MMP Roundtable Discussion

[M Faulkner]

Bill Hayward and I do the same.

I need to get back to coming over when you do.

 

[waltermcwilliam]

Some exciting stuff there!
Journal 15 AND a desert HASL coming soon.
I'm a the point where I'll probably never play all of the HASLs I currently have, but when something's that interesting to me, I gotta get it.



Thanks for posting this, it's greatly appreciated.

I try to play at least one of the Medium or large scenario so, I at least get a feel for the action.

 

[pensatl1962]

….
Not saying much, but as we approach the mid-year mark, only two releases for ASL so far: TotR, WOBP #15

Only one of which is currently playable on VASL. So for the VASL playing part of the community, this is rather thin. Especially if you’re not a DASL fan.

 

[pensatl1962]

With all the stuff being churned out, I am surprised to hear that a lack of material could be the reason for the long time period between Journals:

Not enough articles? To give just one example Jim Bishop publishes a ton of them on his website, all of them high value. I can't imagine that he would reject to have his material published my MMP - rather the other way round of having it linger before it is done.

Not enought scenarios? Given the volume of publications by TPP, the lack of scenarios designs can't be the reason either. And honestly, once again, I don't think that a scenario designer would be reluctant to have a design or two of his make it into a Journal.

At least for me, stand-alone scenarios and good ASL tactics or good themed ASL articles (Trucks, Night, Mines, Banzai Charge, etc.) always have been at the core of what made the ASL Journals (or Annuals before that) attractive.

Lengthy play-throughs are nowadays much better handled by youtube etc.

But now (finally at long last...) to the reason why I responded to your post:

I have never been a fan of a Journal being overly focussed on a particular Module or HASL. If you happen not to own that HASL or are not interested in a particular theme, then the Journal loses a lot of its appeal to all the people to whom this applies.


I believe the great popularity of the Journals, the Action Packs and the WO Bonus Pack are based on the following factors:
Good, thoroughly playtested stand-alone scenarios without HASL-like (extra) SSR. Good articles on tactics or explaining a particular aspect of ASL in depth. A new geo-board here and there. These products are not in the top tier price range.

And with regard to these factors, the three products are also the only ones published regularly by MMP (the Journals more or less).

Therefore, I advocate for keeping the focus on the cited success factors of those three.

As a consequence, I would rather see a separate "Twilight of the Reich" magazine than this theme stuffed into a Journal.


von Marwitz

Annuals and Journals served a critical function back in the 20th Century, while the game was in its infancy. Two ways: First, this predated the internet, so it was an efficient communications medium (printed and mailed) in that time. Second, we didn’t know how to play “night”, “jungle”, “gliders”, etc., so it was helpful to have instructional articles to guide us along. Most of us now have a good grasp on these aspects of the game, and for those who are new, these articles are archived and available to them. What new tactics articles do we really need at this point?

On the other hand, the internet gives us a much more efficient way of communicating: we don’t need voluminous series replays, when we have YouTube videos, podcasts, and Illuminating Rounds replays, for example. We also have various sources of succinct rules clarifications and example of play, such as Jim Bishop’s blog.

My personal opinion is for MMP to concentrate on WO Bonus Packs and Action Packs, with the occasional HASL, with releases coordinated with VASLized maps and overlays. Of course, keeping the core modules available is a given.

TPP keep doing what they’re doing. Many produce great scenarios, filling voids where they exist, and providing needed competition to the marketplace.

 

[Robin Reeve]

Only one of which is currently playable on VASL. So for the VASL playing part of the community, this is rather thin. Especially if you’re not a DASL fan.

The VASL guys, I was explained some time ago, don't depend on MMP and they do the job for free.
I understand your frustration, though - I nearly only play on VASL - and those TotR, with the tons of overlays, the hidden SW, etc. are much easier to handle with VASL.

 

[Sparafucil3]

... such as Jim Bishop’s blog.

Jim is slowing down. First, I have gone back to astrophotography. It is something I always wanted to do and now have time for it. It is an obsession for me. Second, the whole purpose of my blog was to generate discussion. It has failed in that. Tongue in cheek posts like leaders on top and a picture of me playing ASL in 80's generate hundreds of responses and comments. Actual ASL content generates posts in the single digits.

This doesn't mean I am through. But I almost certainly be writing at the same pace I have up to this point. I am not sure I will even be monthly where I was publishing almost every two weeks. I have a long list of topics I want to write about, but if given the choice between writing an ASL article (practically for myself from my perspective) and planning a deep-space shot this summer, I know where my time will be spent.

Life is good. -- jim

 

[Gordon]

Speaking as a former "Map Elf" there are certainly steps that can be undertaken by MMP and other producers to help speed the process of VASL-izing items. I don't know what if anything is taking place in that regard, but I suppose that a certain "arms distance" protocol is maintained which can slow the process.

 

[william.stoppel]

Jim is slowing down. First, I have gone back to astrophotography. It is something I always wanted to do and now have time for it. It is an obsession for me. Second, the whole purpose of my blog was to generate discussion. It has failed in that. Tongue in cheek posts like leaders on top and a picture of me playing ASL in 80's generate hundreds of responses and comments. Actual ASL content generates posts in the single digits.

