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Thread: SND - International Skype Game Invitation - Slay the Leviathan - 8/9 June 2013

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    Default SND - International Skype Game Invitation - Slay the Leviathan - 8/9 June 2013

    Sorry about not getting this posted quicker, but social commitments took precedence this weekend. If you are still interested, we could try out the monster bomber run. The below timings are a suggestion for three who have volunteered to play a scenario (Ritterton, Skafloc, and Doug), and other time zones will be considered:

    Location Local time Time zone UTC offset
    Chicago (USA) Saturday, 8 June at 03:00 PM CDT UTC-5 hours
    Comox (Canada) Saturday, 8 June at 01:00 PM PDT UTC-7 hours
    Toowoomba (Australia) Sunday, 9 June at 6:00 AM AEST UTC+10 hours
    Morpeth (UK) Saturday, 8 June at 09:00 PM BST UTC+1 hours
    Opole (Poland) Saturday, 8 June at 10:00 PM CEST UTC+2 hours
    Corresponding UTC (GMT) Saturday, 8 June at 20:00 0:00
    Glossary - UTC Coordinated Universal Time - the international basis for other time zones.
    Same time as for GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and Zulu time.
    Note that United Kingdom is not on GMT during summer.

    It will be almost the same as the practice run (Slay the Leviathan - Solo Trial), but 3 escort Albatrii will be included (they will not be regenerated). Camels, SPADs, and Nieuports (16s with rockets, and 17s) are being considered. Also, I have considered the front cannons on the bomber as being Becker 20mm auto-cannons, able to fire up to three times in a row, before needing to reload. And with two cannons in the nose, and a two range-ruler range, that means four C Damage cards per shot on single planes that get close enough to shoot the bomber head on.

    As of Thursday, 12:15 AM UTC: Confirmed - One from Illinois, One from Louisiana (plus a partner at one location), one from Australia; Tentative - One player from Poland.
    Regrets: One from France; One from UK; One from Washington

    Note: I have potentially four guests that expressed interest in playing, but with up to nine available slots, it means people could join to observe, if there is room. Please add your name and your desire to watch, and if I don't get all nine player slots filled, I will start down the list of observers with invites.

    Mike :-)
    Last edited by OldGuy59; 06-06-2013 at 10:16. Reason: Geography issues

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    Count me in. I will post my info on the Skype players forum.

    3:00 p.m. CST

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    Sorry Mike , my wife is in hospital after surgery to fuse her spine so not around for the week end But always up for the next one.

    Paul

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    Paul,
    Best wishes and all the positive vibes I can send are coming your Better Half's way.

    You will be missed, but you have a good grip on your priorities.

    There will be a next time for a game, but hopefully a speedy recovery and no next time for your partner.

    Mike

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    Paul, blessings on you and your wife. I hope her recovery is speedy and restful.

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    I am crossing my fingers for your wife's speedy recovery as well, Paul.
    I will try to join if time allows, Mike. BTW is it possible to have such a numerous Skype session?
    It will be 10:00 pm here.

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    Andy,
    A very good question. I have no idea how this will work, but we won't know until we try. Observers would reduce the workload. Also, when solo-ing this, I had to pick the cards for all the planes. With others doing that, I can concentrate on running and managing the game. In this particular scenario, I will run the bomber, and it only plays straight cards! Too easy.

    The timing was to be somewhat considerate to the first respondents to the invite. As with global games, someone has to take the graveyard shift. I think I managed to get the initial group somewhere in reasonable time (Sorry Alastair, for the early morning). If we get players in the Middle East or India, there will always be someone doing the graveyard shift. This is planned as a two-hour game, with a few minutes to orient the new players. We will fight the bomber by cycling in planes as they get shot down (players restart on the next full turn). Some will start with German escorts, and switch to Entente planes as they fall.

    You could join and play until you are shot down, and then leave rather than respawn? Then it won't be too late for you, and you get to play.

    Hope you can make it, but if it is too late, I understand.

