Reunion at Harrodsburg: Sign-Up for HG Game 9

Players new to HITS MEETS GCM should carefully read “HITS/GCM Game Basics” http://forum.kriegsspiel.org.uk/t585-hits-gcm-game-basics#5107

”Reunion at Harrodsburg” HITS/GCM Game 9
Game Day & Time: Saturday, March 2; 20:00 GMT
Sign-Up: http://doodle.com/2bq3q7rcv2vmat8w
New Players: Always Welcome!
Location: GCM TeamSpeak site (HITS sub-channel) see http://www.sowmp.com/gcm/home/teamspeak

Resources:
-GCM Website: http://www.sowmp.com/gcm
-More on Kriegspiel HITS: http://forum.kriegsspiel.org.uk/f32-scourge-of-war
-More on HITS play in SoW: http://www.norbsoftdev.net/forum/hits-headquarters-in-the-saddle
-GCM TeamSpeak Channel (GCM Site): http://www.sowmp.com/gcm/home/teamspeak
-Blaugrana’s Tips on Setting Up TeamSpeak Whisper Channels: http://forum.kriegsspiel.org.uk/t270-teamspeak-whisper-keys
-More on sending couriers: See page 62 of the SoW Game Manual
-Marching Thru Georgia’s “Just Couriers” mod download (an enhanced set of written orders for courier delivery): https://www.dropbox.com/s/lhsoim0115jk89q/JustCouriers.zip
-More on the 1862 campaign to control the Cumberland Gap “The American Gibraltar” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Cumberland_Gap_(June_1862)
-Listen to 2nd South Carolina String Band sing “Cumberland Gap”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgntNdjwzUE

Overview
Hampered by various communication and organizational mishaps, Confederate forces under Gen. Kirby Smith suffered their first major setback of the war with a stinging defeat at Richmond, Kentucky. The unpredictable and irrepressible Smith, however, rejects the obvious (and Washington’s assumed) course, i.e., retreat to his Cumberland Gap stronghold. Instead he falls back west to Harrodsburg, there to unite his remnants with the Army of Braxton Bragg. Hopes of ultimate Confederate victory in Kentucky, and the establishment of a provisional government there, die hard for the Rebels. And the Yankees are faced with the need for at least one more hard-fought victory before Mr. Lincoln can rest easy about his birth state.

In the HITS/GCM game series the goal is to simulate the challenges of Civil War division command (or brigade command) by combining traditional HITS play with the enhancements and unique maps of Garnier’s Campaign Mod system. Adding to the command challenge are real-world limitations that place significant responsibility for executing players’ orders in the hands of the AI’s computer-controlled subordinates – who bring varying degrees of ability! (see “Restrictions on TC’ing brigades and regiments” below). To further enhance the player experience, participants are asked to be aware of their own position in the game’s OOB, and act accordingly when responding to “orders,” requests and other communication from the Army CinC, corps commanders, and teammates. The in-game chain of command is set up to add realism, direction, and cohesion. Don’t be afraid to have fun role-playing with it!

What’s new in this Game?
Garnier has introduced an optional “Fog of War” mod that removes score and enemy casualty information from game displays until the “End Battle” screen. Players must start the game using the “Start Scourge of War with Fog of War” button in the GCM Launcher.

We continue to offer players multiple command options including full infantry divisions, independent infantry brigades, and large artillery commands. Army CinC’s may explore additional options for organizing their OOB’s. For instance, a CinC may choose to retain a small reserve under his control or assign a few guns to individual divisions as tactical support. Yankees and Rebels may bring different organizational styles and structures to battle. Players will lead moderately-sized units suited to their experience and preference.

In future games we expect to explore options to build in additional asymmetries in infantry numbers, guns, OOB structure, victory conditions, etc. to add variety and interest. To that end, please feel free to post your ideas on specific scenarios for the HG format.

*In this game we continue our simplified restrictions on TC’ing and unit control. Players may take direct control of any or all regiments or brigade leaders within 50 yards. Once a player moves beyond 50 yards from a regiment or brigade leader, these must be returned to AI control. Exceptions: Army CinC’s personally commanding a reserve division, and players controlling batteries may freely TC (take and maintain control of) these units.

*Most game rules will be the same as the last few games. Follow this link for additional background http://forum.kriegsspiel.org.uk/t585-hits-gcm-game-basics#5107

Game Day Reminders
*All players must register on GCM ahead of time http://www.sowmp.com/gcm and run the GCM launcher the day of the game. Plan on joining GCM Teamspeak 15 minutes before game time.

