Matrix Games Forums

While I don't think a reply to Les the Sarge 9-1 need be "nasty" I must say that his remarks seem a bit odd. I can understand that everyone has their likes and dislikes and personal preferences, but to find any computer game based on anything pre WWI to be "boring" is a little bit too much to comprehend. The only paper board game I play anymore is Advanced Squad Leader and to surmise from Les's screen name "Les the Sarge 9-1", I guess he plays Advanced Squad Leader too. But unlike him I enjoy all eras of gameing, computer or paper. It's not the era of the game but the design of the game that makes it fun or boring and that's especially true with computer games. As a matter of fact, I find most WWI games to be "boring" although there are some that are fun to play (i.e., SPI's WWI and AH's Guns of August). I have yet to see any computer WWI game that was interesting to me. And I think the lack of WWI computer games goes to show how difficult it is to design an interesting game on that subject.

Like I said, the era is not the key to a good and interesting game, it's how well the game plays that is important. My favorite era is the American Civil War and there are many computer games on that subject that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole because they are such bad designs. But I won't totally neglect era either. Taking an objective or winning a battle with cannon, unreliable muskets and charging cavalry is much more challenging to me than blasting an objective with aircraft and modern precision weaponry although I still enjoy playing those types of games too.

Les the Sarge 9-1 is well within his rights to find anything pre WWI to be boring, we all have our personal preferences, but my suggestion to him as a fellow ASL player is to expand his horizons and come out of the closet. He might just greatly increase his gaming experience and have a lot of fun too.

I didn't write this to criticize Les, just the opposite. I don't think he realizes what he is missing. I believe the vast majority of gamers find diversity to be golden.

*Ahem* *nervously clearing my throat*

I’m new to this genre of gaming so if I step on my …ah ……tie, forgive me.

I know this is cross posting and probably bad form but I read that Matrix is picking up Simulations Canada’s (now defunct) catalog. They had some interesting games.

Schnellboote – Tactical "PT" boat action 1939-1945

Peloponnesian War

Scourge of God- Attila the Hun

I Will Fight No More Forever – the campaign against the Nez Perce

Some of their games might make interesting pc games.

Has anybody done a good game of “wooden ships and iron men” era naval combat? I played a board game based on this years ago and really enjoyed it. Can’t remember the name of it though.

Mojo writes:
"Has anybody done a good game of “wooden ships and iron men” era naval combat? I played a board game based on this years ago and really enjoyed it. Can’t remember the name of it though."

Actually, the game you are probably talking about is, appropriately enough, called "Wooden Ships and Iron Men" and it was published by the late Avalon Hill Co. now owned by Hasbro. It was converted to a computer game and is probably still available somewhere. Talonsoft also published a computer age of sail game called "Age Of Sail" and followed that up with an updated version called "Age Of Sail II".

All of these games have their pros and cons but should be of interest to anyone interested in that type of game. Which is better? Well, I've heard equal arguments from all sides for each game so I guess it's just up to the player's personal taste. I have Age of Sail and it is fun and nice to look at but I've only played it solitare and sometimes it gets a bit tedious. But, hey, that's just my opinion. Others find it to be a great game.

Thanks for the info Dave. Must have been why "wooden ships etc" stuck in my head. I know what you mean by the tedious factor. Lots of tacking back and forth trying to gain position but I find it fascinating in a weird kind of way. That and it's easier for me to remember what type of guns a frigate is carrying than to remember what a Stumpfschutzenpazerjaegergefiltafishen B1z was packing in late April of '43. (But I'm learning!)

As far as Talonsoft goes well......I have one of their games (Divided Ground) and they won't let me register to post on their forum. They ban certain email poviders in an effort to maintain civility.

Matrix is picking up Simulations Canada’s (now defunct) catalog.

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I've read this, or a similar, statement several times now on these boards. Where did this information come from, other than as *rumor* on this board?

Originally posted by ratster:


I've read this, or a similar, statement several times now on these boards. Where did this information come from, other than as *rumor* on this board?

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I guess I'm the guilty party. I got the information from an article in the holiday 2001 issue of PC Gamer magazine. Even had a good interview by some chap named David Heath.

I see that Paul Vebber responded to my original post today.

[ February 25, 2002: Message edited by: Mojo ]</p>