"the profound determining influence"

[cpdeyoung]

Last night I wanted to see what was going on with the quiet enemies, so I turned the game around in January 1942. I found the Germans and Soviets going at it hammer and tongs in the East. I decided to put them under human control and have the Axis and Soviets turn on the Allies, and ignore one another. Powerful units are rushed to the front, and the AI allowed the thin British line to crumble, and the isolated Americans to be picked off.

The Soviets are at 209%, producing well over 500 PP per turn, and have a lot of airpower. As in so many weird variants, the "super leader", a human at the helm, makes all the difference. I am going to make a change in the game from this point forward, and allow the Germans and Soviets to reach a "peace" in which neither power is at war with each other, and both are at war with the oceanic powers. This should be an interesting direction to explore. They will not really cooperate, but will not be at war either.

I am going to go back in time, and reload from an earlier point, before Berlin was in such jeopardy. I will do this later today, as I feel this current game will be just grinding the other coalitions down.

Chuck

[Tomokatu]

Branching alternate history timelines!! I love it.
Have you worked out a rationale for the changes? Perhaps an SA-led second National Socialist revolution with the emphasis on socialism as Roehm wanted?

[cpdeyoung]

I was thinking desperation! The totalitarian powers have to be wondering why they are fighting each other when the Allies have huge chunks of territory that each consider to be in their zones of influence. I recently was in a three player game and the dynamics of this class of games is fluid and fun. This will reflect the kind of reorientation that happens in such situations.

I certainly think Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union could have reoriented with the battle lines drawn as they are.

Chuck

[cpdeyoung]

Just after the start of the new year the totalitarian powers made peace with other, and turned on the Democracies. These are powerful coalitions and the Allies will not welcome the attention.

[cpdeyoung]

January 9, 1942

A slight step back, and into a much changed situation.

[cpdeyoung]

January 24, 1942 : The last turn may have been the 16th, actually.

The strength of the enemy forces is making itself felt everywhere.

[cpdeyoung]

February 1, 1942

The British have established an almost continuous line in the east, and are bringing reserves across the Med.

[cpdeyoung]

February 9, 1942

Production is a real problem. The Soviets have huge quantities of everything. The USA is perhaps 3/5s their productive net.

[cpdeyoung]

February 16, 1942

In the east a new line has been formed, but the British are being battered by powerful tank units, and incredible air power.

[cpdeyoung]

February 24, 1942

[cpdeyoung]

March 1, 1942

[cpdeyoung]

March 9, 1942

We are getting clobbered by the Red Army, and it is becoming doubtful we can hold. Pulling back will be very difficult, but the pressure is great with multiple units being destroyed each turn.

[cpdeyoung]

March 16, 1942

In the west the Germans are pushing hard, and we are very short of units. We trade blows with the Red Army in the east.

[Maximeba]

Thank you for taking the time in doing these posts.  I enjoy reading about the game and seeing the maps that are attached to your articles.

[cpdeyoung]

March 24, 1942

(Thanks, Wes)

[cpdeyoung]

April 1, 1942

[cpdeyoung]

April 9, 1942

The frustrated Soviets are at war with the Germans, again. They feel they are the major power and are not gaining a thing with the situation as it is. They through a lot of strength at the Allies for little gain, and saw the Axis failing to play a part.

[cpdeyoung]

April 16. 1942

[cpdeyoung]

April 24, 1942

[cpdeyoung]

May 1, 1942

This May Day finds the Soviets in a less than celebratory mood.