Squad Leader

[Major Major]

Does anyone know if its still possible to play Squad Leader (ASL)? I had the game when I was younger, but my suspect my mom threw it out.

I've seen components of it on the web for outragous prices, something like $50 for the instructions. However, I've heard there are tools that allow people to play over the internet. If so, that might mean you don't need the physical pieces to play; you can manage a game via this 'tool'.

Does anyone know where you can find this tool? Are there free versions of the instructions somewhere in cyberspace? Are there relatively inexpensive places to buy the game in the US/Europe?

Major Major

[Big Ivan]

MM

The original Squad Leader hasn't been around for 15+ years. Not surprising your seeing outrageous prices. Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) tooks its place and I would have to admit cleaned up an already excellent system. When it was out it was pricy then, so its probably higher now. I know the original designers of ASL aka: Bob MacNamara & John Underwood? divised a computer program as a tool to help you with ASL but as I recall it was not a stand alone. It asked you questions as you moved along in a game done solitaire. It assissed you in playing game. I never had a copy of it but I saw it run once.

As I am sure you know Hasbro bought all the rights to Avalon Hill "the market engine " for ASL about 4 years ago. Avalon Hill went bye bye but Hasbro kept ASL on the market through a subsidary. I can't think of their name right now but if I do I'll definately pass it along.

In the meantime you may want to check Hasbro site to see if there is anymore info there.

I want to say also that I seem to recall what you are saying too! There was also some company trying to do ASL on the net a while back but it disappeard for some reason. I thought that system was setup on a purchase basis off the net but here again you needed the hard copy game to play.


Hope this helps.
Big Ivan

[Gnrl Confusion]

Is this what you're looking for? There were more, just do a search.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11051&item=1947310806

[Major Major]

GC (gee club?)

thanks for the link, but that's a computer game. ASL was the board game version of CS, and looked very similar. I played until i was 16 got distracted (as usual) and then lost it somehow (as usual).

what was different about ASL from CS was the complexity and detail of the game. To be honest, i can't even remember what it is that makes me think it was better than CS, but the rules seemed to be much more involved. you had to use string between hex's to determine if your LOS was blocked, i think you could have multi-storied buildings, and you could go into sewers.

I've only played combat mission for three days, but it seems to have all the complexity of ASL, but is more of a video game (no hexes, WEGO, true 3D men), which has appeal, but i think board games are more my thing.

[Gnrl Confusion]

So did you try a search? Ebay seemed to have a ton of them, including the bookshelf board games.

[Major Major]

i found it!!! and it's much less then the supply shack i found!

i've never used ebay before. is it trustworthy? if someones says something is new, is there some quality control? do people get zinged? what does 'zinged' mean? can i trust them with my credit card?

oh boy! its x-mas on dec 30! this is better than the time i ordered 'missle command' for my atari and i knew it was coming but i was on vacation and had to wait till i got home but i knew how great it would be but i had to wait ...

how long as this ebay thing been around?

gotta' run in circles ...

big thanks!

ps: you're okay for a giants fan.

go EAGLES!!!

[Gnrl Confusion]

I get stuff on Ebay all the time and haven't been burned yet. If the seller allows for it you can use PayPal or Billpoint. Pretty easy and as secure as anything online. Or you can just send them a check or money order. If you win you might want to think about an alternate shipping address, in case the seller has a problem shipping it internationally. Usually they tell you up front.

Lastly, look for the New York Giants to go all the way this year; they were just taking it easy 'cause the regular season really doesn't count for anything. The Eagles, however, demoralized from Saturday's humiliating defeat, will lose in the first round. The franchise will subsequently be sold to a used car consortium in Des Moines for $225,000 and 14 1976 Pontiac Grand Prixs.

Remember, you heard it here first Squad Leader boy.

[Major Major]

You de man!



Des Moines over NY in 2004! :cheeky:

[Full Auto]

You can purchase ASL games from Multi Man Publishing. They are developing ASL games under license form Hasbro. They are at multimanpublishing.com. I hope this helps. I was lucky enough to keep all of my Avalon Hill collection intact from my teenage years.

[Gnrl Confusion]

Careful there Full Auto, if I know Major Major you're going to get a visitor from Prague in about three weeks carrying a beat up Squad Leader box and a half empty bottle of absinth, challenging you to a game. To make matters worse, he'll probably win.

[Major Major]

Full Auto,

thanks, i saw that web site. i actually had SL, not ASL. i didn't even know there was a difference until recently. i was thinking of buying ASL. is it worth it? how easy is it to play over the internet?

btw, what's your physical house address? :whist:

Majorly juiced

[LaPalice]

You can try www.vasl.org.

Here the presentation of VASL given by his author, Rodney Kinney :

"Those who know Advanced Squad Leader (or ASL) know it as the finest tactical wargame of all time. One of the bestselling military boardgames ever, ASL depicts WWII combat at the level of individual squads, guns, vehicles, and machine-guns with a degree of detail never achieved in another game. Those who enter the world of ASL often find that its complexity means that opponents are often difficult to find, particularly for people who do live in major population centers. This is where VASL comes in.

