Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

I have very recently been introduced to an interesting and exciting method for Multi player games. Notso, from the ACWGC, introduced this system. I am currently involved in a game with fellow Army teamates at the AoG (Army of Georgia) which has just started. I think that it has a lot of potential. For one it introduces you and gets you involved with many other members of the club something which is difficult with one on one games. Input from many members can be an excellent learning tool. I see it as having a very good potential to enhance one's NWC club experience.

I would like to setup a couple of teams for the NWC. The main logistical issue is the setting up of private forums. They can be setup here at the NWC board if John is inclined to help but there are many free forums sites such as Bravenet that can accommodate. If you are interested send me an email pierred@wargame.ch and we can discuss.

Below is the gist of the system.

The Method:

This is a unique method for playing these games using a modified multi-player approach.

Each side has a “Point Manâ€

I enjoy different formats for MP games.

One way is to have El Supremo never see the file but get a briefing map from the team. He then commands the units to move here and there and attack this point and that point. Thus he doesnt micromanage but acts like Napoleon.

I still think that the best MP game I was ever invovled in was with a large Eckmuhl game we did where both sides would get maps for where their units were. Each side had a ref that moved all of the units. He was impartial. You gave him orders for your units. He told you when you could sight other formations from your partners on your side. You could hold conferences with your fellow team members only when they rode over to see you or you could get a message via a courier.

Probably the best system I have seen.

I am interested to hear how a game like this goes in this club though I know I could never be part of one due to time restraints.

Colonel 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]

Thanks Bill for your input.

The system is to promote involvment, particiaption and to make friends. The unique point is that you do not need to be heavily involved, except the point man of course, all other can just chime in when they want. If you never participate in the council at least you might read some of the observations and points. You might even learn something. The level of participation is up to the individual. You could have a 10 man team with a few participating often and many not at all. As long as the point man keeps playing the turns the game continues. One experience sited was that the initial moves were done by someone who was very agressive, once the battle started, another point man was selected who was better suited to the situation. Again the possibilities seem to be numerous on how you could apply the system.

There many other methods of play but this system is a 1-1 play with others participating. It is not a meant to be a the best Multi player system just a means to have a lot of people invovled. Imagine a training game were you have a discussion on turns being played. A forum format per team really enhances the experience compared to emails. A team of one Corps or Army verus another. Just team play.

A major thing is the point man can play the turn as he wants, he can igonore all the advice.

What about an ADR team? I hardly know who else is in the Army this could be a way to get to know others.

Anyone interested in starting an HPS Waterloo scenario?

Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

I remeber the game Bill was talking about. We called it umpired. Each team consisted of one umpire, CiC and several subordinates. It was real fun! Commands from CiC were given to corps commanders, they issued their own orders when they received dispatches. Each participant could see only a snapshot around the position of his respective commander. Communication was allowed only with dispatches or directly if commanders "met". It was ideal but for the time it consumed. I remember long hours writing several pages of orders to subordinates (I was Austrian team CiC), describing the situation to those who were far away etc. Finally by the evening of the first day I had to give up. It was very interesting but I doubt there will be a chance to pay so much time in near future.

<center></center>
<center><b>Eyo Imperatorskogo Velichestva Leib-Kirassirskogo polku
General-Mayor Anton Valeryevich Kosyanenko
Commander of the Second Army of the West </b></center>

Colonel Pierre Desruisseaux,

Mon ami, I have played similiar wargames (table top and computer)before and yes as you say they are enjoyable, interesting and fun as you get as much out of it as you want to put in.

I would be interested in a 22 Div team if we can get others from 22 Div. I'm open to suggestions and would it be a good idea to get a couple of officers in training involved on the council as well?

Maybe a trail game with one of the allied training "circus" oops sorry groups [:)]?

I am however totally new to any forum discussion site such as braveheart as Ive not ever had the need or desire for that type of interaction, but with some advise Im sure to put my 2c worth in [:D].

My email is m.ellwood06@yahoo.com if you want more detailed discussion.

Regards
Lt Col Mike Ellwood
Konig regt
1 Bde, 22 Div
VII Saxon Corps, ADR

This is the response I was aiming at. All that is required is someone to motivate and organize the sides. Setting up forums is not an issue. I and others can set them up. Bravenet is just an option to those who are so inclined.

Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

This is a modified system that Jean Tessier has used in the past. We used his system in a couple of games in the ACWGC and they always went very well.

The difference, here, is the "point man".

In the Tessier method, any number of army/corps commanders and lesser commanders sent orders to their commands to the umpire, who used various methods that had the orders delivered or not. Once all the oders for movement and other actions were in to the umpire, he made all the moves, firing, etc.

This method just replaces the umpire with a point man for each side.

Being able to get several players of a team to meet at specific times in a chat room is overly ambitious, with members from different time zones, etc.

Another major difference is the need to have several file exchanges and conferences per turn, it seems unwieldly and time consuming, to me.

The Tessier system is simpler (except for the empires work)than the method described, here, IMO.

