DVG - Alexander the Great - News!

[Dan Verssen]

We are very pleased to announce the second game in our Field Commander series - Alexander the Great. You can see the box front, sample counters, and a map in the Alexander game section.

You take on the role of Alexander the Great in his world-conquering quest to extend the Macedonian empire and achieve personal glory.

When we started designing the game, our goal was to represent the battles of Alexander the Great, but the more we learned about him, the more we realized our opportunity to explore not only his battlefield exploits, but also the other aspects of his life. True, Alexander the Great was highly skilled in warfare, but he was also a skilled negotiator and at his core was the constant drive to connect with the gods. It was rumored that his father was Zeus, and he spent much of his life seeking the favor and advice of the Greek gods.

When playing the game, you are placed in Alexander’s footsteps when he comes of age in 338bc, just before the battle of Chaeronea. From that point on, you get to decide where to travel, when to battle, when to negotiate, and when to seek out divine prophesies to guide your actions.

You are supplied with soldiers and advisors to help you navigate the dangers of the battlefield and the negotiating table. These include Infantry, Archers, Phalanxes, Cavalry, Advisors, Scholars, Cortisones, and Spies. You will craftily combine these resources with your own plans to achieve victory, and glorification. And if you do well, you will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders ever to walk the earth.

The life of Alexander is divided into several campaigns, each spanning several years. During each campaign, you are given goals, but how you achieve those goals is up to you. Do you enter into battle? Or negotiate? How strong are you? How strong are they? What can you gain? These are all decisions you get to make, and must make well, if you are to live up to the immortal standards set before you.

The campaigns can either be played stand alone, or linked to play through his entire life. When played as one on-going life, the outcome of one campaign affects your starting situation in the next campaign.

How you proceed is up to you – The Entire World is Yours for the Taking!

Thank you,
-Dan Verssen
www.dvg.com

[ravinhood]

It's a BOARDGAME? <cough> <sputter> <chuck> Where's the computer version?

[Dan Verssen]

Even Alexander's journey started with a single footstep.&nbsp;

[Tomus]

I am intrigued by this I must admit.

But how on earth does a solo boardgame work? Without some form of independent opponent I can't see how you could manage a convincing battle.

[Grell]

I thought Erik said that you can't post links to sell things on this site.

Regards,

Grell

[Terminus]

There are exceptions, and Dan V. is one of them.

[Erik Rutins]

Yep, we have an existing partnership with Dan, we're ok with him posting announcements here.

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: Tomus

I am intrigued by this I must admit.

But how on earth does a solo boardgame work? Without some form of independent opponent I can't see how you could manage a convincing battle.

Ok, you need to do some serious reading regarding solitaire wargames [;)]

Keywords : Raid on St. Nazaire, Up Front, BoardgameGeek

Short : various systems exist and the ingenious ones can give you a *very* good game

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[Tomus]

Thanks I will do. What are the basic principles behind the systems? Is it like playing cards?

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: Tomus
Thanks I will do. What are the basic principles behind the systems? Is it like playing cards?

The basic principle is that rules for the side on the defence can be "programmed" more or less. Examples : fixed enemy unit is triggered to come "alive" the turn you move a unit next to it, enemy reinforcements arrive on variable turns from variable locations based on your die rolls (don't cheat [;)]), enemy units always attack the closest of your units unless they're outnumbered 2-1 etc.

Over the years there have been some very good solitaire wargames, but I have got a miserably bad game as well called First Team : Vietnam or something like it.

Raid on St. Nazaire and Up Front, both from Avalon Hill, are two good examples of solitair wargames and there's a ton of info on them out there. Oh, and that Market-Garden game from AH as well.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[PunkReaper]

Great news, two ancient games in as many weeks (HPS Gallic Wars). Will this game be available in England or will it have to be ordered direct?

[Dan Verssen]

Punk Reaper,
&nbsp;
We are in contact with several distributors in Europe, but I don't have solid details yet.

[Dan Verssen]

On the DVG site, I have a few turns for the Rommel game posted. This shows in detail how a solitaire board game design works. Here's the link to the 1st part...
&nbsp;
http://images.dvg.com/www.dvg.com/Rommel-Sample1.pdf
&nbsp;
-Dan
www.dvg.com

[Tomus]

Thanks for the advice guys. Very interesting and its an ancients game which we unfortunately don't see much of. Looks like I will give it a try....
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

[ravinhood]

Where can I find these DVG in "bargain bin Prices"? heheheeeee

[Phatguy]

ORIGINAL: Grell

I thought Erik said that you can't post links to sell things on this site.

Regards,

Grell

It's not like its any old crap ya know.... This seems to be quality

[Warfare1]

I definitely like the idea of solitare board games.

Great idea.

I miss seeing the whole board when playing computer games as well as the tactile feel for the game pieces.

I hope we see more of this!

Perhaps a Caesar game would be great: Gaul, Civil War, etc...

[Warfare1]

Field Commander - Rommel

Here's a map of North Africa for the Rommel solitaire game:

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: sterckxe
Ok, you need to do some serious reading regarding solitaire wargames [;)]

Keywords : Raid on St. Nazaire, Up Front, BoardgameGeek

"Up Front" is not a solitaire game. In fact, it is a card game that is not at all suited for solitaire play. Did you mean "Ambush"?

VG's "Carrier" and "Tokyo Express" deserve mention as successful solitaire designs, too.

Of course, it remains true that the vast majority of wargames are played solitaire, notwithstanding the designer's intention...

[Dan Verssen]

One of the ideas I'm considering is focusing DVG's tabletop design efforts on solitaire games, because Pasternakski is correct, most are played solitaire anyway. Finding a tabletop gaming opponent is tricky at best.
&nbsp;
If DVG can become known as "The solitaire games company" I think it would help to set us apart.