Those dreaded two sided scenarios.

Kijug

Senior Member
Joined
May 30, 2008
Messages
418
Reaction score
390
Location
Texas
First name
Matt
Country
llUnited States
I like things the way they are now.
I agree. I make copies and mark on them when I play. Mark the turns, who I played, who won, etc. Then put it back into the binder. Then as I flip through looking for another scenario, I see which ones I’ve played and recall the memories.

In addition, I like the images, it gives something to the scenario card. I prefer OB images and the TPP color ones are nicer still.

i generally don’t play large scenarios, so two pagers aren’t a problem for me.
 

David Goldman

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2003
Messages
855
Reaction score
515
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Country
llUnited States
A long time ago, I started scanning all scenarios. It is now 5.5 GB of documents. It is not the ideal way to search to pick a scenario but it sure saves space for storage. And I bring every scenario I own wherever I go to play ASL. Two sided scenario cards, no problem.
 

Eagle4ty

Forum Guru
Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Messages
6,913
Reaction score
5,094
Location
Eau Claire, Wi
Country
llUnited States
I personally do not have a problem with 2 or multiple page scenarios (a CG may have several pages & HASLs may also include several pages from the rules for SSRs). However, to save space perhaps one could just use a text format indicating the board directions by an arrow or some such [EX: 1>, 34<], just indicate the number of turns (heck, they can use scratch paper to keep track), just reference a picture in a book somewhere, and dispense with unit images by just listing them. By utilizing such a procedure one could possibly get two or three scenarios on a single side of a card, problem solved. :sneaky:
 

Yuri0352

Elder Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
2,115
Reaction score
1,200
Location
25-30 Hexes
Country
llUnited States
During this past week, I finally completed the playings (solo) of all the scenarios within LFT's Fight for Seoul. Several of these scenarios were of the 2 page variety, and these 2 page versions were some of the most interesting, unpredictable and well balanced scenarios which I have ever played. The multiple choice Victory Conditions in some of these games (which is certainly a compliance violation for the single page scenario format) were not only unique, but a clear indicator of replay value for those scenarios. I can't even imagine how generic a scenario such as FT S2 'Besting Basilone' would feel if its unique and historically relevant SSR's were modified to comply with a single page format.

As to the historical narrative paragraphs and accompanying photos, these are for me the most attractive features of the scenario, and in many cases, a 'selling point' for me to give the game a try. How dull it would be if the humorous anecdote about Corporal Collins' disguise had been omitted from the Historical Result in 'Besting Basilone'.

With regards to the 'editing' suggestions for EC, and SSR's, I can see how some of these proposals could create a felling of vagueness for some players, especially 'newbies' and the 'rules lawyers'. A plethora of rules questions within the rules sub-forum would likely follow the adoption of such a proposal.

In summary, I heartily disapprove of all of the proposals listed within the OP. IMO, the 2 page scenarios are far from a 'dreaded plague', and in many cases are an outlet for the creativity and innovation of some of our most talented game designers. With FfS completed, I now look forward to playing WWII scenarios for the first time in about 2 years as I dive in to Onslaught to Orsha 2. Shumilino!
 

Yuri0352

Elder Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
2,115
Reaction score
1,200
Location
25-30 Hexes
Country
llUnited States
  • QR code for the historical and aftermath.
  • Assume: Kindling is NA.
  • Remove the Turn Tracker. Just state the number of turns. Use a post-it-note to tally.
I don't like any of these proposals because:

1. The historical summary paragraph(s) and accompanying photographs are (for me) the most interesting and physically attractive
features in the scenario card. Substituting a QR code for these features not only ensures a bland appearance for the card, but
also assumes that each player owns a smart phone or similar electronic device. Some of us don't play ASL on VASL for the
simple reason that we do not enjoy looking at screens for an extended period of time. As a fellow Californian, I have recently
come to realize that the availability of electricity is not always guaranteed.

2. As my old Senior DI used to say, "Assumption is the mother of all Foul-Ups". (self-edited for content).

3. I cannot see any advantage to eliminating the most useful and commonly referred to item on the card, the Turn Tracker. And to
do so would only cause bothersome written side records. Don't forget to draw or write in to your self-designed turn record the
symbols for entering reinforcements and LV changes if any.

As always, YMMV. :).
 

daniel zucker

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2005
Messages
1,196
Reaction score
439
Location
new jersey
Country
llUnited States
It's a fair point, but my ASL collection already has a giant footprint in my household.

White binders are AH/MMP scenarios and the main ASLRB. Colored binders are additional rule chapters, TPP stuff, and HASL.


