Online Group Wargame?

[bayonetbrant]

Hey guys -

What would y'all think if I pulled out a solitaire game like Empires in America or (Lord help us) the solo rules for something like A Distant Plain, and we run a game that posts here in the forums?

Or, we discuss in the forums, decide a COA here, and recap the turns as an AAR to the front page?  Are enough of y'all interested that we could sustain a game here?

What about a game with teams here in the forums?  We could easily create some limited-access sub-forums just for the teams to discuss and post their moves, and then update to a dedicated 'game results' thread that would let everyone into the game.  We could really cast a wider net then, and pull out something like Maneouvre or Crisis 2020, or even something not yet released, like Orange Crush or Asian Thunder.

[undercovergeek]

Hey guys -

What would y'all think if I pulled out a solitaire game like Empires in America or (Lord help us) the solo rules for something like A Distant Plain, and we run a game that posts here in the forums?

Or, we discuss in the forums, decide a COA here, and recap the turns as an AAR to the front page?  Are enough of y'all interested that we could sustain a game here?

What about a game with teams here in the forums?  We could easily create some limited-access sub-forums just for the teams to discuss and post their moves, and then update to a dedicated 'game results' thread that would let everyone into the game.  We could really cast a wider net then, and pull out something like Maneouvre or Crisis 2020, or even something not yet released, like Orange Crush or Asian Thunder.

i think the team things sounds great, get supporters on either side of the forum and get everybody contributing - i would like to see that

[bob48]

Sounds interesting.

[Barthheart]

I'd be interested in the team game idea.

[GJK]

Asian Thunder looks really interesting Brant - I'd like to participate in something like that.

[Ubercat]

I would LOVE to play one of the COIN games via Vassal. I don't think that any of them really work as team games, though. Even A Distant Plain really only has alliances of convenience due to common foes. In Andean Abyss, the government and AUC come close to being a team. In the upcoming Fire in the Lake, the US and South Vietnamese government come closer, as do the NVA and VC, but in the end there can only be one winner. Semi team game?

[BanzaiCat]

Sounds like it would be a great idea. I don't own any of those games, though...

[bayonetbrant]

No one needs to own anything.  I'll post pics and SITREPs and offer up options for next moves, roll dice for combat and update the map and post more pics, etc.

If we do it as a front-page AAR, we'll put some narrative behind it all, but no need to own anything unless you want to.

As to the COIN games, the idea would be that we're all the same faction making decisions as a group, and the other 3 players would be controlled by the "AI" that's built into the rules with a flowchart.

[BanzaiCat]

Ahh, I see what you're saying now. I like it.

[Double Deuce]

Maneouvre might be fun to try.

[undercovergeek]

No one needs to own anything.  I'll post pics and SITREPs and offer up options for next moves, roll dice for combat and update the map and post more pics, etc.

If we do it as a front-page AAR, we'll put some narrative behind it all, but no need to own anything unless you want to.

As to the COIN games, the idea would be that we're all the same faction making decisions as a group, and the other 3 players would be controlled by the "AI" that's built into the rules with a flowchart.

Having said that and having a group of players make executive decisions surely it would be more fun to have the other side as another team.... you could recruit on the forums for either side but still have just 2 guys actually making the game moves over vassal....it could be a great exercise in diplomacy and democracy with maybe spies in each camp and defections.....unless I'm a bit too enthusiastic!

[GJK]

I don't know if you're able to add restricted areas to the forums, but if so, we could have two teams with each team having their own "private" forum to discuss their moves without worry of being seen from the other side.  Of course, there could always be "spies" as well. In game turn results could be posted to the general forum for all to see.  Then, at the end of the game, those private forums could be opened up for general public view perhaps or just removed.  Sounds like a lot of work for you though Brant.

[bayonetbrant]

I don't know if you're able to add restricted areas to the forums, but if so, we could have two teams with each team having their own "private" forum to discuss their moves without worry of being seen from the other side.

that's pretty easy, actually

Sounds like a lot of work for you though Brant.

nah - take a few pictures, roll a few dice, let y'all argue about what to do in between.

[Ubercat]

The COIN games all have four factions. Let's do 4 teams! As long as we can get 8-12 ppl, (2-3 per team) it should work.

[Staggerwing]

I'd be interested but I don't own the rules to any of these games. Would you just be posting all possible moves for each unit previous to each turn? That sounds like a lot of work. It would be easier if someone on each team had a copy and could guide their side during discussion of next moves.

Has anyone done this type of thing previously? We could see how that worked out to avoid any pitfalls