Are large games playable in a single lifetime?

[miral]

I would like to ask those who play very large scenarios how long it actually takes to play a turn and a game? Mostly I've kept with random medium sized games. I took a look at the diplomacy scenario. Ten nations with production at 25,000 for many cities? Seems like it would take a very long time to do your own turn and an even longer time for the AI to do the other 9. Even if kept to the 2,3, or 4 sided aren't you looking at huge time frames?

Now I realize that some people like this great size and complexity; the type of player who plays Civ iv on marathon with 32 civs. But I am searching for some reasonably specific times for the long scenarios, bearing in mind the many variables involved. I have a fairly fast computer (or maybe medium by now given the speed with which the things evolve).

Specifically, how long does it take to play a turn of the Diplomacy scenarior with various numbers of nations? How long a turn of Russia '41 or '42. How long any of the other scenarios. Thanks for any answers.

[marcusm]

25.000? I have nothing like that in Russia.
No wonder I get steamrolled by Balcans .

[miral]

I just looked quickly at the scenario; perhaps I misunderstood.  But it said if you want more or less continuous battle lines rather than isolated smaller armies turn on the enhanced production and I thought this was 25,000 for many cities.  Perhaps I should try the scenario with the lower production, which would make it more playable but, in strategic terms, rather like Napoleonic warfare with distinct armies occupying small areas rather than the huge armies of WWII with fronts that ran for hundreds of miles.

[IRONCROM]

 I played the game in my AAR in about a month, 2-3 hours a day.
It would have been quicker if it wasn't for the extra time spent saving various pics during the game and posting my game turns each day.
 Maybe a week and a half. maybe 2 weeks.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1619792

[marcusm]

I would like to try that Napoleon game, is it cleared yet for play?

[jjdenver]

ORIGINAL: miral

I would like to ask those who play very large scenarios how long it actually takes to play a turn and a game? Mostly I've kept with random medium sized games. I took a look at the diplomacy scenario. Ten nations with production at 25,000 for many cities? Seems like it would take a very long time to do your own turn and an even longer time for the AI to do the other 9. Even if kept to the 2,3, or 4 sided aren't you looking at huge time frames?

Now I realize that some people like this great size and complexity; the type of player who plays Civ iv on marathon with 32 civs. But I am searching for some reasonably specific times for the long scenarios, bearing in mind the many variables involved. I have a fairly fast computer (or maybe medium by now given the speed with which the things evolve).

Specifically, how long does it take to play a turn of the Diplomacy scenarior with various numbers of nations? How long a turn of Russia '41 or '42. How long any of the other scenarios. Thanks for any answers.

ngs evolve).

Specifically, how long does it take to play a turn of the Diplomacy scenarior with various numbers of

I can't answer about the diplomacy scenario but the Russia 41 I've played extensively and it's very playable. The first couple of turns take an hour+. After that though turns start to get very fast - probably 35-45 minutes per turn for me. You have to remember that in 10 turns you're already into the deep winter of 41-42 so it goes pretty fast I think.

The Pacific 41 scenario I think has some balance problems but it is a large scenario that also goes very fast for the Japanese but somewhat slower for the Allies since you have to run 3 countries (U.S., CW, China).

I find that most scenarios take me a long time in the first couple of turns until I have the commands and units deployed and organized the way that I prefer them and until I've run through a few turns of production to fill the gaps that I see in my OOB - after that things speed up a lot as I'm very familiar w/ the deployment and organization of my units so it's quite easy to speed along.

--JJ

[tweber]

The Pacific 41 scenario I think has some balance problems but it is a large scenario that also goes very fast for the Japanese but somewhat slower for the Allies since you have to run 3 countries (U.S., CW, China).

Which side do you think is favored? I would be interested on feedback on balance, especially if you adjust for player skill.

[miral]

Thanks for the answers; I will try some of the larger scenarios. Seems they are not as impossible as I thought.

[jjdenver]

ORIGINAL: tweber

The Pacific 41 scenario I think has some balance problems but it is a large scenario that also goes very fast for the Japanese but somewhat slower for the Allies since you have to run 3 countries (U.S., CW, China).

Which side do you think is favored? I would be interested on feedback on balance, especially if you adjust for player skill.

Hi Tom,

I have played a mirror game (we didn't finish the game) but I feel that it is strongly balanced in favor of Japan. As Japan I was able to advance on all fronts simultaneously w/o any real hope of the CW or China stopping me. Pearl could hold out but China had lost its only production city and the Japanese had taken the Burmese production city and were in my opinion going to easily conquer India. They were also ashore in Australia and in a few turns I think would have taken that.

Best,
JJ

[tweber]

Hi JJ,
 
When you played, did the US flood the Pacific with subs?  They are hard to find and very disruptive to supply.  I always felt that it would be hard for the Japanese player to keep supply and reinforcements flowing.  When I am playing the US, I usually put out 2-4 subs per turn.  Another early tactic that I like is to throw a few transports at Japan early on.  The chance of success is small but it forces the Japanese player to set up pickets and garrisons.  This should hopefully buy the Allies the time needed for a real offensive.
 
Tom
 
 
 
 

[Icedawg]

If people can play an entire WiTP campaign using single-day turns, this game should be no problem.

I just started a WAW game as Germany against the AI yesterday (Sunday). I finished the first year of the war (I'm now on November of 1940) after a 10+ hour session. I figure I'll get another year or two done playing evenings this week (4-5 hours per night) and should have another full year done next Sunday (another 10+ hours). So, by this time next week, I should be looking at early-mid 1943. If all goes well, I figure I should finish entirely after a total of 2-3 weeks time. Compared to WiTP, that's just a blink of an eye (I've heard of those games commonly going on for over a year).

I suspect it also depends on how much of a life outside of the game you intend to have. Personally, I get into stretches of a month or two of nothing but work and gaming (I'm in the midst of one right now as you can tell.). Then, I put things aside for 4-6 months and live like a normal person (or nearly so). It all depends on your personal schedule/situation.

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: Icedawg

...I suspect it also depends on how much of a life outside of the game you intend to have. Personally, I get into stretches of a month or two of nothing but work and gaming (I'm in the midst of one right now as you can tell.). Then, I put things aside for 4-6 months and live like a normal person (or nearly so). It all depends on your personal schedule/situation.

For most of us, I suspect it depends on our wives!!!!![:-][&o][:D]

[Icedawg]

ORIGINAL: Barthheart

ORIGINAL: Icedawg

...I suspect it also depends on how much of a life outside of the game you intend to have. Personally, I get into stretches of a month or two of nothing but work and gaming (I'm in the midst of one right now as you can tell.). Then, I put things aside for 4-6 months and live like a normal person (or nearly so). It all depends on your personal schedule/situation.

For most of us, I suspect it depends on our wives!!!!![:-][&o][:D]

Ah - I see you have died the first death - marriage!

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: Icedawg
Ah - I see you have died the first death - marriage!

TWICE!!!!!![X(]