Intel Dump - Rumors and glimpses of stuff coming up

[Barthheart]

 :D   :bd:

[JudgeDredd]

The old Fleet series from VG were some of my favorite wargames back in the day.  (2nd Fleet    )


So the great moistening began when I saw this upcoming one, at Compass Games, with a similar theme but wider scope.


Blue Water Navy

Blue Water Navy covers the war at sea, air, close-ashore and low-earth orbit from the Kola Peninsula in Northern Russia to the Mediterranean Sea and West over the Atlantic Ocean to the United States and Cuba. The game models the full order of battle that could be expected in 1980's wartime, from multi-regiment Soviet Tu-22 Backfire bombers to multiple US carrier groups.

The game is card driven, with each card providing points to move units or trigger special events such as 'KGB Assassinations' and 'Space Shuttle'. There is also a reaction mechanic where most cards can be used in the other player's turn to perform a spoiling event such as 'Raid Aborts' and 'Friendly Fire'.

https://www.compassgames.com/preorders/blue-water-navy.html


Gonna have to keep an eye on that one.

I would love to see this. However, I've heard (of their sale game from Cyrano) that their rules are terrible (for their sale game). I really, really need clear, informative, unambiguous rules with good, clear examples when I'm looking at a game.

But - I will definitely want to see this on the market

[bayonetbrant]

click to REALLY enlarge

[mirth]

The old Fleet series from VG were some of my favorite wargames back in the day.  (2nd Fleet    )


So the great moistening began when I saw this upcoming one, at Compass Games, with a similar theme but wider scope.


Blue Water Navy

Blue Water Navy covers the war at sea, air, close-ashore and low-earth orbit from the Kola Peninsula in Northern Russia to the Mediterranean Sea and West over the Atlantic Ocean to the United States and Cuba. The game models the full order of battle that could be expected in 1980's wartime, from multi-regiment Soviet Tu-22 Backfire bombers to multiple US carrier groups.

The game is card driven, with each card providing points to move units or trigger special events such as 'KGB Assassinations' and 'Space Shuttle'. There is also a reaction mechanic where most cards can be used in the other player's turn to perform a spoiling event such as 'Raid Aborts' and 'Friendly Fire'.

https://www.compassgames.com/preorders/blue-water-navy.html


Gonna have to keep an eye on that one.

Wow! Looks awesome!!!

[mirth]

I would love to see this. However, I've heard (of their sale game from Cyrano) that their rules are terrible (for their sale game). I really, really need clear, informative, unambiguous rules with good, clear examples when I'm looking at a game.

But - I will definitely want to see this on the market

Don't be completely put off by what Cyrano had to say with the Age of Sail game. Though I completely believe what he had to say about the rules issues with that game, in my experience Compass usually does pretty good with QA of the rules. I don't own a ton of Compass games (I'm buying more from them these days since I own pretty much every GMT game I want) but my general impression is favorable. They did a nice job with Breaking the Chains - https://www.compassgames.com/out-of-print/breaking-the-chain.html

[ArizonaTank]

I would love to see this. However, I've heard (of their sale game from Cyrano) that their rules are terrible (for their sale game). I really, really need clear, informative, unambiguous rules with good, clear examples when I'm looking at a game.

But - I will definitely want to see this on the market

Don't be completely put off by what Cyrano had to say with the Age of Sail game. Though I completely believe what he had to say about the rules issues with that game, in my experience Compass usually does pretty good with QA of the rules. I don't own a ton of Compass games (I'm buying more from them these days since I own pretty much every GMT game I want) but my general impression is favorable. They did a nice job with Breaking the Chains - https://www.compassgames.com/out-of-print/breaking-the-chain.html

+1 

I read the comments from Cyrano and was wondering if we were talking about the same game.  I have many Compass titles, and my experience with them has ranged from good to excellent.  I will admit that sometimes you will see a problem with the rules, but these are hardly "sucking chest wounds." 

I think you can find issues with the rules of almost any game company...including those from the 80s. 

For example, I am starting to play Time of Crisis, by GMT.  The rules don't explain some very fundamental concepts about card flow and hand management.  But IMHO that does not suddenly make Time of Crisis a lesser product, nor do I think it reflects poor play testing.  To me, it just means that I have to do what I usually do, get on BGG and ask questions. 

If you have any questions about the quality of the Compass game rules for Sovereign of the Seas...the rules can be downloaded.  The link is:
http://www.compassgames.com/downloads/SOTS_Rules_Final_R.pdf

[bayonetbrant]

[mirth]

You and your lack of links or other info

[Staggerwing]

Well, we know the game is probably set before 1999...

The 'F-18A' with camo adds a twist. An alternate reality where Northrup won the LWF competition?

[mirth]

Thankfully, the thin intel means I don't have to worry about it.

[bayonetbrant]

[ComradeP]

I'm not sure if I'd like the positioning of the country flag, it feels a bit off.

The mixture of NATO counters with equipment counters could also be momentarily confusing, even if only air units show equipment type.

[bayonetbrant]

[Barthheart]

Iraq?

[bbmike]

Interesting counter design. Is it really necessary to have the numbers in the lower right corner that large though? Seems like wasted space.