Another War - A Video AAR - Xargun (Japan) vs Deaniks (Allies) -- No Deaniks Please [Closed]

[Xargun]

Well I am back at it with a new game against Deaniks. We have agreed to the following:

Using the new exe - v 27
Using the new Scen 2 with the following changes
1. We are importing the Transport Aircraft changes from Evoken's Pacific First Mod as well as the modified device weights making most units fully air mobile. Dean really wanted this and I didn't care so we added it.
2. We each imported two ship designs from Evoken's Pacific First mod. Not surprising, we both imported an improved CV and CB design.
3. We are using Andy's Variant Point System with us each having 450 pts to spend.

Instead of doing a conventional AAR I have been convinced to try my hand at the Video AAR on youtube. I will try to post the links to the videos in here for anyone who wants to follow along but discussions and such will be in my channel over on Jochen Heiden's Discord server (link below).


Jochen Heiden's Discord Server:
https://discord.gg/v4A9STzW7R

Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 1 Video:
https://youtu.be/mMbrujgqWhg


Xargun

[RangerJoe]

Have fun. I would rather read an AAR and see pictures than a video so don't expect much input from me.

[Dewey169]

I wish u well as I would rather read an AAR too. Seems like people want to move the “conversations” off to other social media platforms and not have them here anymore. I’ve often found that while the videos might capture more verbal thoughts they just don’t convey showing maps, pictures and lists very well. The viewer has no control over ability to zoom in and study something for a bit.

[BananaConvention]

I wish u well as I would rather read an AAR too. Seems like people want to move the “conversations” off to other social media platforms and not have them here anymore. I’ve often found that while the videos might capture more verbal thoughts they just don’t convey showing maps, pictures and lists very well. The viewer has no control over ability to zoom in and study something for a bit.

That really makes no sense. YouTube has both the ability to zoom in on a portion of the video and pause it as well. Many people watch my videos, pause on combat reports I show, and point out things I missed myself. So this argument seems an invalid reason to not watch the videos. If anything you have more control with the video than a written AAR, because with written AARs you’re at the mercy of the author to provide you into to read.

[JanSako]

Not sure why personal preferences should be labeled nonsensical...

It is more about what one is looking for in the AAR. Newer/intermediate players will be looking at the 'how to' - strategies, tips & tricks to do stuff.

Veterans may be looking for the why, the overall strategy and reasons for it, and little details you cannot really convey via video unless you want to bore the other 90% of your audience to death. Things like how is the multi-layer CAP set up, why use a captain with a particular set of skill in a particular situation etc.

There are also great AAR's written in story mode, it would be really really hard to do that in a video mode, unless you spend all your time editing, instead of playing

An last, but not least the AAR writer/recorder is looking for audience, engagement or whatever else they are doing on social media.

All of those are valid & OK & there will be people that enjoy them.
Personally, I like both formats, if they are well done.

A suggestion to Xargun - think ahead of time what you want to talk about, no need to discuss/describe everything on the screen. I mean that you need to know when it is time to move on. Specifically I am talking about the time you spent on discussing the Intel screen & points & whatever. Overall, great first video, I am sure you will get the hang of it!

[MBF]

I tried to give youtube AARs a try but I find

(1) they are wayyyyyyyy too long - 30-90 minutes that most writers can put in a paragraph or five

(2) it gets really tiresome listening to thankyou's to subscibers,donors, etc. - I have NPR for that

(3) I often read these really quickly on break at work, after work, before bed, etc. - I'm not going to schedule 90 minutes to watch somebody scroll around a map when I can be doing that myself

(4) the good AARs have really good writeups and great images . (NJP and Lowpe come to mind for current ones - but many others as well that are not updated as often but are compelling reads for me)

It may be a generational thing .... ymmv but in any even good luck with your videos and your campaign Xargun - I hope you keep us somewhat updated here for us old timers over 60

[Cheesesteak]

If you're gonna do an AAR, do it for yourself. If that means YouTube feels better, so be it.

