kzucker
12-04-2009, 08:25 PM
Contents:
p. 1) Production Update on Special Study Nr. 5
p. 2) What is in the Special Studies?
p. 3) Game Questions: Napoleon at the Crossroads
p. 4) Results of the November Quiz
p. 5) December Quiz- 1807
p. 6) Order Form
OSG HOLIDAY SALE...
Now through 11 December 2009 we are offering three Holiday deals...
# SPECIAL STUDY COLLECTION: Buy SS Nrs. 1-4 for $112, get the new SS Nr. 5 for FREE!
These books have a retail price of $36 to $40 each; this is a PRE-PUBLICATION Offer.
Studies Nrs. 1-4 will be reprinted to order at the same time we publish the brand-new Nr. 5.
All five books will go to press on or about 21 December 2009.
http://www.napoleongames.com/store.html
# GAME DISCOUNTS- BUY ANY GAME FOR 20%-OFF (see page five)
# FREEBIES- Sun of Austerlitz Reprint maps and selected gameboxes free with any order.
OSG UPDATE: It has been a year and more since we announced the closing of OSG. Little by little that original decision took on a different cast. Friends of OSG convinced me to keep the OSG website with its discussion board, and to keep the games available at the store. I could certainly see the demand was there. I wrote in my diary last October 28th, "It seems this incredible windfall has come to me for the good purpose of promoting vibrational healing." The continued sales helped me to set-up in the healing work.
A sincere fan of the "Days" Series proposed an arrangement whereby OSG could continue producing games. I would have played the role of production manager, like I did at SPI way back, but part time. For all these reasons, and more, the doors of OSG were kept open a little longer and, it may be, longer still...
OSG NEEDS YOU! SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
We have kept the company going on a part-time basis, and we'd like to try and continue like that. We have announced a new product, Special Study Nr. 5, which is available for pre-order at http://www.Napoleongames.com
I want to make sure that you don't miss an opportunity, so if you do not want to make a payment right away, I would be happy to reserve a copy in your name and defer your payment for 30, 60, or 90 days. Let me know and we'll set something up.
It would be great if we could get a discussion going here on Consimworld. I'd enjoy having your feedback on what you liked about the first four volumes, and a discussion on Consimworld is one of the best ways to advertise.
Thanks for your strong support.
-Kevin Zucker
_ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ _ .. _ . _ _ _ ... _ .
Operational Studies Group News DECEMBER, 2009 Page One
PRODUCTION UPDATE
As I was working on the narrative of the Jena battle I reached the point that I needed to see the new maps. I have sketched out several different stages of the Jena battle, and sent them to our map designer. These maps show the troops at brigade and regiment level. I am about to describe the scene at Jena just after noon.
Many writers have treated the outcome of this campaign as a foregone conclusion. I have avoided that tack, simply presenting the facts without editorializing, and have preferred to show the good and the bad decisions made on both sides. I have now, however, reached that point in the narrative where the catastrophe has fully dawned: Rüchel is about to make his belated appearance. It is early afternoon.
Sample Chapters One and Two are available here ...
http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?233@1.qfURafXwx9i.14@.ee6bef6/6887!enclosure=.1dd44dfc http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?233@1.qfURafXwx9i.14@.ee6bef6/6887!enclosure=.1dd44dfd
The narrative of the retreat starting on October 15th through the 31st is already finished.
My old friend John Wladis has sent me some of his work for inclusion in the Appendices. John has worked with OSG on Orders of Battle and army situation reports since 1979's Napoleon at Leipzig.
Speaking of Leipzig, this game is now out of print; the rights have reverted back to OSG. We'd be interested in finding a way to get this game back in print, perhaps updating it with cards like those in Four Lost Battles.
-Kevin Zucker
_ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ _ .. _ . _ _ _ ... _ .
Operational Studies Group News DECEMBER, 2009 Page Two
The Special Studies Nrs 1-5 are the culmination of a lifelong pursuit. A game like "The Habit of Victory" is only half the picture, because it lacks the day to day operations. The best way to present that part of the picture has been done in the Special Studies.