    Mike

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    Quote Originally Posted by tikkifriend View Post
    Sorry Mike , my wife is in hospital after surgery to fuse her spine so not around for the week end But always up for the next one.

    Paul
    Sorry to hear the news, our prayers are with you both!

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    I'm in as a player...

    Chicago (USA) Saturday, 8 June at 03:00 PM CDT UTC-5 hours.

    Other info posted in the other Skype forum...

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    Unfortunately I can't make it either. Hope its another good one.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skafloc View Post
    Unfortunately I can't make it either. Hope its another good one.
    Big pouty face, Neil. You, too, will be missed.

    There will be more from me, but you could always initiate a game?

    Mike

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    Question, if another local gamer wants to play, but comes over to my house to join, is that okay?

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    Andy,
    Excellent question! The technical limitation in Skype gaming with video is ten connections, one with Skype Primium (me, in this case).

    How many people are at each location is up to the moderator, and the limits of the scenario. I was scheming at having a Skype game at Enfilade 2013, in Olympia at the end of May, but I didn't get to it fast enough. It would have had some people at the convention playing with/against people around the world. There is no reason why two or more people couldn't share a connection elsewhere, too.

    So, I don't have any problem with other people joining in on other connections, if the scenario can adapt. At this point, I will run the bomber, and with three escort fighters, and up to five attackers, there is room for at least eight other players. Once the escorts go down, though, having eight attacking aircraft is likely to seriously shorten the life expectancy of the bomber, no matter how big it is.

    That's my long answer.

    The short answer is, "Yes! Let's give it a try."

    Do you have a big enough screen at your end to be comfortable, would be my question to you. Try it out and see. I was considering using a light projector at the convention, to let the local participants see and interact with the Skype players better, and have the Skype view of the game up where passers by and observers could get the bird's-eye-view as well.

    Mike :-)

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    That's great! He's checking with SWMBO first or as we call it CINCHouse.

    For maps, I have two of the new WGF mats; the country & city. As far as cameras, I use a Logitech wide screen HD video-cam. So, I'm not how to make my computer screen any bigger, but can work out the details as we play.

    Cheers,
    Andy

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    Andy,
    My Niner-Domestic will be out of the house, working Saturday afternoon. I have the garage all to my self.

    Mike

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skafloc View Post
    Unfortunately I can't make it either. Hope its another good one.
    Yes, you will be missed. I was looking forward to flying with you. Hopefully next time.

    Mike, any advice for a first-timer? What should I have setup, etc.?

    Thanks for putting this together.

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    Thank you all for our kind words and thoughts dear friends. The op to stop Marys spine from twisting any more and destrying her discs, well the ones she has left, was a sucess so after Physio she will be able to move about and sit in a chair for the first time in 14 years. The wonders of modern medicine


    Look forward to the AAR Mike Its going to be a fur fest up there with all those players

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    All,
    Just finished taking markers to my paper scrolls. I now have an approximate map of the route past Rheims and about 120 miles in to Paris.

    The Map:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Note: The bottom of the map is the trench line just East of Rheims in May of 1918. Rheims is the small group of straight black lines on the bottom left of the map, just above the trench lines. The top of the map is Paris with the Seine River flowing left to right in a meandering path. No, the landscape is not accurate, but the distance is close. I took the six second rule for a game turn, and the approximate speed of the bomber using an XB Maneuver deck (straights being a half inch long) covering one and a half inches per turn, and attempted to scale out sixty miles over ten turns. Paris is about 120 miles (as the crow flies) from Rheims using Google Earth. So, there is the map, in all it's kludger glory. Yeah, I'm not an artist.

    This means about 20 game turns to shoot this thing down before it bombs Notre Dame Cathedral! 20 turns is a lot more than two hours, and with five scouts on the bomber last time, it didn't last 6 turns. I hope that some scout escorts can help with the endurance.

