Unofficial thread for Frank Hunter's ACW: Fort Sumter to Appamattox

[SittingDuck]

This thread can serve as a mini-forum of sorts until Frank's site is restored (Frank, I believe, mentions that the payment to the ISP was overlooked and the site taken down; it should be back up).

Anyhow, I'd like to use this thread for information on the current status of the game, both the freeware version and the upcoming Matrix version. As well as collect those of us who are interested in email games. Finally, this might be a good repository for people to start chiming in their wish list and concerns. Anyone, of course, could say what they want in the new version, but it would be much more valuable input if you are familiar with the current version of the game.

It would also be great if Frank Hunter himself could chime in here with his thoughts about the new project, whatever they may be. Just an invitation, Frank!

Current Freeware version: v2.66 (someone correct me if that is wrong and I'll update).

If anyone knows the current status of bugs and what was fixed between v2.63 and v2.66 that would be great.

Here is a good site with plenty of info on the game, but I don't know to what version this information is applicable:

Good info site: http://www.thurb.com/games/acw/intro.htm

If people need copies, I or others can send out a ZIP file (an 8.5meg ZIP or 7.3meg RAR file).

I also have my custom updates for the counter and unit designation image files. I'll see if I can post an attachment, but somehow I think not..

[madflava13]

I'm not familiar with this game, but I've been looking for a good Civil War game that covers the entire war, not just one battle... I guess I'll have to wait for the site to get back up to learn more though!

[Fallschirmjager]

Its a good game.
The interface could use an update and the supply rules are way too severe IMO. But its a good operational Civil War game.

[Cap Mandrake]

Yes..it is fun. The interface is indeed clunky, however. The River naval rules work pretty well...demonstrating the importance of the Mississippi.

[madflava13]

Sitting Duck and others-
I got the game - thanks - and it looks really good. I printed up the tutorial accompanying the game, but I'm having some problems. I don't know if its because this is the freeware version or what, but the tutorial mentions that you can click on a city with Units that are garrisoning it, then click on them to add them to the "Force Pool". I tried everything I can think of, but I can't for the life of me get those units into any Force Pool. I can get them out if I move another unit over top of the city, but not on their own. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks in advance, and Sitting Duck, thanks for sending me the file!

[SittingDuck]

Look again at the first post and go to the website I mentioned.

That tutorial that you are reading is based on a much earlier version and some things aren't applicable. And other things are errors anyways. For example, producing 500 Springfield rifles does not cost 1500 supply points.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: madflava13

Sitting Duck and others-
I got the game - thanks - and it looks really good. I printed up the tutorial accompanying the game, but I'm having some problems. I don't know if its because this is the freeware version or what, but the tutorial mentions that you can click on a city with Units that are garrisoning it, then click on them to add them to the "Force Pool". I tried everything I can think of, but I can't for the life of me get those units into any Force Pool. I can get them out if I move another unit over top of the city, but not on their own. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks in advance, and Sitting Duck, thanks for sending me the file!

Hi!

Problem with returning garrison units back to the force pool was that it meant in one move you could take a brigade and "beam" it from one side of the country to the other. Which is a tad bit unrealistic.

Frank stopped this. Once a brigade is brought into the game, its there to stay unless it is destroyed.

Ray (alias Lava)

[*Lava*]

@SittingDuck

Did you receive the 2.8 version of the game I sent you?

Ray (alias Lava)

[SittingDuck]

Ray, thanks - but it was v2.63

The EXE file was older than the v2.66 file I have now. Maybe you sent the wrong package?

[madflava13]

Than for the heads up Lava and others...

I've been playing this game non-stop between turns in my 2 Uncommon Valor PBEM games. I really am enjoying it, but I'm getting my ass kicked all over the place as the Union. I'm starting to get the hang of it, but my lack of knowledge about the period is definitely a handicap.

Do any of you know what Matrix is planning to do as far as updating, improving, etc? I would definitely buy an updated version of this game...

