Colonial Campaigns Club (CCC)

Hello Gentlemen, I am Tom Callmeyer, a long time member of the ACW club. I have decided to branch out and buy a few other John Tiller games. Perhaps some of you have seen my posts on this topic at the Panzer Campaigns message boards. I'd like to ask your help in selecting an early American period game. I was wondering if, aside from personal interest in the particular periods depicted, is there any reason to favor one CCC game over the other? I thought that perhaps since 1812 was recently released, it might be a better, more polished version of the game engine than say, 1776. True or false? Or perhaps, with all patches installed, do both games run the same? How about the campaign mode? Is in your opinion there more to offer as far as campaigns in 1812 as I have heard? How about differences between these games and the ACW Campaign titles? I have Corinth and Ozark (plus my share of Talonsoft games). Do these play like the ACW titles? Any "gotchas" that might trip one up between the two game engines? How about naval forces? Are these an important aspect of the game aside from serving as floating fire platforms? Does one game make better use of Naval forces than the others? (Be nice to have Thomas McDonough and the battle of Lake Champlaign be a factor in these campaigns, but I suppose I am getting greedy!) Which of these games would you point a new member towards and why? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Tom Callmeyer
Presently unaffiliated
No rank

All three games are well worth having, but if you're only getting one for now I'd recommend 1776. Although 1776 was the first game released its game engine has been revised up to the same standard as FIW, the most recent title. For instance, FIW introduces indirect fire for artillery, a feature which has now been patched into 1776 and 1812.

Why 1776? First, I suspect more people are likely to have it than either of the other games, so it would probably be easier to find opponents. Second, there are so many famous battles that you'll be missing out on if you don't get 1776 - of course FIW has Quebec, Ticonderoga, Louisbourg, etc, and 1812 also has several well-know battles, but 1776 still probably has the most to offer. Of course both FIW and 1812 have plenty to recommend them - the campaigns are generally felt to be better and FIW would almost certainly be the best choice from a naval perspective, yet despite this I'd still recommend 1776 for a new player's first Early American game.

Major Rich White
28th North Glos. Rgt.
Right Wing, British Army 1776

I vote for French and Indian War, it is the most recent release.

That being said, all three games have been updated to equal capabilities, the patches doing that are at HPS' website and they're FREE!!

Campaign 1776 has the most home made scenarios available since it is the oldest title. War of 1812 has some nice actions to it, and French and Indian War has a whopper campaign in it.

I like all three and recommend you contact Rich Hamilton about HPS' 3 for 5 price deal. Then you can get all three titles and a couple others to boot! [;)]

Look forward to seeing you around for a few battles. [:)]

PS Tom, you may want to pool with another to take advantage of the discount. That is a common practice.

You sure ask a lot of questions?[:D]

All 3 games use about the same basic engine, I think. Each game does "play" differently, as they are somewhat different times, but basically play the same. The scenarios (and custom ones made up) are good and they range from small to very large. Of course, the PDT files can be modified to any degree you want, for new or existing scenarios.

Campaigns are branched with choices from each player, at the start, that branch to slightly different scenarios and each scenario flows into the other. Campaigns can last from 1 game to several. As for which campaign system is better, that will draw several differing opinions.

The same is true for which game is better. To play in the historical sense, you would start in the FIW, then 1776 then pick up 1812, if you like the system. To me, there are more 1776 players around.

The games were released with 1776, then 1812 and lastly FIW.

My preference for a first game would be 1776.

Hi Tom,

I'm with Al Amos [8D]

All three are great, but if I had money only for one it would be the F&I War. It's scenarios are much more balanced and it's campaigns are exemplary! (imho) They branch well and do not end ubruptly.

I would echo exactly what Rich said. 1776 would have to be the first choice in my opinion, unless you get all three. [8)]

Thomas,
We have been having trouble with the forms. If you have tried to sign up, I have not received it. My e-mail is below:

rld5253@frontiernet.net

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Thomas Callmeyer</i>
<br />Hello Gentlemen, I am Tom Callmeyer, a long time member of the ACW club. I was wondering if, aside from personal interest in the particular periods depicted, is there any reason to favor one CCC game over the other? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Welcome Thomas,

Actually, that may be the best reason to select a game, personal interest. 1776 probably has the most familiar battles (and plenty of obscure ones, but it seems you have a strong interest in the War of 1812. If you have a thing for French Regiments or Indian tribes, and the battles in the wild west, F&I was is the way to go.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
I thought that perhaps since 1812 was recently released, it might be a better, more polished version of the game engine than say, 1776. True or false? Or perhaps, with all patches installed, do both games run the same? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

False, all are upgraded to the same standard via the official patches.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How about the campaign mode? Is in your opinion there more to offer as far as campaigns in 1812 as I have heard? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

The F&I title has the best campaigns in this series, followed by 1812, then 1776.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How about naval forces? Are these an important aspect of the game aside from serving as floating fire platforms? Does one game make better use of Naval forces than the others? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I think the handling has gotten better as the series progressed. (I am not sure there were any ships in 1776 originally, but now, in the abundance of user made scenarios there are plenty.) However, they are, as you say, floating fire platforms, for the most part. (No wind, shoals or other aspects.)


<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Which of these games would you point a new member towards and why? Any input would be appreciated.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Off the top of my head, 1776, for many of the same reasons as Rich (& Dierk).