New Axis and Allies Game: Guadacanal Due out sept 2007

[Imperious leader]

Axis and Allies: Guadacanal

A sweeping conflict in the South Pacific where naval might leads to air superiority. Axis and Allies: Guadacanal challenges you to control sea zones and island groups while managing trooop and supply transport and directing land, sea, and air forces in one of the decisive campaigns of the Second World War's Pacific Theater.

* Created by Larry Harris, designer of the Axis and Allies board game.
* Incorporates crucial elements that were key factors in the historical campaign, such as air strip construction, troop and supply transport, and furious land, sea, and air battles.
* Introduces the Cruiser unit as well as mechanics for land, sea and air combat in the South Pacific using a randomized casualties system.
* Provides fans with the historical counterpoint to the World War II experience offered by Axis and Allies: Battle of the Bulge.
* Available September 2007

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/aam/ah20070328c

[xxstefanx]

Now it's out! Guadalcanal! Look forward to it, as it might offer very interesting gameplay!

Just a little suprised that we have not seen Stalingrad (Europe theatre) or Midway (Pacific theatre) yet, as they are the most famous battles and AH wants to sell games, or?

[warspite]

Well, aside from any bias LH has for the Western Allies/US (DDay, Bulge, Guadalcanal), there are game balance issues for any scenario. The three games so far (including Bulge) were very much in doubt, due to both balance of forces and fog of war. But, they are also straight-forward attacker/defender scenarios, with a reinforcement schedule. Midway is a VERY different battle, with a huge force disparity in favor of the Japanese, but which was completely defeated by better intelligence, and a lot of blind luck, by the Americans. Aside from a Battleship-style guessing game of "where are the enemy carriers?" I'm not sure how to creatively implement a Midway game without cumbersome hide-and-seek search rules. Once the Japanese carriers were found, the battle was no longer in doubt; it was only a matter of keeping the American carriers alive to keep threatening the invasion force. I suppose the search mechanic could be the main infrastructure, along with strike force management. Once an attack begins, there really isn't much doubt of the outcome.

Stalingrad, however, could be an easier battle to recreate. The drive for the Caucasus would be a strategic consideration, while the actual street-by-street battle is fought. But, other than a deliberate reduction of the defenders a little at a time, I'm not sure how much actual strategy would be involved. The Soviets are clinging to the bank of the Volga while pouring in reinforcements, until the eventual encirclement of 6th army. The city fighting itself is where the most interest lies, but the battle wasn't won there (though it was for both sides to lose there).

Now, if there is a two scale battle, with corps-level maneuvering by both sides to drive on the city, and then detachments sent into the city to fight a tactical battle for each district, THAT could be a good model for it. Strike a balance between sending in reinforcements to hold/take the city, while keeping enough to hold open the supply lines (German) or breakthrough and encircle it (Soviets). Playability becomes an issue, then, since DDay and Bulge are both in the 2-3 hour range, which is a good time frame.

[Photoner Hawkwind]

Since AH has oop versions of these games, I think they could very easily adapt them to the A&A system and create better intro wargames for beginning players. It almost looks like they are repeating their titles from the 60's with the A&A releases and I'm looking forward to more.

[warspite]

One can only hope. I know Larry knows of these games. What remains to be seen is how much they'll influence what he makes. I think his stamp of authorship for the A&A series is something they won't easily abandon, regardless of how simple or popular any of the older titles are in their own right.

Sometimes it's better to start from scratch, even if there is substantial similarity, because trying to adapt something in existence can lead to unwarranted assumptions about playability and such, that will keep a good variation from being developed. I haven't played many of the oldest titles myself, so I'm fairly open to new designs, and will be unbiased in my evaluation of them.

[Photoner Hawkwind]

Well, I think my hopes are that they will recognize that the subject matter of the old games sold and that they can expand A&A to include that subject matter with success.

And I should clarify that I had meant they should adapt the subject matter not necessarily the game play. Sorry about my lack of clarity.

[boersma8]

Originally Posted by warspite

,
Now, if there is a two scale battle, with corps-level maneuvering by both sides to drive on the city, and then detachments sent into the city to fight a tactical battle for each district, THAT could be a good model for it. Strike a balance between sending in reinforcements to hold/take the city, while keeping enough to hold open the supply lines (German) or breakthrough and encircle it (Soviets). Playability becomes an issue, then, since DDay and Bulge are both in the 2-3 hour range, which is a good time frame.

Now, I think this is A VERY GOOD IDEA for a Stalingrad battle!!!!!

[warspite]

Originally Posted by boersma8

Now, I think this is A VERY GOOD IDEA for a Stalingrad battle!!!!!

As much as I would love to take credit for it, I was actually thinking about Star Wars: the Queen's Gambit. The Droid army/Gungan battle outside, with the Queen and her guards versus the droids inside the palace. The field battle can send droid reinforcements to the palace, so the Gungans' job is to destroy the armies in the field. Nice two-level mechanic, and very different strategies at each level. I thought something similar to that would be a good basis for a Stalingrad battle, as both parts were essential, but can't be modeled well on the same scale.

[elbowsanchez]

isnt it guadalcanal..???

checked out listing for guadacanal and returned this...

"No results found for Guadacanal."

HUD is DUH spelt backwards...too funny, but sad at the same time...

get with the big boy program people!!!

ES

[Larry Harris]

Warspite, I enjoyed reading your above comments. Are you registered at my forum? If not come on over and lets exchange some ideas.

http://www.harrisgamedesign.com/bb/index.php