tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post7433345462290776098..comments2024-03-24T00:19:48.310-07:00Comments on Delta Vector: Game Design #66: Designing with "Focus" - Lessons from The Forest vs ARKevilleMonkeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-72234874693325622012016-03-25T22:57:28.357-07:002016-03-25T22:57:28.357-07:00A pretty fair summation. Almost every miniature re...A pretty fair summation. Almost every miniature released for the past two years and a bit have been large one-off ''rule of cool'' and/or narrow role types. The company also seems dead set on converting more of the model line into plastic given that their KS was ''successful'', but I don't consider the sculpts they used to be all that good really.<br /><br /><br />The old HGB! standard was based around ~1,000 TV, ~3 combat groups, and somewhat less than a dozen to perhaps not quite twenty models or bases using a far too complex system for force construction.<br /><br />The new standard seems to be ~two combat groups, combining a primary and support ''UA'' but of roughly the same number of models. In same ways it's worse, given how many actions are mandatory to a combat group when combined with the very high $$$ prices for larger miniature or most any vehicle.<br /><br />Compared to L&L and the Field Guides force construction is simpler (yet still confusing and at times contrary), but not in comparison to an awful lot of other games.<br /><br /><br />I hadn't considered that the direction the Pod dev chose to take the rules after co-opting a fan idea was intended to draw 40K players, but it does make a lot of sense. Doing so while keeping so much legacy though in an apparent attempt to not drive away the current player-base, not sure how well that will pan out in the long term.Cutnosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12545705226468131327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-9915335730228511612016-03-25T14:14:33.157-07:002016-03-25T14:14:33.157-07:00Agreed. I was unimpressed with the new HG:B.
Th...Agreed. I was unimpressed with the new HG:B. <br /><br />The two good things will be<br />(a) everything in one book<br />(b) much needed simplification/diversity in construction rules<br /><br />Those are major improvements, but DID NOT need a full overhaul of the core rules to do so.<br /><br />A lot of effort seems to have gone into replacing multiplication with addition, though I've yet to find someone who cannot do a 3x or 4x table. Generally, a lot of change for its own sake.<br /><br />They could have easily altered (a) and (b) without changing the core rules at all, and spent the rest of the time proofing/checking so they don't end up with 101 errata/FAQ or "fixing" the rules over 3 books....<br /><br />In addition, back when I last looked at the rules, it seemed intent on streamlining it for the 40K crowd, rather than retaining the interesting depth and "grittiness" which (for me anyway) was it's main draw. <br /><br />The old HG rules balanced RPG and skirmish for "heroic skirmish" but I feel it's now aimed at becoming a bland platoon+ game - to sell more models on the tabletop. (At least on the beta rules I read)evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-64588475781476093432016-03-24T16:30:52.634-07:002016-03-24T16:30:52.634-07:00I think the new HG Blitz! rules from DP9 have fall...I think the new HG Blitz! rules from DP9 have fallen into this trap; focusing on reimplementing or completely changing things that probably didn't need done away with so much as tweaked or ''fixed'' while still chasing [x] factor instead of finalizing.<br /><br />I eventually figured out how to play, or at least manage to use, most of the Locked & Loaded/Field Manual rules yet every time I try to get into the ''new - improved - streamlined'' HG rules I have to stop because they're so unintuitive (to me anyways).<br /><br />Considering how the Pod has had two years of open Beta testing, on top of about the same spent in closed testing, there is also a bit too much left undone or changed in intent too many times.<br /><br />The ''this is the best thing evah!'' fanbois crowd certainly haven't helped the situation any either, as rubber-stamping has clearly not been in the company's interest given how many small yet absurdly simple typos and inconsistencies remain in the PDF.Cutnosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12545705226468131327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-36502683840395272072016-03-24T13:50:46.763-07:002016-03-24T13:50:46.763-07:00Oh, I'm aware of the changes to 6th Ed. I'...Oh, I'm aware of the changes to 6th Ed. I'd just be interested in how this radically re-images and improves 40K.<br /><br />(a) has it returned it to the 2nd or earlier days of heroic skirmish? i.e. <br />"Warhammer does small-scale skirmishes with a few squads, characters, and a vehicle or two as well as it ever did, and possibly much better now."<br /><br />(b) has it become relevant again, how 6th ed has added new depth<br /><br />(c) how does it compare to more "modern" rules at that scaleevilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-76740437775131067262016-03-24T05:54:20.205-07:002016-03-24T05:54:20.205-07:00Here's an article on some of the differences b...Here's an article on some of the differences between 40k 7th and 5th: http://sonsoftaurus.blogspot.ca/2016/03/welcome-back-to-warhammer-40k-7th.