FCW - A new Multiplayer Combat Campaign?

[Double Deuce]

I know that the idea of running another Combat Campaign has been brought up many times before so I figured I would try to gt some more feedback and gauge interest.

One thing this event must be is "small". I have had several of these fail in the past due to the large size and my inability to have enough time to spend to make it work. I can't block out large amounts of time to work on these so it needs to be small enough so that it can be done in small chunks of time. I would also need regular input from players to keep things running.

If we can keep things as simple as possible I think it would work and I would be wiling to commit to running it.

I know if we go with WWII that would most likely turn off those who prefer Modern and vice-versa. That being said, how many would be interested and using which engine, either WinSPMBT or WinSPWW2).

[Skirmisher]

I had ablast playing the ICW campaign,and we were using 3rd world kit (except for the UN)

I prefer WinSPMBT,but WinSPWW2 is also a great game. Whatever the majority wants on the campaign I'll go along with. Keeping it small is key to keeping it moving.

I can be a commander and faithfully do the orders like last time. During the ICW,I didnt expect to do that much fighting being the commander,but people disappearing forced me into that role. By the same token,I dont have to be a commander.

So I am present and ready to do campaign battle.

[Double Deuce]

I prefer WinSPMBT,but WinSPWW2 is also a great game. Whatever the majority wants on the campaign I'll go along with. Keeping it small is key to keeping it moving.Anytime using WinSPWW2 would be good (although I have been entertaining ideas for something in North Africa lately).

I would prefer to work with something pre-1970 if using WinSPMBT. Once you get into all the TI and super-ATGM's things get one sided very quickly. IMHO, keeping things less techy would make it funner for everyone overall. It gives players a chance to use WWII style tactics but with more modern equipment and a wider variety of nations.

I have had much fun playing 3rd world stuff like Pakistan v India, Iran v Iraq and Ethiopia v Eritrea. Sides are usually pretty balanced when going this route.

Then there are decisions on what to use as the campaign management tool, MOCAT, Cyberboard or something else. I think I can work up something very simple to manage the operation part of the campaign and still be fairly for players to give orders using Cyberboard. The newest version of MOCAT is very stable and has many useful features to make it a worthy candidate as well, especially as it will allow us to track detailed OOB's rather than having to sift through page after page on the forums.

[Skirmisher]

I would prefer to work with something pre-1970 if using WinSPMBT. Once you get into all the TI and super-ATGM's things get one sided very quickly. IMHO, keeping things less techy would make it funner for everyone overall. It gives players a chance to use WWII style tactics but with more modern equipment and a wider variety of nations.

I have had much fun playing 3rd world stuff like Pakistan v India, Iran v Iraq and Ethiopia v Eritrea. Sides are usually pretty balanced when going this route.




I had not even really ever considered the technology,but everything you said here makes alot of sense,maybe thats why the ICW was so fun?
I've played PBEM's where entire companies of modern tanks* were completely wiped out in a heartbeat.

[Skirmisher]

Then there are decisions on what to use as the campaign management tool, MOCAT, Cyberboard or something else. I think I can work up something very simple to manage the operation part of the campaign and still be fairly for players to give orders using Cyberboard. The newest version of MOCAT is very stable and has many useful features to make it a worthy candidate as well, especially as it will allow us to track detailed OOB's rather than having to sift through page after page on the forums.


Whatever you decide here I'll give the effort to make it work. You've been running these things for some time.
If Mocat is used will you have to use that default island thats built into it at the moment,or can it be changed?
Also anything you have regarding tutorials for Mocat would be helpful if you use it. Like with any program your unfarmiliar with,you need to learn how it works.

[Double Deuce]

If Mocat is used will you have to use that default island thats built into it at the moment,or can it be changed? The map can be changed but I have to get John Osborne, the current program designer to change it in the .exe (the smaller overview map is built into the code so you can't really just swap out the maps). This also makes it difficult as the operational map needs to agreed upon and created before I can ask that John add it to the MOCAT version we will use.

I think the ICW went so well because movement was controlled with zones (using hexes would offer the same benefits) and it was easy for everyone to understand how movement worked at the operational level.
Also anything you have regarding tutorials for Mocat would be helpful if you use it. Like with any program your unfarmiliar with,you need to learn how it works.John has actually just revised the MOCAT Manual and I am trying to find time to read through it as I promised him I would do. It does pretty much walk through many of the features a player would need to know how to do. The biggest thing is making sure the players can get it running on their machine. Thats always been the hard part with earlier versions.

