vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)

[Double_Deuce]

I originally ran something like this using winSPMBT but thought I might try a winSPWW2 version.

Basically it would be a multi-player team style Combat Campaign but all players would be on the same team and fight the AI. It is similar to Wulfir's Dynamic Campaigns in that each player will have a core force that they command through the entire campaign from battle to battle BUT the team will have a single overall objective managed on an operational level map.

I'm still working out the mechanics and some other details however, the theme will be 1930, Russian Far East, re-ignition of the Russian Civil War. In other words the exiled White's and their allies sneak back into Russia and start crap all over again under cover of the world plunging into a depression.

Any questions, comments, etc please post here?

[iCaMpWiThAWP]

How would the operational level things be simulated?
Free DL players could be in?

[Double_Deuce]

Originally Posted by iCaMpWiThAWP

How would the operational level things be simulated?

Working on that at the moment but basically players will command their own force (purchased from a list of available units in the RED OOB, probably April 1930 with units pulled from the Soviet OOB) placed on the operational map. They will then give orders to me as referee on their actions such as move directions and depending if their side has the Strategic Initiative either Operations (offensive) or Defensive orders;

OPERATIONS

• Probe
• Assault and Hold
• Breakthrough

DEFENSE

• Hold
• Fighting Withdrawal
• Counterattack

Each of the above has further detailed suborders and is what your "mission" would be for a scenario in your unique campaign files.

Based on your results each battle, your choice of action each turn (probably a week in game time), your fellow commanders results and enemy strategic actions I will build out the next scenario.

I know that's really vague overview but should be a good start.

Also, its meant to be a fun game and no players are really competing against each other. You are all after a single objective, defeat of the resurgent White's and their allies and maybe some forum bragging rights on which Comrade let the revolution down most in its time of need.

Originally Posted by iCaMpWiThAWP

Free DL players could be in?

Yes, anyone could play, DL or CD.

[Ts4EVER]

I would be interested in theory, but the scenario doesn't really grab me tbh.

[Roman]

I'm interested. Count on me.

[Double_Deuce]

I'll probably keep this small and limited to about 4-5 battles per player and as far as scale as this would primarily be a test run to make sure all the steps and processes get thoroughly documented for a future project with a more broadly interesting theme.

[Brian61]

I'm with Ts4EVER on the scenario, but for a short campaign to get the process debugged and documented, sure count me in. I do hope the core forces can be small though, like on the order of a reinforced infantry company or so.

Brian

[Double_Deuce]

Originally Posted by Brian61

I do hope the core forces can be small though, like on the order of a reinforced infantry company or so.

Thats the plan, maybe 2 companies in size max. Players will purchase and configure their custom force from a set pool of points and available units. Also maps will be 30x30, air, artillery and vehicles extremely limited. Turns set to about 12-15.

[Double_Deuce]

Originally Posted by Ts4EVER

I would be interested in theory, but the scenario doesn't really grab me tbh.

Originally Posted by Brian61

I'm with Ts4EVER on the scenario,

I welcome any recommendations for the followup campaign although not sure it will be WWII or Modern. I will need to do some research for the theme/background well in advance so any early hints would be useful. I am looking for something that would allow players to pick from a range of nations to build their core force from so winSPMBT may be the way to go as I'm not sure WWII would allow that.

[Brian61]

You'd have to pry my cold dead fingers away from my winSPWWII CD edition widescreen I don't normally play winSPMBT, great game, but not my area of interest (not sure I even have a patched version of the free game installed).

If you want players to be able to choose from a variety of nations, there are two theatres that immediately come to mind: Eastern Front with players as German or Axis minor powers; Western Front with players as any of a number of Allied nations.

For the Eastern Front there were also SS units comprised primarily of foriegn volunteers (and sometimes conscripts), modeling them is quite possible from the German OOB.

If you absolutely must have multinational core forces with winSPWWII you could simply provide players with a map and condition specifications (buy points, visibility, length, engagement type, date, sides), the players would then create the first scenario using the map buying only the HQ unit for the opposing player but otherwise buying their core force. They save the scenario and send it to you where you can then setup the opfor, save scenario and use it to create a custom campaign.

This would allow the player to buy allied/captured units from other nations for their core force. It would also allow them to more easily customize formations to model specific TOEs. Of course, the honor system would have to be invoked to avoid anyone modifying unit data for nefarious purposes.

The other option, though more work for you, is just to have the players send you their desired core force TOEs.

Brian