BoardGame Style Counter Mod?

[lamadalton]

Anyone ever see a board game unit counter style mod for SPWAW? I have to admit I find it hard to focus on this game due to the graphics. I like to play casually, watching ER with the wife etc... and even with the unit markers (Flags) I find it so unpleasant to look at and keep track of units etc... that I don't play it much. I am enjoying Squad Battles: Eagles Strike, due to the smaller size of the force in general and the ease of locating units etc... Anyone have any advice or a mod?

[m10bob]

I believe you might be happier playing "TANKS"!, or maybe the Operational Art of War,(TOAW)...They use "counter-type" units...
TANKS is a free download on the net, and TOAW is (or will be) available thru Matrixgames.

[BulletMagnet]

link please?

[m10bob]

ORIGINAL: BulletMagnet

link please?

http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/tanks.htm

[BulletMagnet]

Tanks alot...(groan)

[KG Erwin]

For a game like this... no.

[lamadalton]

KG Erwin said: For a game like this...(pause)no.

What do you mean 'a game like this'?

I'm guessing all the Grog's reading this and playing a quick game of Tobruk are heading for wal-mart to get plastic army men and matchbox tanks to put on the board. Who can take seriously a game that uses unit counters...
Like I said, I like the game, it's just awful to look at...

[lamadalton]

Thanks for the link M10Bob...

That looks cool...I will check it out

By the way, anyone with kids that aren't interested in war games, try Shattered Union. I picked this up to play via LAN with my kids, they are getting interested in this type of game. They like the turn based nature, not too intense...the game looks good(which makes it less serious?)kidding), My daughter makes good choices of units etc... so having a good time with this. It's a glorified and simplified hex based board game with sound and graphics, for those who might look the other way on this one...this is an example of where it fits right in the collection, It's the video game equivilent of 'Memior 44' board game...

[Warhorse]

Actually, during the fledgling years of WAW, when I was really involved with the graphics in the team, David asked me to come up with something along this line, although it was NATO symbols on the pieces. To make counters would be relatively easy, tanks are two-piece already (hull, turret), and others single. The biggest problem is that alot of countries use the same icon, so you would be sharing the same counter.

Mike

[KG Erwin]

Guys, one of the things that makes SPWaW unique is the loving attention paid to the vehicle icons. Look, I'm an old boardgame player, but we are abstractly representing a tactical situation, so doing a Panzerblitz-style representation just strikes me the wrong way.

In computer games, I don't want retro. I want state-of-the-art, which has some negative connotations, as it implies association with those damnable first-person shooters.

With SPWaW, I personally want a veneer of realism, so the updated graphics and sounds only enhance the overall game experience for me.

Some of you guys might disagree with the "table-top" approach that I favor, but reverting to counters just seems too conservative . We are not gonna attract many new players in taking that approach, IMHO.

[m10bob]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Guys, one of the things that makes SPWaW unique is the loving attention paid to the vehicle icons. Look, I'm an old boardgame player, but we are abstractly representing a tactical situation, so doing a Panzerblitz-style representation just strikes me the wrong way.

In computer games, I don't want retro. I want state-of-the-art, which has some negative connotations, as it implies association with those damnable first-person shooters.

With SPWaW, I personally want a veneer of realism, so the updated graphics and sounds only enhance the overall game experience for me.

Some of you guys might disagree with the "table-top" approach that I favor, but reverting to counters just seems too conservative . We are not gonna attract many new players in taking that approach, IMHO.

Well Glenn, the flaw with your logic is that it would be considered retro to play chess, (one of the acknowledged original wargames).
I like SP because it is after all the computerized version of "miniatures rules and units", but I still feel there is room for counter-type play, and on the computer you don't have to worry about the cats screwing up where you left off![:)]

[Titanwarrior89]

I myself guys agree with both of you. I think your both on. Ive been wargaming since 78 and like both lay outs.[:D]

ORIGINAL: m10bob

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Guys, one of the things that makes SPWaW unique is the loving attention paid to the vehicle icons. Look, I'm an old boardgame player, but we are abstractly representing a tactical situation, so doing a Panzerblitz-style representation just strikes me the wrong way.

In computer games, I don't want retro. I want state-of-the-art, which has some negative connotations, as it implies association with those damnable first-person shooters.

With SPWaW, I personally want a veneer of realism, so the updated graphics and sounds only enhance the overall game experience for me.

Some of you guys might disagree with the "table-top" approach that I favor, but reverting to counters just seems too conservative . We are not gonna attract many new players in taking that approach, IMHO.

Well Glenn, the flaw with your logic is that it would be considered retro to play chess, (one of the acknowledged original wargames).
I like SP because it is after all the computerized version of "miniatures rules and units", but I still feel there is room for counter-type play, and on the computer you don't have to worry about the cats screwing up where you left off![:)]

[264rifle]

I enjoy both types of games. Using a counter to represent a single tank or lmg looks a bit clumsy. Computer SQUAD LEADER???? with turret counters for turret facing??or trying to turn square counter inside a hex for tank facing/[&:]

But SPIII looked a little weird also with 4-5 icons jammed in a hex.

My nickel (inflation) says that for single units the SPWAW style pleases me best. The old SPIII or Panzer General II graphics are OK for platoon-company level and for anything where Icon represents company or above (with mixed vehicle or weapons types) the designer might as well use the board style counters.[:)]

[Goblin]

It would be cool as a Mod to play now and again, just for the fun of it, but I do like the in-game icons...


Goblin

[Wild Bill]

Hey Lamaldonton! (Did I get it right)! Try the HPS games, Squad Battles. These definitely have boardgame graphics but it plays much like SPWAW. Its tactical level and really a lot of fun. I was game coordinator for four of their games, Pacific War, The Proud and the Few, Eagles Cry and Korea.

You'll love these. It has the feel of boardgame but with a computer AI and all kinds of goodies included, it is great!

http://www.hpssims.com/

Wild Bill