Bulge 44 - Herbstnebil

Forum for the Panzer Campaigns games series
3-37 Armor
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: Bulge 44 - Herbstnebil

Post by 3-37 Armor »

I live not far from Gettysburg, and no, I've never been to any gaming convention or events.

I used to board war game a lot, but after military service it got harder and harder to find opponents, until I finally sold off my collection. The only miniatures I ever used were for naval games.

These days everything I do is by computer, with an emphasis on Tiller/WDS titles, and Grigsby designs from Matrix Games. Lately, when I've pbem'd it's been either Civil War or Napoleonic, since while I really like to look at the WDS WW2 titles, and love the attention to detail, I think a lot of them have gotten maybe too big and complex - especially campaign scenarios. I'm slowly losing patience for monster scenarios. Can't explain why, since I used to love them.
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Strela
Posts: 359
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2022 7:59 pm

Re: Bulge 44 - Herbstnebil

Post by Strela »

3-37 Armor wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:38 pm I think a lot of them have gotten maybe too big and complex - especially campaign scenarios. I slowly losing patience for monster scenarios. Can't explain why, since I used to love them.
That’s because what is called a campaign is much bigger these days. Compare the campaigns in Bulge ‘44 or Market-Garden ‘44 to say Moscow ‘42. The Bulge ‘44 campaign would be classed as a medium sized scenario in the latter.

It’s a hard one, as some engagements are really large and limiting their size may make them a lesser title and less commercial. We are very cautious about breaking titles into two unless we believe there will be enough public interest. We really pondered whether to split Japan ‘45 & Japan ‘46 up as they were originally one title. The decision was actually predicated on both the different time frames, number of scenarios that could be created and that US forces (!!!) were involved.

Finally, campaigns are usually created first and smaller scenarios carved out of them. Campaigns maybe inherently balanced or not. It’s hard to play test them in depth but they are included for the hardy souls (or teams) that want to try a whole engagement.

So in summary, yes they are bigger, but there should be a decent range of smaller scenarios that equate to the earlier definition of a campaign.
3-37 Armor
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: Bulge 44 - Herbstnebil

Post by 3-37 Armor »

Just to be clear I have nothing against larger campaigns in concept. For me the problem begins with how much the individual designer wants to drill down when doing an OOB for the campaigns and large scenarios.

Where I for one would be satisfied to have a typical infantry battalion shown as three companies with the weapons and other specialist platoons factored in, others may not. That doesn't make anyone wrong.

Elsewhere in these forums we've mentioned cases of overdoing it, and I will say that OOBs like the new France 40, and earlier Normandy '44, while huge and possibly hard to play, are very much worth looking at for their historical and educational value. Work like that is certainly to be respected and admired.

My point is that detailed OOBs are great teaching tools, and I do appreciate the research and work involved in creating them. As far as their playability is concerned, to each his own, but I'll always opt for 'simple'.

It is also true that super detailed monster scenarios can be handled with team play, but honestly I've never personally seen any team game last very long even with the best of intentions from the participants. I'm certain that a few may have been played to completion over the years though.

I appreciate that WDS is looking for a balance between playability and complexity, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
bdtj1815
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2023 12:49 pm

Re: Bulge 44 - Herbstnebil

Post by bdtj1815 »

I designed this scenario and as has been already suggested I removed the deception units because they are far too powerful and have an effect way beyond their historic influence.

Personally I like the more detailed type of game.
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