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: SittingDuck

Ray, thanks - but it was v2.63

The EXE file was older than the v2.66 file I have now. Maybe you sent the wrong package?

Hmmm.. I'll check into that..

@madflava13 Frank has been providing support for ACW for a long time, longer than any game company I know of. He has, however, announced that he will no longer be supporting it. That's the bad news. The good news, is he is working on a new Operational ACW game! Just don't expect it any time too soon, his WWI game is next on the production line.

As for playing the Union, it is in my opinion the most difficult side. (Especially in PBEM.) The confederate ability to build heavy entrenchments without the offsetting ability of the union to bring siege equipment to bear, means that the rebs have a distinct advantage in this game.

Ray (alias Lava)

[Capt. Queeg]

Where can I get a copy of the Freeware version? I have the old CD game but I lost my copy of Frank's update when my HD crashed. Is there an alternate download site? Thanks.

[Jonathan Palfrey]

Hi there, thanks for the plug for my Web pages about Frank's ACW game (http://www.thurb.com/games/acw/intro.htm).

My pages are fully up to date, as far as I know, and cover version 2.66 of the game.

I'd be willing to provide the game itself for downloading, but I'd like to have Frank's permission to do that. FRANK ???

As I've noted, the direct railway line between Nashville and Chattanooga is broken and can't be used. You can usually go by rail between Nashville and Chattanooga, by using the alternative line that passes near Decatur. However, if the latter line is cut by the enemy, you'll find that you can't go between Nashville and Chattanooga any more.

[Jonathan Palfrey]

The current bugs that I know about are listed here: http://www.thurb.com/games/acw/bugs.htm.

Some of these bugs are quite serious. They affect both sides, but they have a worse effect on the Union player. So it can be quite a discouraging experience to play the Union against a competent Confederate player.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: SittingDuck

Ray, thanks - but it was v2.63

The EXE file was older than the v2.66 file I have now. Maybe you sent the wrong package?

Yikes! You are correct. The zip was named 28 but the exe is indeed 2.63. Checking around, you are correct, 2.66 is the latest version.

Ray (alias Lava)

[SittingDuck]

Good point - I had not known about the circuitous route via Decatur, but that makes sense. I'll amend the point you have made.

One thing you mentioned in email is that Union amph invasions only occur at Norfolk and Beaumont, regardless of the target invasion. I assume you mean this for Union as human controlled? Because I saw the Feds attack New Orleans when I was playing as the Confederacy.

[m10bob]

I have tried to get to the site with ver.2.66 and it is still down and the broser is referring me to MatrixGames!!...BTW,I still have my cd copy of the original version,it was a great game!!..[:)]

[SittingDuck]

OK, if CaptQueef and m10boob can PM me with their email addresses, I will send out a copy of v2.66 at the first opportunity (ie, after work).

Great names, guys...

[Jonathan Palfrey]

When the Union player sends an amphibious invasion, there is a significant risk that it will land at Norfolk or Beaufort if it was ordered to land at some other port further south.

It's just a risk, it doesn't always happen: sometimes the fleet goes to the right port. However, in my current game none of my invasions has hit the intended target, and when you've suffered total loss of ships, men, and leader several times in a row by landing at a well-defended port, you get a bit reluctant to try it again.

I've tried to estimate the risk by experiment, but I don't trust my results. My experiments indicated that if you start from Atlantic City and order the fleet to go around Florida to the underbelly of the South, you always get to your intended target. But when I tried it in a real game, the idiots landed at Beaufort again. Ouch.

[madflava13]

Quick Q-
I'm assuming the game was not intended to run in 800x600, correct? I'm one of those guys who still runs an old computer and I haven't upgraded yet - when I play ACW, I cannot scroll all the way East. I can see the beginning of the word "Philadelphia", but the city itself is off the map.

Am I just SOL until I get a new computer (in about a month!), or is there something I'm missing?