Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:51 am**

Hey! I wasn't sure where to write this, but I just want to say thank you for creating accessible wargames, specifically the Strategic Command games. I'm only 26, (I jokingly refer to these games as the older gentleman games) but I have a passion for history/military history.
I've been bonding with my brother in PBEM matches of the Civil War, and focusing on the game has helped me find a positive outlet to deal with my depression. I first discovered the WW1 version of SC, and began my journey there. I was so engrossed with the game, I quickly went out and bought a large book on the events surrounding World War 1. My friends were shocked when I told them the details leading up to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.
Now, I'm even interested in the Civil War! I never had much interest in that particular part of history... but now I find myself branching out with my interests. The rulebooks and strategy guides for the games are well made and easy to read, and I find myself learning more about the games every time I play. I'm glad to have found such a community, and I look forward to the future of the SC games. A big thanks to the Developers!

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:21 am**

Cheers mate, glad you're enjoying the game!

- BNC

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:31 am**

DustyJenkins560 wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:51 am Hey! I wasn't sure where to write this, but I just want to say thank you for creating accessible wargames, specifically the Strategic Command games. I'm only 26, (I jokingly refer to these games as the older gentleman games) but I have a passion for history/military history.
I've been bonding with my brother in PBEM matches of the Civil War, and focusing on the game has helped me find a positive outlet to deal with my depression. I first discovered the WW1 version of SC, and began my journey there. I was so engrossed with the game, I quickly went out and bought a large book on the events surrounding World War 1. My friends were shocked when I told them the details leading up to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.
Now, I'm even interested in the Civil War! I never had much interest in that particular part of history... but now I find myself branching out with my interests. The rulebooks and strategy guides for the games are well made and easy to read, and I find myself learning more about the games every time I play. I'm glad to have found such a community, and I look forward to the future of the SC games. A big thanks to the Developers!

Great post.

It would be well advised that those elements of society that rant on about the harm that video gaming does read such a post and maybe get a bit of balance into their censorious behaviour.

Your comments on the game are spot on by the way and if you want to dive into the Civil War as an ignorant Brit I did a year or so back and learn all about the fascinating and eccentric Generals as well as the politics and warfare involved I can highly recommend the Shelby Foote books. They are huge but very readable.

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:07 am**

I'll have to check those books out. Thanks for the recommendation devoncop!

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:47 am**

No worries Dusty....and if you ever are up for a MP game with someone who is not an expert by any means then let me know

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:24 pm**

devoncop wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:31 am Your comments on the game are spot on by the way and if you want to dive into the Civil War as an ignorant Brit I did a year or so back and learn all about the fascinating and eccentric Generals as well as the politics and warfare involved I can highly recommend the Shelby Foote books. They are huge but very readable.

I'll second that recommendation. There are also other great books, but Shelby Foote's probably remains the best and most readable introduction.

Regards,

- Erik

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2022 2:09 pm**

I was so engrossed with the game, I quickly went out and bought a large book on the events surrounding World War 1. My friends were shocked when I told them the details leading up to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

Reading military history and being able to simulate historical events in a wargame has an addictive effect that most cannot comprehend. And of course others are shocked who do not know nor understand history. Your journey from WWI to the American Civil War will likely take you to WWII, the Napoleonic Wars, modern wars, and beyond. It's too late for me - save yourself! Just kidding. Enjoy the ride, mate!

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2022 4:23 pm**

pzgndr wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 2:09 pm Reading military history and being able to simulate historical events in a wargame has an addictive effect that most cannot comprehend.

I am on the opposite of that spectrum: if I want to see the same as what happened in history, I go watch a movie or a YouTube video (there are some really good ones out there). That is why I play all games a-historical: I try to win no matter what happened in history (so, I do not charge Napoleons Old Guard's into oblivion nor do I try to blitzkrieg Moscow and overextend my supply).

That being said: I fully agree with the OP and I too would like to thank the developers of this series: every new release is always fun to play!!!!

Posted: **Wed Jul 20, 2022 6:24 pm**

Yogol wrote: Tue Jul 19, 2022 4:23 pm I am on the opposite of that spectrum...

You may be confusing "being able to simulate historical events" as wanting to replicate exact historical results. Not at all. Good wargames should demonstrate that if you follow historical strategies, then you should achieve relatively similar results. But that's not the point. If you have some confidence in the wargame being realistic and historically accurate, then you should have some confidence that following ahistorical strategies should produce believable results. The Strategic Command series does a pretty good job of doing that, improving and expanding as it has over the years. If you play ahistorical to win, your victory or loss should be believable. In that sense, we should be on the same spectrum. And there should be an addictive replayability effect to try again with different ahistorical strategies.

Posted: **Wed Jul 20, 2022 9:25 pm**

I got Shelby Foote's trilogy on the Civil War in 1978, discounted as a member of the Time-Life book club. Devoured it, and at the time it eclipsed Bruce Catton's work, although that is also great work. Long time ago, now for both. Now, having bought SC American Civil War, I've started reading Foote all over again. Just the first 100 pages of the first volume bring home again what a cataclysmic event this was for our country. I think about one of my grandfathers who kept his father's shattered wrist bone in a glass case (yes, I'm not a youngster myself) which was salvaged from surgery after he was wounded and sent home to Massachusetts.

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 6:55 pm**

Always great news when new young blood is introduce to wargaming!

Posted: **Sat Jul 23, 2022 7:16 pm**

mucho payaso tiburon...ni lo pienso comprar jamas, me parece que lo habeis hecho mal el juego. no habeis captado mi feeling

hasta la vista baby tiburon¡

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