Impromptu Games

Well, I suppose an MP test game wouldn't do any harm   

Grog and I are in TS now - anyone want a Nap game?

I can be in TS at 20:00 BST today if anyone wants a quick bash.

Our newest member, Roger, will be online today at 20:00 BST, 14:00 East Coast. I'll be there too. He wants someone to advise him how to open his ports to host, so I hope someone can be there.

I think he can be there later as well, if anyone wants a game tonight at our "normal USA" time which is midnight UK

Doubt I will be able to make it. Prob going away this evening.

I found this really useful when I opened my ports some time ago:

http://www.norbsoftdev.net/forum/mp-forum/13633-how-to-play-multiplayer-the-manual

Unfortunately since I moved house and got a new modem I will have to do it again. I am with Virgin and I found the instructions they provided online was ok. Just takes a little time and concentration but if I managed it, then it can't be too hard  

Mike

I hoping to make it, and can host if I do.

20.30 UK time would be better for me though. Is that ok?

What would you like to play? I'm easy with Napoleonic or ACW. I do not have time to put anything together beforehand, but if someone else would like to email me a scenario, I would be happy to run that.

Martin (J)

Anyone up for a quick game one evening this week at 20:00 UK time? I can make most nights with a bit of notice. Tonight perhaps?

Let's see....2000 minus 6 would be 1400 my time....sure, I'll be awake! Check with you on T/S.

J

Jack & I are online now if anyone wants a game.

Have just had a chat with Digby.  Due to summer hols, it doesn't look as if we have enough players for a Peninsular Campaign battle this weekend, although there still looks like to be a respectable turn-out for both today and tomorrow.  

I have recently been working on a new ACW mod which utilises a much wider range of flags and sprites for use in MP games.  Diggers has suggested that I run a scenario using this mod for tomorrow's (Sunday's) game, which I am happy to do.

Tomorrow's game would be set in Virginia in August 1861.  Various manoeuvres have taken place and some small engagements have been fought, but no large battle has yet taken place.  The armies are green, and still smartly-clothed, although with an eclectic range of uniforms which reflects the origins of many units as pre-war militia organisations.

Are folks up for that, particularly those who've already completed the doodle?  This game might also be of interest to those missing their ACW fix!  Here's the doodle again if you're interested http://doodle.com/dmx765666kwpq9qd

You would need to download the latest version of the mod, and I can email you a dropbox link if you would like to try it.  It takes a while do download because of the additional uniforms, so you would need to do that well before tomorrow's game.

Martin (J)

As Martin says we don't have enough for a Nap Campaign battle but we still have 6 players for today so we can do an ad-hoc scenario. I invite anyone to host/create the scenario or we can use Stefan's generator.

I am happy to play Napoleonic or ACW.

I've set the times at 20:00 for both Saturday and Sunday UK time. A pity we have 12 players but only 7 each day

I could play in Sundays game, but a timely start at 2000 UK time would be required as I would have to leave at 2200 UK time the latest.
Here, there is no bank holiday on Monday ;-(
KR
Stefan

Ok Stefan.  We will start tomorrow/Sunday promptly at 20.00 UK time.  I’ll make the scenario a 2 hour one   

I’ll post a map and some other details tomorrow.  In the meantime, here’s a link to the latest version of the Additional ACW flags & sprites mod, which you will need to download in order to play the scenario https://www.dropbox.com/s/6m3fd1ppzpahnay/Additional%20ACW%20flags%20%26%20spritesv1_42.zip?dl=0

Just unzip it to your Mods folder. In your mod list, it should be placed after CouriersAndMaps, which should also be enabled.

Tomorrows scenario will be played on one of the Antietam pack maps, so you’ll need to have that expansion too.  Most roles will be at divisional level, but none of the divisions will be especially large.

Martin (J)

excellent. Many thanks   

Beauregard's Gambit

It is early August 1861.  The armies have been collecting in Virginia but no major combat has taken place. There have been minor engagements SW of Washington, and the effects of camp fever have taken their inevitable toll on regimental strength.  

Both the Union and Confederate commanders immediately saw the importance of the town of Manassas, and reinforced this sector at the expense of their forces in the Shenandoah Valley to the west.  Given these developments, General McDowell was able to persuade an impatient President Lincoln that an attack on the strong Rebel position there would be perilous.

