Paradox to do Squad Leader & Diplomacy games

[WSUCougar]

Although computer versions of these games have been attempted before (as mentioned in the article), it's intriguing that Paradox is giving them a go.
Paradox Entertainment announced today new plans to develop computer games based on Avalon Hill's well-known Diplomacy and Squad Leader games. Although few details were announced, but expect Paradox to build on its experience with Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings and other historical grand strategy games to develop these classic board games into computer games. Diplomacy and Squad Leader were both made into loosely-translated computer games (albeit poor ones - see our reviews of Squad Leader and Diplomacy on the PC) by Microprose in 2000, but fans are no doubt hoping for better luck with these Paradox-developed titles.

Diplomacy was originally released in 1976, and features strategic level "international intrigue," played across old Europe where the rules of diplomacy are the primary game mechanics (the game's basic layout is actually quite similar to many of Paradox's titles). Squad Leader is the well regarded tactical-level game of World War II infantry battles, whose many modules for the Advanced edition have extended its life on tabletops for years beyond its 1977 debut.

“We will be working closely with Atari and Wizards of the Coast to make sure we maximize the potential these brands have. We feel that Paradox is the right partner to develop the PC Games these brands and their fans deserve”, says Theodore Bergquist, CEO of Paradox Entertainment.

[Fritz]

Squad leader or ASL I wonder...

[sachmo71]

This is good news.

[WSUCougar]

Squad leader or ASL I wonder...
Certainly a valid question...two schools of thought, the first being that the original Squad Leader is a bit more stripped down for the masses and thus more accessible, the second being that ASL has been a dominant monster in wargaming for decades and especially amongst the grognard crowd.

Personally I'd like to see them tackle ASL.

[Ben E Lou]

If someone could write solid AI and a usable interface for single-player Diplomacy, I might not ever leave the house. ;)

[Calis]

hmm, Squad Leader seems to be far and away different than Paradox's games. It'll be interesting to see how they can pull it off! I never actually played Squad Leader(or any board wargame for that matter), but it sounds good.

I do seem to remember the first Squad Leader PC attempt was a horrible, horrible failure.

[sachmo71]

If someone could write solid AI and a usable interface for single-player Diplomacy, I might not ever leave the house. ;)

Or at least make it multi-player friendly. Very friendly.

[Alf]

Diplo : I still have a grisp vs Radii. Those english traitors !

[WSUCougar]

Is a "grisp" some sort of French pastry? Or perhaps French for pain-in-the-ass? Or is it just a French grudge?

[Peregrine]

I'm not sure how this will play out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steel Panthers already pretty much like ASL? I already play that game a ton, and it's free, so I doubt I'd buy another version from Paradox (even though I love their games) unless it was substantially better.

Diplomacy, heh. I've played that game twice in my life and both times it ended in screaming matches and peoples friendships being threatened, so we vowed never to play it again.

[Ben E Lou]

Or at least make it multi-player friendly. Very friendly.That part should be quite simple. Automated judges have been running online Dip games for over 2 decades. The board game was really made for multiplayer/PBEM.

The best Dip games I ever played were live online via IM, in the mid-90's.

[Calis]

I would think the multi portion of Diplomacy will be much easier to sort out than the single player portion.

I hope they manage to make a good solid AI for it.

[Sporkimata]

We did an e-mail game of dipomacy with 1 week turns. Was great. All the e-mails begging each other to stab your buddy in the back. Good times.

[JW]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steel Panthers already pretty much like ASL? I already play that game a ton, and it's free, so I doubt I'd buy another version from Paradox (even though I love their games) unless it was substantially better.


Exactly. Great game. Especially considering the cost.

[Bonegavel]

A Squad Leader PC game was released a few years ago to scathing reviews. Let's hope they can get it right this time. There are lots of games out now that are the cardboard chit type (Korsuns Pocket, Highway to the Reich, et al) lets hope they can bring something more to the table.

[sachmo71]

That part should be quite simple. Automated judges have been running online Dip games for over 2 decades. The board game was really made for multiplayer/PBEM.

The best Dip games I ever played were live online via IM, in the mid-90's.

With the operative term being "should be". :D

This is Paradox, so I give them the benfit of the doubt, but since I have so little faith in the gaming industry these days, I can't guarantee anything. For one thing, the chat client will need to be very responsive and easy to use, so they can't just pull what they have today for their other games.

[Fritz]

I'm not sure how this will play out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steel Panthers already pretty much like ASL? I already play that game a ton, and it's free, so I doubt I'd buy another version from Paradox (even though I love their games) unless it was substantially better.


Not really the same, though the games share some similarity. There are plenty of differences in game mechanics, and even SL is more complex.

The primary differences:

SL was much more focused on infantry combat

Support weapons in SL were not organic to a squad. they were additional items with costs to carry, etc

SL had a particular focus on leaders that were not organic to unit. Use of these leaders was central to effective game play.

[WSUCougar]

SL had a particular focus on leaders that were not organic to unit. Use of these leaders was central to effective game play.
Otherwise, the game would have just been called, "Squad."



:D