What is in the Special Studies?
Each volume contains:
# Ample Situation maps - graphic, clear, instructive, accurate, and attractive. The maps in SS Nr. 5 are original research that show the situation of the French forces every 48 hours.
# Some 18th-century topographical plans of the battlefields, and a two-page map of Europe.
# Detailed orders of battle for various dates, useful for miniatures gaming.
# Other appendices, bibliography, etc.
# An index of places mentioned in the text, with hex numbers for HoV and The Eagles Turn east.
# Each volume contains a day-by-day narrative that avoids the dry recitation (General T moved to Town A).
Here is a short sample of the Run-up to Eylau in SS Nr. 3:
"Marshal Augereau's column, coming up the road from Landsberg, approached Ziegelhof. At their head the marshal reached the summit of the plateau, where the Emperor already stood. They could both see the town of Eylau below in the dusk. Augereau was visibly ill."
It reads like a war correspondent's dispatch from the front. Events flow as they happened, hour by hour. It is more effective to treat time as unfolding in sequence, instead of skipping around.
That passage continues ...
"Napoleon called for a halt. He reflected, 'They wanted me to take Eylau this evening, but I do not like night fighting; and besides, I don't wish to push my center too far forward before Davout and Ney have come up. I shall wait till tomorrow on this high ground, where our artillery can play. When Ney and Davout are in line we can advance simultaneously.' Marshal Augereau highly approved his prudence, and retired for the evening. Napoleon gave orders to remain in order of battle on the plateau, and to arrange his bivouac below Ziegelhof, with his Guard encamped all around him. "
_ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ _ .. _ . _ _ _ ... _ .
Operational Studies Group News DECEMBER, 2009 Page Three
GAME QUESTIONS: Napoleon at the Crossroads
I'd like to ask you something about CoO and SS: In NatC Napoleon attacked the Austrian Supply Source + Center of Operations in Teplitz. I find weird this situations, but let me know if it's because I lack knowledge or it's a misunderstanding of the rules:
1- By Exclusive [35] & [36] the Supply, being captured, can return at next friendly Admin Segment. What I can't understand is why changing voluntarily the Supply Source [33] costs the Austrian 1 turn without Movement Commands and using 0 in attrition, and also 1 AP [95], and capturing the Supply lets them at start of his turn in supply, no negative consequences. Shouldn't have the same consequences? (wait 1 turn, no supply, 1 AP wasted in the change)
2- The CoO must flee [128] & [129]. Where he must flee? Zwichau is free of enemies, and the SS at his left (the one in the road to Kommotau) is also free. Should he flee towards one of those 2, or exit the map? I think the rationale is fleeing of the map, toward the main SS (Wien, Prague), but the rule says it should go to another SS.
3- If the CoO flees off map: by [130] If displaced off the map, the Center of Operations may return to any friendly Supply Source hex during the friendly Movement Phase after the Supply Source hex is cleared of Enemy forces. But, if disbanded voluntarily [96], it cost 1 AP. Shouldn't cost als 1 AP making it flee?
4- And lastly: if had an Austrian Force, during retreat through Kulm, arrived to Teplitz but had to retreat still 2 more hexes.. where should he had to go? I think that "Off map", towards the main supply source, but you can't retreat off map unless there is no another way. Is this the case? Should it go off map or stop on the Supply Source, or continue towards another place?
Answer. The sense of this rule. is not to reward the player for capturing a supply source. On the map edge (as opposed to a depot within a city) there may be no facility. It is spread out. This is, in the game, a concretization of a more abstract function. Maybe, in fact, there is at the most a depot, a magazine and some stores. Anyway, I do not want the game to revolve around the capture of the Supply Source, or to reward a player for doing so.
