Play testers for ETO II

[Uxbridge]

Since I and Mille is going to start a new game of ETO soon, and the finishing touches had to be made before we start, I thought I could just as well post the finnished scenario the same way I did with Twilight.

Before I do that, I was wondering if I could get some volunteers testing the scenario and the rules. I'm primarily thinking of persons who have a previous experience of ETO or people that I have had correspondence with earlier - cpdeyoung, Hairog, gwgardner, AHForever, olivier, to name a few - since they will be able to get into the mechanics faster than others, but anybody with an interest would be eligible to try.

I think the testers, if any do step forward, would best try the game in pairs to make sure to get some action early. I'm not thinking of a thorough test in any way, just a couple of turns to see if anything buggy pops up or if any rules seem unclear. The testers could then let me know and I can make changes before posting. If any group finds themselves in an interesting situation, they can of course just continue play.

The main news in ETO II is a more detailed Uboat war with British import from India, Canada and the Middle east added, a more detailed air war, a breaking down of infantry, motorized and armour into infantry, motorized, mechanized, armour and mountain, a new economy model and - finally - the almost total removal of events.

Anyone for a try? [:)]

[cpdeyoung]

I would be happy to take your new toy for a spin.

Chuck

[olivier34]

It would be a pleasure to help you Uxbridge and give a try to your new mod.
Olivier

[Uxbridge]

Splendid! [:)]

I am still waiting for a reply from Hairog. If he's game, I would rather match him against you, cpdeyoung, changing sides from the last game of yours. Let's wait a day or two to see if anyone more shows up.

Oh, and something just occured to me. The original set-up for Poland is beginning to feel a bit worn out by now. Should I start the game in late august, with Poland and Germany still at peace? The Axis player get a chance to rearrange his troops a bit before the attack and the Allied player can move some of the Polish units. Then the war starts on turn 2. This way the initial deployment will be more uncertain.

Any views on that?

[cpdeyoung]

I think it could be a good thing. I have always hoped for a game starting back in the early 1930's. This would be a game with diplomacy playing a large part, but with the Spanish Civil war giving everybody a chance to try new weapons, and get experience for some troops. Perhaps even let the French decide on a mobile defense.

The AH game "Origins of World War Two" would be a fun prelude to "Time of Wrath" with the diplomacy in that game affecting alignment. I know this would change the dynamics of strategy tremendously, but it would be fun. ToW does not have enough diplomacy, in my opinion. I would like to have an option of forcing an ally out of the war. When the strategic situation gets miserable they might bolt. Stiffening with garrisons, etc would play a role.

I would be glad to play Harry, and the geography-timezone is good.

Chuck

[Uxbridge]

One interesting scenario would be if we start in 1936, with the Spanish civil war at full swing. Instead of 4 weeks a month, we would at this point work with monthly turns, not having to take armour warfare into the account. Minors would be set at zero alignment, and then majors may use their DP's (more freely distributed) to influence them into their respective fractions. Once we arrive at September 1939, Germany must attack Poland. At that point everything is re-set in accordance with the events taken place during the run-up. If Romania and Hungary, for example, have joined the Axis, they are again set as neutrals, but with an Axis influence and a possitive leaning towards the Axis cause. At that point, then, the time scale is re-set at 4 weeks a month and the larger game begins.

Oh, just a thought. It won't happen. But it sounds fine, eh?

[cpdeyoung]

It does indeed.

Chuck

[Hairog]

Hi there. Sounds good Ux. I'm in.

[Uxbridge]

Ah, good, Harry.

I will send you and Chuck the files soon.

Then we must fix an opponent for Olivier. Let's see if Gary will join us.

[olivier34]

and if you don't find an opponent for me, I will play again against myself [;)]

[Uxbridge]

No, you shall have an opponent.

By the way, how about the early week start? Shall I fix it at august 25th, 1939?

[cpdeyoung]

I vote yes.

Chuck

[Uxbridge]

Let's go for that then.

There was no problem starting with all countries at peace. I think I shall actually move the clock back a little further, say to late july. Then I shall lock a lot of units, letting them off only gradually.

This delay will give all countries more time to adjust to the coming conflict; move ships, make some bids for diplomacy and so on. Poland will of course already be in the Allied camp. The Axis player will decide when to go.

[olivier34]

sounds good to me too. When do we get to read the "house rules" of this new mod ?

[gwgardner]

Sure, I'll play. Can't get out more than one turn a day normally, however.

[Uxbridge]

Then we're almost good to go.

cpdeyoung will play against Hairog in the first team, with cpdeyoung taking the Axis and Hairog the rest.

The second team will be gwgardner and olivier34. You decide about sides between yourselves.

It's now 21.00 here in Sweden. I will attend to the scenario. Unless I run into some problem making the last tests, I might send it to you in a couple of hours. Otherwise you have to wait until the same time tomorrow.

In this test version, all start at peace. Units are frozen, but unlock gradually. Germany may not declare war until September, but may wait longer if the Axis player so prefers (unlikely). Before the Axis declare war on any country, he must first declare war on Britain. There's no rules written about this yet.

You can now all see the rules on HQ if you log in and click on "ETO II House Rules" on the left panel of the site.

I simply want you to play the game as you would normally, reading rules at the same time. Most of them you will recognize; some are new. If you find anything I need to correct or think something should be clearer in the rules, let me know.

When you have something to comment on, it would be good if you did that so everybody could see it. Should we do it here, in front of the entire world, or do you prefer a secret society on HQ?

I think it could be a good idea, at least in the beginning, that you always send me a copy of the turn as you send it to the opponent. Then I can open them from now and then, checking how it goes.

Now for the scenario ... [:)]

[olivier34]

ok, gwgardner, would you prefer to play the axis or the Allies ? I will be abble to play a turn per day too.

[Uxbridge]

Think you have to wait another 24 hours for the scenario, boys. Too tired here. I can find no problems with it however.

[gwgardner]

ORIGINAL: olivier34

ok, gwgardner, would you prefer to play the axis or the Allies ? I will be abble to play a turn per day too.

You choose.

[Uxbridge]

You should now all have scenario and graphics.

Going down to work (I'm there now and have time for this short note) it occured to me that the 3 peace weeks preceeding the outbreak of war will cause Finland and Vichy France to change place in the player order. This will now probably lead to an extra mail turn per game turn until war is declared.

A solution to this could be to set them to AI during this period. You choose.

I would recommend that they be kept as they are, however, since 3 turns in AI hands might lead to strange behavior; especially regarding Vichy France with her rather substantial navy at her disposal.

On the other hand, these two countries are very weak economically, so in a productional sense, they won't have time to do much harm. With the Vichy French navy in the Med, maybe there's not much damage done there either.

Decide for yourselves and let me know how each group do.

Have fun.

PS And, Olivier, maybe you can do one of your splendid AAR:s if GW promise not to look. [:)]