Downloadable Boardgames

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:04 am

Could anyone reccomend good Downloadable Wargames, Like ASL?

Resisti · Post by **Resisti** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 12:52 pm

If you're looking for FREE games, look here:

http://www.theunderdogs.org/

Many are old, but there's something worthing to be downloaded for sure.

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 1:03 pm

well those arent the type of Boardgames i mean, Games like ASL are what i mean

Resisti · Post by **Resisti** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 1:05 pm

Originally posted by kungfucheez
well those arent the type of Boardgames i mean, Games like ASL are what i mean

If you check carefully, there's a section for wargames, too.
IIRC, there are also the old Steel Panthers to download, i.e.

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 1:07 pm

uhhhhh well actually i meant free games

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 5:38 pm

I think Kungfu got led astray recently reading the thread concerning VASL and JASL.

Last I checked, matter energy transmitters had not been invented, sorry dude.

The only way to get a free "board game" is generally to have it given to you in person.

You might have been confusing the various forms of software used to implement internet play of board games, but you must already own the board game to employ this manner of software.

The software is just a device in this case and not really a game.

In the case of free downloadable computer wargames, that is another matter entirely.

Some will argue that there is really no such thing. Outside of the arrangement Matrix has with SSI, I am not sure I know of any other examples that would survive a court room debate.

They do exist out there though, on web sites that are fans of the games in question.

The use of a well established search engine, can find you myriad sources. I am assuming no one here wishes to be insulted by me explaining how to employ a search engine though.

Jim1954 · Post by **Jim1954** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 6:32 pm

I can't for the life of me remember where I got it, but I found a game, Battle for Moscow, on the net a while back. Dl'ed the map and counter sheets as pdf files but overall it wasn't worth much. You get what you pay for, I guess. Have you tried looking on ebay under toys/games? While not free, some of those titles are ridiculously cheap.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 6:46 pm

That sounds like something Jim Dunnigan would offer Jim, he has in the past made games that were included in things like books on wargaming.

Demos might not be to far off though. Lock n Load has a demo out currently.

A modest map image, a countersheet image, and a brief manual to see what the game is like.

I am currently trying to bug MMP into doing the same for ASL.

Jim1954 · Post by **Jim1954** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 6:49 pm

The game did have an SPI "feel" to it ,Les. Could have been Dunnigan. Maybe 50 counters, tops and a map that fit on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.

Jim1954 · Post by **Jim1954** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 6:56 pm

Found what I was thinking of over at Web-Grognards.
This link claims to have freeware downloadable games on it, and it's where I found the Moscow game.

http://grognard.com/board.html#complete

Veldor · Post by **Veldor** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 7:08 pm

Originally posted by Les the Sarge 9-1
The only way to get a free "board game" is generally to have it given to you in person.

You might have been confusing the various forms of software used to implement internet play of board games, but you must already own the board game to employ this manner of software.

The software is just a device in this case and not really a game.

There are plenty of "FREE" playable board games on the internet. Yes even the ones that dont actually require you to own the game will state that you need too. For some misplaced legal belief that that statement makes what they have done legal.

But Les is correct in that the vast majority of them are only 50% complete at best and meant more as a tool to play it online than anything else. Of course in all these cases merely having the rulebook is enough, you dont need the game. For the web-based Advanced Third Reich there are postings of the rulebook online and similiar for other games. Its sort of the "piracy" equivalant for boardgames. So if you can get ahold of the rulebook from a friend or online you can play many of the games.

To put it more simply.. Most online conversions just display the mapboards and pieces and handle recording movement and fire instructions etc. They do not implement most of the actual games logic, that is left to the players though in some cases certain things such as stacking limitations and so on are implemented.

Most FULL boardgame conversions are done by professionals or semi-professionals such as the group that is putting all of SPI's games online. Totally legit, legal, and what looks to be a great effort thus far.

Jim1954 · Post by **Jim1954** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 7:11 pm

Veldor, I'm in the dark. Which group is putting the SPI stuff out and do they have a website?

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 8:05 pm

Veldor I won't argue the law (probably because not being a lawyer what would I expect to get out of it hehe), but I have to wonder.

Warplanner could not be any more obvious, than a prostitute working inside a convent.

The web site is about as visible.

http://www.warplanner.com/

The game is about as visible.

http://www.aworldatwar.com/

And the fact that both know about each other fully, and that the one, is selling the board game as well.

I am wondering why everyone is screaming about it being illegal. Or maybe someone needs to tell GMT they don't own the game.

I have scanned every friggin one of my wargames manuals. I will gladly send a scanned copy to any that wants one (you cover postage though).
This is almost certainly some form of infringment, but I sure ain't giving you a defacto copy of the games physical materials. I would only be doing it, so you can get the inside scoop on why it's worth your time ferreting out an old copy on eBay.
Because rest assured, that's the ONLY way you are ever likely going to find 95 % of my board game collection.

The original companies don't even exist anymore.

Sure some can take a utility, and turn it into a game. People do that all the time with computer game demos. But I think a person taking a board game utility and doing that, is a very odd individual. Heck I won't even buy most board games, if the materials are substandard. I am sure not going to settle for some butchered computer created frankenwargame.

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 10:58 pm

I beg the differ

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:10 pm

You might need to be more specific while begging Kungfu hehe:)

To what do you refer?

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:21 pm

does it sound like im begging?

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 11:59 pm

Well you DID say "I beg to differ".

Not exactly profuse begging of course.

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 2:10 am

but im not Dime begging

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 3:30 am

We need to toughen up Kungfu's armur rating, I say we throw him in Art of Wargaming for the night.

Buy tomorrow night he will be hard core.

kungfucheez · Post by **kungfucheez** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 12:10 pm

sounds good to me, btw , I think SPWAW is the best Wargame ive played and will always until someone shows me differ.