Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Gamers can also use this forum to chat about any game related subject, news, rumours etc.

Moderator: maddog986

Post Reply
SvenilVecchio
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:13 pm

Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by SvenilVecchio »

I'd like some wargames were made for this period of the colonial wars in Africa in the period between 1860 and 1900 at any level tactical, operational. Matrixgames plan to do something about?
Gaetano Russo
Alchenar
Posts: 359
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:17 am

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by Alchenar »

Every few years someone has a stab at this and it turns out that

1) It's really difficult to make an interesting game when one side has the Maxim gun and the other does not. Assuming the player doesn't make the historical arrogance related mistakes the Colonials did it's hard to rationalise any way he can lose.

2) It's a game about white Europeans slaughtering Africans in their thousands in order to take all their stuff. At some point you realise that it's a PR nightmare waiting to happen.

SvenilVecchio
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:13 pm

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by SvenilVecchio »

Not Boer War or Italian defeat at Adowa.
Gaetano Russo
User avatar
jimi3
Posts: 152
Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:31 pm
Location: Michigan

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by jimi3 »

Norm Koger's Wargame Construction Set III Age of Rifles 1846-1905. It's old but it's still out there. Always wish someone would pick this one up. I understand that probably won't happen.
Cheers, Jim
User avatar
warspite1
Posts: 42130
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:06 pm
Location: England

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by warspite1 »

ORIGINAL: Alchenar

Every few years someone has a stab at this and it turns out that

1) It's really difficult to make an interesting game when one side has the Maxim gun and the other does not. Assuming the player doesn't make the historical arrogance related mistakes the Colonials did it's hard to rationalise any way he can lose.

2) It's a game about white Europeans slaughtering Africans in their thousands in order to take all their stuff. At some point you realise that it's a PR nightmare waiting to happen.

warspite1

Why does it have to be about that? WWII games are not based on how many Jews or Slavs or homosexuals, or political undesirables or the mentally ill etc the Germans can slaughter in their millions are they??

A game about the 'Scramble for Africa' could be made focusing on the military and economic aspects (just as we do with other wargames) with the possibility of an Adowa or an Islandwhana (spelling?) for any imperialists who take their eye off the ball. More importantly there could be an emphasis on getting the Europeans to pick on each other - perhaps turning Fashoda type incidents into a shooting war.

No 'PR Disaster' necessary.
Now Maitland, now's your time!

Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
User avatar
Hotschi
Posts: 548
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:04 pm
Location: Austria

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by Hotschi »


http://www.matrixgames.com/products/486 ... of.Nations

There's also the expansion/add-on "Scramble for Africa" available.
"A big butcher's bill is not necessarily evidence of good tactics"

- Wavell's reply to Churchill, after the latter complained about faint-heartedness, as he discovered that British casualties in the evacuation from Somaliland had been only 260 men.
Ranger33
Posts: 555
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:19 pm

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by Ranger33 »

ORIGINAL: Hotschi


http://www.matrixgames.com/products/486 ... of.Nations

There's also the expansion/add-on "Scramble for Africa" available.

In this vein there is also Victoria II from Paradox. Not a wargame at all really but has an expansion focused on colonization. Honestly, I think it's the most interesting title among their grand strategy games, with its greater focus on culture, politics, and economy.
User avatar
Erik Rutins
Posts: 39759
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2000 4:00 pm
Location: Vermont, USA
Contact:

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by Erik Rutins »

Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC


Image

For official support, please use our Help Desk: http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/

Freedom is not Free.
User avatar
Erik Rutins
Posts: 39759
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2000 4:00 pm
Location: Vermont, USA
Contact:

RE: Wargame of colonial war in Africa. Why not?

Post by Erik Rutins »

Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC


Image

For official support, please use our Help Desk: http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/

Freedom is not Free.
Post Reply

Return to “General Discussion”