The reason I do not give a benefit for capturing it is because historically there was never any question of capturing something that did not exist- it was not a part of the landscape. Still, for a game design, which does have a map edge, having a supply source on the map edge seems to follow logically. The Austrians should feel free to move off and on the south map edge at all times, as they did historically.
p. 1) Production Update on Special Study Nr. 5
p. 2) What is in the Special Studies?
p. 3) Game Questions: Napoleon at the Crossroads
p. 4) Results of the November Quiz
p. 5) December Quiz- 1807
p. 6) Order Form
OSG HOLIDAY SALE...
Now through 11 December 2009 we are offering three Holiday deals...
# SPECIAL STUDY COLLECTION: Buy SS Nrs. 1-4 for $112, get the new SS Nr. 5 for FREE!
These books have a retail price of $36 to $40 each; this is a PRE-PUBLICATION Offer.
Studies Nrs. 1-4 will be reprinted to order at the same time we publish the brand-new Nr. 5.
All five books will go to press on or about 21 December 2009.
http://www.napoleongames.com/store.html
# GAME DISCOUNTS- BUY ANY GAME FOR 20%-OFF (see page five)
# FREEBIES- Sun of Austerlitz Reprint maps and selected gameboxes free with any order.
OSG UPDATE: It has been a year and more since we announced the closing of OSG. Little by little that original decision took on a different cast. Friends of OSG convinced me to keep the OSG website with its discussion board, and to keep the games available at the store. I could certainly see the demand was there. I wrote in my diary last October 28th, "It seems this incredible windfall has come to me for the good purpose of promoting vibrational healing." The continued sales helped me to set-up in the healing work.
A sincere fan of the "Days" Series proposed an arrangement whereby OSG could continue producing games. I would have played the role of production manager, like I did at SPI way back, but part time. For all these reasons, and more, the doors of OSG were kept open a little longer and, it may be, longer still...
OSG NEEDS YOU! SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
We have kept the company going on a part-time basis, and we'd like to try and continue like that. We have announced a new product, Special Study Nr. 5, which is available for pre-order at http://www.Napoleongames.com
I want to make sure that you don't miss an opportunity, so if you do not want to make a payment right away, I would be happy to reserve a copy in your name and defer your payment for 30, 60, or 90 days. Let me know and we'll set something up.
It would be great if we could get a discussion going here on Consimworld. I'd enjoy having your feedback on what you liked about the first four volumes, and a discussion on Consimworld is one of the best ways to advertise.
Thanks for your strong support.
-Kevin Zucker
_ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ _ .. _ . _ _ _ ... _ .
Operational Studies Group News DECEMBER, 2009 Page One
PRODUCTION UPDATE
As I was working on the narrative of the Jena battle I reached the point that I needed to see the new maps. I have sketched out several different stages of the Jena battle, and sent them to our map designer. These maps show the troops at brigade and regiment level. I am about to describe the scene at Jena just after noon.
Many writers have treated the outcome of this campaign as a foregone conclusion. I have avoided that tack, simply presenting the facts without editorializing, and have preferred to show the good and the bad decisions made on both sides. I have now, however, reached that point in the narrative where the catastrophe has fully dawned: Rüchel is about to make his belated appearance. It is early afternoon.
Sample Chapters One and Two are available here ...
http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?233@1.qfURafXwx9i.14@.ee6bef6/6887!enclosure=.1dd44dfc http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?233@1.qfURafXwx9i.14@.ee6bef6/6887!enclosure=.1dd44dfd
The narrative of the retreat starting on October 15th through the 31st is already finished.
My old friend John Wladis has sent me some of his work for inclusion in the Appendices. John has worked with OSG on Orders of Battle and army situation reports since 1979's Napoleon at Leipzig.
Speaking of Leipzig, this game is now out of print; the rights have reverted back to OSG. We'd be interested in finding a way to get this game back in print, perhaps updating it with cards like those in Four Lost Battles.
-Kevin Zucker
_ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ _ .. _ . _ _ _ ... _ .
Operational Studies Group News DECEMBER, 2009 Page Two
The Special Studies Nrs 1-5 are the culmination of a lifelong pursuit. A game like "The Habit of Victory" is only half the picture, because it lacks the day to day operations. The best way to present that part of the picture has been done in the Special Studies.