    Set-Up:
    Set up may be difficult for the participating players. On my table, the bomber will be "stationary" in the middle for most of the game (I messed up the map, and started it too close to the end of the roll). No matter. For those wishing to set up a situation table at their end, the playing area will be four feet (123 cms. This includes the spacer for the bomber stand) by three feet, 3 inches (100 cms). We will be starting with the bomber and three Albatrii D.Vas at the Trench Line, and three Camels closing from the North West corner (Top Right in this picture, but it will be Bottom Left during the game) of the map. On turn Three, up to three SPADs will enter from the South West corner of the map. On any subsequent turn, should there be a shot-down Player available, we will alternate Camels and SPADs as they are available. If we get to the point we are using all my Camels and SPADs, we can consider the rocket-equipped Nieuport 16s (two), or MG equipped Nieuport 17s (two). If the bomber is still getting to Paris, we will definitely be using the Rockets, in a desperation attempt to save the city and it's historical and cultural landmarks.

    I am not using Altitude Rules! Yet.

    For home situation tables, any game mats will do, or even just a bare table. You should have a card or bomber stand-in for the Forssman/Mannesmann tri-plane, and any scout aircraft to stand in for the others.

    Hopefully the participants will have suitable maneuver decks for the planes we are using, but they really only need decks for the plane they are flying to select their three moves per turn. I will move each aircraft using the cards chosen by each participant. Ranges to targets will be measured from my table. There will be some drift from card and mini handling, but this just can't be helped. We can readjust as we go, if things get really out of hand, but that hasn't happened yet. I have had problems with my image mirroring on my computer screen, but the image I send out is correct for everyone else. I try to adjust.

    Damage!
    For scenarios where individuals are competing against each other, people draw their own damage. So, in other games, opponents don't know the damage they have inflicted. As the bomber is on auto-pilot, I could draw all the damage on this end. Or we can keep each other in suspense and draw our own.

    If we draw our own, everyone needs A and C Damage decks. Please remember to track your damage, and if you loose a plane, we need a photo of the carnage for the AAR.

    If I draw for everyone, not so much suspense for me, but I won't tell you what you inflict on the bomber (nasty guy!). I will arrange photos of all the carnage for the AAR.

    Questions?
    Any Questions? Have I missed anything?

    Mike

  19. #19

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    Rough dimensions for the bomber. I will place a proxy something just to have an idea of general location of the planes.

    I am open to however folks want to handle damage. If there is no consensus, then whatever you think is most efficient is fine.

    Consider drift the effects of adrenaline on our spacial perceptions as we fight such a beast.

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    I can see a future in cartography when you retire Mike. Looks to be a great mission.

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    Yepper, Mike has a new job - Cartographer! Looks good for rough drawing.

    Setup: The main Escorts & Scouts I have, will be using a Gotha V as the bomber. I do have those other aircraft, you mentioned, sitting ground alert and can take off when notified. I'll have two WGF mats and will try to center planes based on your description & distances. I have all four Damage Decks (A through D).

    As for dealing with damage, suggest leaving the individual pilots draw their own damage, but anounce any special damages; i.e. guns jammed, smoking, on fire, etc. Meanwhile, you handel the bomber on your end.

    More questions: do we have enough pilots or do we need one more? I may be able to recruit another pilot on our aerodrome.

    Also, am I to assume I’m the Illinois (plus a partner at one location)? If so, I'm really in Louisiana but use Central Time Zone
    Last edited by freebird-52; 06-06-2013 at 05:39. Reason: added more

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    Quote Originally Posted by freebird-52 View Post
    As for dealing with damage, suggest leaving the individual pilots draw their own damage, but anounce any special damages; i.e. guns jammed, smoking, on fire, etc. Meanwhile, you handel the bomber on your end.
    Announcing Special Damage is a must. I just have to remember to record it, too.

    Quote Originally Posted by freebird-52 View Post
    More questions: do we have enough pilots or do we need one more? I may be able to recruit another pilot on our aerodrome.
    I will wait for more replies, as I did shotgun a few PMs for this. Not everyone has answered, yet (Hoping you'll jump in Attila57 and Baron Rolf!). We can always have players run groups of planes, if desparate.