*Regular HITS Players must be sure that the mods below are disabled before the game begins:
-CouriersAndMaps1-5
-SmallCouriersAndMaps

*Players may use most other mods and are encouraged to activate
-GCM Toolbar (or other favorite enhanced toolbar. Only 1 toolbar should be activated)
-Marching-Thru-Georgia’s “Just Couriers” mod for enhanced written courier order capabilities (see link under Resources above)

*To encourage those new to the HITS experience and accommodate any who wish to play only a brigade, players are asked to express command preferences in advance at http://doodle.com/2bq3q7rcv2vmat8w

*Restrictions on TC’ing brigades and regiments:
The HITS/GCM games impose limitations on players’ ability to take control (TC) their units that differs from standard HITS and GCM play
a) Players may give the full-range of written courier, command map, point & click, and button-rock commands to brigades, through AI-controlled brigade leaders, at any time. It is then up to computer-controlled subordinates to carry out those orders. Courier(s) will deliver all player-orders issued by any method;
b) Civil War division and corps commanders did occasionally step in to personally direct individual brigades and regiments. In this game, players may take direct control of (i.e., “TC”) and issue direct orders to any infantry brigade (through its leader) or individual regiment(s) within 50 yards. Once a player moves beyond 50 yards away, all TC’d brigade commanders and regiments must be returned to computer control. A unit that is TC’d may receive orders by any method. In other words, to take personal, direct control of a brigade or regiment, a player must be there, and remain close by. Unlike earlier games, it is possible for a player to have multiple leaders and regiments TC’d at the same time so long as he remains within 50 yards of each;
c) The only way a player may give direct orders to an individual regiment is when he is within 50 yards per “b” above. Beyond 50 yards, players may never send orders to a computer-controlled regiment. This direction must come through orders (typically written) given to a regiment’s brigade commander;
d) Batteries, individual guns, objective holders and supply wagons may be freely TC’d and moved by any method at any time;
e) Players at brigade-command level are subject to the same TC’ing limitations as divisions i.e., a brigade commander may only TC regiments within 50 yards and must return regiments to AI control once beyond 50 yards.

Will Rebel hopes in Kentucky be dashed once and for all? Join us on Saturday and make history!

I'm somewhat concerned over the morale changes Garnier is instituting. Steve's experience with them does not bode well. I see that it is still a work in progress, but if this does end up diminishing the game from a realism standpoint, what is our fallback?

Not sure about the other stuff, but I really like this. Very kriegsspiel.......

Garnier has introduced an optional “Fog of War” mod that removes score and enemy casualty information from game displays until the “End Battle” screen. Players must start the game using the “Start Scourge of War with Fog of War” button in the GCM Launcher.

Martin (J)

Uncle Billy wrote:I'm somewhat concerned over the morale changes Garnier is instituting. Steve's experience with them does not bode well. I see that it is still a work in progress, but if this does end up diminishing the game from a realism standpoint, what is our fallback?

We've been playing the new changes for several days now. All the battles have been fine, not much noticeable difference, other than not getting stacking bonuses. There seems to be a problem with giving regiments retreat orders. they don't immediately lose morale, but if they're engaged, they are taking serious morale hits from enemy fire while retreating. Garnier is looking into it. The short term solution is not to retreat your men while they are engaged. Use the fall back command until they are out of range and then march them away. Steve is the only player I know of who consistently uses the retreat command on an entire brigade/brigades. It's a tactic that has worked for him in the past, no doubt. But until Garnier finishes his no support bonus experiments, we'll just have to deal with the unintended consequences; I'm sure there will be more.

I think his goal is increased realism, not diminished realism. Steve's guys all panicked and retreated toward the enemy when he hit the retreat button. That (units retreating toward the enemy) is not a new problem or related to the morale changes (at least I don't think it is).

Garnier completely re-did his changes yesterday evening, so we haven't played with them yet, but between now and Saturday, we'll play at least a dozen games using the new GCM settings and I'm sure Garnier will make adjustments. He testing all day again today.

I think the game will be fine. And all along we've said we were open to experimentation in the HG games. So until we have a game go so horribly wrong everyone or many or even a few refuse to play HG games anymore, I think we should give it a go and see what happens.

Just my opinion, of course.

Martin wrote:Not sure about the other stuff, but I really like this. Very kriegsspiel.......

Garnier has introduced an optional “Fog of War” mod that removes score and enemy casualty information from game displays until the “End Battle” screen. Players must start the game using the “Start Scourge of War with Fog of War” button in the GCM Launcher.

Martin (J)

No doubt. We're going to give that a try this evening in our daily GCM games. Palmer already mentioned this looks as if it will be good for the HG games as well.

kg little mac wrote:No doubt. We're going to give that a try this evening in our daily GCM games. Palmer already mentioned this looks as if it will be good for the HG games as well.

Bravo! I'd like to play all future games this way.

My guys retreated toward the enemy less than a minute after I started them falling back. They did this on their own and did it en mass. At that point I hit retreat on 2 other Regiments who were at that point unengaged standing in line waiting for the falling back regiments to pass behind them to safety. One for sure retreated toward the enemy and I don't recall if the other ran away or towards the enemy. My real gripe is that the fallback command is now useless because the men lost morale so quickly to begin with. I heard muleskinner say earlier that 9 casualties had his men already in morale trouble. Retreat only works well if there isn't a existing morale loss. Morale dropped so fast from so little cause ad to make anything but turning tail and running possible (IMHO) my division of 3500 men (approx) was fully shaken with less than 10% casualties and I was dishing out more at the point they starting retreating than they had taken. I was falling back but still winning my part of the fight.