<b><font color="gold">Ernie Sands
General, 1ère Brigade, 19ème Division, VI Corps, L'Armee du Rhin
President, Colonial Campaign Club
</b></font id="gold">

Thank you Ernie but I think there are some misunderstandings about the system. The system is not complex or unwieldy and this is the beauty of it. It is simply a One on One game with others participating as a discussion team. The multi part is just that many people are participating or watching. Would it not be interesting to participate in a 1-1 game and to see the how and why of what is going on? In traditional one on one games it is difficult to discuss what you are doing without giving up strategy. In this system that is not a problem since you have your fellow team to discuss it with. Imagine junior players watching and participating with senior players without the pressure and time delay of moving units, or waiting for orders. Is this not a good way to train people? You could have a training game of several juniors watching and asking question on how a couple of seniors play. You could have a couple of Corps of an Army participating in a game and allow for the members of each Corps, your unit, to get to know each another. I found that in Multi player games players command a part of the Army focus only on that part. In this system you are can be interested in all of the battle. There may be an issue on how the club handles game point distribution but that is club policy issue that can be ironed out.

A couple of clarifications:

1) It is not a chat room it is a Forum that is set up. People post when they have time. They can post or not. A Forum allows for all to view what is being said. For example a thread for a turn can be setup and everyone has a chance to chime in. The key is Private forums for eachof the groups.

2) The Point Man plays the turn. He is in charge and can do what he wants. No one esle give him orders. He commands all of the units and plays them all as he sees fit. There is no umpire and no need or requirement for others to send movement orders. The Point Man can look and use them if someone suggests them. He is not obliged to and more importantly does not have to wait for them, and can just play the turn. The group can decide to replace him but untill then he does what he wants.

3) The other members of the team do not command any units and are only there to provide input, nag or whatever. A perfect time for a discussion on tactics, strategy, why things are done, talk about the color of the uniforms or what is for lunch. It is a place and time to engage yourself. Some can just watch and others can provide input. The Forum will allow for in depth, or not, conversations while the game is being played. Is this not an excellent means to learn from experience players as they can provide insight on strategy and tactics? You also have a chance to get to know other players of the Club

4) The team can be made up of as many members as you want, 10 if that is the number interested. It does not slow down the game it just has more people involved in any discussions.

5) The sending of the turn during the phases is just to let everyone see what is going on. You can wait a day or two for responses then the Point Man can play the turn, with or without input. It up to the group to decide what they would like to do. A reasonable turn around can be decided on.

6) The team can decide to change the Point Man. The team can determine how this is done and when. A simple volunteer can be enough or the group as a whole can propose a change.

7) It is mostly a tool to bring people of the club together and to get to know each other.

There a lot of things I would like to know or there a lot of things I do worng when I play a game. This format would allow me to learn. I am participating in one at the ACWGC,and have already learned a few things, only one turn has been done. Someone posted a summary information on melee which was excellent. I posted an OOB just for easy reference. You just need to use your imagination to develop its potential.


Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

I was reading some interesting battle accounts at Pierre's Tavern and wondered what it would have been like to see the action. Well this MP Method would do that just allow you to see what is going on and enjoy explanations as the battle progresses.

Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

Pierre.

I think this would be fun. and Guys should join in.. I dont have the time to work out forums and things as i have to much going on.

But would put myself down. For a II Corps team. with one of my officers playing the game. and other II corps Officers joining in to help or just see the battle come to life.

<font color="red">Maréchal</font id="red">
<font color="red">BEECHAM</font id="red">
La Commandeur, II Corps
ADN

Prince d` Istria et Comte d` Arles La Jeune Garde

"Toujours féroce,jamais étourdi"

That does change my reply. If you place a LIMIT on the participants to 10, then it seems a workable situation.

It would be interesting, AFTER the game is concluded, to open the PRIVATE forums to general use to see the interaction.

<b><font color="gold">Ernie Sands
General, 1ère Brigade, 19ème Division, VI Corps, L'Armee du Rhin
President, Colonial Campaign Club
</b></font id="gold">

Good news I am setting up a separate NWC forum for this system. Teams that need a private forum can be accomodated. The user database is being transefered so that exsisting NWC Rhine Tavern memebrs wil not have to regiser. New participants, not previously registered at the NWC, as of 03/04/08 will need to register at the new forum.

Are there any brave souls that wish to set teams and games up. Forums are no longer an issue.



Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

So 10 per side would be cool for you Ernie.[:D]

Absolutely that would be interesting Ernie. As just noted I can now setup forums for as many games/teams as needed. Simple. Just need the usernames to allow them to have access to the private forums. Once the game is complete and the teams allow it I can set them up for anyone to view.

Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

Maréchal
BEECHAM

Spread the word I think this could be great fun.

However as with all endeavors it needs a champion to make it happen.

Colonel Pierre D.
Armee du Rhin
VII Corps, 22eme Division, 1ere Brigade

I will send an email out to II Corps. and try to get a team from there.Having one of the biggest Corps. I should be able to get a good amount.

<font color="red">Maréchal</font id="red">
<font color="red">BEECHAM</font id="red">
La Commandeur, II Corps
ADN

Prince d` Istria et Comte d` Arles La Jeune Garde

"Toujours féroce,jamais étourdi"