[Double Deuce]

I had not even really ever considered the technology,but everything you said here makes alot of sense,maybe thats why the ICW was so fun?
I've played PBEM's where entire companies of modern tanks* were completely wiped out in a heartbeat.It is pretty demoralizing when you get waxed in turn 5 of a 15-20 turn Pbem. Kinda makes you wanna not participate much after that. With modern tech that can happen very easily. With WWII stuff you can at least run for the far edge of the map without being zapped from 60 hexes away by ATGM's. :paperbag:

One advantage to using modern is you can be creative and not have to worry about what really happened like if you did a Bulge or Stalingrad campaign.

[Double Deuce]

For those interested in seeing another Combat Campaign happen I have added a poll to this thread.

What WinSP engine should be used for a new Combat Campaign?

Feel free to vote (multiple selection can be made). Once there is agreement on the version we can then begin to narrow down the time period and OOB's to be used.

[thesix]

I'm a newbie but I would be really interested to experience this.
I like both engines and agree with your preceding comments.
I have not try to install Mocat yet.

[Double Deuce]

It appears WinSPMBT has a slight lead. Speak up everyone if you wanna get involved to make sure we use the version you prefer.

I have some "what if" in mind with WinSPWW2 that may be of interest to some so don't think by voting WinSPWW2 we will be locked in to a historical scenario. ;)

[Double Deuce]

I have not try to install Mocat yet.I still may not use MOCAT. I am also looking at some hex based map alternatives and should have more information in the next couple of days.

If we can get 4-6 committed players we can proceed to working on what format and scenario to go with (i.e. teams or all players with a different nation, etc).

[Choowee]

I would be interested. I have been away from WinSPMBT for a while, but have some time now. I was a reserve commander during ICW, but didn't see any action. I am ready for an active command now!!

[Epoletov [SPR].]

I vote for WinSPMBT.

And with pleasure I shall take part in new campaign, still Russian commanders for certain will come. :salute:

I made campaign among Russian commanders " T-80 Germany 1979 + COCAT " and I know that the majority loves MBT as there are not enough games about the modern war, made with such carefulness !

[Double Deuce]

.;924383']I vote for WinSPMBT.

And with pleasure I shall take part in new campaign, still Russian commanders for certain will come. :salute:Would their eagerness to participate also include any event using WinSPWW2?

WinSPMBT currently leads in the voting but I may go with either depending on the Operational system chosen AND the scenario. I have an exciting idea (at least it is to me :laugh: ) that would be for WW2 BUT I think I can do something similar using a modern setting. If WinSPMBT, it would need to be pre-1975 or at least sometime before any extensive use of ATGM's and TI. I would also prefer it not be Cold War (US/EU vs Soviets/Russia) so that we can keep it friendly and without political overtones. Fun will be the key here and not, my countries stuff is better than your's etc. :halo:

[Epoletov [SPR].]

Do that that by all interestingly and to you also.

We with pleasure shall participate in any campaign ! :horse:

[Double Deuce]

What about a hypothetical Malta invasion using WinSPWW2 or is that not vehicle heavy enough for most? It would probably allow for the campaign to be kept fairly small and manageable.

[thesix]

Might be interesting to improve my infantry skills :thumup:

[mr_clark]

I'd also consider participating in a smallscale WinSPMBT campaign again, but for me a rather small scale is very important as I don't have the time for batallion sized battles in a timely PBEM fashion...Plus a kind off 'free for all' approach without high command decisions in two groups with 5-10 players would benefit both the overall speed of the game, and balance the strategic aspect down in respect to the tactical aspect of the game we actually want to play.

I also liked the Island Civil War campaign quite a lot.
And I find a mid/late 60s campaign quite interesting as it provides you with certain features (ATGM, Attack Choppers etc) but doesn't make them 'gamebreakers', yet.

[Skirmisher]

Plus a kind off 'free for all' approach without high command decisions in two groups with 5-10 players would benefit both the overall speed of the game, and balance the strategic aspect down in respect to the tactical aspect of the game we actually want to play.




This is a very good idea,it free's people up and they wouldnt be dependent on a central commander

[Double Deuce]

I am currently leaning toward something "NON-historical" using WinSPWMBT where there would be 3+ teams. Operational movement would be hex based with all team competing for a single goal (capture of a certain region).

One thing that will need to be determined is what 3 OOB's and time frame to use for those OOB's will players be allowed to draw from. Players would not have set unit commands BUT instead may assemble any force for that battle from their national OOB based on points.

More info to follow. ;)

[Double Deuce]

Also, an FYI - The Poll will be closing at the end of the month. Posting will still be an option but not voting.