Looking for a Strategy (not real time) Game

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Reasonable defense Victor.

But hmm might as well skip to the need for it to be playable by email. it can't be.

That sinks it like the Titanic.

I often will pass on a good game if it can't isolate and eliminate the need for an AI.
I play computer games against an AI very reluctantly.
Any game that has no chance at all of ever being a me vs you game likely has zero chance of interesting me personally.

That brings us to computer Thrid Reich, god the game sucks against the AI.
But then again, if you can isolate your playing it against a person, then it is probably slightly better than SC in the area of computer wargaming at the grand strategy level.
But that also assumes you can get the game to run on a modern computer. I am not fully sure if this is possible (so any that have it will have to offer to test it on XP on a new system and let us know).

For my own purposes, I would have to say, I could never back step from Advanced Third Reich, to original Third Reich any more than I could for ASL to Squad Leader.
But in computer form, at least the counter sheet devil of inadequate counters for the minors would be solved thankfully (I would hope).

Any game that can be played vs a person, will always win over a game that will NOT offer this option.

As for me being fiesty on posts heheh, nah that is not Battlefront's fault heheh, just a case of me getting caught up in a few thought processes that have been cross forum oriented (although some of it has been over at Battlefront sc of course).

[James Taylor]

Okay you guys want a strategic game, check www.battlegoat.com. Its not out yet, which means you can mold its infrastructure (these guys listen). It'll start in the future but I'd bet the farm if it does well we'll see a WWII edition. This is your chance to interact on a definitive strategic simulation?

[dpstafford]

Originally posted by James Taylor
Okay you guys want a strategic game, check www.battlegoat.com. Its not out yet, which means you can mold its infrastructure (these guys listen). It'll start in the future but I'd bet the farm if it does well we'll see a WWII edition. This is your chance to interact on a definitive strategic simulation?

Interesting project! But how can they claim it it "Real time / turn based strategy" ? Which is it?!? Bottom line for wargamers - can it be played by e-mail?? If no, then they are wasting their time and money.

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Well I sent battlegoat an email with my thoughts.

I am seeking primarily clarification on this matter of RTS "or" Turn based.

As of this time, I don't recall anyone ever having made a game that is capable of being both.

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

This is straight from the source guys, got this email just minutes ago from the actual people.

Hi...

Thanks for your interest in our game. Essentially how the game is played will be very customizable. For instance, selecting "Turn Based" for either single player or multi player will allow players to give orders at the start of a day, process the turn and watch simultaneously while all players' orders are carried out and then repeat at the end of the day (no allowance for changing orders during the day). Real Time will have time constantly progressing at various speeds and players will be able to change orders at any time (we even take into account a slight delay as orders make it down the chain of command). Personally I feel that people will likely play Multi Player in Real Time and Single Player as Turn Based.

For more details on the game, you should check out our forum (www.bgforums.com) or website (www.sr2010.com).

- David

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Hmm thought I should post a warning.

This game is both turn based AND RTS based.

Hmm picture you and your wife going and living with her parents.

2 women, one home.

Think about it heheh. Then bravely go visit their forum heheh.

But don't say I didn't warn you.

[dpstafford]

Originally posted by Les the Sarge 9-1
Thanks for your interest in our game. Essentially how the game is played will be very customizable. For instance, selecting "Turn Based" for either single player or multi player will allow players to give orders at the start of a day, process the turn and watch simultaneously while all players' orders are carried out and then repeat at the end of the day (no allowance for changing orders during the day). - David

This would seem to leave open a PBEM option using the turn based engine described. It would mean a "combat replay" file would have to be generated and e-mailed to the other player(s). Like UV.

[abradley]

Originally posted by Yohan
Hi,

I'm trying to find a good Strategic level game (all who count Axis and Allies as strategy please stop reading) for a buddy of mine to play by PBEM.

I'm looking at either WWII or Napoleonic computer games that fit this bill.

Thanks...

