Dead Game

[DANIEL GALAN]

this game is dead?

Daniel Galan

[MHaggett]

Still being worked on I believe. Kevin posts very occasionally with updates.

[SharonB]

There were some updates on Consimworld recently, ya might want to check there.

edited for grammar. :rolleyes:

[Nicola]

...going on slowly, unluckily...
we still need a definitive game on this subject/scale, in my opinion.
Kevin's game is the only chance at the present time.

Nicola

[SharonB]

I am very slowly working on a game(s) covering the French Revolution (1788), the wars of the Revolution, and the Empire period to 1821 (or so). Right now I am working on 1792. I envision hex based with corps, and an optional divisional grand-tactical battle resolution. Am currently reading all I can on the subject, working on the OBs and setting a map scale. (Admittedly a very involved and lengthy process).

As such I am really interested in this game to see Kevin's take on the general subject of Napoleonic warfare on this scale.

[Nicola]

SharonB,

compliments for your endeavour ... and let us know how the project progresses (I'm very interested in it).

Nicola

[SharonB]

Thanks for your compliment!

I started looking at 1788+ because although I have studied Napoleon extensively, the military history of the empire period usually begins in 1805 and extends until 1815.

However, starting there, I lacked a context for the creation of the Empire. As I backtracked historically to General Bonaparte's Italian and Egyptian Campaigns, I found that the revolutionary period had a profound impact on the army and warfare of the period. When Bonaparte ascended the Throne and became Napoleon I in 1804, the French nation had already been at war for 12 years!

Studying the revolutionary period has been fascinating, with all the rebellions, campaigns, victories and setbacks that went on; as well as the jockeying for power by the various factions within France, which culminated with the ascendancy of the Bonapartists.

Also, there have been various gaming systems that have examined this period, but none are hex-based. It is exciting for me to contemplate transforming them to into that genre.

[Nicola]

Thanks for your compliment!

I started looking at 1788+ because although I have studied Napoleon extensively, the military history of the empire period usually begins in 1805 and extends until 1815.

However, starting there, I lacked a context for the creation of the Empire. As I backtracked historically to General Bonaparte's Italian and Egyptian Campaigns, I found that the revolutionary period had a profound impact on the army and warfare of the period. When Bonaparte ascended the Throne and became Napoleon I in 1804, the French nation had already been at war for 12 years!

Studying the revolutionary period has been fascinating, with all the rebellions, campaigns, victories and setbacks that went on; as well as the jockeying for power by the various factions within France, which culminated with the ascendancy of the Bonapartists.

Also, there have been various gaming systems that have examined this period, but none are hex-based. It is exciting for me to contemplate transforming them to into that genre.

This is a very keen approach overall.

> When Bonaparte ascended the Throne and became Napoleon I in 1804, the French nation had already been at war for 12 years!

I had not thought of that before, but it's true: in historical and not fictional terms the French military machine could not be created by one man in a couple of years, but only through a lengthy experience on the battlefiled...

> Also, there have been various gaming systems that have examined this period, but none are hex-based.

Yes, my vote to hexs for your game(s) :-)

Nicola

[SharonB]

It also explains the utter exhaustion of the military after fighting almost nonstop from 1792 to 1815. :eek: and losing several armies along the way.

[sbconstant]

I agree, this is a fascinating scope for a definitive game of the era. There are so many fascinating campaigns, figures, and political turns of event during the 1792-1804 period, I can't wait to hear how your work on it is progressing.

Of course, I can't wait for Swords Around the Throne and Le Grand Empire either!

Steve

[Nicola]

I've just preordered Le Grand Empire from Pratzen.
After all we have now 3 game projects with similar scope out there, this is good.

SharonB, is there already an "home" for your game(s)? (I mean: who should print it?)

Nicola

[SharonB]

Not at this time; I wouldn't know where to start for publishing. :)

I am considering possibly publishing it (somehow) as a YEARS type series, known as THE WARS OF REVOLUTION AND EMPIRE, starting with 1792 (Working title:Vive la Nation!). That would provide a solution to the problem of number of counters, number of maps, etc. Subsequent releases would probably be 1793: La Patrie en Danger!, and then 1788: Vive le Roi! (and so on). (I may even have a 1Lt Bonaparte counter, so you can track his whereabouts in 1792, LOL)

At a later date I could work the campaign game in to tie them together.
I am thinking of using an SPI La Grand Armee like basic system, channeling aspects of Empires in Harm and using a map scale of War in Europe (33km/hex). I would like to use 1 SP = 1,000 (about a regiment for the french), and artillery at 40 guns per SP and 1 SoL for naval.

Turns would either be 1 week (7 days or 4 per month) or 10 days (3 per month).

Combat resolution would be a quick result for trivial combats, or port to optional NLB style (Brigade) or a divisional gamette for major battles. If desired, the major battles could be resolved via a quick system.

So, it would indeed be a monster project, that I am still just developing, and everything is subject to change. I have been looking forward to someone producing this "Holy Grail" of Napoleonic warfare for over 25 years - guess I have to do it myself! :D

[Nicola]

SharonB,

Europa Simulazioni has a strong interest in your project (apart the right of pre-emption of Kevin's OSG, of course :)

If your are interested, drop me a line: italian_wars@yahoo.com

Nicola

[SharonB]

Nicola:
email sent to your address.
-SharonB

[kzucker]

Hi

Sorry I haven't been checking in. I have been busy with the maps for the Special Study and general production.

Swords Around a Throne is very much alive. I know that some folks are tired of waiting for this game, but at the same time most agree that a game needs to take as much time as it needs. Even our relatively simple 1806 game took 8 years of development.

[Nicola]

Kevin,

most want that the game has a proper development and are ready to wait.
But while waiting our desire to see it is growing ... :)

Nicola

[kzucker]

Joe Youst is working on the map for Swords. We have re-designed the game recently. Though this is a two-player game we are incorporating the non-player country diplomacy rules from La Guerre. We want a detailed historical o.b. (instead of generic divisions). We are going to accomplish that by treating one year at a time, starting with 1812.

[Nicola]

A very long development process indeed.
But I learnt from you that makes a good game, not the contrary.
Still I hope to see it out during the current year.

Nicola

[kzucker]

Hi Nicola,

I really appreciate your interest in this game.

There was a time when I wasn't publishing any games, but I was always working on games - such as 1806 and Highway to the Kremlin. It took about 15 years of development before Highway was ready, and in that time the scale of the map was changed three or four times. The 1806 game took about 12 years; in that case it was the Vedette rules that kept changing.

Swords Around a Throne has been through three or four complete re-designs since 2003. Most game publishers will not allow a game to have so much development time!

[lanterna]

Hi Kevin ... take all the time it need but consider many of us are aging ! Or you could choose a Super De Luxe maps policy for white-headed-gamers.

Enrico

[kzucker]

Hi Enrico,

Thanks for your support and your patience. Since we were born, we have always been aging.

[lanterna]

Hi Enrico,

Thanks for your support and your patience. Since we were born, we have always been aging.And De Luxe maps support the poor aged eyes ....
Hi

[Edgar]

Then, Swords is starting with the 1812 Campaign to 1814 or 1815? What do you consider Victory for French in this game? Having Alexander sign peace?

[kzucker]

Edgar,

Usually the Victory Conditions develop at the end of the process.

In the real world, Victory does not seem so clear cut all the time. Victory feels more like survival. If Napoleon stays on t he throne of France, that might be the best Victory he can hope for.