Seeking a nice wargame. Any suggestions?

[Lt.Fillipidis]

As the title says, im searching for a nice wargame. First person Shooter actually but without all the me-vs-the enemy army style.
I really enjoy playing Red Orchestra because its realistic but its a bit out-of-date on graphics.

PS They made subsims, tanksims, airsims, shipsims, simsims... Isnt it time for them to make an infantrysim? :O:

Thanks in advance! :salute:

[Oberon]

Hmmm

ARMA/ARMA2
Battlefield II mod: Forgotten Hope 2
World War 2 Online
Operation Flashpoint
Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising

But, really, ARMA/ARMA2 is the infantryman sim, I mean you can fly jets, drive tanks and all that, but at the end of the day it's really most tailored to being a groundpounder. Flashpoint is the original baby, again, quite tailored towards groundpounding with a nice Cold War setting and lots of mods to keep you occupied. Not really very knowledgable on Dragon Rising, so I won't say much for that other than check the reviews and ask people who have it, who no doubt will reply to this.
FH2 is not quite a realistic, particularly in the tank survival department, however it's a quite enjoyable afternoons blast.
I've not played WWIIOL, but have heard quite a few good things about it, the downside? It's a subscription only deal, like WOW but if you can afford that, then I've heard plenty of good things about it, although because of the distances involved you'll probably need to hop in a truck or tank at some point. Just watch out for Maraudering Ferrets hiding behind bushes with StuGs. :03:

[Spike88]

I'm also looking for a nice wargame. WIll keep my eye on this thread.

[Safe-Keeper]

There is Project Reality (http://realitymod.com) for Battlefield 2. It is an incredibly deep, teamwork-oriented and realistic mod that basically turns BF2 into a new game. Go to the site and download the game's manual to get an idea of its scope.

Its biggest problem is really not its learning curve, but the community - PR has its fair share of a lot of obnoxious, intolerant and grumpy players who may not be very friendly to newbies or even experienced players who make too many mistakes. Having to put up with them is a hurdle you'll just have to cope with if you want to play the game.

See also Modern Warfare 3 (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/ultra_realistic_modern_warfare):yeah:.

[Skybird]

Can't give advise on shooters, but a very good WWII command simulation is Conquest of the Aegean, and the upcoming Battle from the Bulge. Extremely challenging AI.

Info, screenshots and AARs available at Matrix Games' website.

[Blacklight]

As the title says, im searching for a nice wargame.

REAL wargames are played on a table with a board that has a map covered in hexagons with 100000000 little carboard counters all over it and stacks of combat charts and rules.

I reccomend Advanced Squad Leader ! :up:

If you wand the board wargame version of a first person shooter, check out Steve Jackson Games "Frag". It's like Quake multiplayer as a board game. MUCH fun ! :yeah:

[Lt.Fillipidis]

Thanks for all the info!

But Oberon, if i install the BF2 mods, i will still be able to play on vanilla servers?

Skybird, i've heard Hearts of Iron 3 is a nice strategy game.

[Lt.Fillipidis]

REAL wargames are played on a table with a board that has a map covered in hexagons with 100000000 little carboard counters all over it and stacks of combat charts and rules.

I reccomend Advanced Squad Leader ! :up:

If you wand the board wargame version of a first person shooter, check out Steve Jackson Games "Frag". It's like Quake multiplayer as a board game. MUCH fun ! :yeah:

As for board games, i have already payed a fortune in Lord of the Rings miniatures and now im gonna start with Warhammer 40k.
A friend of mine got the Warhammer virus into me recently and i just cant get it out! :haha:

[Snestorm]

I reccomend Advanced Squad Leader ! :up:

Avalon Hill, unfortunately, got bought out by one of the big companies, and all that stuff was discontinued.

I wonder if a PC could handle the complexity of ASL?
There is nothing comparable in computer games/sims, as far as I know.

[Blacklight]

Actually, There IS a game that uses the rule set from either ASL or from it's predecessor, Squad Leader. I believe it's called "Soldiers At War" or something like that.

ASL and modules for it are still being made by Multi Man Publishing.

I love ASL, but you REALLY have to make a lifestyle out of playing it. It's the "Harpoon4" of WWII tactical land warfare.

The rules are great, but MMP's components and maps aren't very good quality in my opinion. STILL, they make some good games !

