(FULL) New GC 1941 Team Game now open for recruits

[Redmarkus5]

The Axis Team from Thunder in the East (minus the Commander of AGS, who has decided to shoot himself) having apparently thrashed our STAVKA opponents so badly that they gave up in frustration, seeks a new team of brave souls willing to take up the STAVKA role.

The team game model only works for those who are committed to a long term process. Turns take about a week to play, if everyone plays their role, but the team dynamics make for real immersion and a realistic WW2 command experience - well, without the blood and guts.

All postings have now been made.

Visit the Za Rodinu AARs for a sense of how a successful Team Play game moves along.

ROSTER

[gids]

im game for soviet south ,just learned quite some deal with tarhunnas(still in play)

[Manstein63]

I'd Like to try AGS or Failing that Soviet North if the positions are still availiable
Manstein63

[Redmarkus5]

Done! See above

[timmyab]

I'll have another go despite the last debacle.I'll take anything that's offered, but not STAVKA.

[Redmarkus5]

You've got it - welcome to the Axis team

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: timmyab

I'll have another go despite the last debacle.I'll take anything that's offered, but not STAVKA.

OK - you are commanding the Baltics this time.

[Manstein63]

You've got it - welcome to the Axis team

Thanks Redmarkus I'll try not to let you down. I assume that this will be a regular PBEM I've never done one (the games that I have played have been server based) so I may be asking for some advice. So I better start practicing my opening moves

[delatbabel]

I am happy to try any Soviet position other than Stavka.  I'm usually a pretty good boardgamer (Europa, World in Flames, etc) but I haven't been playing this as long or as religiously as some others.  This will be my first PBEM, I've played several against the AI.  I'm also going to be away for a week in late April so will need another Soviet player to pick up my turns.  I'd rather a team game for that reason, also I think it's a good way to learn.

[delatbabel]

Actually, maybe I could play Stavka, I'm a numbers-head and pretty good with logistics.  I'd still need someone else to sub in during late April though.

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: Manstein63

You've got it - welcome to the Axis team

Thanks Redmarkus I'll try not to let you down. I assume that this will be a regular PBEM I've never done one (the games that I have played have been server based) so I may be asking for some advice. So I better start practicing my opening moves

Yes, we use regular PBEM. We're all new to this (I am on turn 5 as OKH in one other team game - my first, but as anyone will tell you, I'm a lousy player!)

Practice away, but remember that the GC dynamics are different to those in the 'Road to' games.

Our goal with these team games is to learn the game, test and develop a team game methodology, build some team spirit for possible future tournaments at GC level, and enjoy ourselves while doing this. Any crime is permissible, except failing to send the phase in good time

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: delatbabel

Actually, maybe I could play Stavka, I'm a numbers-head and pretty good with logistics.  I'd still need someone else to sub in during late April though.

Excellent! You've got it. See if you can recruit the remaining Soviet commander for the Western Front.

Have a read through the Soviet AARs for Thunder in the East Game 1 and Za Rodinu. They should give you most of the tips you'll need to get started.

You can go ahead and set the game up and email the file to me, so we can get Turn 1 going. It will take us a few days to play turn 1, so hopefully you will have your Western Front player by then.

Finally, please PM me your email address.

[delatbabel]

Done. It might take me a bit of time to get started, read the AARs. I am on beta 5 and I've only just realised there's a whole new final release out there so it will take me a bit of time to download and install that. Also I'll need your email address.

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: delatbabel

Done. It might take me a bit of time to get started, read the AARs. I am on beta 5 and I've only just realised there's a whole new final release out there so it will take me a bit of time to download and install that. Also I'll need your email address.

That's OK, but I don't believe it will matter if you start the game off now with your current release version. The Soviets don't make any moves at this stage - you just set your password and then send the file to me. The first turn belongs to the Axis

You will have a few days to read up and update your system while we start Turn 1.

I've emailed you as well.

[gids]

btw maybe we can set here a logic order who has to send the file to who in which order also when will we start,how will the soviet commanders talk to each other to direct some strategy,im willing to give my hotmail or any other idea is welcome,i kept eye on the german players and theyre freaking territory wolves who will try to reach moskva in turn 3 :p

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: gids

btw maybe we can set here a logic order who has to send the file to who in which order also when will we start,how will the soviet commanders talk to each other to direct some strategy,im willing to give my hotmail or any other idea is welcome,i kept eye on the german players and theyre freaking territory wolves who will try to reach moskva in turn 3 :p

I suggest that STAVKA starts an AAR for these discussions. The Soviet team needs to PM their emails to each other and keep tactical and strategic discussions private via email or PM. Good luck - the wolves are out of the wire

[delatbabel]

Game started, we still need one player to command the Western Front for the Soviets.  I will start an AAR or something after we have one.  Preferably an experienced player because we seem to have more experience on the Axis side.

Also, it's Stavka not STAVKA.  It's not an abbreviation or acronym, it's a word that roughly means "command tent".

[Hagleboz]

I will take the Western Front if you'll have me. I've mostly played against the AI but I have a few PBEM games for the small scenarios under my belt. I was eager to play in the last game and am glad to see this one resurrected.

[delatbabel]

OK, Hagleboz, you're it.  Insufficient reluctance sees you promoted to Front commander.

Redmarkus, can you adjust the first post.

Now for the big question:  I propose, instead of a 1941 game (which I have started and am happy to play on with) that we start this as a 1942 GC.  Reasons are that I believe it's a more balanced game, I'm currently playing this FTF and it's going to be a close run thing, probably a draw.  It doesn't have the superhuman Axis units in the summer of 1941, and it doesn't have the superhuman Soviet units in the Winter of 41/42.  Both sides have their problems with initial deployments but no problem is insurmountable.

I am a bit nervous with some of the changes that I see mooted for 1.04 and I believe that the game is just going to swing away from the Soviet-balance towards an easy Axis victory if these changes are made.  I'd like to see them playtested first before committing to a major campaign involving them.

Thoughts?

[Hagleboz]

Glad to be aboard!

I am happy to play either.  Getting past the first winter is definitely a large hurdle and it seems many games fall apart by January which I always hate to see.  It would also be nice to play a scenario that has not been "optimized" where players aren't doing things by rote the first couple turns.  It also makes a lot of sense to play a scenario that is a little more balanced in a shared command game like this.  My one gripe with the '42 game is that I wished it started a little earlier than it does, but since I'm on the Russian side that might not be such a bad thing. 

On the other hand its always fun to watch how things develop with the Barbarossa invasion, especially since everyone knows how to keep relative score in '41.