Checking In

[Avacar]

Pilot Avacar here. Just curious if there was to be a new WTCO scenario anytime soon, or if any of my old opponents are out there and interested in finishing the on-going scenarios...

[QuailPilot]

I would be interested in finishing/doing another scenario.

[ChrisReid]

If you guys are willing to organize and run a game (which I strongly encourage you to do ), we'd be happy to post a note on the front page asking for more players.

[QuailPilot]

Heck I might do it. Though I need to refresh my self with the rules.

[Ironduke]

Whoa, and here I thought I was checking on the WCTO forum regularly! Well, there might actually be some interest in coming up with a new scenario (or finishing the ones we've started). I was busy with a lot of different things in real life (and still am), but I nevertheless thought about refining the existing rules every now and then. I'm still pondering whether to make the game's rules a bit more casual in order to allow for faster game play (and easier hosting), or extending it to include stuff like internal damage and hit zones.

To cut it short, I'd like to come back to the game, even if that means using the old rules for the time being. I guess I could fit an easy scenario in my busy schedule, like a light fighter dogfight or a no-missiles engagement.

[AD]

Originally Posted by Ironduke

I'm still pondering whether to make the game's rules a bit more casual in order to allow for faster game play (and easier hosting), or extending it to include stuff like internal damage and hit zones.

Sometimes it's nice to have the option of both: a simplified quicker version for when you don't have a lot of time and/or are playing with newer players unfamiliar with the rules, and then a second more complicated rule-set for when you just want to get into the nitty-gritty of it.

[QuailPilot]

Kind of like the quick start rules for some games.

But I would be down for some light fighter engagements

By the way...would we do Play by Email, or via IM?

If by IM we could start gathering a list of people who want to play, and compare timezones.

[Ironduke]

That's what I intended to do with basic and advanced rules, but somehow I'm not satisfied with the basic movement options (since special maneuvers belong to the advanced rules section). And I might make it easier to hit targets... We'll see!

I'd prefer the email variant, if only to be able to archive orders. And while I have ICQ installed on my desktop PC, I usually don't use it anymore. Then again, we could even use Twitter (and direct messages).

[QuailPilot]

I actually prefer the Play by Email also hahahaha.

[ChrisReid]

#Wingnut or irc.wcnews.com is available for any rpgs or fan games http://www.wcnews.com/wingnut/index.shtml

[QuailPilot]

Basically if we do that, people could come in and "watch" so to speak?

[ChrisReid]

Yeah, people could. Even if they don't, it's a convenient way for a bunch of people to communicate about Wing Commander.

[QuailPilot]

I was thinking more of attracting new players.

Anyway, we could do a weekly dogfight on the IRC and do the larger missions via PBMs.

Just a thought

[Ironduke]

IRC would be perfect - if only you guys were anywhere near my time zone. However, you could host your own games anytime if you want to! The rules are all there, so it would just be a matter of displaying ships' positions and stuff. (Using MapView or something similar might help.)

Meanwhile, I'll try to hit up an old friend of mine who did a web client for Crimson Skies - maybe he can twist the code a bit to make it usable with WCTO. I doubt he has the time, but wish me luck anyway!

[Raptor_Pilot]

Originally Posted by Ironduke

Meanwhile, I'll try to hit up an old friend of mine who did a web client for Crimson Skies - maybe he can twist the code a bit to make it usable with WCTO. I doubt he has the time, but wish me luck anyway!

Good Luck!

I might not post in here, or on the forums much anymore, but I am still hoping and waiting for Wing Commander: Tactical Operations Deluxe Edition. New and in the box for $29.99

I'm sort of kidding, but if you ever get everything put together enough to sell a boxed set of WCTO, I would buy it in an instant.

[QuailPilot]

Ironduke, did you all ready make a module for MapView?

[Humungus]

You know what? I'm still in
So what's the plan? I guess we should finish the existing games with the current rules, and play-test any major rule changes on new games

And if I remember correctly, there were those damage sheets for each ship, so I think I have to ask: In what direction shall WCTO itself go? More in the direction of a game where each player has one ship, or where one player controls a whole wing (similar to Warhammer)? I mean, we have the point cost for each ship, but the stats for each ship are getting more complex, and with many it could be difficult to keep up... Your opinions?