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SonsOfTaurus+(Sons+of+Taurus)Nurglitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03333941626425462180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-79171536283389011832016-03-18T21:28:18.579-07:002016-03-18T21:28:18.579-07:00Its a pretty simple relationship. Different game =...Its a pretty simple relationship. Different game = different focus = different mechanisms. My 10 man skirmish game is very different from a Divisional level game. In the former I am a squad leader, in the latter I have to think like a General. If it doesn't do that it isn't a good game.Paul O'Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611720164170399684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-20199908814892576482016-03-13T06:02:49.552-07:002016-03-13T06:02:49.552-07:00I'll get around to it this week. Though it is ...I'll get around to it this week. Though it is pretty much EXACTLY as described - 40K "Kill team" with usual 40K d6 mechanics, with units activating on cards like TFL/Tomahawk/Savage Worlds, and Kill Team style stealth missions. At the $15 price, it's fair though its far from original.evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-47254726214429175092016-03-12T08:52:46.646-08:002016-03-12T08:52:46.646-08:00Yes, sorry. The "Heroic Skirmish". And i...Yes, sorry. The "Heroic Skirmish". And if you could do a review of Covert Ops, I'd greatly appreciate it.Daniel Lucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08688892205253323668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-67285856287607495832016-03-11T18:42:45.146-08:002016-03-11T18:42:45.146-08:00What, the 2-3 squads + one or two heroes, a vehicl...What, the 2-3 squads + one or two heroes, a vehicle or two? sort of the old "Space Marine" scale? (also, early Warmachine scale).<br /><br />The Tomorrow's War system works better at this scale (3-4 fire teams, command, 1-2 vehicles) than the platoon+ many seem to use it for.<br /><br />Covert Ops from Osprey is basically 40K Kill Team meets TFL card activation(or rather, Muskets & Tomahawks activation) which would work for near future/hard sci fi (I can do a review sometime if you wish)<br /><br /><br /><br />evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-73639728147909650552016-03-11T14:39:21.843-08:002016-03-11T14:39:21.843-08:00On an off-topic note, got any systems you could re...On an off-topic note, got any systems you could recommend for that feel outside Ivan's Clash on the Fringe or Fast and Dirty?Daniel Lucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08688892205253323668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-14633196547397779052016-03-11T02:46:08.416-08:002016-03-11T02:46:08.416-08:00"Warhammer does small-scale skirmishes with a..."Warhammer does small-scale skirmishes with a few squads, characters, and a vehicle or two as well as it ever did, and possibly much better now."<br /><br />For example this would be an interesting argument, and could have a whole section on it. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-85053542930477070472016-03-11T02:42:13.637-08:002016-03-11T02:42:13.637-08:00While the article wasn't really about rules ex...While the article wasn't really about rules expansions per se (more about how you need to focus on a particular aspect of gameplay and excel at it), I certainly agree with your sentiment.<br /><br />I've heard that some game devs are told to "split up" their rules so the company has a "supplement" to release later. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-67695547850217301902016-03-11T02:38:10.172-08:002016-03-11T02:38:10.172-08:00I often see you pop up to defend 40K (sometimes ev...I often see you pop up to defend 40K (sometimes even when I wasn't having a go at it)<br /><br />I feel 40K falls between streamlined for platoon, and it's original Space Marine/2nd ed skirmish scale, and as a result does neither well.<br /><br />As you obviously feel strongly about it, would you consider doing a post explaining how 40K 7th ed (and by extension, 6th as they seem pretty similar)compares to early editions, and how it has returned 40K to the forefront of game design?<br /><br />It would make an interesting article and I'd be happy to link through to it. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-8672822470293754092016-03-10T09:11:32.686-08:002016-03-10T09:11:32.686-08:00Warhammer does small-scale skirmishes with a few s...Warhammer does small-scale skirmishes with a few squads, characters, and a vehicle or two as well as it ever did, and possibly much better now. If you're going below 500pts I'd recommend rolling on the vehicle damage chart for all wounds, but otherwise you're good to go. Likewise I wouldn't bother going above 2000pts, although you can if you want to, and that's nowhere near Apocalypse-style levels. Nurglitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03333941626425462180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-79296407881984587612016-03-10T05:26:16.973-08:002016-03-10T05:26:16.973-08:00Yeah, rules expansions van really kill games. But ...Yeah, rules expansions van really kill games. But at the same time companies seem to need them to sell new miniatures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com