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mj12games.com/forum → Starmada → Dan, you might want to comment?
TMP thread re: Origins/GenCon and Starmada:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=47454
It's a fair question...
Rich
TMP thread re: Origins/GenCon and Starmada:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=47454
It's a fair question...
What to say?
The travel budget is tight (non-existent?). 
but to add to the pain
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/58853/
Not a bad game, but certainly not nearly as good as starmada.
jim
but to add to the pain
Was Starmada nominated?
If not, then I say "woot woot" to AV:T.
If so, then clearly the vote was rigged... 
well, fine, woot. woot.
Actually, it is a nice-looking game and a neato idea. (just not as easy to play)
jim
>well, fine, woot. woot.
>Actually, it is a nice-looking game and a neato idea.
>(just not as easy to play)
> jim
It's fine if you are a stickler for realism...
It's fine if you only want to fly one or two ships...
It's fine if you want to spend 50$ for the base game - more for the rest...
BUT...
Starmada can play more ships...
You needn't spend an hour learning how to play Starmada...
You don't NEED to attend a Con or a Learning Session at some game store to learn how to play Starmada....
MJ12 and company have put out 4-6 games/supplements in the time that Ken and his group have done ONE. Iron Stars, Merchant Wars, Grand Fleets, Defiance:Vital Ground - for starters - and I'm not sure how far back Ken started out working on AV:T, but I think Starmada X is in there too. I'm still waiting for Starmada XX, but....
:-P
It's nice that he's gotten financial backing. It's just us, here....
Sure, it's nice to get awards from strangers, but friends that say 'This is pretty cool!' is worth quite a lot to me.
I've downloaded some of the AV:T stuff when it was just a 'project in the making' - I'm afraid I'm the type of guy that bogs down after about page 6 or so....Starmada is getting heavy for me (a lite version would be nice...) - the older I get (I'm 46) the less patience I have for wordy, long games. It's also easier to explain short stuff to my 15-year-old - or get him to read it.
...geez, I'm starting to sound like Greg Ellis, I better quit now.
:-)
My son and I are currently working on using 'Brik Wars' (it's a LEGOS wargame) and some home-grown graphics to game a light Dungeon stomp. I scammed the miniature photos off of 'Cool Mini or Not' and were printing them onto standup 'character cards'. It's also a sneaky way to get him to learn how to use Paintshop....
:-)
I've also printed out a 3 sheet by 3 sheet map of Middle Earth to use to make a copy of the 'Lord of the Rings' board game:
http://flyingmoose.org/tolksarc/boardgame/lotrgame.htm
..not to like..hijack the thread or anything....:-P
I thought AV:T sounded somewhat interesting prior to release, but I just couldn't justify spending $50 on a game I would either not like or never learn to play (that is the same reason I have all but given up on computer gaming; after a few $40-50 bombs you decide that pewter is a better investment). Personally, though, everything that I have heard since then in relation to the amount of time that it takes to play, and the fact that more than one or two ships per person is not generally encouraged kind of turned me off of the game.
Of course, I am also biased in the fact that I never liked math in school, and have attempted to avoid it where possible. I love playing with numbers and attempting to find models to match data, but otherwise I just don't want to have to know/perform calculus in order to understand or play a game. AV:T simplifies it from what I have heard, but Ken has also mentioned that calculus is really required to understand the reasoning behind all of the mechanics. From my second hand information, AV:T is more of an edutainment title than what I would consider a fun game, but until it goes on sale or I decide I really need it, I won't know for sure 
I am waiting and hope to see how Todd Boyce's With Hostile Intent turns out, as it sounds like it should be more appealing to the B5W crowd, so a bit closer to what Starmada players would be comfortable with, too.
-Tyrel
I would have to say that the math was invisible. They did a really great job of making truly playable 3d vector movement.
However, I asked how many ships you could possibly put on the field at once and the lady told me something to the effect of "the designer can hndle maybe 3 or so"
Plus it was hard enough to get my ship moving towards the candy let alone land directly on it.
Thay also did something pretty funky for missile fire which I thought wa farily original in that you fired into a vector and had a chance to hit based on th idea that you'd fire tons of missiles in hopes of a few hitting. Really abstracted the idea out and that's good, cause I'd hate to track 25 missiles in that system
jim[/i]
I would have to say that the math was invisible. They did a really great job of making truly playable 3d vector movement.
He got a great deal of praise for his work on making the math largely go away. The amount of work and the number of play-aids Ken went through to get the game done is an impressive design feat. All the Phd's (and the lesser math-geeks) over on sfconsim-l are impressed with how realistic it is.
It just ain't my cup-tea, and I've said as much.
However, I asked how many ships you could possibly put on the field at once and the lady told me something to the effect of "the designer can hndle maybe 3 or so"
Plus it was hard enough to get my ship moving towards the candy let alone land directly on it.
There have been some after-action reports posted over there, and that jives with what I've heard. I've not heard of anyone running more than 2 ships.
Thay also did something pretty funky for missile fire which I thought wa farily original in that you fired into a vector and had a chance to hit based on th idea that you'd fire tons of missiles in hopes of a few hitting. Really abstracted the idea out and that's good, cause I'd hate to track 25 missiles in that system
jim[/i]
I wonder what his "Saganami Island Tactical Simulator" is gonna be like - he got a license to do Weber's 'Honor Harrington' series as a game. He's promised MORE streamlining and the ability to do more ships and missiles. If he can do THAT well, I'll be impressed. Might even buy the game - but not until I see some reports on it.
Personally, I think it is a crying shame that Starmada has not received more acclaim in the industry. From my stand point, starship combat games are not in style right now with table top gaming possibly suffering as a whole due to some of the stuff coming out on PC and so forth. Even so, Starmada seems to be the only Starship combat game (with Iron Stars next in line) that is truely thriving and moving forward.
Jerry
mj12games.com/forum → Starmada → Dan, you might want to comment?
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