[Snestorm]

Good info, Blacklight. Thanks.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Actually, There IS a game that uses the rule set from either ASL or from it's predecessor, Squad Leader. I believe it's called "Soldiers At War" or something like that.

ASL and modules for it are still being made by Multi Man Publishing.

I love ASL, but you REALLY have to make a lifestyle out of playing it. It's the "Harpoon4" of WWII tactical land warfare.

The rules are great, but MMP's components and maps aren't very good quality in my opinion. STILL, they make some good games !

I have the original rules binder from 1985. As thick as a phone book, w/small type. I never really played it, even though I got "Beyond Valor" and "Paratroopers," and picked up the whole SL series really cheaply so I have many of the boards.

[Dowly]

Thanks for all the info!

But Oberon, if i install the BF2 mods, i will still be able to play on vanilla servers?

Skybird, i've heard Hearts of Iron 3 is a nice strategy game.

Yes, you can still play the vanilla BF2, the mods dont overwrite the stock files.

HoI 3 was abit too much for me, I liked HoI 2, tho. The thing I didnt like about HoI 3 was that it was messy and you really had to keep your eyes open to see some of the stuff. I'd suggest you try HoI2 first and once you've learnt it, get HoI3.

Also, something to look at is the Close Combat series, extremely good strategic WWII games if you ask me. They are old, but you shouldnt have trouble finding them as they remade CC3 to CC5 which now go by the names of CC3: Cross of Iron, CC4: Wacht am Rhein and CC5: The longest day.

[DeerHunter UK]

Avoid Operation Flashpoint 2 like the plague. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) I know which has bought it have been disappointed with it and a few have even returned their copies to get their money back. If you're after a deep 1st person shooter, go with ArmA 2 or even the original ArmA.
As mentioned before you shouldn't overlook Project Reality mod for BF2 either, it adds a great deal of depth to the game. If that's not enough for you, most of the payware addon packs for BF2 have been released for free in EA's latest patch.

[Skybird]

Skybird, i've heard Hearts of Iron 3 is a nice strategy game.

Yes, there is Hearts of Iron, but I got not convinced, plus I hated the interface. Aegean and Bulge also are totally different titles, one cannot compare HOI and the two.

The monster wargame is back, btw, with War in the Pacific, Admirals Edition. It covers the whole theatre, down to single ships, planes, companies. Some think of it as a historical database.

And the Operational Art of War III, which is a good title but again presents itsS information in so idiotical fonts that I found it to be a pain to read the info in them. Totall unneeded und idiotic. But the game itself is very very good.

And finally a true classic, Steel Panthers. Modern tankers take SP Main Battle Tank, WWII nuts pick SP WWII. Both games are for free, legally. Money you only must pay when you want access to resolutions beyond 1024x786, or when you want the database editor.

But the best wargame still is - chess. :O:

[Skybird]

A modern title under developement can be tried for free here (Beta):

http://www.armoredbrigade.com/news.html

It reminds of the map view in SBP.

[-SWCowboy.]

Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2!!!

Too many cheaters, too many 13 year olds who think they know everything and a lot of whiny 30-year old armchair commandos.

I've got myself into Operation Flashpoint: Red Storm Rising; pretty realistic and entertaining too.

[SteamWake]

The title R.U.S.E. looks promising. Although I have zero facts on game play.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ubisoft?blend=1&ob=4#p/c/9986BD5011D02F56/0/x_8cZMmdPfk

Dont even know if its multiplayer or not. First I heard of it was in a thread about a SH5 video and it just happened to be in there.

[NeonSamurai]

Moved to the general games section

[Raptor1]

I'd have to recommend Conquest of the Aegean (And it's predecessor, Highway to the Reich. Probably the coming sequel too) as well.

HoI2 and HoI3 are great games (Well, 3 is a good game that will become great in a patch or 2), but they are not the same type of games and so can't be compared.

Don't bother looking forward to R.U.S.E., I played the beta and they managed to take a decent concept and ruin it beyond belief.

[Lt.Fillipidis]

Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2!!!

Too many cheaters, too many 13 year olds who think they know everything and a lot of whiny 30-year old armchair commandos.

I've got myself into Operation Flashpoint: Red Storm Rising; pretty realistic and entertaining too.

I already got through these stuff in Modern Warfare.
At first it was nice, more teamwork, tactics and stuff.
Now, its all rush, kamikazis and random grenades. I hated it and given that i was my clan's 2nd sniper, i quitted. I already play UT2004 when i need something fast, thanks. :damn::stare:

PS And something else: Any good sniping shooter? I finished sniper elite already and i really enjoyed it. Red Orchestra is one of my favs for sniping due to its realistic features and huge ranges.

