Multi players game ( 3x3 or 2x2)....

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi, just ended 2 of my PBEMs... so i have some spare time to dedicate to PBEMs...
I've always been fascinated by the multi players games and now i'd like to give it a try.
Something like 3x3....so not so stressing for anyone.

I suggest the following house rules..

Andrew Brown's Map Mod...latest version.
Scen 15
Sub Doc both ON
PDUs ON
Reinforcements: Very variable
7th dec Surprise ON
No Allied new TF on turn 1
NO allied planes movements on turn 1
Only 1 Port attack on Turn 1
Jap transports cannot bypass singapore on Turn 1
Russia,West Coast attacks allowed, but for russia if the japs decide to go there they must activate on turn 1 the ruskies
Only Glens on Sub
Max a/c on AF 50*AF level
No 4Es attacks from AF <5
Night bombing allowed only for City attack and Naval attack


I would like to play on Japan's side.
I suggest to divide Japanese HQs as following:

China-Burma-Manchukoku( sp?) HQs: 1 Player
Southern Area HQ: 1 Player
Combined Fleet-4th Fleet-South East Fleet: 1 Player
HomeLand HQ and Northern Area HQ: in common


I'd like to play the China-Burma-Manc. HQ...

Who's in?

[pauk]

hmmm.... i would like to play with you, but unfortunatly don't have AB map. This can be resolved, but lack of free time can't be....[:(]

[wobbly]

Since I'm an allied fanboy I'm happy to "spit in your general direction". Herb and Rogue are both having difficulties feeding the need.
I haven't played Andrews map so this will also be a new experience. I take it this requires an extra install.

[BLurking]

Been playing a single PBEM for almost a year now, afraid to take on another commitment...
This may be the ticket, since it wouldn't be so all consuming. I'd be willing to do either side, but prefer Allies, since I'm currently playing IJN in my other game. Like Wobbly, I haven't tried the new map mod, but shouldn't be a problem to do another install.
Sounds like a good time, but maybe consider the early '42 starting scenario - since the opening war has been pretty much done to death. My other game started that way, and it's been a good challenging time for both sides, well into '43...

Just a thought.

[Hoplosternum]

I'd like to play too. My first experience with this format was not the most successful although enjoyable while it lasted.

I'd prefer to play Allied but am happy to play Japanese if thats whats needed numbers wise.

Currently have three PBEMs going - two as allies and one as Japanese.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Other scenarios rather than the 15 are just not that fun, cause Japan cannot change the course of events anymore...

Ok, so we have 3 Allies and 1 Japanese...need two more yellow fanboys here[8D]

AB Map does not require a brand new install. There's an utlity coming with it that lets you swicth from the vanilla map to the AB's Map...very usefull.

[GaryChildress]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

Other scenarios rather than the 15 are just not that fun, cause Japan cannot change the course of events anymore...

Ok, so we have 3 Allies and 1 Japanese...need two more yellow fanboys here[8D]

AB Map does not require a brand new install. There's an utlity coming with it that lets you swicth from the vanilla map to the AB's Map...very usefull.

I'm tempted to apply but I'm afraid I may not have the time, nor the experience with WitP to keep up with you gentlemen. Otherwise sounds like you all have an excellent game brewing here. I'll be interested to see the AAR. [:)]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Well, time in a 3x3 game should not be that big problem. Expecially if you are on the allied side.

The AAR would be really cool to do...

still waiting for a Jap fanboy guys...

The allies are from 3 different time zones...Europe, NZ and US....will probably be a good thing for the coordination if we manage to get a good timing.

[Przemcio231]

hey i can play as i will not have to worry about all the map and do not have to watch the replay CMI[:D] but please no combat animations[:D]

[kkoovvoo]

I could be the 3rd guy on Japan side.
Italy-Poland-Slovakia is a good triangle for timing I think.

[Hoplosternum]

I assume that we will be playing with player defined upgrades? Are we going to wait for the official 1.7 patch? All my games are still on vanilla 1.6, but another install with Andrew's map is no trouble so any version is OK with me. No combat animations! Oh no what are we going to look at while waiting for the turns [:D]

Has anyone else got experience with these team games? I have played before and the game spluttered to a halt in January '42. I was playing along side and against good reliable players (Mogami, Amiral Laurent, String etc.) It is worth spending a bit of time establishing what everyone is going to do and roughly what strategy each side is going to take. Some strategies are much better done as one on one games.