    Quote Originally Posted by freebird-52 View Post
    Yepper, Mike has a new job - Cartographer! Looks good for rough drawing.
    ...
    Also, am I to assume I’m the Illinois (plus a partner at one location)? If so, I'm really in Louisiana but use Central Time Zone
    OK, I can draw a map (badly), but can I use one? Hmmm...

    Sorry about that. Didn't read your profile correctly.

    Mike

  23. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by 7eat51 View Post
    Rough dimensions for the bomber. I will place a proxy something just to have an idea of general location of the planes.
    From Clipper1801: "Hmmm 165 foot wing span becomes 13.75 inch wing span at 1/144" scale..." Scale Drawing and mini comparison can be found at: There are Giants...

    Mike

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    I am taking my son camping out on the lake this weekend. I hope you guys have fun!

  25. #25

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    Japheth,
    Hope the weather is great. Sounds like fun, too.

    There will be more opportunities to get together, virtually.

    Mike :-)

  26. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by OldGuy59 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by 7eat51 View Post
    Rough dimensions for the bomber. I will place a proxy something just to have an idea of general location of the planes.
    From Clipper1801: "Hmmm 165 foot wing span becomes 13.75 inch wing span at 1/144" scale..."

    Scale Drawing and mini comparison can be found at: There are Giants...
    Or, you could print out and use the Plane Card, done up by Guntruck:
    Attachment 92737

    Having scoured over the Zeppelin threads, I have a suggestion on the bomber gunners. Ignore Green Jams, and clearing Jams on A Guns take one maneuver phase, as the gunners are on a stable platform and are not trying to fly or do other things (C Cannons will still take the three phases, for jams or reloads).

    Thoughts?

    Mike

  27. #27

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    Quote Originally Posted by OldGuy59 View Post
    Having scoured over the Zeppelin threads, I have a suggestion on the bomber gunners. Ignore Green Jams, and clearing Jams on A Guns take one maneuver phase, as the gunners are on a stable platform and are not trying to fly or do other things (C Cannons will still take the three phases, for jams or reloads).

    Thoughts?

    Mike
    I'm game...lets try it!

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    Sounds good Mike, especially if they draw mostly 0s.

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    Andy [freebird-52] and Eric,

    Please log on to Skype and accept "t.michael.owen"'s friend request. Otherwise, I will not be able to send you a video invite tomorrow!

    I would like to do a commas check before game time, if you are available. Please advise when would be a good time.

    Mike :-)

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    I do not see your request on Skype.

  31. #31

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    Eric,
    Resent a request to "a7eat51".

    Mike :-)

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    Mike, saw your request and accepted. Plus I found the others that posted their info on the other Skype post.

    During my military days, when we're about to engage in an air combat maneuvering (ACM) training exercise, we'd key the radio mike saying; "fights on!"

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    Andy [freebird-52],
    I like it! It is better than my saying (borrowed from "All That Jazz"): "It's Showtime, folks!"

    See you at 20:00 hrs Zulu.

    Mike :-)

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    To those who played...had a great time! Look forward to our next time together!

    Mike: look forward to your AAR, check out my album and use any images you want. I will leave the Image numbers to help with the sequence of play...

    http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/album.php?albumid=2283

    Cheers everyone!

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    All,
    I started the AAR, but it is getting way late. So the thread starts with Episode One, here:
    AAR - SND International Skype Game - Slay the Leviathan 8/9 June 2013

    I'll get the rest up tomorrow.

    Andy, I will be picking pictures out of your album. They are great! Thanks for posting them.
    If Eric or Alastair have any to share, they would be welcome, too.

    I'm sorry I'm an old guy, but I don't remember where Dave and Gordon fit into the scheme of this (I do know which planes they flew, just not where they played from). My bad, as I though Andy had two friends over, and discovered about half-way through the game that there was one friend each for Andy and Eric.

    Also, if the participants have any suggestions or critiques on the game, they are most welcome. Please put them on the AAR thread.