How about 'High Command', at

http://www.ryanbailey.com/hicom/hicom.html

there is a download of the game and manuals, plus complete instructions for Win 95,98, and 98se install and pbm play.



http://www.pressroom.com/~meb/20tha3.htm#HIGH%20COMMAND

HIGH COMMAND
(I) Colorado Computer Games; Gregg Carter and Joey Nonnast; 1991; ***
Adv/Land-Nav-Air/Op-Str
1-3

THIRD REICH -- the way it should have been done. While the AI came in for much criticism, the game itself was easy to learn and play. Economics, strategic planning and operational warfare yielded one of the more complex simulations in terms of playing well.

HIGH COMMAND
(I) Three Sixty; Gregg Carter and Joey Nonnast; 1993; ***+
Adv/Land-Nav-Air/Op-Str
1-3

The updated SVGA version with improved graphics, yet the AI still seemed to be learning disabled. Altogether, a sequel with substantive improvements, and yet it could have been so much more ...

Probably the best way to review "High Command:1939-45"
(i.e. HC) is to begin by listing the games that it
somewhat compares with/against, using the following
three categories:


1. Scope and realism of historical period.
2. Complexity of strategy and functionality.
3. Playability, breadth of details covered, and
ability to play game against computer or live human.


The games:

PC versions of Axis and Allies and Third Reich, Clash
of Steel, Call to Power 2, Civilization III,
Diplomacy, Risk/Risk II, Empire Earth.

SCOPE: Only High Command, A&A, TR, and CoS cover
EXACTLY the topic of strategic war in Europe during
1939-45+, but only HC covers as much detail (even the
graphics are the best of the bunch).

COMPLEXITY: While a fun diversion, A&A is simply a
kid's game. TR was better as a board game, and as
such, was only a little better than A&A. TR and COS
cut LOTS of corners! Winner: HC, as it pays close
attention to detailed borders, rules, and choices
allowable by the players.

PLAYABILITY: A&A is easy to play, and a fun diversion
for a couple of hours (great for a break), but it's
not very realistic. Only HC comes as close as I've
seen to a real strategic simulation experience. It
does have flaws, however, such as limiting only 2
players (the Axis player controls all Axis countries,
for example), the inability of neutrals to produce,
deploy, or have any impact until actually at war, and
the unrelated action phases that take a little away
from the overall impact (a common flaw with most, if
not all, turn-based wargames, in all fairness). But,
OVERALL, you won't find anything released yet that
seriously challenges it with an AI, and that's since
1993!. (NOTE: Europe in Flames (or World in Flames)
looks promising, but details are sketchy).

Once you realize what is left of the bunch (HC), you
can approach it with a better set of expectations, and
understand that yes, it is DOS-based, and yes, there
are flaws in the game, but there are ways around those
flaws that remedy the game back to an enriching
experience.

Here's a concrete example.

The game was not designed to be played by email, or
over the web, but it is possible. It only requires
honesty from both players, and an understanding that
the Allied player (on his computer) will move first,
and the Axis player (on his computer) will watch the
action happen. Both players' phases happen
separately, and with the exception of the momentary
second it takes to save the game at the start of the
oppenent's phase, and then exit (to then email the
files), there will be no real obstacle to making it
work. There are only 3 files associated with each
scenario that will be changed, and they can be emailed
in a small zip file (typically under 30k, so we are
talking NOTHING in terms of email). Those files are
labeled for the scenario, and end with .aln, .axn, and
.sav. (see details at
www.ryanbailey.com/hicom/hicom.html).

[Chijohnaok2]

so much for Risk and Stratego.


__________________

You also forgot that old favorite "Battleship" as in "You sunk my battleship"!

[max_h]

Originally posted by Jim1954
Russo-German War 41-44 is a good division/regimental simulation of the Eastern front.

http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/index.htm

Only available online.

and the review...
http://www.wargamer.com/reviews/russo_g ... r_main.asp

all in all WiR (Matrix version) is the better game , but a good game nonetheless.

[YohanTM2]

By the way notice you are new to forums.

Thanks Sarge,

I find the threads here generally more of interest than over at Battlefront, especially the SC posts of alte.

[YohanTM2]

Another DOS game that works well PBEM is Computer War in Europe. You can buy it from Decisions Games website.

I downloaded the demo but it does not look like it has PBEM capability. Are you sure it does?

thx,

yohan