Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Alchenar
I also find it unhelpful to be told to go read books on Cold War strategy and tactics (although I often do it anyway out of interest). I'm not commanding a real brigade in the Cold War, I'm playing a video game and the game is a system of rules. The book on cold war tactics is not going to tell me when it's appropriate to use a 'screen' command or a 'hold' command, nor is it helpful in explaining whether it's worth it to move my tank platoon one hex over in order to gain 10% more cover bonus. It won't explain what the difference between 60 visibility and 70 visibility in terms of my unit's willingness to detect and shoot things.

I know what you're saying, but once you do figure out the gamey mechanics and the basic military jargon, it's surprising how much wargames do line up with historical strategy and tactics. That's one of the joys of playing them. Which is a good thing, given the genre's limitations elsewhere.

+1 for the idea of supplying an units and equipment primer for new players. Even though I'm a long-time Cold War student, there are always new things to learn about the equipment and tactics of the period.

I too really miss the inclusion of Game Designer notes. I still have Frank Chadwick's excellent Designer notes for the GDW Assault series. Was fun to go back and reread his stuff on the BAOR and the Bundeswehr while playing FPRS. I never owned NATO Division Commander or SPI's Task Force. Are the Designer Notes good enough to be worth buying them used, even if I'll never play the actual games?

Another strong recommendation for folks looking to learn about this period is Steven J Zaloga's "Red Thrust: Attack on the Central Front Soviet Tactics and Capabilities in the 1990s". Most people don't even know this book exists, but it's my favorite about this time period. He wrote the book in 1989 and it seems to have been published just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, which unfortunately invalidated all his hard work in creating a realistic scenario. But his insights into the organization, weapons and tactics of motor rifle, tanks, Hinds, frontal aviation, Spetznaz, artillery and chemical weapons are all excellent. Each chapter is organized with a (very well-written) fictional scenario, followed by analysis of each combat arm. Highly recommended.

Chris

Also, would it be possible for Capn Darwin, MR and the rest of the OTS team to include Game Designer notes in Southern Storm? It's been great reading these forums and learning more about the details "under the hood" in this superb game. Would be awesome to read more about the assumptions behind the combat model, the challenges in modeling Cold War warfare, and other interesting tidbits from the designers.

Hi istari6

I never owned NATO Division Commander or SPI's Task Force. Are the Designer Notes good enough to be worth buying them used, even if I'll never play the actual games?

Now your stretching my memory [:)] But from what I remember NDC especially was well worth the value. There was a seriously disturbing blow by blow account of a 3rd AD Mech Heavy brigade breaking out of a Pact encirclement or some such operation. Disturbing because I recall that part of the plan involved dropping a 5KT Nuke on the Pact Division HQ to disrupt Ivan's C&C. The matter of fact way it was described in the Notes was quite surreal.

I also recall that it was the first time I had heard of BMNT, Beginning Morning Nautical Twilight [:)] The time all soldiers are wary of.

The game itself was almost like an RPG and from what I remember there was never enough support chits to go around. But for a quite simply superb, in depth look at the period it was beyond comparison.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/7112/nato-division-commander

Thanks LuckyJim. Appreciate the quick reply. I just searched online and can't find a copy of the Designer's Notes, and eBay is listing NDC starting at $75 (!). Will keep looking...

ORIGINAL: istari6

Also, would it be possible for Capn Darwin, MR and the rest of the OTS team to include Game Designer notes in Southern Storm? It's been great reading these forums and learning more about the details "under the hood" in this superb game. Would be awesome to read more about the assumptions behind the combat model, the challenges in modeling Cold War warfare, and other interesting tidbits from the designers.

I definitely agree!

Rob.