Interest in a Second Team Game

[byron13]

I'm polling the interest of the community to start a team game in version 1.5 - but with a twist.

I would like to play the Allied side with other team members. Rather than dividing the roles by geographic regions, would anyone have an interest in dividing by "branch" of service. I would see a navy person, an air force person (that might also run submarines to keep busy) and an army person that would run armies and all cargo and transportation ships.

There would be obvious disadvantages, the biggest being that the team members would have to coordinate things among themselves fairly tightly. When advancing a supply convoy into dangerous territory, the air force and naval commanders would both have to take steps to protect the third members' ships. This may get too cumbersome. Players may also get tired of running only one branch of the service (though no reason the team members can't swap around after awhile).

On the other hand: I think the coordination would lend some fun to the game, as would some of the potentially colossal goof ups. Other advantages are that members would actually have to rely on their teammates to be successful - something lacking in most games. Also, it would eliminate the arguments over who gets the next CV that comes into the game or whether the next offensive should be in player A's or B's sector. All members have a vested interest in all areas of the board, and I would think that decision-making would be a lot more cooperative. Still other advantages are that the air member can control the pilot pool and make strategic decisions based on a/c and pilot pool availability. The naval player decides upgrade and repair priorities and must fit them in with the team's overall plan.

I wouldn't care how the Japanese set up their side.

Anyone interested in trying a team game set up along these lines after 1.5 comes out?

[mc3744]

Hey byron13

yep, I'm interested. I'd love to be the air force guy. [8D]
Please consider that I'm GMT+1

I'm already playing a PBEM team game as the US-Aussie-etc. (we are now in June)
I think it's fun to discuss the strategy with some buddies. However three is the very maximum (if not too much already).
The problem I see is the game speed. We will be probably moving real slow.

Let me know

Cheers [:D]

[byron13]

As far as I'm concerned, you're the air guy. I'm pretty much a wimp and was volunteering to handle the armies and logistics. Personally, I'm thinking the navy job may be the sexy one. Assuming he's got supplies and air cover, all he has to do is drive around grab the glory.

Anyone for the glamour job of running all of the free world's navies? With no need to worry about day-to-day supply hassles or supply convoys? You know, it just boggles the mind the amount of power you'd have and, while people might plead for you to move them somewhere, no one (like another theater commander) can ever take them away from you. Mad at your teammate? Get him back by conveniently forgetting to guard his airbase or pull ASW escort off in sub-infested waters. Yessir, this is the plum job of the free world.

Any takers for Japanese to prove what a bad system of command this is?

[mc3744]

It is of course intended that the naval guy and you will have to beg me for air cover and air support [:D]

And if you are naughty I may even sink you myself [:'(]

I guess that - as usual - the big deal will be to find a Jap player. They must be protected by the WWF. They are going to exinct (not sure it's English [&:]). [:D]

I'll be waiting for 1.5 and the other guys.

Thanks and cheers

[Blackwatch_it]

I'm in as Jap
Still some alive mc[:'(]

[benway9]

i might be interested in joining as part of the Japanese team. the command assignments would have to be worked out, but i would think of the following (depending upon number of players joining):

a commander of Combined Fleet, then divide the Command HQ's based upon the number of players involved. transports for troops and supplies would be the responsibility of each commander based on their needs and the availability of shipping. on the other hand, the transport of resources/oil would be the responsibility of Combined Fleet HQ. i think it could be really interesting and fun to have that interaction between players.

or another option would be to go with the historical Japanese problem of one player as IJA and the other as commander of IJN. each one would have work out the compromises of production capabilities. compromising who gets whose planes priority etc. it would be a nice challenge to pull it off and it would sort of represent the historical dilemma faced by the Japs.

let me know any thoughts on this.

benway

[mc3744]

It looks like we are still missing the Navy guy.
If it doesn't pop up by the 1.5 release I guess we could split the task somehow.
Nationality? Purpose? Any idea?