Oh, and Thanks for all the replies so far. :salute:

[Spike88]

Although I haven't played it, it looks like ARMA and ARMA 2 might be a good game to snipe in just because the map is so huge.

[Fincuan]

It is(talking of Arma2), with a few mods:


ACE - Among other things sight-adjustment for sniper rifles, wind affects bullets(and makes long-range sniping extremely challenging), scope-reticles that are in scale
ACEX - More rifles like Tac-50, M109 AMPR, M110 etc...
Aiaktalik - An open desertish map which allows sniping distances up to several kilometers.
fnc_scopes - A bit of self-advertisement here :) A pack of reticle-textures made by me, and imho slightly superior to those of ACE. V 1.3 is soon out which brings updated textures to all optics in the game, and as usual everything is in scale so mildot-rangefinding works like a dream.

[Spike88]

What do you mean by sight adjustments?
Can you actually adjust the sight for range and all that, or do you just mean the sights are adjusted better in ACE than in Vanilla? :hmmm:

[Fincuan]

I mean being able to adjust the sights for elevation and windage. That isn't possible in the stock game.

[WargamerScott]

But the best wargame still is - chess. :O:

Ahh...a man after my own heart. :salute:

Too many people dismiss Chess as little more than a speed bump to bigger games. They don't know what they are missing. I started out as a grog and gave most of it up for Chess. I found all the deep strategy and tactics that had attracted me to other wargames but without the 90-page rule book. :DL Even better, I never had to go hunting for an opponent.

I recommend Chess.com. It is becoming the premier Chess hang-out on the net. Free accounts are available, too.

[Bill Nichols]

REAL wargames are played on a table with a board that has a map covered in hexagons with 100000000 little carboard counters all over it and stacks of combat charts and rules.


Not so! REAL wargames are played on a large table covered with green felt, cardboard buildings, lichen for trees, lots of miniature soldiers/tanks/ships/etc. and stacks of combat charts and rules.

:03:

[Torplexed]

Not so! REAL wargames are played on a large table covered with green felt, cardboard buildings, lichen for trees, lots of miniature soldiers/tanks/ships/etc. and stacks of combat charts and rules.

:03:

Excuse me a moment. I gotta consult the shock attack table. ;)

http://wargametulsa.100megsfree5.com/what%20is%20wargaming/NAP9%20%20July%2002.jpg

[Spike88]

I mean being able to adjust the sights for elevation and windage. That isn't possible in the stock game.
Where can I find this mod? I'm interested.

[Fincuan]

The whole package:
http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ACE2

ACE Features (http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Features_of_ACE2)(The gameplay changes)
ACEX Features (http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Features_of_ACEX)(The new units and weapons. Needs ACE2 to work.)
The mod's release thread at BIS forums (http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=92466)

[Spike88]

Can you play in Non-ACE servers with ACE?

[Fincuan]

Negative, it changes too much stuff. There are lots of servers running ACE though.

[Spike88]

Negative, it changes too much stuff. There are lots of servers running ACE though.
Does the Campaign and maps made for Vanilla work with ACE? :hmmm:

[Fincuan]

They should work, although I haven't tried. The only thing I can think of that could brake it is the AI changes, ie. AI not behaving according to how the mission makers meant it. Other than that it should work.

[Spike88]

They should work, although I haven't tried. The only thing I can think of that could brake it is the AI changes, ie. AI not behaving according to how the mission makers meant it. Other than that it should work.

Okay. I have my new computer. Currently installing all necessary files and then I'll install ARMA II. :D Followed by ACE

[Skybird]

Ahh...a man after my own heart. :salute:

Too many people dismiss Chess as little more than a speed bump to bigger games. They don't know what they are missing. I started out as a grog and gave most of it up for Chess. I found all the deep strategy and tactics that had attracted me to other wargames but without the 90-page rule book. :DL

:yep:

We have had several chess threads with correspondence matches posted in GT forum at two different opportunities in the past years. Why haven't you never showed up?

[Skybird]

Not so! REAL wargames are played on a large table covered with green felt, cardboard buildings, lichen for trees, lots of miniature soldiers/tanks/ships/etc. and stacks of combat charts and rules.

