It's bad enough tackling a complete refit of 2 armies when you have a whole free weekend ahead (as planned) and you know exactly what the planned outcome is and that doesn't change partway through. Neither of those expectations turned out to be completely true.
You might say there were a few kinks in the process. This is going to take a few more days to clear.
On the upside, when I'm done, including restorng the remaining Oberhilse units to the 1860 uniforms they were cast with, there will be room for everyone as well as room to finally paint the already planned additions; guards, highlanders, Ft Henry Guard sorts etc.. It will conform to the long standing desire to look a bit like someone 100 years ago built armies from what boxes of toy soldiers they could find while retaining the Not Quite Fenian Raids or Britain in the ACW look of my original vision but in 40mm ( See Rebel Island Report). It will also provide the Table Top Teaser type games that are my wargaming equivalent of comfort food.
It'll be up to the rules then to make the games a little longer and more engaging, exciting and challanging again. It's not just about time or number of turns but 2-3 hours on average and 18-24 turns with time for prebattle recce and skirmishing and time to regroup after a failed attack or defence, bring up reserves and try again.
Your description makes me think, sounds like a fun idea; and to take it further, why not just play with toy soldiers (at least sometimes)? I mean, there's nothing wrong with trying to be historically accurate, whether with ImagiNations or real world countries/armies/etc. That can be a lot of fun. But I think there can be a lot of fun in distilling things down into "just" a game, without bothering much about history or "reality". (I don't think you're proposing going quite that far). I guess some people do this with some of those teddy bear armies or other sort of non-specific figures (or even figures that might be more specific, but we ignore the period-specific details.)
ReplyDeleteI have tried to strip things down to "generic" but I lack the imagination to make up a game not based on history or reality no matter how simplified and generic the game is. Ignoring or generalizing details of particular campaigns is easier.
DeleteGiven the time, space and money I have no objection to having just the right troops for every battle buf I'd need a million little men and a full time caretaker. However, I have found that some periods that interested me haven't held my interest once dabbled in, others have
It's a relief to see I'm not the only one who's wargame table is covered in WIP, I suddenly feel a whole lot better this morning!
ReplyDeleteIts just such a handy surface!
DeleteI think everything I do is a work in progress... if I ever finish anything, well, probably means I'm dead. I will also admit to being a serial 'maker up of armies' - as evidence see The Republic of Cataplana. I'd say that the constant swapping things about and changing my mind is one of the attractions of the hobby and helps to keep me interested.
ReplyDeleteI can't picture me as being the 1 game for life sort whether chess, Charge!, dba etc.or the always start new sort either. For me its a living h8bby.
DeleteThe Work in Progress gives a lovely table to just sit and stare into - even heart warming!
ReplyDeleteA mix of past memories and future promise.
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