12/17/12

Prosciutto – Hamming it up with the di Parmas… Part 10!


By Undercovergeek, 17 December 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR that has reached episode 10. Another dozen or so, and UCG can file for syndication.

click images to enlarge

<

 

In Part 9 taxes were raised to pay for province improvements, Capua was invaded, and an evil plan to usurp Matilda (may she burn in Hell) was born. In Part 10 the plan is begun, improvements commence and Capua is added to the fold.

 

ckii10

 

The first battle of Capua goes well, the County will soon be ours.

 

ckii10

 

The defeated army retreats to the East. The Neopolitan Army is roused to see what all the shouting is about; I expect an attack from them, but in true Italian style they just watch from afar and then retreat.

Continue reading →

12/14/12

PC Game Review of Strategic Command WW1 Breakthrough

A review by Boggit, 14 December, 2012

Developed by Fury Software and published by Battlefront Inc.

Wargamers have recently had a series of fine wargames set during the First World War competing for their attention. With the Breakthrough expansion to Strategic Command World War One, Boggit takes a Grog’s view of whether this is just “Over the Top” or “Bang on Target”.

 

Strategic Command World War One Breakthrough is Fury Software’s latest addition to their Strategic Command stable of games. Strategic Command World War One Breakthrough is an add-on to Strategic Command World War One, so what has changed with the addition of Breakthrough, and for those unfamiliar with Strategic Command World War One itself, how does the game play?

Breakthrough makes a number of changes to the Strategic Command World War One game engine and introduces a new unit – the armoured train, which substitutes for the rail gun in some scenarios. The game engine changes cover a host of improvements including new hotkeys and some nice combat features like combat unit swapping, improved bombardment options, and so on. Supply rules have been overhauled and improved. Breakthrough also adds a variety of additional scenarios and a range of modding features to the game editor.

 

scwwi

What scenario to play? Action takes place from the muddy Flanders fields to the jungles of Africa.

Continue reading →

11/17/12

Prosciutto – Hamming it up with the di Parmas… Number 9


By Undercovergeek, 17 November 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, in at least 9 parts. More to come? Stay tuned dear readers.

click images to enlarge

In Part 8 we saw the new Count Oberto start a civil war with his twin Step-Brothers, take back Genoa, and start the slow process towards aiming for the Kingdom of Sicily by fabricating claims on Capua. In Part 9 Oberto takes the first step towards kingship, attempts to steady his new realm, and comes up with a plan to avenge his father.

 

ckii

 

A son, thank God for that, a male heir steadies the vassals and hopefully should shut down my Step-Mother’s plan to kill me.

 

ckii

 

In the income box we can see there is no money coming in from the feudal lords. I like everyone to pay their fair share – and it’s always a good excuse to raise taxes.

Continue reading →

11/11/12

Prosciutto – Hamming it up with the di Parmas, Part Huit!


By Undercovergeek, 11 November 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, in many, many parts. We’re up to number 8. Where have you been?

click images to enlarge

In Part 7 Count Oberto of Parma shuffled off his mortal coil and passed over the reins to his son….. Count Oberto. Having dearly departed with four provinces to his name, Parma, Genoa, Nice, and Corsica, senior Counsellors bound by the rules of the Count’s succession laws have split the land three ways between his remaining sons. The new Count Oberto receives Parma and Nice, his twin sons receive Corsica and Genoa. The tale now switches to the new Count and his plans to get his land back, to avenge his father’s death, and set plots in motion to declare independence and try for the title King of Sicily.

 

ckii

 

A grand feast – always a chance to get some prestige and win some friends, with the occasional chance to get drunk and annoy our Liege.

 

ckii

 

There goes Uncle Ghiberto, my Martial’s father and my father’s brother. He’ll be missed(!!) although he was the Steward and a poor substitute now takes his place. The splitting of the provinces has diluted the quality of the council after the twins took a few serving members with them.

Continue reading →

10/27/12

Prosciutto – Hamming it up with the di Parmas, Part Seven!

By Undercovergeek, 27 October 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, up to part 7. Yes, part 7. You’ve been reading this for a while, y’know.

click images to enlarge

In Part 6 Oberto was dealt a fatal blow in a battle to increase his Leige’s lands in Pavia, a new Martial was appointed, and Nice was taken into the fold of di Palma holdings. Now in Part 7 the succession laws divide the family, the HRE rids itself of plotters, Duchess Matilda gets a beating and a rich crop of knowledge is tapped.

 

ckii

 

My nephew, the new Martial wants a wife. We find him the Polish Queen Mother. It’s not as bad as it sounds, she’s 29, ginger and chubby, there are special websites for this kind of thing. Courtiers expect to find him dead in his bed, devoid of all bodily fluids in a matter of weeks.

 

ckii

 

It’s approved – God help him.

Continue reading →