Spock
7657
I usually do clip counters! I own two different Oregon Laminated counter-clippers. But for some reason, World in Flames ships with counters attached to sprues at the center, not at the corners. So my usual reason for clipping – to clean up icky corners – is not applicable to this game. I think the counters look pretty good!
vyshka
7658
Is that a mounted map? My memory from the 80s was unmounted paper map.
Anyone try the digital version yet?
Just bought it! $9 feels pretty good value at first glance, we shall see how it plays.
Also fairplay to the publisher, same pricing between Windows and Mobile. The “PC tax” really bugs me in other wargames.
Spock
7661
Yep, it is a mounted map. It sits quite flat, and I’m very happy with it. These days I almost prefer a paper map, as I routinely cover them with Plexiglass. But the mounted maps in this game are holding up well. I’ve had them sitting on the table for a couple years now, and they still look good. Not much bending or warping, although each of the four mounted maps do sit slightly differently on my table.
And the game itself is great! A really elegant design. I grew up playing “Third Reich”, and it took some convincing to get me to try WiF. Now there’s no going back! I especially like the way WiF handles naval movement and combat.
Please send an update. Specific question: would this work for someone who doesn’t know the board game?
I just bought it this morning. It’s a pretty slick implementation. I have played the game before, but there is a tutorial which does a fine job of explaining how to play. The rules are also included, of course. There is no need to have played the boardgame. Off to lose my first game.
One other nice touch for those of us on Apple Silicon Macs, the iPad version is also set to work on the Mac!
SamS
7665
I only just found out the Single Malt Strategy podcast guys also have another podcast where they interview grog devs https://developerdialogue.com/
Listened to the show on Combat Mission - apparently Fortress Italy was only made because a fan funded it!
SamS
7667
Number 3 with Steve Grammont.
Had to shake my head though where he says going on Steam now is difficult because of the issue of discoverability - when they purposely passed on Steam 10 years ago simply because Steam would force them to put their game on sale!
I have some compassion for them. They have always wanted to steer their own course on a ton of issues to platforms, distribution, game features.
But their business can only have benefited from the relationship with Slitherine who seem to have genuinely been helpful in growing sales for Battlefronts games without causing too much anxiety for the developers.
Battlefront will continue to grouse and have opinions I am sure, but they can now do so with a lot more money /security in the bank, these are smart business people they will respect a good thing has happened here.
I am happy for all concerned. For me the star of the business show is Slitherine, thats a delicate and adept bit of publishing. They have earnt their money here for sure.
vyshka
7669
Did that person also fund the expansions?
SamS
7670
Slitherine flicked the switch recently on marketing. They are all sales, all advertisements now. It is really something.
He just says that funding allowed them to keep more staff on so they could work on Fortress Italy and Red Thunder at the same time.
Lots of people tried to convince Steve to go to steam over the years.
And Steve is consistent about at least one thing, Steve is fully convinced he’s right about everything. So of course his opposition to Steam was the only legitimate opinion. Which is a theme at their forums.
Until of course you know he decides to put stuff on steam, then viola he’s right now too.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ all too true.
Spock
7673
Gary Grigsby’s “War in the East 2” is now available for pre-order. (Forgive me if this info has already been posted here.) The physical version comes with a 500-page printed hardcover manual that weighs 4-5 pounds! I probably can make do with PDF, as we US buyers have to pay to have the manual shipped from the UK. More info here:
https://www.matrixgames.com/game/gary-grigsbys-war-in-the-east-2#:~:text=War%20in%20the%20East%202%20comes%20with%20a,from%20Operation%20Barbarossa%20to%20the%20fall%20of%20Berlin.
I ordered it with the manual. The samples of the manual just looked too good. I don’t love these Grigsby overload designs, but I played the first one a lot, and I imagine I’ll get my money’s worth from this one.
vyshka
7675
I was a bit surprised when the slitherine guy mentioned in their stream that the 2by3 folks wanted more time to work on the game, but Slitherine/Matrix were pushing for the March 25th release. They seem to usually give them all the time they want. Apparently once it is released, and the initial post release work is done Gary will be focused on Steel Tigers.
Also, did you know that in his spare time Gary is an artist:
