How I realized I was a wargaming dinosaur

[pz501]

Just a few minutes ago I was thinning out games that were on the computer, and I found I was uninstalling a lot that while not bad or poorly made just seem to have become too complicated or detailed for me to enjoy much anymore.

Funny thing is I used to really like and even demand that extra drilled down detail, and thought anything that didn't have the amount present in Grigsby titles for instance, were inferior. Now I'll just look at them, play around with the editor a bit, but then close them up without playing either vs the AI or PBEM. I doubt I'll ever be in a hurry to buy anything like them again.

I often find myself thinking of the "old days" (dating myself here, I mean table top paper games like SPI products), but realize aside from Vassal (which is useful, but just not for me), there is no way to go back and relive the glory days.

One thing I found that appeals is that Decision Games does a computerized (no AI) version of SPI War in Europe that is a faithful recreation. I used to have a copy, but now it's gone missing. Back in the day there was quite a lively PBEM community, and two or three player games were easy to get going. The thing even had a complete editor built in. All that is long gone now. DG still sells it, and for the price (less than most AAA titles) I would get it again, but the problem becomes who to play with? Years ago when the dedicated player base was drying up and my copy was still around I asked here, but it didn't look like anyone owned a copy. No one even mentions this game anywhere on the web now anyway.

I guess all of this is just a sign of getting old. I wonder though if it's just me or has anyone else thought that things might have gotten too complicated or detailed to be enjoyable?

[stormbringer3]

You're not alone. I totally agree with you.

[altipueri]

"I concur"
=
Isn't that a line from one of the wacky advisors in Civilization 2 ?

Anyway, I concur.

I fired up several games today and just realised.. I am never going to get round to playing this properly.

[Rosseau]

Same experience here. I used to crave the detail, but literally running out of time!

[Bo Rearguard]

As interesting as all that detail is in a grand strategic command game I often wonder how realistic all the micro-management is that goes with it. At that exalted high level of command would I really be burdened with what loadout of bombs a particular air squadron will carry? What altitude it flies at? Which anti-tank battalion gets attached to which division? In what location a supply depot gets built? Which pilot gets rotated out of combat for a well-deserved rest?, Which unit gets the extra water ration so they can boil their pasta? etc. At some point it all kinda becomes a blur. Just painting the broad strokes of strategy seems to be becoming more preferable to me nowadays. Let my abstracted staff do the micro-management.

[altipueri]

I have an open tab on my PC browser - an as yet unread AAR on how to play Ageod's Alea Jacta Est game of Roman civil wars:

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/th ... ar.632034/

Only from 2012. AJE - another game I regularly load up, drool at the gorgeous map - and sigh.

[pzgndr]

Ditto, I recently had to reinstall Windows and rebuild, and more than half of the games I had installed previously did not get reinstalled. I don't play them. Lately, I've been playing AH Kingmaker on DOSBox. I have many fond memories of playing the board game back in the day, and the PC adaptation is still pretty good despite the UI and graphics. It would be nice if this were updated to current Windows O/S and 64-bit graphics, but whatever.

I also yearn for the good old days of AH boardgames. Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS). Hexagons, stacking, move & attack, basic Terrain Effects Chart (TEC), basic Combat Results Table (CRT), etc. It would be nice if the old games were adapted to the PC, with decent AI computer opponent and game editor. Afrika Korps, Russian Campaign, Panzer Leader, etc. Play and replay and have fun. Ah, perchance to dream.

[gamer78]

As interesting as all that detail is in a grand strategic command game I often wonder how realistic all the micro-management is that goes with it. At that exalted high level of command would I really be burdened with what loadout of bombs a particular air squadron will carry? What altitude it flies at? Which anti-tank battalion gets attached to which division? In what location a supply depot gets built? Which pilot gets rotated out of combat for a well-deserved rest?, Which unit gets the extra water ration so they can boil their pasta? etc. At some point it all kinda becomes a blur. Just painting the broad strokes of strategy seems to be becoming more preferable to me nowadays. Let my abstracted staff do the micro-management.

But you asked for it. WW'2 era. I've problem with elephants in FOG'2 not possible to stop when marchimg... Well WW'2 is about equipment and tech isn't it?

[gamer78]

Ditto, I recently had to reinstall Windows and rebuild, and more than half of the games I had installed previously did not get reinstalled. I don't play them. Lately, I've been playing AH Kingmaker on DOSBox. I have many fond memories of playing the board game back in the day, and the PC adaptation is still pretty good despite the UI and graphics. It would be nice if this were updated to current Windows O/S and 64-bit graphics, but whatever.

I also yearn for the good old days of AH boardgames. Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS). Hexagons, stacking, move & attack, basic Terrain Effects Chart (TEC), basic Combat Results Table (CRT), etc. It would be nice if the old games were adapted to the PC, with decent AI computer opponent and game editor. Afrika Korps, Russian Campaign, Panzer Leader, etc. Play and replay and have fun. Ah, perchance to dream.

I respect Pocus more. Field of Kingdoms developer. At least knows what he is designing not only Hex&charts, stacking etc.. . Todays world need to have connection especially generation Z. They love history not only hexes.