Thanks for the thoughtful analysis, and the many compliments. 😅 I haven’t had the observation about the duplication of the “orders” and “commands” mechanics and I like the criticism. It gives me something to think about. It’s true the solo rules are a little less cooked than the multiplayer game, and I will definitely make time to revisit and refine those in time. Ultimately, I’d like to bump them up to a first-class citizen of the game. When it comes to the use of the core move/shoot/objectives mechanics for a more straight-up battle game, it’s totally doable (and I should find a way to offer it). The truth is that I wanted to do something weird and “prog-rock” with the game, and so I deliberately removed any way of you copping out and playing a BSG-lite with the game. Having said that, I think the first edition made its point, and if I was to do a second edition I’d definitely give people the “pick a force, fight a battle” option, alongside the current modes. Thanks for spending time with the game, it’s been an enjoyable and valuable journey for me!
I think your criticisms for the beta solo rules are pretty valid, it needs a lot more time in the cooker and a lot more effort put it into it. You do absolutely have to play it multiplayer though. It plays like a dream with a friend. Also, your concern about the type of games generated would be alleviated if you did play the warzone expansion. Those are mostly straight up military objectives. I'm sure that someone with your solo play experience could come up with an AI system pilot the opposing Force.
It really sounds like the sort of game I'd enjoy. That said, I believe I heard something about Mike doing a WW2 surface naval game based on this system. Now that is really up my alley.
Plus John Treadway's Silent Death variant to model Hammer's Slammers hovertanks is just wonderful. Search "Silent Death Hammers Slammers" should find them.
Excellent analysis. I am even more set on returning to give it another try myself. Hope you get the chance to play in against someone else (preferably several someones) even if we aren't going to see it
The thing I was disappointed in was that the Independent contractors only block, and did not try and take the resources off the table. Engaging in collecting the Contracts would open up Combat to stop them, or a race to get more than they could. Also fighting one another, whoever is closest Player or other IC. It would add complexity, but at the same time a level of reality in a Corporate competition.
Have the book; have a bunch of different scale size ships. (Some are cheap plastic). Skimmed the rules and decided I'll come back to this. Orcs are simpler.... LOL.
Lots of v straightforward space battle games but also satisfying and manageablefor a solo. Warfleets FTL, or whatever its called right now, BOHICA v2, and Space Fleet (2014) and Sunder the Stars. (All free.) Even simpler, there's One Page Fleets and the PZ8 space ship battles rules.
There's something about Mike Hutchinson games. They are brilliant but not my flavour of brilliant. I have Gaslands and ABS, but the setting doesn't work for me somehow. I loved the initial simplicity of Hobgoblin but it is destined to move far away from the thing that inspired me to create units i really wanted to field. Perhaps its my quest for satisfyingly simple, perhaps i am a dullard!
Honestly, I think I’m still a few games away from hitting my stride. I innovate a lot, which makes it less clear what is going to work or not over the long haul. I take risks, and they don’t all pay off, or not at least for everyone. I don’t begrudge you your feelings at all, in many ways I’m happy my games are kinda divisive, as it lets me know that they are at least not middle of the road! 😅 Like a wise man once said: “Led Zeppelin didn't write tunes that everybody liked. They left that to the Bee Gees.” 😂
@@crikeymiles as a wise man / woman said, "the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." It's to your credit that you're a talking point. I think a difficult family set up left me craving super simple at times i was sure id never game again. Your intellectual property challenges my intellectual inadequacy! (who doesn't love Led Zeppelin songs, though. )