On another pont I think the Fog of War looks promising and a very cool potential addition

kg_sspoom wrote:My guys retreated toward the enemy less than a minute after I started them falling back. They did this on their own and did it en mass. At that point I hit retreat on 2 other Regiments who were at that point unengaged standing in line waiting for the falling back regiments to pass behind them to safety. One for sure retreated toward the enemy and I don't recall if the other ran away or towards the enemy. My real gripe is that the fallback command is now useless because the men lost morale so quickly to begin with. I heard muleskinner say earlier that 9 casualties had his men already in morale trouble. Retreat only works well if there isn't a existing morale loss. Morale dropped so fast from so little cause ad to make anything but turning tail and running possible (IMHO) my division of 3500 men (approx) was fully shaken with less than 10% casualties and I was dishing out more at the point they starting retreating than they had taken. I was falling back but still winning my part of the fight.

Sorry, I didn't mean to misrepresent what happened to your guys. But I've seen you retreat a whole brigade like that before, and when I got over there to help, it looked to like that's what happened: I saw all your guys running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

And there's no doubt Garnier needs to make adjustments so morale doesn't fall so fast.

Not a problem Tex I must not have made it clear what was going on from my seat.

To mix things up a bit (and give our regular CinC's a chance to play a different role), let's turn the reigns of the armies over to new(er) Generals for this one. If you've ever thought it might be cool, as Patton said, "to lead a lot of men in a desperate battle" now's your chance!

No prior experience necessary, good bennies. Best of all, you'll receive the same pay as General Robert E. Lee. Don't be shy! We all know the top brass doesn't really do anything anyway.

Whether you've never been a CinC or tried it a just a few times in HG's, KS HITS, or other formats, you're eligible. Please indicate your willingness at sign-up. http://doodle.com/2bq3q7rcv2vmat8w

Come lead your cause to victory!

WJPalmer wrote:To mix things up a bit (and give our regular CinC's a chance to play a different role), let's turn the reigns of the armies over to new(er) Generals for this one. If you've ever thought it might be cool, as Patton said, "to lead a lot of men in a desperate battle" now's your chance!

No prior experience necessary, good bennies. Best of all, you'll receive the same pay as General Robert E. Lee. Don't be shy! We all know the top brass doesn't really do anything anyway.

Whether you've never been a CinC or tried it a just a few times in HG's, KS HITS, or other formats, you're eligible. Please indicate your willingness at sign-up. http://doodle.com/2bq3q7rcv2vmat8w

Come lead your cause to victory!

Ron - whilst I'd love to take part in this game, especially as a division commander under the new C-in-C Hays , I'm very uncertain as to whether I'll be able to show up.

Would you rather I sign up in the eventuality that I do show up? Or not sign up, and just turn up and take what is going?

Cheers.

Ollie,
While either is fine, having as much preference info in the sign-up is good and saves time in sorting out the rosters. There are always a number of last minute adjustments that have to be made anyway with players showing up, dropping out, etc., so don't worry if you can't make it.

We're still looking for some new commanders to step up in this one too!

-Ron

General Blackstreet wrote:

Ron - whilst I'd love to take part in this game, especially as a division commander under the new C-in-C Hays Razz , I'm very uncertain as to whether I'll be able to show up.

Such a role would require you to don the blue uniform. I am uncertain as to whether your constitution can stand such a shock.

WJPalmer wrote:
We're still looking for some new commanders to step up in this one too!
-Ron

What people don't realise is - once you have tasted Army command - you never want to go back to anything less!

I was born to fight, not lead.

I'd be happy to, but my no-mike policy and my recent (frustrating) habit of dropping out in mid-SoW-game would probably make me a liability... so I'll pass too.

Guys, how about the beta? We install it for this evening game or not?

mitra wrote:Guys, how about the beta? We install it for this evening game or not?

Based on Norb's assurances in the forums, and the inevitability that some players will have already moved ahead, we'll plan on playing today's HITS/GCM game with the 1.6 beta assuming we can get it to load. At this writing, attempts to install the patch on top of 1.5001 have failed with a version error. http://www.norbsoftdev.net/forum/technical-help-a-bug-post/56110-scourge-of-war-16-patch#56116

Has Garnier installed it into the GCM?

kg little mac wrote:Has Garnier installed it into the GCM?

Yes. It updates automatically with the Launcher.

This pretty much settles that we'll be playing with 1.6 today. For what it's worth, I am able to create and launch a GCM game using the HG settings which seems to be running fine. So far, so good.

for solve the installation problems download and install the matrix installation version of game or of modules: I had problems with Antietam and I have solved using before the matrix installer of this DLC. for download this installer you must register your module on Matrix membership page

1.6 and Garnier's new Fog of War!

Should be very interesting.

I'm not going to be able to make it tonight after all - have a good one generals!