    Mike

  38. #38

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    Mike,

    Gordon was my friend and sparring partner for war games. He is the Founder on the Shreveport Red River Gamers that has about 15 plus members here in the Shreveport/Bossier City Louisiana. We are both hard cord wargamers; whereas he specializes (favorite) in Squad Leader & Advanced Squad Leader, mine is the World at War Series (The Untold Stories, Death of the 1st Panzer, Into the Breach, etc.).

    There are only three hard core war gamers in our club, so we spend ample about of time playing other board games as well, but will play a wargame in a heartbeat!

    Since I'm the main holder of the WoW / WGF (games, boosters, and minis), everyone else just joins in during our monthly/quarterly get-togethers.

    I was planning to invite another game who loves WoW / WGF, but wasn't sure since there wasn't any firm idea if we had too many players or not.

    Lessons Learned from our end:

    1 - Overhead webcam was great. Although the focus was a bit off, we still could make out where airplanes where.
    2 - Since the focus was off a bit, it was hard to tell which way aircraft were pointing. When you added the aircraft's playing card, then we could tell which way it was pointing. May be use the aircraft playing card under the mini as well to help visualize this.
    3 - Since the Bomber was very powerful, reduce the number of escorts. All but one kill (7 total, I believe) was due to the Bomber.
    4 - Having a board at our location mirroring your overhead webcam help us place our minis & planning our maneuvers, even though the scale of our bomber was very different from yours.

    Anyway, hope this helps and we both look forward to the next Skype adventure!

    Cheers,

    Andy
    Last edited by freebird-52; 06-09-2013 at 09:21.

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    P.S. Another Lesson Learned:

    5 - Rules: Since we went back and forth between WoW & WGF, post which rules using, any differences plus any house rules. That way we can print them and reference them during the game; i.e. how to use rocket equipped Nieuports against the bomber versus what the rules say when used against Balloons, or when on fire you get three tokens but drawing an A damage card each Turn (three maneuvers) versus each maneuver, etc.

  40. #40

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    Hi Mike
    May I suggest that we draw up a set of Skype house rules and post them so we are all playing off the same sheet so to speak. We have done this as you know for the Over theTrenches final months campaign and it works well. Could use these as a basis if all agree

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    Mike, thanks for an absolutely enjoyable afternoon. Dave and I had a blast, especially me given those C - guns.

    Andy, Gordon, and Alastair, it was a pleasure meeting you and playing with you. Alastair, I will check on those WWII planes on Tuesday when the store is open.

    Dave - degodave on the 'Drome - flew one of the escorts - the one starting on the left wing of the bomber I believe. I do remember it for other reasons at the end - think Boom and my newly arrived Nieuport.

    I have been thinking about the game, and will post my reflections/suggestions sometime soon.

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    Hey fellas, it was nice to meet all of you and to play with you - it was a good time! I enjoyed most of the game, but particularly blowing Eric up at the end. Some things are just beyond monetary value.

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    For others visiting this thread,

    The AAR is finally up and can be found here: Slay the Leviathan - 8/9 June 2013 Play-by-Play AAR

    Great game, if a bit long. Way too many Entente pilots sacrificed!

    Mike

  44. #44

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    Quote Originally Posted by tikkifriend View Post
    Hi Mike
    May I suggest that we draw up a set of Skype house rules and post them so we are all playing off the same sheet so to speak. We have done this as you know for the Over theTrenches final months campaign and it works well. Could use these as a basis if all agree
    A few of the rules in this game were very specific for the Forssmann-Manesmann Triplane, but could work for other bomber/Zeppelin runs.

    I can see this being put up on the Skype Player's Forum, Paul. Great idea.

    The Skype information is there, but actual rules may be too scenario driven. We could do it as a separate Skype Rules Discussion thread, and then put the consensus on the main thread?

    Mike

  45. #45

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    I can see it was another great adventure, chaps. Unfortunately due to some family business I couldn't turn up on Saturday night Hope to join you some other time

  46. #46

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    Sorry to hear, hope the family business wasn't to serious...look forward to seeing you on another Skype adventure!



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