:03:
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-42723.html#backToArticle=625745

:DL



http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=153000&highlight=Prussian

[Skybird]

REAL wargames are played on a table with a board that has a map covered in hexagons with 100000000 little carboard counters all over it and stacks of combat charts and rules.

I still had these residing on my HD, by chance:

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6299/img0820y.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/img0820y.jpg/)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/9614/img0822k.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/img0822k.jpg/)

That is from the Third world War series by GDW - Game Designers Workshop, Australia. Scale was division-level. I loved it, for solitaire play was fine with it, and the complexity and workload for solitaire players not overloading them.


And for the Navy buffs, more pics here:
http://www.subsim.com/ssr/tokyo_express/review_tokyo_express.php
(click on the pics for zooming)

[WargamerScott]

:yep:

We have had several chess threads with correspondence matches posted in GT forum at two different opportunities in the past years. Why haven't you never showed up?

I'm too much of a drifter. I always show up when it's too late. :wah:

I recently had a good game (http://forums.gamesquad.com/blog.php?b=756). Well...Fritz seemed to like it. :DL

[Skybird]

I'm too much of a drifter. I always show up when it's too late. :wah:

I recently had a good game (http://forums.gamesquad.com/blog.php?b=756). Well...Fritz seemed to like it. :DL
I prefer the Fritz GUI, too, the 3D boards are the best arounds. Just to be sure: did you also use the Fritz engine (which version)? I have had many different engines in use under the Fritz GUI, currently I prefer Hiarcs, and Fritz. Rybka seems to be the strongest engine around, currently.

I'll give that match protocol some time later this night.

[WargamerScott]

I used Fritz 11. I don't really use the 3D boards because they are still liable to perspective errors when playing/analyzing.

[Skybird]

I used Fritz 11. I don't really use the 3D boards because they are still liable to perspective errors when playing/analyzing.

Since I got a WS with 54 cm early last year, I can arrange the 3D board that it looks almost exactly the way like the chessboard I used with 4 cm per field when I put it on my table and sit normally at that table. even the size is the same. I have no problems whatever to take the virtual board for a real one. I use the "Staunton Wood" Set, and the "German Federal Design" that comes with Hiarcs.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/521/img0698y.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img0698y.jpg/)http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/img0698y.jpg/1/w600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img683/img0698y.jpg/1/)

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/4289/img0699.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img0699.jpg/)http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/img0699.jpg/1/w600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img683/img0699.jpg/1/)

[WargamerScott]

I've got to admit, that is pretty awesome! :yeah:

[Blacklight]

Quote by Skybird
Originally Posted by Blacklight http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/smartdark/viewpost.gif (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=1228865#post1228865)
REAL wargames are played on a table with a board that has a map covered in hexagons with 100000000 little carboard counters all over it and stacks of combat charts and rules.

I still had these residing on my HD, by chance:Thing of beauty, that is ! That's also a nice looking Mephisto board there.

Not so! REAL wargames are played on a large table covered with green felt, cardboard buildings, lichen for trees, lots of miniature soldiers/tanks/ships/etc. and stacks of combat charts and rules.Okay. I revise my former statement. REAL wargames are played on a board with a map covered in hexagons with 1000000000 cardboard counters all over them OR on a large table covered with green felt, cardboard buildings, lichen for trees, lots of miniature soldiers/tanks/ships/etc. and stacks of combat charts and rules.

I havn't wargamed with miniatures in a LONG time. I kind of got out of it because the mini's are expensive, and my wife won't let me have anywhere large enough to store the model scenery and stuff. Naval minis are the best I can do now because naval wargaming usually doesn't involve a lot of table scenery. Toss a couple of islands down and you're good to go usually. I cheap out and use counters for the ships.

[Skybird]

I've got to admit, that is pretty awesome! :yeah:

On the screen, in real life the squares at the top of the screen appear to have 3,3 cm per side, at the top, due to the "closer" perspective, they have 5,4 cm. That is in fact bigger than the Mephisto board, which has 4 cm per square.

Tournament size is considered to be 5 - 5,5 cm.

[Skybird]

That's also a nice looking Mephisto board there.


I have collected all the objects of my passion from my youth, those magical machines that back then were out of reach for
the boy that I was. I have another 7 machines hidden in the cellar, some of the broken, unfortunately, but amongst them
some real collector's item like a Chafitz Sargon 2.5 ARB, a fidelity Avantgarde and a Novag Constellation Forte. But I do
not have the space to set them up in my appartment, all of them.

