SASL (Solitaire ASL) Game Idea

[Double Deuce]

I decided to break this out into its own thread rather than keep it in the WW2 RPG - sorta . . . thread so I can gauge member interest and provide more detailed information on what my plans at the moment are. To get things restarted on this topic I am posting my initial "plans" from that thread;l

The SASL interactive game would need to be modified to reduce the plethora of ASL rule details of gameplay for players so they can concentrate on playing, not learning all the rules. Actually, the draft planning I have done would make it so players could submit prep fire and move orders simultaneously through the use of online submission forms. Basically when I call for orders, your refer to the screenshots of the map and go to the orders webpage I will set up and enter your units orders/plans. All the data is sent to me via email so there is no clogging of the forums or PM inboxes. Since all players are on the same team there is no need for secure/secret forums for each team t discuss their plans. this can be done in an open thread. The biggest issue will be a system for giving defensive fire orders during the AI but I am working on this.

In this SASL game, players would command either full platoons or individual squads. It would really depend on the # of players BUT the player force needs to be about 1 Company in size and primarily infantry based (vehicle rules in ASL can get rather complicated). SASL can also be set up to run as a campaign game where players take their surviving units from mission to mission, with a system for replacements and upgrading of units, and many other things.

For those who may not know, SASL is Solitaire Advanced Squad Leader. You can learn more about the game here:
Solitaire ASL at BoardGameGeek
Solitaire ASL Campaign Game I am playing through on my Blog

[Double Deuce]

It would also be helpful to know the theater or even specific campaign theme players would want to take part in (i.e. Dieppe, Battle of the Bulge, Market garden, etc). IF enough interest I may also allow a mix of forces where the players can choose a nationality for their force different from what another player may select. For example the company could end up being comprised of 1 US platoon and 2 Canadian platoons and so on with the actual company HQ platoon being from another nation.

Thoughts?

[Double Deuce]

Player commitment would need to be about 1 turn per week but if there is agreement by the players we can extend it either way so those interested can take part.

To make this as player friendly as possible, I will create order submission forms so their will be no need for players to write out lengthy explanations on what their units are to do each turn. Players would just need to go to a predetermined webpage, enter their orders using toggle buttons, check boxes and a few text boxes and click send. I will get all the information via email and will process the orders once the last player has sent their orders for each phase/turn.

Results fro each turn will be posted along with screenshots on the current situation so that players can plan for the next turn.

[Whiterook]

This is amazing stuff! The screen shots look almost computer generated...these a boards you actually have set up and pics taken of, not a computer? Very impressive!!! This has a lot of merit, and I am excited to see where you go with this. My time is incredibly crunched, but I may jump into the SASL game. Battle of the Bulge would be awesome, though at some point, I'd love to play Canadian forces.

[Double Deuce]

OK guys. I'm trying to make this as simple and as player friendly as possible so no one feel overwhelmed. ASL Turns are divided into 2 halves, each player has an active 1/2 of the turn where they fire/move (the other player would defensive fire during the active player turn). Then the 2nd player has his active 1/2 of the turn and so on. Since we will be using SASL, the AI is the 2nd player and the system will handle all their Fire/Move stuff for us. Players will only need to supply 2 basic sets of information during their active 1/2 of the turn, which units will fire and which units will move.

I have created a draft form that players will use to provide me with that information for their units for their 1/2 active of the Game Turn.

Player Turn Order Form

Again, it is only a draft, I may need to add a couple more things to it to cover all actions in a turn but it should be straight-forward enough to get the job done. I will be creating a similar one for the players non-active half of the turn where they will provide Defensive Fire orders.

[Double Deuce]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

This is amazing stuff! The screen shots look almost computer generated...these a boards you actually have set up and pics taken of, not a computer? Very impressive!!! This has a lot of merit, and I am excited to see where you go with this. My time is incredibly crunched, but I may jump into the SASL game. Battle of the Bulge would be awesome, though at some point, I'd love to play Canadian forces.

They are screenshots, not pics. This is from the VASL (JAVA based program) used for online/Pbem play of ASL games.

[Wolster]

Well, to be honest I don't know much about this stuff. I voted British & Italian and am thinking about early North Africa. Not a subject you see much about. Of course it should really be British and Commonwealth v Italian!

[Double Deuce]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

This is amazing stuff! The screen shots look almost computer generated...these a boards you actually have set up and pics taken of, not a computer? Very impressive!!! This has a lot of merit, and I am excited to see where you go with this. My time is incredibly crunched, but I may jump into the SASL game. Battle of the Bulge would be awesome, though at some point, I'd love to play Canadian forces.

I can't believe I left them off the list. Actually they were there, then I edited their entry to say ANZAC but then forgot to add them back to the poll. Those with an interest in using Canadian forces please select "Other" and post in this thread.

I am really leaning toward players commanding a full platoon, which would likely include a leader, 3 squads and some support weapons. One player will need to be the Company Commander and will have the Support/HQ platoon. He won't need to be truly in charge, ordering everyone around, but should be considered the point man for the team who can make additional decisions outside the player's realm of coverage.

In the 1st game I would like to run it as a test mainly to to get players familiar with the system I am setting up and I would probably let them select their own platoon from any nationality (as long as they are ALL on the same side, Axis or Allies). IF players would like to use the western allies, I will set up a non-historical scenario to explain the situation. For example we can use an allied raid on NW France and players could choose from British, Canadian, Polish, Free French or US forces.

[TRDG]

Damn it, I always miss the multiple poll vote info, I would like to play German or RUSSIAN forces!!!

For the first game, whatever works best for you Mike, as to ease of game play, but you might want a battle that has a few "issues" (as in game issues that may create problems), so we can find out how to run them the best way possible.

Cheers, A Russian


Tom

[Double Deuce]

Originally Posted by Wolster

Well, to be honest I don't know much about this stuff. I voted British & Italian and am thinking about early North Africa. Not a subject you see much about. Of course it should really be British and Commonwealth v Italian!

Would you be open to playing Italian forces on the Eastern Front say as part of a German operation against the Russians?