The somewhat cautious Confederate commander, Johnston, was equally averse to an offensive.  Recently however, Johnston has fallen ill, and the more aggressive Beauregard is temporarily in command of the southern forces.  He has unexpectedly transferred a portion of the Confederate army to the Shenandoah, and earlier today apparently crossed the Potomac somewhere in the region of Sharpsburg.



Admin

1. We need a prompt start today at 20.00 UK time, so I would ask you again to make sure you have downloaded and enabled the Additional ACW flags & sprites mod, along with CouriersAndMaps. Additional ACW flags & sprites should follow CouriersAndMaps in your list.  No other mods are required.  

2. Given that some players have to leave the game by about 22.00, we really do need to start at the advertised time on this occasion.  I will be on T/S from 19.30 for testing purposes, so it would be good if you can try to be there then.

3. There will be no opportunity for team discussion prior to this game.  We do not have the time, and it’s also appropriate to the military situation.  Of course there is nothing to prevent you discussing plans by courier once the game has started.

4. To further speed things up, I will aim to allocate roles prior to the game.  It would help enormously if a couple of you could volunteer to be CinCs.  By all means state your preference as to side, and first come will be first served.  There’s another quaint English expression for you, Stefan   

5. I will aim to get more specific briefings to all players of both sides well before the game.  This will give our 2 CinCs time to make their plans.

6. We have 7 players signed-up at the moment.  That's fine for this scenario, but we can always fit more in.  If you are interested, and haven't already registered, please contact me so I can send you your side's briefing well before the game.

Martin (J)

Thanks for organising this Martin. Looks great. However, I'll pass on taking a command role.

I nominate Mark as Union commander.

We do seem remarkably short of volunteers at the moment...........

I was hoping to give you a break from army command for once, Uncle Billy.  Although you are obviously there in reserve   .  

Both side's specific briefings are done.  I think I can give it another hour of so, but then I fear it will be necessary to just pick lucky candidates, as they need time to study the briefings, and we need a prompt start today.

Martin (J)

Mark is a quick study. It won't be a problem for him.

He's certainly a most excellent candidate!

Martin (J)

No further volunteers having come forward, I have emailed briefings to 2 distinguished officers, who will act as CinCs.

Briefings to everyone else are about to go out, so please check your email. It will include details of your specific role in the game, so we should hopefully start the game on time at 20.00. No-one need do anything before the game, other than read the briefing and study the attached map.

8 players have registered interest, which should work well.

Martin (J)

Right.  All briefings have now gone.  If you are playing, and haven't received one, please let me know.

Ditto if you have any questions on the briefing.  It's absolutely fine if you need clarification, although the situation may mean you don't get it.

See you all around 19.30 for 20.00 start.

Martin (J)

A couple of of players are under time pressure at the end of the game. Let's still meet up at 19.30, and if we can start before 20.00 we will.

Martin (J)

Thanks Martin for that scenario. Will you create a sequel?
Seeing the state flags and different uniforms was really cool.

I arrived just in time on Byrds right (he ordered me first to his left, but high Command intervened). I put up my guns in short distance to Jack(son) and rushed some regiments there to cover them. In mid-game when the Rebels began to come closer on all sides I wondered why in the hell is Byrd assaulting the enemy? But moments later I realized it was a Rebel unit in blue uniform which charged our hill but was sent back in a hurry ;-). I think there were just some guns too much on that hill to be taken.
Later the Rebels tried to flank me through the woods, but the attack was repelled with my reserves until the Confederate Left collapsed. I even captured some gun in the end.

about the mod:
- When I had one specific rebel regiment selected, the toolbar was transparent (I have a screenshot of it).
- Toolbar indicates the wrong side if the uniform is blue for Rebels and vice versa. Any easy way to fix this?
- The artillery pieces don't have flags and I didn't miss them. However I saw some miniflags 10 feet below the artillery (white triangle with blue circle), could these be removed?

about the map:
- Every time I play on one of the Antietam maps I am astonished how fast the units loose fatigue. Basically, if you leave the roads you are lost. A couple of fences and the units are exhausted. My first 2 units I had moved to the front were like 100% exhausted! Just after moving like 400 yards cross-country.