“Wild Bill” Wilder Joins Lock ‘n Load Team!

[Alex Fiedler]

Famed scenario designer to write 82nd & 101st Airborne scenarios for Lock 'n Load: Band of Heroes!

Matrix Games is very pleased to announce that “Wild Bill” Wilder, famed for his roles with series such as Battlefront’s Combat Mission, HPS’ Squad Battles, TalonSoft’s Operational Art of War, and Matrix Games’ Steel Panthers Series, has joined the crew at Lock ‘n Load to bring the battles of the 82nd and 101st Airborne into the game.

Mark Walker’s Lock and Load: Band of Heroes is a squad level board game announced as coming this Summer from Matrix Games. Originally it was intended that only the 101st Airborne would be covered, but with the with the addition of “Wild Bill” Wilder the 82nd Airborne will also be brought to life in the latest Lock ‘n Load game.

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.

The scenario list for Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes is not yet final, but should include actions in the vicinity of Foucarville, street fighting in Ste. Mere-Eglise, the battle for the La Feire farm and much more. Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes is scheduled for a Summer debut release at Origins Gaming Convention in Columbus, Ohio. For more information on Origins please visit www.originsgames.com.

[KG Erwin]

Great to see "the Kunel" back in action, especially in revisiting the Airborne. [&o]

[ravinhood]

When's the computer version coming out?

[markhwalker]

When's the computer version coming out?

April 1st.

[ravinhood]

Very funny Mark, now I'm gonna hold yah to that date, NEXT YEAR.

[markhwalker]

LOL... I can only hope.

[ravinhood]

Don't worry Marc, I'll buy it whenever it comes out, but, I think the computer version is going to be a smash hit. I like squad based/turn based games the most. I like the tactical aspect moreso that operational and strategic. I like getting down and dirty with individual units vs divisions and corps. Just hurry up will yah?

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: ravinhood

Don't worry Marc, I'll buy it whenever it comes out, but, I think the computer version is going to be a smash hit. I like squad based/turn based games the most. I like the tactical aspect moreso that operational and strategic. I like getting down and dirty with individual units vs divisions and corps. Just hurry up will yah?

Same here.

Ravinhood we live in hope for that elusive game. Combat leader and this both so far away. In all honesty nothing that has been made or anyhting except CL thats being developed I really want.

Really odd when you consider the greatest wargame made is most likely ASL and yet no one has really done anything like it yet on a PC. SB being the exception but thats only a shadow of ASL>

[markhwalker]

And here is what the scenarios will look like...

[wodin]

Drool..............

My god that looks amazing.

Though Ill never play this game Im going to buy it. As oneday I may find someone who is into wargames and wants to have a go.

Please god make a PC conversion...........

Ive saved this pic and Im going to post it around the forums.

[Fred98]

Very nice!

If the computer version looks like this I’ll be interested!

Suggestion for the PC version: - Instead of a “smoke counter” have a graphic of smoke billowing - Instead of a “shaken” counter, the graphic on the original counter changes to show the “shaken” state ( or any other state or states).

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

Very nice!

If the computer version looks like this I’ll be interested!

Suggestion for the PC version: - Instead of a “smoke counter” have a graphic of smoke billowing - Instead of a “shaken” counter, the graphic on the original counter changes to show the “shaken” state ( or any other state or states).

Joe Im glad you like it too!

I agree with the shaken bit but having animated smoke may look a bit odd. Maybe have the smoke animate as it billows up and then mybe fades each turn until it fades.

[markhwalker]

The computer version does have animated smoke, artillery fire explosions, and tracer rounds exiting the counters. Of course there are sound effects for all the above. For those of you actually familiar with the board game, the Events are voice acted, and brought to life with graphic novel art.

Best,

Mark

[wodin]

Excellent. Sounds like the PC version is more than just a glint in peoples eyes.

[ioticus]

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

The computer version does have animated smoke, artillery fire explosions, and tracer rounds exiting the counters. Of course there are sound effects for all the above. For those of you actually familiar with the board game, the Events are voice acted, and brought to life with graphic novel art.

Best,

Mark

Will it have an AI?

[wodin]

Yes it will.

[ioticus]

ORIGINAL: wodin

Yes it will.

Cool, can't wait for it.

[markhwalker]

Yes, as Wodin says, it will. It's a computer game, not a player's aid. It has an AI, three campaigns, etc...

Best, Mark