Rich and I have discussed the different movement rates that each of the games in the series offers. Currently we have:
1. Eckmuhl/Wagram - this uses the traditional movement values.
Pros - faster games - less files
Cons - blitz moves can overwhelm a side unless NME is turned ON - even then the cavalry charges along with followup movement can overwhelm a player's formations.
2. NRC/Wateroo - the movement rate was reduced slightly. Turn length is the same.
Pros - cut down on blitz moves somewhat. You still can overwhelm a players side if done properly but with reduced charge followup the amount was reduced somewhat as to the amount of damage you can wreck.
Cons - you can still move down a road and get into the rear of units almost on par with the traditional approach if done right.
3. Jena - 10 minute moves - fractional movement is similar to the traditional approach.
Pros - cut way back on the blitz moves you could do as a player can react to his opponents approach.
Cons - more game files to do - a typical 12 hour battle for the traditional/NRC/Waterloo game is 48 turns while this new approach is game is now 72 game turns. Here is a chart showing the various hours for reference (numbers are hours - game turns Traditional/Jena)
12 - 48/72
10 - 40/60
8 - 32/48
6 - 24/36
4 - 16/24
Now the poll.
1. Which format do you prefer?
a. Traditional
b. NRC/Waterloo
c. Jena
2. For future games: should we use:
a. Traditional
b. NRC/Waterloo
c. Jena
d. b&c - have two sets of scenarios - one for the guys that like the slower Jena design approach and one for the guys that like the NRC/Waterloo design approach.
3. For Eckmuhl and Wagram: which way should I go? (none of the below options would impact current games)
a. Leave it alone. You continue to fight any new battles you start up using the Traditional PDT file format.
b. Add in a set of PDT files that the guys can use for the NRC or Jena approach. The players would then be able to create new sets of scenarios based on these PDT files. I would create two PDT files and you guys could make copies of the scenarios and then just change the PDT file line and for the Jena type PDT file format you would probably want to modify the reinforcement arrival times from the 10, 20, 40, 50 format to 0, 15, 30 or 45 mins.
c. Do a full set of scenarios (as seen in the main folder/scenario selection dialog) to include a new PDT file using NRC/Waterloo. In other words you get a completely NEW set of scenarios that use the NRC/Waterloo PDT file format.
d. As per "C" but use Jena's format. A second set of scenarios that would play just like Jena.
e. Change the existing set of scenarios to use NRC/Waterloo format. New games you start up would use the new PDT file. You would no longer use the Traditional format. No other PDT files would be created for the game.
f. As per "E" but use the Jena format.
Note in #3 I would not modify in any way the campaign scenarios. There are over 130 of them and I just dont have time to do that right now. Perhaps for a future project or if someone wants to help me out ... I could put out a new set of Five Days in April campaign files as there are fewer of them than for the long campaign.
Rich and I have discussed the older EC/WC games. Newer rules have helped keep the blitz ability in check somewhat. I just hate seeing 3 different sets of values. Rich is the head guy in the group but has seen fit to give me some freedom of design. However, I really dont want to have 3 sets of movement values as a norm. For my future titles I am going to offer BOTH the Jena and NRC formats but I do want to hear from you guys that like the Traditional (EC/WC) movement rates.
So what say ye?
Capt. Bill Peters
Armee du Rhin - V Corps, Cavalerie du V Corps, 20ème légère Brigade de Cavalerie, 13ème Hussar Regiment
HPS Napoleonic Scenario Designer (Eckmuhl, Wagram, Jena-Auerstaedt and ... more to come)
[url="http://www.fireandmelee.net"]Fire and Melee Wargame site[/url]