What is in the Special Studies?
Each volume contains:
# Ample Situation maps - graphic, clear, instructive, accurate, and attractive. The maps in SS Nr. 5 are original research that show the situation of the French forces every 48 hours.
# Some 18th-century topographical plans of the battlefields, and a two-page map of Europe.
# Detailed orders of battle for various dates, useful for miniatures gaming.
# Other appendices, bibliography, etc.
# An index of places mentioned in the text, with hex numbers for HoV and The Eagles Turn east.
# Each volume contains a day-by-day narrative that avoids the dry recitation (General T moved to Town A).
Here is a short sample of the Run-up to Eylau in SS Nr. 3:
"Marshal Augereau's column, coming up the road from Landsberg, approached Ziegelhof. At their head the marshal reached the summit of the plateau, where the Emperor already stood. They could both see the town of Eylau below in the dusk. Augereau was visibly ill."
It reads like a war correspondent's dispatch from the front. Events flow as they happened, hour by hour. It is more effective to treat time as unfolding in sequence, instead of skipping around.
That passage continues ...
"Napoleon called for a halt. He reflected, 'They wanted me to take Eylau this evening, but I do not like night fighting; and besides, I don't wish to push my center too far forward before Davout and Ney have come up. I shall wait till tomorrow on this high ground, where our artillery can play. When Ney and Davout are in line we can advance simultaneously.' Marshal Augereau highly approved his prudence, and retired for the evening. Napoleon gave orders to remain in order of battle on the plateau, and to arrange his bivouac below Ziegelhof, with his Guard encamped all around him. "
_ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ ... _ . _ _ _ _ .. _ . _ _ _ ... _ .
Operational Studies Group News DECEMBER, 2009 Page Three
GAME QUESTIONS: Napoleon at the Crossroads
I'd like to ask you something about CoO and SS: In NatC Napoleon attacked the Austrian Supply Source + Center of Operations in Teplitz. I find weird this situations, but let me know if it's because I lack knowledge or it's a misunderstanding of the rules:
1- By Exclusive [35] & [36] the Supply, being captured, can return at next friendly Admin Segment. What I can't understand is why changing voluntarily the Supply Source [33] costs the Austrian 1 turn without Movement Commands and using 0 in attrition, and also 1 AP [95], and capturing the Supply lets them at start of his turn in supply, no negative consequences. Shouldn't have the same consequences? (wait 1 turn, no supply, 1 AP wasted in the change)
2- The CoO must flee [128] & [129]. Where he must flee? Zwichau is free of enemies, and the SS at his left (the one in the road to Kommotau) is also free. Should he flee towards one of those 2, or exit the map? I think the rationale is fleeing of the map, toward the main SS (Wien, Prague), but the rule says it should go to another SS.
3- If the CoO flees off map: by [130] If displaced off the map, the Center of Operations may return to any friendly Supply Source hex during the friendly Movement Phase after the Supply Source hex is cleared of Enemy forces. But, if disbanded voluntarily [96], it cost 1 AP. Shouldn't cost als 1 AP making it flee?
4- And lastly: if had an Austrian Force, during retreat through Kulm, arrived to Teplitz but had to retreat still 2 more hexes.. where should he had to go? I think that "Off map", towards the main supply source, but you can't retreat off map unless there is no another way. Is this the case? Should it go off map or stop on the Supply Source, or continue towards another place?
Answer. The sense of this rule. is not to reward the player for capturing a supply source. On the map edge (as opposed to a depot within a city) there may be no facility. It is spread out. This is, in the game, a concretization of a more abstract function. Maybe, in fact, there is at the most a depot, a magazine and some stores. Anyway, I do not want the game to revolve around the capture of the Supply Source, or to reward a player for doing so.
The reason I do not give a benefit for capturing it is because historically there was never any question of capturing something that did not exist- it was not a part of the landscape. Still, for a game design, which does have a map edge, having a supply source on the map edge seems to follow logically. The Austrians should feel free to move off and on the south map edge at all times, as they did historically.