[general billy]

Navy guy for the allies?
I be happy to take the job

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: benway9

i might be interested in joining as part of the Japanese team. the command assignments would have to be worked out, but i would think of the following (depending upon number of players joining):

a commander of Combined Fleet, then divide the Command HQ's based upon the number of players involved. transports for troops and supplies would be the responsibility of each commander based on their needs and the availability of shipping. on the other hand, the transport of resources/oil would be the responsibility of Combined Fleet HQ. i think it could be really interesting and fun to have that interaction between players.

or another option would be to go with the historical Japanese problem of one player as IJA and the other as commander of IJN. each one would have work out the compromises of production capabilities. compromising who gets whose planes priority etc. it would be a nice challenge to pull it off and it would sort of represent the historical dilemma faced by the Japs.

let me know any thoughts on this.

benway

I proposed it with our team PBEM game when we were two Japanese vs 3 Allied. One player having IJA and the other IJN. Now we are 3 vs 3 (AAR 3 vs 3 PBEM) and divisions is geographical (and moving depending of the time and current operations).

Dividing between IJN and IJA is allowing both players to do some operations alone (if IJA is given, as in RL, a shipping pool and some escorts for it) but major operations will need cooperation of the two players.

In our team game, coordination is a major problem in the "border zones".

[mc3744]

Looks like we got our teams [:)]

[Harald1050]

ORIGINAL: benway9

i might be interested in joining as part of the Japanese team. the command assignments would have to be worked out, but i would think of the following (depending upon number of players joining):

a commander of Combined Fleet, then divide the Command HQ's based upon the number of players involved. transports for troops and supplies would be the responsibility of each commander based on their needs and the availability of shipping. on the other hand, the transport of resources/oil would be the responsibility of Combined Fleet HQ. i think it could be really interesting and fun to have that interaction between players.

or another option would be to go with the historical Japanese problem of one player as IJA and the other as commander of IJN. each one would have work out the compromises of production capabilities. compromising who gets whose planes priority etc. it would be a nice challenge to pull it off and it would sort of represent the historical dilemma faced by the Japs.

let me know any thoughts on this.

benway

Servus!

In our 3vs3 PBEM (without any AAR yet) the Japanese side is structured as follows:

1. China, Kwangtung, Home Defense, Northern Army, KB, subs in the Pacific (starting
at HI)
2. 4th Fleet, SE Fleet, SA Army, subs that start in that areas.
3. Burma, supply, industry

We just started the game (turn 2) so don't know how things will develop. But we meet very often at msn to coordinate our operations and talk about changing our indurtrial settings.

Harald

[byron13]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent

ORIGINAL: benway9

i might be interested in joining as part of the Japanese team. the command assignments would have to be worked out, but i would think of the following (depending upon number of players joining):

a commander of Combined Fleet, then divide the Command HQ's based upon the number of players involved. transports for troops and supplies would be the responsibility of each commander based on their needs and the availability of shipping. on the other hand, the transport of resources/oil would be the responsibility of Combined Fleet HQ. i think it could be really interesting and fun to have that interaction between players.

or another option would be to go with the historical Japanese problem of one player as IJA and the other as commander of IJN. each one would have work out the compromises of production capabilities. compromising who gets whose planes priority etc. it would be a nice challenge to pull it off and it would sort of represent the historical dilemma faced by the Japs.

let me know any thoughts on this.

benway

I proposed it with our team PBEM game when we were two Japanese vs 3 Allied. One player having IJA and the other IJN. Now we are 3 vs 3 (AAR 3 vs 3 PBEM) and divisions is geographical (and moving depending of the time and current operations).

Dividing between IJN and IJA is allowing both players to do some operations alone (if IJA is given, as in RL, a shipping pool and some escorts for it) but major operations will need cooperation of the two players.

In our team game, coordination is a major problem in the "border zones".

First, with respect to benway's post, it would be up to the Japanese to structure their command any way they want. Personally, I think the geographic division is easier and less likely to cause problems. In fact, the Japanese side does not even need to have any more than one player - heck, probably easier with only one player. My primary interest is in trying this kind of command structure on the Allied side and seeing how quickly and effectively the Allies can overcome the manifest weaknesses of this structure.

Admiral, I think it was your thread that largely spawned the idea. I acknowledge a division of duties among service lines is going to be immensely more complicated than on regional lines. Strategically I see things running smoother, but I would anticipate major tactical screw-ups due to lack of coordination. Hi-jacking is a problem in your game, completely exposed and unsupported units would be the risk in mine. Frankly, that's what I'm looking forward to:

Player 1: Hey, dimwit! I just lost three ships because you didn't provide escort/LRCAP!!

Player 2: Oops! Sorry, I forgot! or Oh, I thought you wanted LRCAP on the other convoy.

