Wargames - Computer Geeks and War

nationalreview.com ^ | October 1, 2001 | Dave Kopel & Glenn Reynolds

[jalisco555]

Brings back fond memories of a mis-spent youth (and I'm still occasionally mis-spending my time even now!).

[Kobyashi1942]

Great Post. I've been gaming since 1972 and I've never looked backed since then.

Just the geographical knowledge that all those years of gaming have given me has proven both profitable and personally rewarding.

I feel so sorry for all the people who can't handle a good wargame.

Last games played: Kharkov '42, War in the Pacific, Operational Art of War, Century of War.

Koby

[CatoRenasci]

Indeed. I spent many hours in the early 1960's playing Avalon Hill games. My favorites were the original 1958 Tactics and the original 1958 version of Gettysburg, the pre-hex, topographical map, the full tournament version in which you had movement by inches (you needed dividers), the ability to fire only in one direction at a time, differnt weighting of fires based upon whether one was attacking the enemy head on, in full or partial enfilade, etc., observation posts and hidden movement, etc. etc. Took at least an hour for each turn once things got moving, but a great gave. The railroad logistics game Dispatcher was also interesting, and Jutland was also good.

[texas booster]

This may be the only non-gaming forum where I will find lots of folks who have actually played "Diplomacy". Much better than Risk, simpler than most 70's era board simulations.

[CatoRenasci]

When I was in college in the late '60s and early '70's, both Risk and Diplomacy were considered very useful tools for getting know people's characters. I enjoyed them at the time, but haven't gamed since I got out of the Army more than 20 years ago.

[Poohbah]

Grognard Bump!

Manual games recently played: Invasion: Taipei (PRC invades Taiwan, includes a very good cyberwar module), Vietnam Battles (actually two games: Hue City and Khe Sanh, I played the latter), and Napoleon's First Battles (I played the Marengo scenario--a very see-saw game).

Computer games recently played: The Operational Art of War, Century of War edition (20th Century operational-level conflict, very detailed treatment under the interface, you can design your own scenarios if you have a detailed enough order of battle and maps).

[dljordan]

I suppose I'm what you'd call a computer geek. I've been in the computer business (on mainframes and pc's) since 1975. I've served in the Navy, I'm a pilot, I read military history and I can field strip an M16. There are many like me here at my company. America is only weak in the minds of the quibbling hamsters who are afraid of their own shadows and don't have the stones to stand up for themselves.

[Poohbah]

You played War in the Pacific? Did you finish? If so, you're the only guy I've met who's actually done it.

BTW, what's your favorite scenario on TOAW:COW?

I'm doing a port of the manual game Arabian Nightmare: Kuwait War to TOAW:COW. The map is mostly done--just need to add some urban locations and finish the last touches on the road net (heck, I did most of the Saudi road net when I drew in the Tapline Road).

[texas booster]

I haven't had but a couple of serious games over the last two decades myself.

Seems Mrs. Booster thinks that I have other things to do for 6 hours at a time.

Still, one of my best memories was playing "Diplomacy" with my son, who was then about 6 or 7. Just the two of us, so we played together against all of the rest of the countries. No cheating allowed, and we talked about every possible move and every implication thereof.

I was astonished and so proud of his insight into the "why" of making a move.

My dad taught me chess when I was young. We played until I could beat him every time.

My son can beat me at nearly any game we choose, if it involves strategy. He will make a fine programmer one day.

My only regret? Not learning to let my dad win a few games, so the matches could have continued even after I left for college.

[Lazamataz]

Well, I'm ready for the future then.

Admiral (5th Dagger) Lazamataz, Commander of the Klingon Expeditionary Force, Star Fleet Battles (Task Force Games).

Motto: When you are down to your last E-4, THEN bug out. But not before.

[Lazamataz]

You played War in the Pacific? Did you finish? If so, you're the only guy I've met who's actually done it.

War in the Pacific is unplayable. Well, unfinishable. I met a group of gamers in Toronto that had the 3rd floor of a gaming shop completely taken over by tables and tables of maps (W.i.t.P.). They had been playing two nights a week for MONTHS. That was back in 197-something.

I imagine they are not finished even yet.

[Lazamataz]

I'm big on the Greatest Battles of the American Civil War series. Their Gettysburg is the best rendition of the battle I have ever played.

Signed,

General "Grey Steel" Lazamataz, Army of North Virginia.

[Lazamataz]

This may be the only non-gaming forum where I will find lots of folks who have actually played "Diplomacy". Much better than Risk, simpler than most 70's era board simulations.

There was a very interesting game called 'Kingmaker' that I enjoyed.

[Billy_bob_bob]

If you had read the latest issue of PC Gamer you would know that we are no longer known as "Grognards", we are now known as "COBS", for "Cranky Old B@st@rds". Keep up with the terminology.

It's only a matter of days before Civ III is released! Not a proper "Grognard" game, but one of my all time favorite games is Civ II, so I have high hopes.

[Bill Rice]

Am I the only one here that's nuts about Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator?

I know it's a few years old, but it rocks! I've only got the European Theater/Battle of Britan, but I've been playing it all summer, and am still not tired of it yet.

They make a Japanese Theater version, but my motto has always been "Buy hardware, not software". Haven't found a copy yet.

[Poohbah]

My sole PC gaming vices are Star Fleet Command (especially after I strategically edit the specs on a Federation Command Cruiser) and TOAW:COW. I don't read PC Gamer as a result, and I'm mostly a manual gamer anyway--and manual gamers STILL use grognard.

BTW, the best wargaming site on the 'Net is The Grognards Website. For a Free Republicesque discussion board, try The Consimworld website.

[Poohbah]

WIMP! Kahless would urinate on your grave to hear of you fleeing so early! When you're down to your last shuttle, aim it at the enemy flagship and go to the Black Fleet in glory!

[Lazamataz]

My sole PC gaming vices are Star Fleet Command.

I would so totally kick your ass, flathead.

Admiral (5th Dagger) Lazamataz, Klingon Expeditionary Force.

Motto: "Humans are a waste of skin, but serve the Empire as fun targets."

[Poohbah]

I've heard the horror stories. I'm looking to pick up a copy of The Pacific War (WitP, but playable), or East Wind Rain (WitP on ONE MAP!).

[Lazamataz]

WIMP! Kahless would urinate on your grave to hear of you fleeing so early!

Urinating on a grave honors the ground, flathead. Corpses are merely empty shells. Do with them as you will.

See you in Stov'l-Kor! To the Glory of Battle!