View attachment 12521

Gotta keep the boxes, some for storage, some as weird trophies.

View attachment 12522

Large DASL/HASL boxes are in another room. The cardboard tubes are George Kelln rolled maps.

View attachment 12523

Can't throw out the originals. Some for storage, some as even weirder trophies, like the two purple boxtops.

View attachment 12524

Magazine collection. Not all related to ASL, but the double wide has my GENERALs - only reason I bought them was because every issue seemed to have a scenario, an ASL Clinic, or something else ASL related in it.
View attachment 12525
That's a beautiful collection, pure hard core ASL porn
 

Ric of The LBC

Elder Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
1,882
Reaction score
1,839
Location
Peoples Republic of California
Country
llUnited States
I don't like any of these proposals because:

1. The historical summary paragraph(s) and accompanying photographs are (for me) the most interesting and physically attractive
features in the scenario card. Substituting a QR code for these features not only ensures a bland appearance for the card, but
also assumes that each player owns a smart phone or similar electronic device. Some of us don't play ASL on VASL for the
simple reason that we do not enjoy looking at screens for an extended period of time. As a fellow Californian, I have recently
come to realize that the availability of electricity is not always guaranteed.

2. As my old Senior DI used to say, "Assumption is the mother of all Foul-Ups". (self-edited for content).

3. I cannot see any advantage to eliminating the most useful and commonly referred to item on the card, the Turn Tracker. And to
do so would only cause bothersome written side records. Don't forget to draw or write in to your self-designed turn record the
symbols for entering reinforcements and LV changes if any.

As always, YMMV. :).
OK. Those were brainstorming ideas to free us some space on a card.

Oh, and I'll get off your lawn.
 

Michael Dorosh

der Spieß des Forums
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
15,733
Reaction score
2,765
Location
Calgary, AB
First name
Michael
Country
llCanada
We've come a long way from TWO scenarios per single side of paper. :)
You COULD do it like programming one of those computers they had on the Apollo spacecraft - VERB23, NOUN12, VERB17 .... Under VC on the printed card you have "VC23" and then you have to flip to the "VC book" to figure out which one it is. In the OB, you just list the vehicle numbers. "5 X US12" etc.

I'm pretty sure there are good reasons we don't do it that way though.
 

zgrose

Elder Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2004
Messages
4,235
Reaction score
948
Location
Kingwood, TX
First name
Zoltan
Country
llUnited States
We've come a long way from TWO scenarios per single side of paper. :)
Because scenario designers like to have their "elements of..." setup on the west and "elements of..." setup on the east. That's what takes up alot the space. And two AFV with no AAMG and one more with an AAMG... /rage
 

Eagle4ty

Forum Guru
Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Messages
6,913
Reaction score
5,094
Location
Eau Claire, Wi
Country
llUnited States
You COULD do it like programming one of those computers they had on the Apollo spacecraft - VERB23, NOUN12, VERB17 .... Under VC on the printed card you have "VC23" and then you have to flip to the "VC book" to figure out which one it is. In the OB, you just list the vehicle numbers. "5 X US12" etc.

I'm pretty sure there are good reasons we don't do it that way though.
None rapidly spring to mind (but at my age nothing springs to mind too often).:unsure:
 

STAVKA

Elder Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2004
Messages
831
Reaction score
553
Location
East Front
Country
llFinland
In my (proofing) experience, then main reason for two sides is the size/groupings of the OB, so cutting down on the SSR text will be a reason for it to fit onto one page. At least that's what I think.
You can see in the link with the scenario card pictures the main reason why MMP not do that little more effort,
,
that people at Avalon Hill used to do.
 
Last edited:

olli

Elder Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
8,270
Reaction score
1,829
Location
Scotland
Country
llGermany
Can you imagine the size of players scenario collections if every scenario was printed on two cards.
Although I like the idea of not seeing other players OOBs, as I’m all for more fog-of-war in our game, I don’t think we’re going to get that kind of gestalt shift in ASL any time soon ☹
all my hard copies are done like that if over two or more pages if the info is on the reverse of it I scan it and add it in , that way no turning over at all
 

STAVKA

Elder Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2004
Messages
831
Reaction score
553
Location
East Front
Country
llFinland
I’m among those that don’t like two-sided two card scenarios and I believe most ASL players agree.
Thus, two stimulate discussion about how we as players can brainstorm ideas to condense scenarios into one side format, especially for those scenarios which look as if they might be two-paged.
No need to solve anything, if Avalon HIll worker could fit "ASL15 Trapped" onto one scenario card, then it could be done by MMP also instead it was re-released on two scenario cards.
 
Top