When I found and bought them one by one over the past 15 years, mostly at ebay, every time it was like christmas night
for the 15 and 16 year old that I was in the 80s. :DL

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9986/img0795h.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/img0795h.jpg/)http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/img0795h.jpg/1/w800.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img694/img0795h.jpg/1/)

[Dowly]

On the screen, in real life the squares at the top of the screen appear to have 3,3 cm per side, at the top, due to the "closer" perspective, they have 5,4 cm. That is in fact bigger than the Mephisto board, which has 4 cm per square.

Tournament size is considered to be 5 - 5,5 cm.

Say wha? Who the heck cares how big the squares are? :doh: You chess-people are wierd. :yep:

[Skybird]

Say wha? Who the heck cares how big the squares are? :doh: You chess-people are wierd. :yep:

There is a very pragmatic reason, Dowly. Too small boards make it more difficult to play and to properly see all the things and to analyse. For that reason the FIDE has ordered that for tournaments only boards should be used with 5 cm per squares (upwards) and king heights being around 9 cm. The diameter of the king's base also is regulated. Believe me, it makes sense, it is about visual ergonomics. In chess clubs you will not find smaller boards, too. I personally consider 4x4 cm also to be acceptable, though, and kings of 7-8 cm height. firgure sets also are regulated, for tournaments only Staunton form and in the German league the socalled Bundesform (federal form) are allowed.

Nothing is worse than to have pieces that are too huge for the fields they stand on, like it is the case with many smaller chess computers for example. the fields may have 2 cm, but the figures are so huge that their basement fills the sqzare from one edge to the opposite edge. Terrible.

[Arclight]

As with any battle, you need some room to maneuver. :)

[Blacklight]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacklight http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/smartdark/viewpost.gif (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=1231984#post1231984)
That's also a nice looking Mephisto board there.

I have collected all the objects of my passion from my youth, those magical machines that back then were out of reach for
the boy that I was. I have another 7 machines hidden in the cellar, some of the broken, unfortunately, but amongst them
some real collector's item like a Chafitz Sargon 2.5 ARB, a fidelity Avantgarde and a Novag Constellation Forte. But I do
not have the space to set them up in my appartment, all of them.

When I found and bought them one by one over the past 15 years, mostly at ebay, every time it was like christmas night
for the 15 and 16 year old that I was in the 80s. :DL

I just happen to own that very one that's in the lower right hand corner. I found it at a library book sale for $2 ! Complete with all the original wooden pieces.

I believe that that one there was the first ever sensory Chess board. I CAN say that it plays a pretty damn aggressive game. It was so aggressive that it surprised the hell out of me.

[Skybird]

I just happen to own that very one that's in the lower right hand corner. I found it at a library book sale for $2 ! Complete with all the original wooden pieces.


A Chess Challenger Sensory 8, by Fidelity,released in the autumn of 1980, i think. The original pieces were not made of wood, but plastic. Actually the model was a weaker program at the time of it's release. The Chess Challenger Voice of 1979 (bottom, middle, to the left of the CCS8) for example was tougher, some said even the chess challenger 7 played stronger. I have it for sentimental reasons only, for actual playing it is too weak for me, and already was back then.

The design of the CCS8 was used for the CCS9 again (bottom, left) which had a much better program that before was only avaislable in machines costing at least twice as much money. A noble version were the sensory boards with wooden frame, of which there were three types: the Chess Challenger Sensory Voice (the same program like the CCS Voice), the much stronger CCS Champion (upper row, middle), and the Champion Elite, which was a dream machine at it'S time, and quite expensive. Collectors today play very high prices for it, since it is rare and was build in limited quantities only.

Unfortunately, all Chess Challengers tended to have overheating problems, and so the teeth of time are eating away from their lifespan. when I look at the market, I see them being offered today on significantly fewer occasions only than it still was the case 10 years ago - the number of survivors is shrinking. The Mephistos of the Hegner+Glaser era (before Saitek bought - and messed - them up), had very good production quality, on the other hand, and tend to last very long. I have three totally different Mephistos, and all three still work flawlessly as if being new. Only the wooden Excelsior board has changed colour, of course.

Ah, the good old times of board computers. Back then these things still had magic, even more for a small boy and teenager like I was then. Today, it all is just software routine, and no more getting surprised by the old magic. We won some things, but we definitely also lost other things.

