Birth of America (wargame) coming soon 2/15

[WSUCougar]

Looks pretty cool. This'll be a wait-and-see one for me, based on reviews and commentary, but I like the unique approach.

Official Website

[cartman]

I'm waiting on "Armed Assault", the long awaited follow up to Operation Flashpoint. It is supposed to be out sometime this spring. The few screenshots that have come out look pretty awesome! And they said they have avoided the "scripted" feel yet again, meaning there are multiple paths to take to finish a level, and what you do or don't do (such as protecting an airbase) will impact later levels (like when you might need air support, but 4 of the 6 planes were destroyed earlier).

http://www.armedassault.com/

edit: ok, so the one I'm waiting on is a completely different genre.

[Wolfpack]

Intriguing. Looks like a smash-up between EUII and the board game "We the People" with the stand-up leader counters.

I'm currently reading 1776 by David McCullough, so I've been getting a little jones for some Revolutionary War gaming. I do own the aforementioned WtP, but it's not the easiest thing to solo because of the cardplay involved.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Intriguing. Looks like a smash-up between EUII and the board game "We the People" with the stand-up leader counters.

I'm currently reading 1776 by David McCullough, so I've been getting a little jones for some Revolutionary War gaming. I do own the aforementioned WtP, but it's not the easiest thing to solo because of the cardplay involved.

Ah yes, WTP. Haven't dusted that one off in a few years, but a fun game. Maybe we could rig something up PBEM sometime.

[Eaglesfan27]

There are now 4 games that I'm interested in coming out the week of Feb 15-22nd.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

There are now 4 games that I'm interested in coming out the week of Feb 15-22nd.

What's the other 3?

[Eaglesfan27]

Heroes of Might and Magic 5, Star Wars: Empires at War, and College Hoops for the Xbox 360.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Heroes of Might and Magic 5,

This is really happening? Sweet!

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

This is really happening? Sweet!

Yes, I didn't mean to threadjack and I almost started a new thread about this last night, but there is a good preview on gamespot's website. It's going to be entirely 3D, but go back to the gameplay of the 3rd in many ways, which I thought was the best one in the series. I can't wait for this. They are having an open beta for the game starting tomorrow.

[WSUCougar]

I'd heard about HOMM5 in the works but didn't know it was coming so soon. Great news (I hope)!

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Intriguing. Looks like a smash-up between EUII and the board game "We the People" with the stand-up leader counters.

I'm currently reading 1776 by David McCullough, so I've been getting a little jones for some Revolutionary War gaming. I do own the aforementioned WtP, but it's not the easiest thing to solo because of the cardplay involved.

Same here. I fininshed the book last month but still waiting for something. Can you imagine if a true Civ4 scenario were to be developed or if I can dream, a Total War game?

[ISiddiqui]

Sounds like a really fun game.

Well, Bucc, it probably won't go that far with Civ4 scenarios, but the SDK (which basically releases the underlying game play code) is about to be released, making substantial mods possible to the game.

[Chas in Cinti]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Intriguing. Looks like a smash-up between EUII and the board game "We the People" with the stand-up leader counters.

I'm currently reading 1776 by David McCullough, so I've been getting a little jones for some Revolutionary War gaming. I do own the aforementioned WtP, but it's not the easiest thing to solo because of the cardplay involved.

The Armchair General magazine for January 2006 (with Nimitz on the cover) has a good article about the Battle of Brooklyn. I usually don't buy this magazine because it is very WWII-centric (I prefer Military History), but I'm traveling and it's a good lunchtime read. I'm about 110 pages in to 1776. It seems well written, but I much preferred Jeff Shaara's 2 book American Revolution series (Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause) with the added dialogue and literary license. However, McCollough does have a way with provided details to HOW things were done in addition to telling WHAT happened.

Regards,
Chas

[Chas in Cinti]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Ah yes, WTP. Haven't dusted that one off in a few years, but a fun game. Maybe we could rig something up PBEM sometime.

DOLA:

If you enjoyed WTP, then you might appreciate a newer game by GMT (also by Mark Herman) covering the Pacific Theater in WWII:

Empire of the Sun

Or for a Civil War game:

For the People

Regards,
Chas

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Chas in Cinti

The Armchair General magazine for January 2006 (with Nimitz on the cover) has a good article about the Battle of Brooklyn. I usually don't buy this magazine because it is very WWII-centric (I prefer Military History), but I'm traveling and it's a good lunchtime read. I'm about 110 pages in to 1776. It seems well written, but I much preferred Jeff Shaara's 2 book American Revolution series (Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause) with the added dialogue and literary license. However, McCollough does have a way with provided details to HOW things were done in addition to telling WHAT happened.