In a general sense, it provides some of the inter-service tension that existed. Army may be enthused about invading Tarawa, but Navy decides now is a good time to refit and upgrade the carriers. Army wants to withdraw surrounded units, but Navy is not too hip on escorting an AP convoy in such a hot area. Plus, each player - especially navy and air - has global decision-making issues as to priorities for upgrades, pilot usage, etc., that he alone is responsible for. Since, with the exception of China, all three players are jointly responsible for defending every hex, I don't think there will be the jealousies that arise in a regional division. I'm hoping that the three players will agree on general strategy and, for example, agree that all three branches need to have assets in place to invade Guadalcanal by May 1st. Each player is responsible for making sure that his service contributes the necessary forces at the launching point by May 1. (Of course, there might be a little friction if, on May 1, all that shows up from Navy is a four-stacker while TF 52 is blitzing Tokyo. But, that's the fun of it all - all players are more directly affected by the decisions of one).

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: byron13

But, that's the fun of it all - all players are more directly affected by the decisions of one).

Exactly. And there is no Tojo or Roosevelt or Churchill to fix priorities. You have to discuss it.

Even if I should say that I have no problem in my team game. I have everything I need... maybe I should ask more.

The more funny is to compare player's style.

[byron13]

I think Allied air needs to be the last of the Allied players to conduct the turn. Probably best for the army/logistics player to run first.

It appears we've got an air volunteer in Italy (Vincenza by any chance?) and a navy volunteer from London (ain't it just like the British to want to run the navy?!! [:D]). Normally, it would look like the timing is all wrong. However, if I'm logistics in the eastern U.S., I can probably do my portion of the turn in the morning, and the Allied navy and air would have the turn to conduct in their evening. They could then forward the turn to the Japanese, who will hopefully be in the U.S. Nothing against Ozonians, but their conduct of the turn in their evening would probably interfere with me doing turns in my morning.

Does this work?

Where are Blackwatch and Benway (proposed Japanese players) located?

[byron13]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent
The more funny is to compare player's style.

Oh, yeah. I see a lot of opportunity for dime-dropping in AARs - all in good fun, of course. "The invasion would have been successful, except that someone who shall remain nameless forgot to load the 1st Marine Division onto ships. The navy and air force took losses and ploughed a bunch of dirt for nothing . . . "

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: byron13

I think Allied air needs to be the last of the Allied players to conduct the turn. Probably best for the army/logistics player to run first.

It appears we've got an air volunteer in Italy (Vincenza by any chance?) and a navy volunteer from London (ain't it just like the British to want to run the navy?!! [:D]). Normally, it would look like the timing is all wrong. However, if I'm logistics in the eastern U.S., I can probably do my portion of the turn in the morning, and the Allied navy and air would have the turn to conduct in their evening. They could then forward the turn to the Japanese, who will hopefully be in the U.S. Nothing against Ozonians, but their conduct of the turn in their evening would probably interfere with me doing turns in my morning.

Does this work?

Where are Blackwatch and Benway (proposed Japanese players) located?

I'm in Milan, as Blackwatch [:D]

I agree on the turn flow. I think that's the way to go.

[DoomedMantis]

If you need another Ill be in

[benway9]

has it been decided? what are the teams? i'm a bit of a Jap novice, but hell, i'll figure it out.

ps. i'm in New York City

[byron13]

I think the Allied side is set with mc3744, byron13, and general billy. We've already got the war planned through 1944. By the end of this weekend, we should have the invasion of Japan worked out.

The game should work with blackwatch and benway as the Japanese given their geographic locations. Doomedmantis has a long and distinguished history on the forum, and I would like to include him if he's interested. I'm sure there's something he's said in the past that I can use for revenge motive. However, due primarily to the way the Allied command structure is set up and the locations of the Allied players, doomedmantis would have to kick his portion of the turn out by no later than around 10:30 at night from Sydney (or 6:30 a.m. on the east coast of the U.S. - if I'm reading the time zone chart right). If you think you can do it, you're more than welcome to join. Maybe we're smoking dope, but we'd like to try and do a turn a day.

Other than a showing of interest, I do not have commitments from anyone on the Japanese side. Benway and Blackwatch: are you in? If so, send me your e-mail addresses by private e-mail so we can finalize the game parameters. Doomedmantis too.

[AmiralLaurent]

If any of the 3 potential Japanese resigns, I will be happy to join the Japanese team. I'm an experienced Bushido warrior.

I will try to not invade Australia in this game, but since someone said there are 4 women for one man here, all my subordonates want to go there.