[Skybird]

For those who have missed the fun but are interested in the old matches, they can easily be identified by making a
- search,
- advanced mode,
- with "CHESS" as criterion,
- searching only in thread titles ,
- and general section,
........- GT forum.

[WargamerScott]

Say wha? Who the heck cares how big the squares are? :doh: You chess-people are wierd. :yep:

You have no idea....

"Chess doesn't drive people mad, it keeps mad people sane." ---Former British champion Bill Hartston My first real exposure to chess was the original Chessmaster back on the old 16-bit machines. What hooked me was the ability to watch the machine calculate hundreds of thousands of positions per sec. That sort of gave the game a cool factor I never considered before.

I didn't start to really play chess, though, until I was in grad school and didn't have time for the more complex wargames I had been playing. I started playing chess out of desperation...but eventually adopted it as my game of choice. I may not be a wargamer my whole life (well, nowadays, I am more of a strategy gamer...guess I should change my handle!), but I will always be a chess player. The game, the community, the learning, the history, the attitude...it is everything I ever wanted in a hobby.

[Skybird]

Scott,

I have another hot game tip for you, and urge you to try it out: Abalone.

Simple rules. Elegant design. Enormous depth.

On the game, find out here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone_(board_game) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abalone_(board_game)

A free (GNU) engine is available here, but be warned, for beginners it can be frustrating: even after half a year it still takes my scalp every time.

http://www.ist.tugraz.at/staff/aichholzer/research/rp/abalone/

I do not play it as regularly as I plan to do, but whenever I play it, I am fascinated again. It is a beauty of a strategy game.

If you go for it, let me know, so that I give you some starting tips.

Since we are at it, Backgammon also is a nice thing, although Abalone has pushed it from 2nd to 3rd place in my personal favourites list. But the luck-factor gets reduced sufficiently only when you play many matches.

Free, strong, visually beautiful engine here:

http://www.gnubg.org/

Abalone is different to Backgammon a 100% strategy and thinking game.

[WargamerScott]

I never heard of Abalone, but I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip!

I used to play Backgammon, but it just never clicked for me. I just found the gameplay to be a bit...awkward for me.

Well, I'm off to check out Abalone. :salute:

[Skybird]

Take note of what they said at wikipedia about the blockade problem if the default setup is being used. If you stick long enough with abalone to realise it, chnage your starting pisitions to an yof the daisy-positions. They are much more dynamic, eliminating the problem - and are much tougher and far more aggressive to play. It needs advanced playing skiills to handle them. In the beginning, stay with the default setup, or any setup giving you a regular two-front layout. If you can hold up the AI and enforce a stalemate - will take you time to get there, the software is a killer - , then use the alternative setups.

A theory website for Abalone.

http://148009.aceboard.net/

Golden rules:

Go and stay in the centre.

Keep your pieces in one mass, don't split them. Where you got scattered, unite your pieces again fast.

Don't push him off the board if it weaknes your position. It is not rare that possibilities for off-board-pushes are ignored for not risking a too great strategic weakening by doing so.

Try to split his forces and keep them scattered.

It'S like Sumo wrestling - a good stand is all.

[CaptHawkeye]

Play ArmA 2 if you're in the mood to watch your AI squad mates perform unbearably stupid dances such as "I suddenly stop following player orders" or the ever popular "Honey, I drove into a rock and don't know what reverse is!" At least it's got a wide scope.

Yeah, Operation Flashpoint 2 is nice, until you realize that you can basically just snipe every enemy you encounter in the game because the AI seems to stop caring about everything beyond 100m and just lets the player rape whole bases through leet hedshotz. Oh yeah, I think it balances open world action with objective based gameplay nicely.

World War 2 Online is awesome....for tanker camping and hours of meaningless infantry zerging. Plays more like what i'd expect World War ONE online to be like. At least it's extremely detailed.

Battlefield 2: Project Reality is a very competant shooter, until you realize that the game engine can't actually HANDLE 90% of the extra assets the dev team stuffed into the game. So it's prone to debilitating, and long, fits of lag. Did I mention it's got multi crew tanks? Who in the name of christ still thinks thats a good idea for a game? At least it actually encourages team based gameplay.

Forgotten Hope 2: Would be one of the best mods ever were it not for the fact that only you and two other guys are playing it at any given time. I'm series about this. I REALLY like this mod, but it's totally pointless because the scant few servers their are for it are ALWAYS EMPTY.