As a beneficiary of good AARs, Jan and MBF represent my thoughts on the matter. I would add that forums allow a quick recalibration on past action: I'm not going back to another minute mark in a past video to remember if the Nevada took one torp or two. My lazy brain is used to scrolling up and seeing that immediately.

You do you, just giving perspective of a reader.

[MBF]

And to further add - I have the utmost respect for those that post any kind of AAR that put themselves out there for all to see (in fact I think I learn more from games that don't go quite as the author wanted than I do from the "perfect plan")

[Xargun]

Turn 2 Results are in. I am toying with doing videos and a 'normal' AAR here but undecided at the moment.

For those who wish to watch turn 2...
https://youtu.be/L4czlWUeMm0

Xargun

[Dewey169]

I wish u well as I would rather read an AAR too. Seems like people want to move the “conversations” off to other social media platforms and not have them here anymore. I’ve often found that while the videos might capture more verbal thoughts they just don’t convey showing maps, pictures and lists very well. The viewer has no control over ability to zoom in and study something for a bit.

That really makes no sense. YouTube has both the ability to zoom in on a portion of the video and pause it as well. Many people watch my videos, pause on combat reports I show, and point out things I missed myself. So this argument seems an invalid reason to not watch the videos. If anything you have more control with the video than a written AAR, because with written AARs you’re at the mercy of the author to provide you into to read.

What I said had nothing to do with you. That had been my experience, but apparently you took it personally. A lot of well written AAR’s are here as well as quite a bit of knowledge about the game(if not most of it) and I’ve always been one that likes to read. Just because you prefer to have people hit the follow button and produce stuff doesn’t mean I find it anymore or any less meaningful. I grew up with books and newspapers and my grandchildren will/are the ones that prefer video style stuff. Finally, your last comment makes no sense as the reader/viewer is always at the mercy of an author, whether it’s in print or not.

[CaptBeefheart]

If people like video AARs, that's great. Personally, I read AARs at work when I have a 10-20 minute break. I don't put on headphones. I'm looking for highlights, a couple of key combat reports, a good map, some strategic discussion and game mechanics discussions when interesting things happen. To each his own.

Cheers,
CB

[Xargun]

Turn 3 of the game: https://youtu.be/aNYKA75rY_w

For those who do not wish to watch...

Turn was very slow and quick. Weather hampered half of my air strikes at Hong Kong and in Malaya.

Betties found some ships fleeing Singapore heading north and sunk an xAK, while missing an AMC and CM
IJN troops came ashore at Sorong but an enemy TF is spotted 1 hex away and recon says its a CA - so might be interesting next turn Other than that my attack at Hong Kong failed due to nearly no air support and what air support attacked didn't hit much due to storms.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 4: https://youtu.be/WPhpgEaUE7I

Weather improves and our aircraft strike mostly land targets - enemy troops and airfields. IJN troops land at Nauru and Ocean island and IJA Paratroopers land again in Luzon.

Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 5: Dec 11th, 1941
https://youtu.be/hW2UXg5jCT4

Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 6: Dec 12th, 1941
https://youtu.be/C0vgBwN7iiY


Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 7

https://youtu.be/hvtMZet6e-8

I finally caught those pesky British DDs from Hong Kong. The Boise found me and an aggressive move was made in China.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 8 - December 14th, 1941

Not a whole lot of action but Carrier Division 3 does find some targets near Kuching. We land more troops and supply in Malaysa and take a couple bases.

https://youtu.be/vN_uMt_67DI


Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 9: December 15th, 1941

Slow Naval Turn as I reposition my carriers and have some amphib TFs in the South Pacific evade the US CVs. We capture more bases in Malaya, Luzon and Celebes. We loose a base in China.

https://youtu.be/OQYKboYa1mg

Xargun

[Xargun]

Turn 10 - December 16th, 1941. Xargun (Japan) vs Deaniks (Allies).

Another slow turn. Most air attacks against enemy airfields and troops. A couple new troops landings and the battle turns at Ichang.

https://youtu.be/5xOV1nRMHaM


Xargun