Regards,
Chas

I was actually going to mention that as well. I believe those books are complementary, not so much that one is more fictional than the other, but that Shaara's series really provided the drama in what turned out to be very dramatic events (the Long Island and Manhattan campaigns). I can best illustrate this by Shaara's description of the pivotal events after the British landed on the east side of Manhattan and how close they came (with appreciating that fact) to trapping not only Knox down the Battery but coming up on the rear of Washington's forces. I think Shaara brought out what couldn't have been said publically (which is McCollough's forte) but certainly felt. Shaara's style is to write in hindsight, which allows for more drama, whereas McCollough has to write in the immediate. One gives the perspective of suspense while the other gives the perspective of dramatic turning points. Both fit well together.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Chas in Cinti

Or for a Civil War game:

For the People

Got it!

Also just got a new one called "Twilight Struggle," concerning the Cold War era.

[Chas in Cinti]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Got it!

Also just got a new one called "Twilight Struggle," concerning the Cold War era.

I have seen good things, but with not many playing partners, I tend toward solitaire-friendly games.

Avalanche Press's Panzer Grenadier Series
GMT's GBoH, Men of Iron, and Musket & Pike series

Regards,
Chas

[DaddyTorgo]

did a little digging on the BoA website, and there will be a demo roughly around the release date of the game. Which is great, because I personally have a hard and fast rule against buying games that don't have a demo.

anyways, just a FYI.

[Wolfpack]

If you've got Cyberbox or Aide de Camp, you can do at least some of those games PBEM style. I know WTP has modules in both of the programs and GMT usually has Cyberboxes available for a lot of their games.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Heroes of Might and Magic 5, Star Wars: Empires at War, and College Hoops for the Xbox 360.

Eagle don't forget Lord Of the Rings:Battle for Middle Earth 2 which comes out also in that time frame.

[Galaril]

This is for all you war game Grognards. Birth inAmerica turn based. I might bite on this one. I have been reading some good things from people over at the Octopuss Overlords board and only $30 for a download. If you get the CD ordered-$50- and can download the game now.here are a early inmpressions and the game site.

Quote form someone who got the game:If you like Europa Universalis type strategy games, you will like this.

Birth of America site:BOA Site

Birth of America Impressions:Birth of America Impressions

[Galaril]

So.................has anyone tried this?

[DaddyTorgo]

ooh that's right. i wonder if the demo is out yet. checking. if it is, i will post impressions tomorrow (i have to get to bed early tonight but will have off all tomorrow afternoon)

[Buccaneer]

Thanks, I look forward to your impressions.

[DaddyTorgo]

okay. according to the developers it should be another week or so for a demo. so no impressions (from me) till then, although everything on the forums looks like it's quite a solid game.

but then again most forums seem fanboyish these days

[DaddyTorgo]

dola

reading an interview...didn't realize the designer was the lead designer for EU and Pax Romana. Good to see he has prior experience in more complex games.

[DaddyTorgo]

double-dola

reviews from the guys at wargamer.com have me seriously considering going for it without a demo

hxxp://www.wargamer.com/forums/tm.asp?m=158699&mpage=1&key=birth%2Camerica&#158699

[DaddyTorgo]

triple-dola

i think i deserve this game. i am 90% on buying it tomorrow demo-unseen.

[DaddyTorgo]

95 percent...98%...I'd buy it right now but i'm worried i wouldn't sleep tonight. and i hafta work 5am-12pm tomorrow.

[Buccaneer]

Onondaga and Otisco needs to be switched.

http://www.birth-of-america.com/img/BoA_Controls.jpg

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Onondaga and Otisco needs to be switched.

http://www.birth-of-america.com/img/BoA_Controls.jpg

i'm sure they'd be happy to do that. the developers seem to be real committed. once i buy+register i'll point that out Bucc. Nice catch.

[Icy]

Wow looks good, only one thing makes me worried "the main campaign of 1778 that lasts 30 turns". I don't get it, doesn't the game period go from 1755 to 1783, with a turn = 1 month? Or is a typo or they don't know math or the developers lie about the period. 30 turns seems a game too short for me.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Icy

Wow looks good, only one thing makes me worried "the main campaign of 1778 that lasts 30 turns". I don't get it, doesn't the game period go from 1755 to 1783, with a turn = 1 month? Or is a typo or they don't know math or the developers lie about the period. 30 turns seems a game too short for me.

Yeah, I don't knoew for sure, but I would say that must be referring to one of the shorter campaign scenarios than the grand campaign.

[Galaril]

Ok they got another patch out and it is looking pretty good. The support by the developer(s) is quite impressive and will get my 30 bucks for it.

Also, the new PATCH is out!

http://www.ageod.com/download_patches/BoA_patch1.02.exe

Bugs fixes

- Ships in a harbor without a town in same region were not seen.
- Leader force marching alone disabled.
- Merging into fixed units will unlock them properly.
- Depot can now be built in a city region of level 2 or above.
- units recover hits faster.
- corrected 3 rare crash bugs in savegames.

