuos time

The map graphics need to be enhanced. See Uncommon Valour for adequate map graphics for top down 2D hex based games.

The hexes ought to be 2.5 meters wide – the length of a man lying pointing his rifle.

The counter graphics need updating. Actually counters are not necessary at all. Instead you want a top down view that resembles the soldiers in the computer game 101st Airborne.

They would be in 3 poses: standing, crouching and lying.

As for information, instead of having it on the counters, it would instead appear in an information screen of some sort.

Each piece of information might change colour as something happens: Green is good, Orange is medium, Red is poor and Black is bad etc

Left Click on a man, and the hexes he can move to are normal colour and the hexes he cannot move to ( because he has used up his movement points) are greyed out.

Right Click on a man and the hexes he can shoot at are normal colour those he cannot shoot at are greyed out. If range is important those hexes in “normal” range are normal colour and those at extended range are a different shade of colour.

It is important to use computers to make wargaming better. An exact duplicate for computer would be no use.

If a man throws smoke, it ought to billow – no smoke counters please. Nor should anything else be represented by counters - computer graphics is a better way. -

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

I would be keen to see a computer version.

It needs to be single player AND multiplayer

Multiplayer needs to be PBEM, not continuos time

The map graphics need to be enhanced. See Uncommon Valour for adequate map graphics for top down 2D hex based games.

The hexes ought to be 2.5 meters wide – the length of a man lying pointing his rifle.

The counter graphics need updating. Actually counters are not necessary at all. Instead you want a top down view that resembles the soldiers in the computer game 101st Airborne.

They would be in 3 poses: standing, crouching and lying.

As for information, instead of having it on the counters, it would instead appear in an information screen of some sort.

Each piece of information might change colour as something happens: Green is good, Orange is medium, Red is poor and Black is bad etc

Left Click on a man, and the hexes he can move to are normal colour and the hexes he cannot move to ( because he has used up his movement points) are greyed out.

Right Click on a man and the hexes he can shoot at are normal colour those he cannot shoot at are greyed out. If range is important those hexes in “normal” range are normal colour and those at extended range are a different shade of colour.

It is important to use computers to make wargaming better. An exact duplicate for computer would be no use.

If a man throws smoke, it ought to billow – no smoke counters please. Nor should anything else be represented by counters - computer graphics is a better way. -

Joe,

Sorry I have to disagree totally.

The artwork in the boardgame is superb and in my opiniion cant be beaten.

A straight conversion will be excellent.

Your asking for a totally different game by the sounds of it.

I think your forgeting this is a squad based 50 metre hex game NOT an individual soldier game.

Your thinking of Sniper Ambush I believe.

[ravinhood]

I agree with Wodin a conversion of the game as it is now would be just fine by me, I'm not looking for a Close Combat Clone.

[Fred98]

ORIGINAL: Wodin The artwork in the boardgame is superb and in my opinion cant be beaten.

Wodin, we have had this discussion before and I have here an example.

Battles in Normandy, is top down 2D, turn based, hex based with a scenario editor.

Another player has created a new scenario - and a screen shot of his map is below.

I am not interested in Flash Bang graphics. The graphics below are just right and the grahics in Squad Battles are not to my taste - in fact are a great turn off to me. A huge turn off.

In the screen shot below the hex sides are turned off. But if you look carefully, you can see the different terrain types from hex to hex.

http://www.ssg.com.au/tournamentspace/MacArthurBIG.jpg

We have been blessed with nice maps in various games and I cannot go back to the old days.-

[mllange]

Battles in Normandy, is top down 2D, turn based, hex based with a scenario editor.

Another player has created a new scenario - and a screen shot of his map is below.

I am not interested in Flash Bang graphics. The graphics below are just right and the grahics in Squad Battles are not to my taste - in fact are a great turn off to me. A huge turn off.

In the screen shot below the hex sides are turned off. But if you look carefully, you can see the different terrain types from hex to hex.

http://www.ssg.com.au/tournamentspace/MacArthurBIG.jpg

Graphics like the map you included in your post work fine for a strategic map at a much larger scale, but you've probably not played lock 'n load. It is squad-based, house to house practically fighting. There is no way it could be played on a map like the one you posted a link to.. the squads would simply dissappear into the trees and mountains. Heck, you could put several squads into one hex easily! What's the scale you're talking about? That's the important thing.

Here's a screen post from one of the boards that ships with Lock 'n Load, and I'll agree it's not the most beautiful thing in the world (though most people rave about them), but it certainly fits the scale of the game much better than an entire island!

image link

[Paul Vebber]

After playing some head to head good ole fashionedboard gaming lately, I'm reminded just how much more fun being in the same room with your opponent can be.

WHile we are not suddenly going to issue forth a deluge of board games - i think that REALLY GOOD board games like Mark's, every now and then, offer an excellent change of pace from Cyber-command!

We are really excited about having Mark on board and think his efforts are a thruely great inaugural board game!

(And if a computer version comes done the pike something in the future, we certainly won't bitch [:D]

[wodin]

Joe,

Your talking about changing the whole scale of the game.

What you suggest is exactly th same as your siggested for Sniper Ambush which is great for Sniper as its the scale your talking about. Lock n Load is squad scale not individual soldiers.

[ravinhood]

(And if a computer version comes done the pike something in the future, we certainly won't bitch

Nope we sure won't, but, you will get more sales. As far as lock n load graphics, I see nothing at all wrong with them. I've played on much less than it offers, it's the game that matters not the bloomin pictures.

[Fred98]

ORIGINAL: wodin Your talking about changing the whole scale of the game.

No, I am talking about artwork

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

The hexes ought to be 2.5 meters wide – the length of a man lying pointing his rifle.

The counter graphics need updating. Actually counters are not necessary at all. Instead you want a top down view that resembles the soldiers in the computer game 101st Airborne.

They would be in 3 poses: standing, crouching and lying.

As for information, instead of having it on the counters, it would instead appear in an information screen of some sort.

Each piece of information might change colour as something happens: Green is good, Orange is medium, Red is poor and Black is bad etc

Left Click on a man, and the hexes he can move to are normal colour and the hexes he cannot move to ( because he has used up his movement points) are greyed out.

Right Click on a man and the hexes he can shoot at are normal colour those he cannot shoot at are greyed out. If range is important those hexes in “normal” range are normal colour and those at extended range are a different shade of colour.

It is important to use computers to make wargaming better. An exact duplicate for computer would be no use.

If a man throws smoke, it ought to billow – no smoke counters please. Nor should anything else be represented by counters - computer graphics is a better way. -

I ment this.

Also have you seen the counter art in the Lock n Load baordgame? I think it is fantastic and I cant see anything else beating it at this cale.

[markhwalker]

I'll agree it's not the most beautiful thing in the world (though most people rave about them),

You know, I'm a pretty a pretty chilled out kind of guy. Most things slide right on past me. But what would be the most beautiful thing in the gaming world, if this isn't? HPS Squad battles, ASL, ATS, anything?

Let's get specific...

There's a game around with better graphics than that? Not on anyone's table I know, nor in anyone's 2D computer game I've seen... and I have seen them all.

Joe, didn't you originally post your comments at Shrapnel? I addressed them on their boards, but I believe Tim Brooks editied my reply. They are very sensitive about other people's games. Can't really blame them. They've had a rough couple of years.

Best,

Mark