Matrix Games Forums

Jumping the gun I know but after reading the Developers Journal on 2by3Games site, I am really hoping they decide to do this American Civil War game next.

We will be. Gary is already coding it and the artists are already workin on it. It will follow after GGWaW.

Well, now ... while I have no intention whatsoever of imbibing any WW2 "lite beer" (GGAWaW) since HOI2 is out in a matter of weeks, I am most definitely weak and vulnerable towards the notion of an ACW "lite beer". So, Joel & Gary ... BREW ON! [:D]

If history is any example (and in this case it certainly is), you'll have six months or more to enjoy your WaW "lite beer" before the HOI2 brew is even drinkable. Paradox always sells their beer long before it's ready for consumption.

What will the base unit size be in the ACW version? Will Jackson's Valley Campaign be possible? Will we only have state size "areas" for movement?

Gary is already coding it and the artists are already workin on it. It will follow after GGWaW.

[&:]

What?! The American Civil War?? Hey, don't forget Operation Barbarossa!

Gary, if you read this: we are soooo many waiting for "The Russian Front" to finished... Gosh, I would cut off my left foot, just to see this game during my lifetime... And during your programming, please pop by our matrix-forum. We are lots of old-timers there! (I have been playing WIR since 1991.)

[&o]

From www.2by3games.com/devjournal/index.html :

"As for the Eastern Front game, we hope to get back to it within the next few months as well. We expect that Mike Wood of Matrix Games will be working with us on this project. We will have some work cut out for us as we switch the game from an older engine to the new engine, but with Keith's help, Mike will be able to accomplish this task. Although the game is a game for the grognard's, we believe that it is early enough in the game's development to warrant switching engines.

The switch makes sense for the long-term success of the game and any other's that might follow it. The basic design of the game has not changed since we worked on it in 2000/2001. It will be a turn-based game with weekly turns and 10 mile hexes. It will not have an execution phase, but instead will have movement and combat all in one phase. We think it will be a relatively easy game to play, although it will be massive in befitting the size of the Eastern Front. One of my favorite games of all time is War in the East from SPI, so I'm really looking forward to being able to work on our own war in the east game, using everything we've learned over the last 10 years regarding interface design, graphics and AI.

Mike will continue to spend some time patching WitP, but will transition over the next few months to work primarily on Eastern Front. Keith will continue to be our technology guru, and will assist both Gary and Mike while they work on these two projects. He'll also invest some of his time to look into some new ideas that we have regarding a project which we all hope to get to in 2006 or 2007, Steel Panthers IV."

Both projects should go forward next year. As for Civil War, Virginia has about 17 areas in it (the valley has 2), Georgia has 16. I think Gary's assumption is that the standard unit represents about a brigade of troops.

Great! I was thinking a brigade at most, and at very least a regiment. Seventeen areas in Virginia is way more than I expected and should work nicely; you yourself know the importance of the Old Dominion as it relates to the ACW. I have recently finished reading the three volumes of Lee's Lieutenants, and the announcement of this game is simply wonderful news. Thank you for the information.

Both projects should go forward next year.

Great!! I hope Eastern Front will be as good as WIR! One tiny tip: Put more effort in the strategic value, than in the graphics. I have been playing WIR since 1991 (and chess has been played since 6th centuries) - even if the grafichs is crappy.

I think it is much better if you lay down research of the ballistics of a bullet from the T-34, the speed, the armor, the radio, the scope, the speed etc. etc. than having an astonishing graphics…

But I suppose you have all under conrtrol! [:)]

Strategic Civil War...Its about friggin time! You guy keep up with the patch support of your products and I'll keep trashing my budget to buy em.

An ACW game? Cool.[:)]

What a fine idea! We really need a decent strategic ACW game.

Oh YES! YES! YESSSS.......

My favorite wargaming subject. [&o]

Oh gawd ! I get to play with cavalry again! *Drool*[&o]

ORIGINAL: Steely Glint

What a fine idea! We really need a decent strategic ACW game.

Hear hear.

Great going, guys. I'm really looking forward to it.

Any ideas for a title yet?

GGWSI - GG's War of Southern Independence

ORIGINAL: mbatch729

GGWSI - GG's War of Southern Independence

[:D]

I propose GGWBSTNCAI - "Gary Grigsby's War Between the States (Tweren't Nothin' Civil About It)". [:D]

I don't understand the excitement over a strategic level ACW game. It's not like the South ever had a chance. With WWII games you can at least imagine an Axis victory. All the South could hope for was a bloody stalemate for a few years and hope the North lost interest. On the other hand, if you brought in the possibility of other major powers getting involved, namely England, France, Prussia, etc. Then you could make it a mid 19th century world war game...now that would have some possibilities for fun.

Uh oh. I hope we don't go marching down that old, familiar road known as "the Japanese can't win, so we've got to change the game to help them."

ORIGINAL: Cheesehead
I don't understand the excitement over a strategic level ACW game. It's not like the South ever had a chance.

A victory for the south would consist of making the war too expensive for the North to continue the fight. In the 1864 Presedential election the Democrats were committed to seeking an immediate end to the conflict... even at the expense of letting the south secede. If Lincoln had lost the election then the South would have "won" the war.