VASL is a computerized interface for playing ASL over the Internet. It does not replace the need to own the boardgame, but it does allow any two players to connect and play each other live over the Internet. Unlike games played over Internet chat sites (IRQ's), you are able to see and manipulate both the maps and counters on the VASL screen and transmit this information instantaneously to your opponent. Play by email or connect to the online server, where you can view other games being played, share information, chat, and compete in online tournaments. It's a club for those without a club, and it's changing the hobby."


La Palice.

[Full Auto]

I have not played ASL over the internet as a matter of fact I haven't played ASL for several years. It is a tremendously detailed excellent squad level simulation of WW II.

As for my address, I live in the wilds of Montana on the face of the Rocky Mountains. It is where the deer and the antelope play.

Full Auto

[Aries]

Hmm last reply was a while back, this might be a stale issue, but I always try to help the ASL cause.

Have you given any time to checking out VASL?

No this is not a computerised version of ASL this is actual ASL via the computer.

http://www.vasl.org/

Some games look incredibly like ASL (and do a fine job at it sometimes), but this is software that puts you back to playing ASL against people via the net.

The core software is also able to do other games other than ASL.

[Major Major]

I have checked out VASL. It's been very useful as I re-acquaint myself with the ASL instructions (quite different than SL).

Unfortunately, I've been jammed at work and haven't had time to get beyond chapter A!

Do you still play ASL? I'd love to PBEM. Right now i'm flat out, but i'd be interested in striking up a game eventually. Is there a forum were it's easy to find PBEM games?

[Aries]

I play ASL myself (I am a well recognised ASL fanatic generally).

I can say that if you wish to get back into the game I can make it easier by directing you to Dave Briggs over at Matrix.
I think he has a great deal more savvy with the VASL software than me.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/

He's easy enough to locate on the forums (or you can go there and look up his email option in his profile).

Have you had the pleasure of reading any of the ASL Annuals or the more recent verion the ASL Journals? They will be very informative reading.

[John Pancoast]

Originally posted by Full Auto
I have not played ASL over the internet as a matter of fact I haven't played ASL for several years. It is a tremendously detailed excellent squad level simulation of WW II.

As for my address, I live in the wilds of Montana on the face of the Rocky Mountains. It is where the deer and the antelope play.

Full Auto

Where you at up there ? I'm south of you in Idaho, eastern side.

[John Pancoast]

Originally posted by Full Auto
I have not played ASL over the internet as a matter of fact I haven't played ASL for several years. It is a tremendously detailed excellent squad level simulation of WW II.

As for my address, I live in the wilds of Montana on the face of the Rocky Mountains. It is where the deer and the antelope play.

Full Auto

Where you at up there ? I'm south of you in Idaho, eastern side.

[asltom]

You can also try www.nobleknightgames.com. I picked up a very good copy at a reasonal price a few years ago. Keep checking to see if anything is posted for sale.

[John Given]

Wow - this reminds me I have a mint condition squad leader game - just took the stuff out, looked at it, put it back in the box. Been in my closet for over 15 years. I seem to recall I gave up the idea of trying to learn how to play it when one too many people told me ASL was sooo much better.

Then the campaign series came along, and all was right with the world.

I have about 20 different wargames in my closet, lol, but only the Panzerblitz / Panzer Leader / Arab-Israeli Wars games are well worn with use.

Gotta love Avalon Hill.

[Aries]

Holy dead thread batman :)

Go back 3 posts, and the last comment was in 2003 :)

I wonder how the thread starter is doing?

[RobAPol]

Does anyone know if its still possible to play Squad Leader (ASL)? I had the game when I was younger, but my suspect my mom threw it out.

I've seen components of it on the web for outragous prices, something like $50 for the instructions. However, I've heard there are tools that allow people to play over the internet. If so, that might mean you don't need the physical pieces to play; you can manage a game via this 'tool'.

Does anyone know where you can find this tool? Are there free versions of the instructions somewhere in cyberspace? Are there relatively inexpensive places to buy the game in the US/Europe?

Major Major

ASL prices were outrageous when it came out! I remember 'upgrading' to it from Squad Leader and thinking, wow almost £50 GBP for just the rule book! ASL provided a lot of good things, and although it got rid of the target marker counters when units moved (for defensive fire purposes), it introduced amuch more complex replacement. Haven't played it in a while but there was something like 4 different types of defensive fire and if the conditions were right all of them could get triggered!

RobP

[Aries]

I need to ask an idiotic, but interesting question.

Is anyone still following this thread, aware that here at Gamesquad, we have nearly anyone that is anyone, already accounted for on the ASL section of the forum here.

http://www.gamesquad.com/forums/advanced-squad-leader/

This thread's starter posted in 2002, which I think predates damn near anything connected with most of the forums evolution. I am not sure the guy is even still actively a member. His last post was in 2003.

Anyway, Squad Leader is only valuable in that it has mounted maps, that is about the limit of it's worth. And once MMP gets easy access to the new format maps, the collectible value of copies of Squad Leader likely will nosedive.

Those seeking a computer emulation of the Squad Leader experience can either resort to VASL, of if they just want a computer game like experience can either play Campaign series, or Steel Panthers.