(Oh, and Ironduke, although I still should be in the same time zone as you, I don't think there are many others )

[ChrisReid]

Europe and the US aren't that far off. I've played a bajillion games with Kris in Belgium. Start early in the US and late in Germany on the weekends.

[Ironduke]

@Raptor_Pilot: We all know this will never happen, though, as much as I'd like the idea. I produced some nicely looking maps and ship tokens for my own use, but that's probably as close to a boxed set as WCTO will ever get. (Personally, I'd settle with an unboxed XBLA Indie Games title, but even that would infringe several laws...)

@QuailPilot: No, I never fully understood MapView with its modules, to be honest. I took a look at MapTool as well, but didn't have the time to deal with it. Featuring an implemented chat support, it might be worth a deeper look for anyone interested in hosting an "independent" WCTO game.

@Humungus: I've thought about both options while tinkering around with the game, and I think a Warhammer-like tabletop experience should be reasonably possible when using stripped down, simple rules. Me, I prefer every fighter being controlled by one person with more detailed rules - like the tabletop version of Crimson Skies, if anyone is familar with it. For the purpose of playing online, I've been considering "AI" wingmen lately - you could give them orders, but wouldn't be able to have direct control over their actions.

@ChrisReid: Yes, I'm aware it's mainly myself having a problem with this, since I usually work in the evenings and on weekends, and I only have one or two free afternoons. (One of the few downsides of being a musician...) Which is why I wouldn't mind if someone else went ahead and hosted a game with the given rules.

However, there's a small ray of hope: I've asked my friend if he could convert his Crimson Skies web client to a WCTO client, and he answered it wouldn't be much of a problem! Here's hoping he finds the time to do it... If this works out, anyone could host a game of WCTO, and it would only take some editing of ship stats and rolling the dice (knowing the rules would still be a bonus, of course ).
I'll keep you posted on his progress... This isn't the first time someone tried to pull this off, so I'm rather doubtful about the outcome, but I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[Haliwali]

I'm in

[QuailPilot]

I could try modding that MapView thingy. (Don't really count on me though.)


Well if worst comes to worst, I could take pictures of the game board with the pieces placed.

[Haliwali]

BTW odd thought here (chock full of those, aren't I,) using LEGO minis you could make a decent tabletop game with only slight modifications to existing rules. Now where the get those bricks...

[Ironduke]

QuailPilot, I think MapTool would be the better choice of the two if you want to try something.

LEGO minis... Actually, I've been down that road. You can order parts via LEGO's Pick-a-Brick online store, but it would be difficult to differentiate between fighters - how would you know who's Bravo 1, 2 or 3 if you have three Rapiers all looking the same? Besides, I found that I've got no talent at all when it comes to creating microsized LEGO models.

[Haliwali]

http://www.crius.net/zone/showthread...highlight=lego
Those minis would work pretty well I think. And for fighters, have them operate in wing, just edit the rules a little to keep them organized

[Humungus]

You know, you wouldn't even need to modify the rules, just make bigger hexes :-D And voilá, a tabletop version playable with the minis

As for the designation, just pin a piece of paper to them :-P

[QuailPilot]

Anyway, Ironduke, when are you available to do a PBM?

[Ironduke]

I wanted to give my friend a chance to maybe come up with a quick hack for WCTO, but it hasn't happened yet. However, I could offer to do a really, really basic PBM anytime (no rockets and stripped down rules), if you all just let me know what fighter you'd like to pilot.
Or, if anyone else wants to host a game via MapView/MapTool/whatever, I'd be glad to hop in the cockpit myself for a change!

[Ironduke]

Looks like Humungus would like to take a Jalkehi for a spin. Anyone dare to challenge him in a little dogfight? (Considering he's playing a Kilrathi, would "catfight" be more appropriate...?)

[QuailPilot]

I would love to. Any restrictions of what fighters I can use?

[Ironduke]

Originally Posted by QuailPilot

Any restrictions of what fighters I can use?

No. I'll try to even out the odds by adjusting pilot skill levels or adding wingmen for those with weaker fighters. Just remember: No missiles this time around... If you pick a bomber, you'll have to rely on its guns and turret(s)!

[QuailPilot]

All right. I'll use a confed fighter for the first time.

Lets make it a battle of the heavies, and I'll take a saber.

Do you have my email still, or should I pm it to you?

