Well, I have many toughts about the next tournament and how to manage it more efficiently. I'm learning a lot with the 1st HACW, this is really a great experience for me. It was really the "fog of war" when I started this project. How long it could take to complete all the battles ? How many players may participate ? What to do if a game is not finished ? etc... Now I have some answers, and I will try to use them for the next HACW.
First of all, the registration system worked really well.
The majority of the battles didn't stay too long in the "open" status. Minor changes may be applied; I'm thinking of limiting the players to one or two games in play at a time. This way, more players will participate and the damages will be minimum if, for any reason, a player can't finish his game(s).
Imposing a minimum rank system to play larger battles is also in consideration. This could eliminate some unbalanced games where a green Field Lieutenant is totally destroyed by an experienced Major General in a key battle. This system will give more importance to the rank of the players, rewarding the veterans by assigning them to the major battles of the tournament. By example, small battles could be opened for everyone; medium battles to Lt. Colonels and higher; largers battles to Lt. Generals and higher.
The second phase, the termination of (hopefully) all the battles, is tougher. The rules imposing a minimum of 3 turns/week is not and realistically could not always be respected. Players are humans and problems are inevitable. Setting a time limit for each battle may be an interesting idea. Games not ended at this time could simply be cancelled, but players might be allowed to ask for a prolongation if this extension would not delay the end of the tournament. With this rule, your humble servant will not have the play the policeman anymore and no more pushing in the back of the slow players. [;)]
The substitution rule (for players unable or unwilling to finish a battle) was used two times so far; we may conserve this option. As the recuperation of the player's file and password is not always possible, another option must be considered. The game could be restarted from scratch if the tournament is not too advanced and there is time to play a new game; or the opponent may received the major victory by default, simplier but maybe unfair. Some reflexions are needed on this topic...
Finally, the fog is dissipating and I could now say that the HACW tournament can be a bi-annual event. It is clear that all the battles could be completed in a little less than two years.
Your comments, suggestions and encouragements are always welcome.
To the actual and future participants, without you, this tournament could not be succesful. When I see all the names on the Battlefields section of the 1st HACW, I feel really good and this is a great reward. Thank you all and now, stop reading this and GO FINISH YOUR GAME !!! [:p]
Lt. Col. Harold Lajoie 3/2/I/AoM, CSA.
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