Four things about the rules that are bothering me

[s_Mylo]

Realism vs Gameplay, the age old question. The designers have made it clear how far they wish to move the 'slider' off gameplay and towards realism....that being, not very far, which is fine. I actually prefer playing simpler games on my ipad.....I just keep forgetting that my idea of 'simple' isn't what someone new to this kind of gaming would consider simple.

....the thing is, I remember being 13 years old and craving something more complex then RISK, some sort of realistic military boardgame (no computers back then). I bought Squad Leader and played both sides, had a blast ...and... I feel stretched my mind's ability in learning that rule booklet. I would have thought BOtB 'too simple' and not played it back then when I was 13. I like it much better in my 40's, losing my mind I guess. There just has to be young people coming up who have enough intelligence to at least attempt to learn something new....a few rules ? I just have to believe it's true, for humanity's sake.

Mylo

[Yojimbo252]

....the thing is, I remember being 13 years old and craving something more complex then RISK, some sort of realistic military boardgame (no computers back then). I bought Squad Leader...

Very similar story to mine except for me it was the Panzer, Armour, 88 series (as I love armoured warfare).

I would have thought BOtB 'too simple' and not played it back then when I was 13. I like it much better in my 40's, losing my mind I guess.

It's interesting. I like to think the world of wargaming has moved on since we were young, in that designers and players have realised you don't have to make a game complex to deliver strategic depth and a flavour that is true to the period.

[s_ron42na]

....the thing is, I remember being 13 years old and craving something more complex then RISK, some sort of realistic military boardgame (no computers back then). I bought Squad Leader...

Very similar story to mine except for me it was the Panzer, Armour, 88 series (as I love armoured warfare).

I would have thought BOtB 'too simple' and not played it back then when I was 13. I like it much better in my 40's, losing my mind I guess.

It's interesting. I like to think the world of wargaming has moved on since we were young, in that designers and players have realised you don't have to make a game complex to deliver strategic depth and a flavour that is true to the period.

I remember having this discussion with my brother a couple years ago (we grew up on Panzer General/Blitz, Squad Leader, etc.). The conclusion we came to is games today still have significant strategic elements, but they generally have a much more elegant way of packaging and presenting those elements. I think it's mainly a case of the industry getting better at what they do. I used to miss the 10+ hour marathon games, but not anymore...I prefer the 4 hour or less variety these days.

[s_Mylo]

Gents:

Sounds like we three are from the same era. ....all those titles mentioned bring back memories.....one of those memories not being able to find opponents due to the complexity of the games. I would agree, developers have improved the mechanics of board games.

I don't do the 10 hour marathon games anymore either. My tastes have changed over the years. I actually don't care for the 'grognard' games anymore like I used to. I very much enjoy BOtB for iPad and think it very well suited to the platform. For me, a liiiitle more 'meat' would be nice, but I'm quite happy with it how it is. I will be buying the next in the CiC series. I hope they continue with several titles, I'll likely buy all of them if their formula remains consistent. I think the devs. are on the right track with series with their compromise between realism vs playability. ....but if they want to up the realism factor a little more, they won't get any arguement from me.

Mylo