[Humungus]

A Saber? Ouch, that should be pretty interesting. Well, see you in the space :-)

[Ironduke]

Originally Posted by QuailPilot

Do you have my email still, or should I pm it to you?

Got it, as long as it's still your old Yahoo account.

Jalkehi vs. Sabre so far... Anyone else up for the challenge? Volunteers for a Sartha wing?

[Humungus]

Or we could throw in a Broadsword, to keep the "heavies" theme :-D

[QuailPilot]

Yup I'm still using the yahoo account.

[Ironduke]

Looks like it's just the two of us for now... Still want to hop in? It's Jalkehi vs. Sabre then...

[ChrisReid]

Hey, is http://www.fleet-commander.net/WCTO/CIC/WCTO.htm still your website? Doesn't seem to be up and running. If you no longer have hosting, we'd be happy to have you set up at a Solsector site.

[Avacar]

Well, given that I'm the person who started this thread, I better throw my gauntlet into the ring.

I'll take both you on.

Ironduke, you choose my ride, just make sure it isn't something I've flown before. I assume you've still got my email, as with the others?

[QuailPilot]

Originally Posted by ChrisReid

Hey, is http://www.fleet-commander.net/WCTO/CIC/WCTO.htm still your website? Doesn't seem to be up and running. If you no longer have hosting, we'd be happy to have you set up at a Solsector site.

Huh, it works for me.

[Wedge009]

I'll second that. Maybe it was a temporary outage?

[Ironduke]

Okay, Avacar is in as well... If anyone wants to give a Jalkehi a try, we could do a 2-on-2 team dogfight. If not, it'll make things all the more interesting...

@ChrisReid: Not sure about the outage, maybe they were doing server maintenance or something. I'm definitely still paying for that site.

[Humungus]

The more, the merrier, come on, people! :-)

[Avacar]

Also, I'm assuming that we aren't hearing from Guilherme again. As such, I declare myself a 'the survivor' of game 004, since while I was most injured first, I ended with the highest hull+shield value.

Ironduke, are we going to have a revised ruleset for the next game?

Also, can I claim a ship qual on the Epee and the Jalkehi?

[Ironduke]

Originally Posted by Avacar

Also, I'm assuming that we aren't hearing from Guilherme again. As such, I declare myself a 'the survivor' of game 004, since while I was most injured first, I ended with the highest hull+shield value.

You can declare whatever you like, but I have to point out that Humungus is still alive in that game as well...

Ironduke, are we going to have a revised ruleset for the next game?

In the next game - very possible. In the upcoming skirmish - not likely. I might try 1d12 instead of 2d6 in both, and I'm tempted to just use the Target Roll as is for this quick and dirty game - no modifiers whatsoever (speed, distance, you name it) except pilot skill levels. It would make things a lot easier for me, and also less prone for error. (Although I can't remember for the life of me having made any mistakes in the past AT ALL. )

Also, can I claim a ship qual on the Epee and the Jalkehi?

Yes, definitely, as both games lasted longer than 6 turns. I just haven't updated the player roster to this day.

[Ironduke]

Also, the "Discuss" button in the CIC news flash about TacOps leads to a weird thread...

[QuailPilot]

Hahaha ya I noticed that.

[ChrisReid]

Originally Posted by Ironduke

Also, the "Discuss" button in the CIC news flash about TacOps leads to a weird thread...

Fixed, thanks. Dropped the 0 on the thread link. Your TacOps site works for me now, must have been a temporary outage. And the offer still stands for a Solsector site down the line if you'd like.

[Ironduke]

Looks like it'll be Avacar vs. Humungus vs. QuailPilot... I'd put Avacar in a Sabre then, if that's okay for you. I'll send you an email once the scenario is set up - I'm still waiting for more players to join, but we'll start sometime tomorrow one way or the other.

As for the rules for this specific dogfight:
- no missiles and decoys allowed
- Target Rolls not modified by distance
- all other rules apply as stated in v0.14 of the game manual

[Ironduke]

Originally Posted by ChrisReid

And the offer still stands for a Solsector site down the line if you'd like.

Whoops, seems like I forgot to answer this one... If SolSector can handle PHP, SQL and all that fancy stuff, then I might want to come back to your offer once work is finished on the computer aided version of TacOps!

[Wedge009]

This entire forum is based on PHP and presumably some form of database too, so I imagine the answer would be yes. (: