Campaign Rules

[H]

now then, on another thread I mentioned that i find the campaign rules in ACTA a bit lacking in depth. It's a very base mechanic to move from one fight to another through the random roles of fate. Of course many people will like this, and no doubt they are happy to have such a simplistic rule set. No, I am not calling those people simple, just that they know what they like, and what they like, is a series of fights very loosely connected by a campaign.

However, I am partaking in a campaign now, that is based on exploration and politics... as well as fights, as my poor Marathon knows only too well. I did not write these campaign rules, and I wouldn't consider taking credit for them, but they involve building of starbases, ship yared, intel centres, random encounters with non players 9I met a technomage... bye bye hyperion) and battles are resolved based upon your own fleet size, and fit the event, so for example, raiders struck my convoy, so lo, we did a convoy run. I'm pondering, with the authors permission, editing it to a shiny document, making a few minor or optional changes, and sticking it up for download. but is it worth my time. The good thing with this is that it is not dependent upon which version you play, and infact, with minor tweaks would probably be useful for other ship based games as well.

what do you think?

 

[Burger]

It sounds totally fantastic!

The current standard campaign rules are sufficient for running a basic campaign, I think. But they are altogether too random. I'd prefer a much more strategic element, kind of like a cross between ACTA and Twilight Imperium.

Strategic points should be harder to take, it shouldn't just be oh yeah I won a Patrol level recon run... it should be (for example) cut the supply lines, blockade the planet then wipe out the defence fleet. I'd definitely prefer something that involved thinking and planning, rather than rolling 2d6 to determine scenario.

 

[TenaciousB]

Twiglet for teh win!!!!!111111oneoneone

 

[greenboy]

Sounds Great yes please

 

[H]

stay on target...... (but Twilight imperium is cool, although i'm not keen on the expansion)

 

[cordas]

Sounds great, you could even see if you could get it published in S&P....

 

[CZuschlag]

It's almost like there's room for an additional product, a Babylon-5 operational level simulator.

Just warning you, though ....

I'll be a big win if you can do it. Star Fleet Battles has tried for decades, and failed. They have a grand strategic game, Federation & Empire, and a tactical resolution game, Star Fleet Battles, but they don't have an operational game. During the release of their previous version, Captain's Edition, they hinted at a Module "V", Operational Campaigns.

We're still waiting for it. Captain's Edition was released in 1991. There always was a big demand for it, but they never got anything that they wanted. Instead of defense in depth and the importance of positional defense, they never got anywhere. Now, the issues of Hyperspace and Beacons and Flows may make ACtA much more amenable to an operational game than the free-flowing options of warp drive, but it's a big challenge, and, if successful, would, to my knowledge, be a landmark result. Starfire doesn't do it; neither does Star Fleet Battles, nor, well .... you might be able to convice yourself that your best model might be the Naval components of Pacific Island campaigns of World War II. Just a thought.

 

[H]

way to widdle on my bonfire :-(

 

[CZuschlag]

What I'm saying is, if you succeed --- don't just publish --- Sell! Seriously!

If you think you've made a full operational game, that is.

If you're looking to extend on the campaign structure, that's easier, and has been strongly precedented in other systems.

 

[prelude_to_war]

Agreed, a more developed campaign system would be nice. If done properly I'm sure it would sell. Hint, hint.

hiffano, I look forward to reading about your campaign.

 

[H]

I think mongoose copyright prevents any sale, But I'll speak to the co-ordinator of our campaign about putting some commentary on here, we are on turn 7, but apart from a few convoy raids, war hasn't really started yet.. only cos no-one has located anyone!

 

[CZuschlag]

No, what I'm thinking is you might want to submit it to Mongoose as a project for possible publication, instead of giving it away freely on Signs & Portents or some such. It could be like the magnificent additions from Rbax (I haven't seen him in forever --- where is he?) -- these things deserve publication and revenue.

And if MGP wants to thank you if it's a superior product --- so much the better!

 

[H]

Matt has already asked me to keep him posted on the second supplement so he can see if their is anything of value. Of course the second supplement is awaiting second ed to try to balance it and offer some more gaming goodies