For example if the Japanese want to invade Pearl (whatever the pluses or minuses of this strategy) that is much better done in a one on one game. That’s because only one Japanese player will be involved and he will need the bulk of the Japanese mobile armed forces for a long time. Also if the allies have a surprise counter to such an attack then a team will have more difficulty adapting to it. Each will have his own forces working to his own objectives and it is harder to be as flexible in a team game as one on one. A single player does not have these difficulties and is therefore far more adaptable. A team cannot be without giving up the team bit and playing as one. If you do that then why even play as a team?

There is a different psychology to a team game. The result is less serious but each player knows that he does not pay for his mistakes, the whole team does. I think that team games work best if neither side plays an extreme strategy or at least ensures that everyone has plenty to do right from the beginning. IMHO of course [:D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

Combat Animation? Why OFF? It's IMHO on of the most important part of the game...you see the sightings ships report and you get the feeling of what's going on...I really hate to play with those animation off...what do yu think?

For the problems connected with strategy...
Well, probably 3vs3 will make the game even more realistic. There will be conflicts between commanders exactly like Nimitz with McHartur or IJA with IJN...I think it can be really interesting.
Something like: "hey i need the 38th Division for the PI campaign"
" No way, i need it to take whocow!"
"ah, ok...let's see when it will be you to ask something to the Southern Area HQ...."

And...no, i never did it before..i'm a virgin in this particular kind of game[:)]


So if i'm not wrong we've filled the slots, right?

JAPAN
Hoepner: China,Kwantung,Burma
Przemcio: Combined Fleet,4th Fleet,South East fleet( to be decided)
kkoovvoo: Southern Area HQ ( to be decided)

ALLIES:

Wobbly
Blurking
Hoplosternum

OK?

[BLurking]

Looks like the slots may have been filled, I'm suprised it didn't take very long...
Going to toss out my suggestion for early '42 start again, if only because of the time zones and the number of players. I figure we'll be lucky to get more than 1 or 2 turns out per week (maybe I'm wrong, never tried anything w/ this many players) - and so that runs the game out to last around, what, 12 years or so?
Let's face it, that won't happen - so why not shoot for the most interesting phase of the war. Japan can still romp on the Allies for about 6 months, then things start to slowly turn around. In my other PBEM, it's mid 1943 - and I've still got most of China, Burma's still solid, SW Pacific is still held, and Central Pac down to Bora Bora is still under my control.

Just a thought, but it's GH's call to make. I plan on having a good time no matter what is chosen, after all - it's just a game...

[kkoovvoo]

I agree, i can play southern area (silly question: its exactly malaya, DEI, PI, Timor, and small island east from it like Kai, Ambon, right?)

I am for the combat animations too.

I never played team PBEM, actually I have only one 1 to 1 PBEM running (March 42). I played a lot against AI before.

[kkoovvoo]

I hope we can do at least 5 turns/week.

I can do my part of tun every day, except when I am abroad.

I think that if somebody wont be able to do his turn, he should have some *deputy* - simply instruct other coplayer about his intentions and let him do his part of turn.

I hope our game will keep solid pace - if i will get one turn weekly a lot of stuff i wanted to do will be forgotten.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Starting from early 42 avoid Japan from making any deep long term alternative strategy. If we are good enough with timings we can manage 1 turn every two days i think...i hope[:)]

Guys...in my opinion for what concerns Japan the divisions of the commands won't be too strict. I mean that we need to be flexible. So at the beginning yes, the Souther Area Army HQ will have to deal with SRA and DEI...but who know...maybe when India or Australia will be in our hands we could divide in different ways our commands[:D]

Everybody is ok with the House Rules? Yes, Upgrades are player defined...

[BLurking]

Fine with me, but I think you're being generous with you estimate of the turn around time [;)]. Here's hoping I'm wrong...

Suggested Allied command breakdown:
CBI - to include the defense of Singapore
SWPAC - to include DEI and Phillipines
USA/Central/South PAC - all the rest

Looks like we have regional representation amongst the Allies. I suggest we divide up per our national interests. USA command will also be responsible for logistical support to other theatres as requested.

[kkoovvoo]

Yes, rules are fine for me - we have to do compromises (I am not big fan of PDU - but seeing your optimism the hordes of Tonys wont arrive earlier than in two years of real life [8D])

[Przemcio231]

hi do you use MSN kkoovvoo???:) hmmmm so we play scn 115 this one with AB map right??? becous when i launched normal 15 with AB map it showed bases on the ocean hexes[:D]

[kkoovvoo]

I believe so, scen 154/155 are only for chs i think.

I dont use msn but i can install it. But, comparing to other guys, we are so close that you could open a windows and shout to me