Hi All,
Sorry the late reply in this interesting discussion .. but better late than never
Im the guy who is doing the computer moderated project for modelling the Empire rules, and Karim got me interested in this project.
I have been working on this almost full time now for around a month, and have quite a bit of progress to show for it. Everytime I dive back into the rules to tackle the next section though, its just a reminder of how much of the iceberg remains below the waterline
Been running playtests continuously, and its actually starting to come together now, which is great !
I will stick to the current project through to completion before getting into R2E, but from what I have read, its a system that would translate well to computer moderation. When the time is right, Ill buy a printed set of R2E and get stuck into it.
The main points of difference between what I am doing, and how .. say C&G II handles the same concept is :
- Its multi-user, with each player logging in to a back end server via a web browser. So a game is BYO laptop / ipad.
- The system explains the rules and modifiers as it goes, so it acts as a learning tool for the ruleset.
- The system generates delayed messages to the players from the little lead figures on the table. They talk to you as the game progresses.
- The system uses unit IDs the same way that C&G II does ... but I am looking at using inexpensive RFID tags on the battalion bases to make the troops scan-able.
- The system handles photo uploads during the game, and can (almost) handle a webcam feed at the moment. The purpose of this is 2 fold :
1) To provide everything needed to generate a detailed AAR of the battle, complete with sequenced photos and captions to match the engagements. With a couple of clicks, the system should be able to generate a complete AAR and post it to your blogger account to share with the world.
2) To allow players to join in a tabletop game from a remote location. This was an accidental side-effect, but something that I think should have massive appeal.
- The system is designed to run large campaigns - so you have massive Orbats for several sides, and each tabletop clash is a subset of commands from the larger forces. Battle damage is of course tracked for the unit across multiple tabletop engagements.
- Each side can have several complex levels of sub-commands, with multiple players on a team managing portions of the forces on the tabletop.
- Finally, the system is designed to allow user defined plugins for different 'code engines' to handle aspects like firepower, morale, etc on a per game basis. I intend to ship the finished product with Empire / Napoleonic era engines, and a couple of optional extension engines to handle Franco Prussian war, and later 19th C battles. (at least).
- It is designed to be fully 'interwebz aware' ... which means that the software will be capable to listing fresh new OrBat files, code extensions, etc that are hosted from a website and allow the user to grab them, install them and use them. Likewise, people can publish their custom OrBats, code hacks and AARs from the system as well.
Most important difference to all of the existing CM systems available is that this software is open source, so all the code is available for free download, and no legal restrictions on changing it.
If there is a commercial opportunity with the software, it is in having a well setup hosting service to host games for the general public across the internet. Thats a long term goal, but since the code itself is free to grab, anyone can offer hosting services if they want to put the work in to building a game hosting service. (its not as hard as it sounds, but its still work)
Getting there ! Current state of the software is pleasantly good .. however there are some rough edges, and setting up a fresh install remains quite painful. Will address these issues as we go, but the current focus is on completing a thoroughly correct base first .. then adding the sugar coating later.
Thanks for all the interest so far, its been great to hear ! Very pleased to hear the principals of R2E eager to allow their rules to get a similar treatment.
Cheers