The Campaign Series- Has it run its course?

[Big Ivan]

Looking throughout the net, I see a general decline in articles, AAR's, hints and posted scenarios for the Campaign Series.
Blitzkrieg offers nothing new recently. Frontline is just reporting games playedand Warfare Hq too has not much new to offer. What is going on with sanctioned tourneys like across the Don and Normandy. Everytime I catch this form it seems like someone is moving on to other things. It seems like there is a longer time between posts and the posts basically center on challenges.

Do you think the CS has run its course? Do you think its dying out?

Afterall it is an old system that is not supported anymore by Talonsoft! There are a few programmers out there who have in months gone by, wet our appetites with a promise of new units and scenarios. Unfortunately, I haven't seen much new. I haven't seen any further updates as to their work and frankly I wonder if the turn based games are fading into oblivion!

Does anyone share my beliefs or is there possible something new on the horizion we may not all be aware of yet?

Your thoughts are welcome comrades!

Big Ivan:(

[Krink]

I sure hope you are wrong Mr. Big. I enjoy the turn based games more than any. I have noticed alot less activity on this forum lately, if that is any indication. It seems unlikely that these type of games will not be developed in the future.
I don't see myself getting tired of these games at the moment. So as far as I am concerned, these CS games should keep me occupied for years to come. I have been thinking of trying the battleground series though.

I think I'll go and do my turn in RS now!!!

Cheers,
Ray

[Scorched Earth]

Hi both, i think you have raised an interesting point. I still enjoy the game (EFII) in particular, but there does not seem to be that many opponents left out there who are willing to play a game on a regular basis (once you no longer play the few jerks out there).

However, i think a lack of new games maybe part of the problem. I have never built a game from scratch but would collaborate with in building/designing etc. There must be some good researchers out there who can provide historical units whilst others can provide maps etc. Why not build some new games which we can all play and list them on the Warfare site as downloads. After all, how many times do you want to play Red Steel at Fedorovka. What do you think.

Scorchie

[Big Ivan]

Scortvhed Earth

I like your style sir! I'm all for your suggestion of jump starting this game system into a new era. I would be willing to work on maps, forces, LCG, playtesting etc. I'm not a programmer so I can't help there. But research into Campaigns is not a problem. Working on tourneys would not be a problem either.

One individual I would suggest is von Neimack who has done some excellent work in TO&E and actual strength combat units, German '43 summer eastern front.

Another individual we need to consult with on the programming side is Mr. Wolfe who appears to have done some extensive work on new unit types.
Mr. Jim von Krieg over at Blitzkrieg was working on a Smolensk project and we should touch base with him!
A suggestion I'll throw out is a LCG or scenario pack on Korsun Pocket. A lot of meat there to work on. Another might be Izyium Bulge '42.

Lets move forward with this as it's important we get something going here to keep this system alive.

I can be reached personnaly at j.pirman@worldnet.att.net


Thanks SE for the excellent post!

Big Ivan

[Scorched Earth]

Hi Big I, i have mailed you with some thoughts, and your suggestions are excellent. Lets get the ball rolling!!!

SE

[Krink]

I like your enthusiasm guys. I wish you all the best of luck. I'd like to help out, but I haven't any knowledge in those areas. I love to play, but that is about as far as it goes.
Please keep us posted on your progress, as I am sure most CS players would be very interested.
Of course if you think of any task for me to do...just let me know. I have been known to be really good at typing with 2 fingers.:D

Cheers,
Ray

[Major Major]

Big Ivan,

Thanks again for a stimulating topic! I always enjoy your perspective.

I too have been kept up late at night fearing the slowdown of CS activities. At first i figured it was the Dec. holidays that distracted everyone. then a january lull. but this seems to be a bit more chronic.

Has CS run its course? I don't think fully. I believe the weekend warriors will buzz in and out of our world, however, anyone who has played CS for a while is not likely to give it up lightly. The big question is what's the substitute? For me only a computerized ASL would do it. (btw, when's THAT coming?!?!?) And on that topic, ASL still draws crowds (and bucks at ebay) over 20 years after squad leader first hit the shelves. And that's a (yech) b-o-a-r-d game. (don't get me wrong, i love board games - see below).

Personally, CS has awoken my lust for strategy turn-based games. I love chess (and always will) and CS is for me chess on the battlefield. This is not to say i haven't been distracted from CS. When i saw Tiller's Squad Battles, I couldn't help but indulge. However, I found that in trying not to recreate CS, Tiller left out many of the great features that add value to CS and keep me coming back.

I recently started playing CM. This is a phenominal game that i may be hooked on for a long time to come. However, CS in its simplicity, offers quick play that I personally favor. (In CM, you can spend an hour+ on a turn plotting where to send your troops, checking LOS, tweeking, etc.) Interestingly, on the CM sights, posts are also waining (sp?). Part of this is because the game's producer, Battlefront, is sopping up much of the community. I'm not sure that's good or not. The downside for great sites like HQ are obvious.

As for the death of the turn-based games, i'm not sure. I think gamers will migrate to different genres. Perhaps in the years to come, general statistics will emerge showing on average who likes what - not altogether different than in the music industry. I think in the US, rock has commanded a 40-ish% market share while country has hung onto a 9% share. Perhaps the gaming world is just maturing and we're seeing the shakeout.

Personally, i love these games. I've just invested in ASL and SL (which i had until mom threw it out). Look for me at a VASL site!

Regarding new mods for CS, go for it!!! I'd love to help, but until i get fired, i may not have the time. (if you're one of the people i work for, this is NOT a hint!) If anyone out there is looking for something different before Big I paints us a masterpiece, don't forget mods like WWIII and the VietNam mod. There are also fantastic 'mega battles' to check out. Hell's Highway is a brilliant account of several full DAYS of the operation market-garden. There are also a collection of Normandy battles (about 300 turns each) for each of the six beach landings. very cool. I'm sure there's some good stuff out their for EFII, but let's face it, that game sucks compared to WF! ;)

More seriously, it might be interesting to recreate some stalingrad battles at a grand level. Instead of keeping the game at a platoon level, drop down to the squad level. create the map to look like a squad leader map, with the big streets and each hex representing a building/part of. I might even be able to devot some time to that one. I made one and a half scenarios like this. if you want to check 'em out, shoot me a line.

Big I, we must go to battle sometime! First, I have some unfinished business with ER, I'm in debt to Scorchie for a game, and it sounds like Krink will be responding to our game soon. However, as we'll both be around here for some time to come (HQ gods providing), we still have time!

Enough of the epic. I have a couple of battles with the General Clowns requiring attention. :clown:

Long live CS!!!:hail:

[Krink]

Hey Major...
Am I up? From the sound of your post it sounds like it is my turn. Let me know, cause I'd swear I sent the game file days ago!!

Cheers,
Ray

[Major Major]

Ray,

I think you're up. i'll resend my move just in case.

major

[Jason Petho]

My two bits...

Do I think the CS is a dying game? Yes... and no. Yes.. because it's getting in it's prime.. and apparently there are a plethora of new games out there.. CM for example, although I have yet to play it.

No. Heck no! Why?... well. As someone mentioned above, the Blitzkrieg is releasing 3 expansion CDs for the Campaign Series: 2 for East Front and 1 for West Front. The first EF CD should be released soon I believe... not quite sure on the time frame... and will contain a number of scenarios (including 16 Odessa related that I've made and a series of scearios made by von Neimack).. a plethora of new units and extensive OOB data.

Second EF CD will be a scenario pack with an LCG and 32 standalone scenarios - with the majority being H2H. Complexities will range from 2 to 10+. This is all Smolensk related.. also made by me. They're in the testing stages now... There might be other scenarios added, depending on time.

The two EF cds will be 1.02 AND 1.03 compatable.

The WF CD will also have a plethora of new units, extensive OOB data and have a series of new scenarios by myself, Don Fox and von Niemack. That's all I know.

Is the CS dead? naww... not anytime soon.

:)

Take care and good luck
Jason Petho

[Scorched Earth]

Hi all, these xpansion CD's for EF II , where, when and how much!!!

cheers

Scorched earth

[Big Ivan]

Damn Jason

That's the best news I've heard in a long while!!!! Thank You!

I also second SE comments Where, When and How Much?? I got cash ready right now!

I want to say though LET'S KEEP IT GOING!!!

SE and myself are in the planning stages of actions arounf Korsun in Jan/Feb '44!! We have some good things accumulated thus far but if your up to it we could sure use the help!! Topo Maps is the problem, do you know of a good source?

Big Ivan

[Jason Petho]

When?

Well.. first CD should come out in the next month or two... hoping for March.

Where?

They will be available through the Blitz website
http://www.theblitz.org

How much?

I'm not really sure. When I find out some more info though, I'll post.

Topo maps?

Have you contacted the Library of Congress? They are usually a good place to start.

Hope all is well!
Take care and good luck
Jason Petho