This doesn't mean I am through. But I almost certainly be writing at the same pace I have up to this point. I am not sure I will even be monthly where I was publishing almost every two weeks. I have a long list of topics I want to write about, but if given the choice between writing an ASL article (practically for myself from my perspective) and planning a deep-space shot this summer, I know where my time will be spent.

Life is good. -- jim

Good luck with the deep space shot Jim. I always look forward to your blog posts. You have written some very insightful articles about a variety of topics. We also need you to remind Dr Fort that he isn’t always the smartest gamer in the room. See you in a month or so

 

[Sparafucil3]

Speaking as a former "Map Elf" there are certainly steps that can be undertaken by MMP and other producers to help speed the process of VASL-izing items. I don't know what if anything is taking place in that regard, but I suppose that a certain "arms distance" protocol is maintained which can slow the process.

I am sure that is part of it. I am also sure there is a deliberate pace set given the prevalence of copying and distributing cards. I bet the abuse of this is much higher than most imagine. Putting a map or counters into the pack means you have to have a physical copy until VASL gets things sorted. -- jim

 

[DVexile]

First, I have gone back to astrophotography. It is an obsession for me.

I was unaware anyone approached it other than as an obsession...

 

[Sparafucil3]

I was unaware anyone approached it other than as an obsession...

Sometimes you obsessively pursue it vicariously. In my case, I get to pursue it in the first person. it is much more fun in the first person (and more expensive). -- jim

 

[wrongway149]

Jim is slowing down. First, I have gone back to astrophotography. It is something I always wanted to do and now have time for it. It is an obsession for me. Second, the whole purpose of my blog was to generate discussion. It has failed in that. Tongue in cheek posts like leaders on top and a picture of me playing ASL in 80's generate hundreds of responses and comments. Actual ASL content generates posts in the single digits.

This doesn't mean I am through. But I almost certainly be writing at the same pace I have up to this point. I am not sure I will even be monthly where I was publishing almost every two weeks. I have a long list of topics I want to write about, but if given the choice between writing an ASL article (practically for myself from my perspective) and planning a deep-space shot this summer, I know where my time will be spent.

Life is good. -- jim

I am feeling the same way about scenario design. Not 'done forever' by any means (God knows I still have scores of drafts that can get another look should the proper map situation present itself,) but I don't have the energy to take the lead on projects any more --and am trying to design some non-ASL games while I am able.

 

[Sean Deller]

Is there a link to this Discord server? (I can't find it)

 

[PresterJohn]

If you search with "discord advanced squad leader" it will come up.

 

[Sparafucil3]

If you search with "discord advanced squad leader" it will come up.

I sent him a link. Never send an Army Officers on a search. The most dangerous thing in the world: a Lieutenant with a compass. Isn't that right @Sean Deller -- jim

 

[pensatl1962]

Jim is slowing down. First, I have gone back to astrophotography. It is something I always wanted to do and now have time for it. It is an obsession for me. Second, the whole purpose of my blog was to generate discussion. It has failed in that. Tongue in cheek posts like leaders on top and a picture of me playing ASL in 80's generate hundreds of responses and comments. Actual ASL content generates posts in the single digits.

This doesn't mean I am through. But I almost certainly be writing at the same pace I have up to this point. I am not sure I will even be monthly where I was publishing almost every two weeks. I have a long list of topics I want to write about, but if given the choice between writing an ASL article (practically for myself from my perspective) and planning a deep-space shot this summer, I know where my time will be spent.

Life is good. -- jim

Thank you for your efforts on the blog. Be assured that even though I really didn’t comment on them (well maybe one time), I enjoyed them all and found them to be very useful. Enjoy the astrophotography!

 

[pensatl1962]

I sent him a link. Never send an Army Officers on a search. The most dangerous thing in the world: a Lieutenant with a compass. Isn't that right @Sean Deller -- jim

Sort of like this?

 

[PresterJohn]

I sent him a link. Never send an Army Officers on a search. The most dangerous thing in the world: a Lieutenant with a compass. Isn't that right @Sean Deller -- jim

My instructors were captains and majors. They were senior in their rank and cranky about having to be instructors. One valuable lesson is that the map may not be right and having a guide to show you the way is a good thing.

 

[william.stoppel]

I am feeling the same way about scenario design. Not 'done forever' by any means (God knows I still have scores of drafts that can get another look should the proper map situation present itself,) but I don't have the energy to take the lead on projects any more --and am trying to design some non-ASL games while I am able.

Just keep cranking out the DASL Pete! The rest is unimportant. . I am looking forward to your Spanish Civil War and Arab Israeli War DASL (once Hasbro clears MMP to publish those of course).

 

[Pucksnatcher]

No mention of the 4 Bridge Brit Para HASL (3 x old CG = Pegasus, Arnhem, Primosole and one new), but I think we've got enough coming up that it could wait a bit longer....

I believe the 4th bridge was mentioned somewhere to be Ponte Grande, just can’t recall where I saw that. Would be nice to dust off the Italian pieces, and that would be a 4th British scenario to match the others.