Database and scenarios changes

- Modified James Munro to George Munro (English Colonel - French & Indian War).
- Removed Sir Georges Clinton from Revolutionary War scenarios (he was the father of Sir Henry Clinton, and not in office or command at that time).
- Added an ID # to all supply units to help their identification.
- In all scenarios, changed name designation of regular infantry regiments to "Foot" for England and "Continentals" for US, except for some specific units.
- Changed region names on map in the lower Hudson to fit with accurate county names, as follows: Valley Forge to Pluckamin, Kinderhook to Kingston, Catskill to Ulster, Slide Mt to Neversink, Passaic to Orange, Ridgefield to Westchester, Long Island to Brooklyn, East Hampton to Long Island.
- Added check conditions for the building of Fort Edwards, William Henry and Carillon (55 & 56 scenarios): they no longer appear if the region is enemy occupied, the player is informed about it by a message.
- Added more units to the AI side at high difficulty levels (to represent more commitment of the Home nation) in the revolutionary and 55 campaigns.
- Few cosmetic and play balance corrections in most scenarios (units names, leaders).
- Fixed disappearing Loyalists in 1778 Tory & Indian scenario.

Interface addition
-F9 key generate the new turn
-E,R keys for prev/next army. T,Y keys for prev/next fleet. Use CTRL key at the same time to browse only the non-moving armies/fleets. Locked units are always ignored.
- Merging 2 armies together now maintain the selection on the resulting army.

Graphics
- New icons (sieges, etc.)
- Spanish uniforms.

Gameplay addition
- Forts will now block the movement (moving-out), unless the next region is friendly to you. Irregulars and cavalries dont suffers from this rule.
- Setting a successful ambush in defensive will switch the army in offensive automatically (and failing will let her stay in the previous stance...).

AI
- AI now consider winter for its operations.
- AI artilleries and supplies slightly less prone to move in threathened regions.
- AI a bit more reactive on minor&local opportunities (to be refined...).

[DaddyTorgo]

exactly. they will be getting my $$, although at this point I think I will wait till tomorrow night when I get out of work and then have sunday off, so i can play it a bunch versus tonight where I couldn't really devote the time to really get into it.

[HerRealName]

I bought this a couple days ago. I really like it so far. This sounds weird but it is very accessible and easy to pick up yet deep in strategy at the same time. I've played several of the smaller scenarios and I think I'm going to start the French and Indian War Campaign tonight or tomorrow. I feel very comfortable saying this was well worth the $30 or so dollars it cost.

[WSUCougar]

Did you order the CD as well or just the download? I'm struggling understanding the proper order process.

[DaddyTorgo]

order process: order the CD and manuel and they will ship you one as well as allow you to DL it right away ( the CD's were apparently delayed at the presser). order the DL-only version and you get the file and a PDF of the manuel

[Buccaneer]

Thanks, I'll be there soon.

[JPhillips]

They got my money. I've only played the tutorial so far, but it looks good.

[HerRealName]

I picked up the download only option. The pdf manual is fine for me, this isn't the type of game where you need to continuously go back and reference the manual. The only time I've done this while playing was to review the rules for sieges. I was able to ALT-TAB without problem.

There are also 3 separate documents with Unit and Leader information which I found very interesting to read through. These documents are only available digitally. The only hard copy that you will receive with the CD package is the 40 or so page rules of the game.

From what I've heard, the game is very RAM intensive. I'm able to play on my 32 MB integrated graphics card, 1GB RAM laptop without any problems at all. The game is very solid and very well done.

[DaddyTorgo]

broke my own rule and bought without a demo because of the great reviews it's been getting everywhere. DLing now.

[Galaril]

same here

[DaddyTorgo]

wow. i definately enjoyed the little bit i just got to play and it's got me craving more. unfortunately i need to sleep here in a bit. but i think my learning curve will be fairly significant before i understand all the nuances of the combat system and all.

i can see it will be worth the $30 though. very much so.

[RPI-Fan]

Can anyone follow up? Thinking about snagging this...

[DaddyTorgo]

i honestly got back into FM and put this down while waiting for it to get all fully patched. i was just thinking the other day about how i need to pick it back up though.

but i have no further impressions as of now

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i honestly got back into FM and put this down while waiting for it to get all fully patched. i was just thinking the other day about how i need to pick it back up though.

but i have no further impressions as of now

*Bump*?

[WSUCougar]

Don't have time to post a full review or anything, but I'd say it's definitely worth snagging if you like the period and are into wargames. If you have any specific questions, fire away.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

If you have any specific questions, fire away.

how often do you shave your scrotum?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

*Bump*?

FM has consumed my life. That's my review for now. There were definately things that I liked about it, and it definately produced realistic results, but while waiting for the patches I got dragged away and honestly havn't gone back.

but if you like the time period and you enjoy wargames you'll enjoy it. I personally still havn't taken the time needed to be successful at it, which is my problem not the game's. It's definately a grognard's game, not a casual game. But all that said I will get to it i'm sure and i don't regret the purchase still.