WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

I'm working on a project that would allow several players to participate in a custom designed user campaign. At this point I am concentrating on using WinSPWW2 but it would work equally well using WinSPMBT.

Basically I would create an operational map, assign the mission/objectives and players would move their units on the map. As units are moved I would determine if contact was made in each hex they moved through based on an 'Enemy Threat Level' and detailed chart/tables. In the event contact is made I would then create custom scenarios (again using charts/tables) for each unit in contact and the players would have to complete them (they would play against the AI). based on results they would secure the hex, be forced to withdraw to their previous hex location, etc.

If you have any ideas or questions please post them so I can decide how much time I should devote to this project. I could post a ton more but this is still pretty much in development with a small group of playtesters.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

I posted this in the WinPSWW2 area as well since that is the version I am using in the playtest of the system so I am adding some AAR type stuff and more information to that thread. I will also add some screenshots so if you are wondering how this thing is going you can check there.

Operation Compass

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

If I was to do something like this using WinSPMBT what nations would people like to be in charge of for there forces and what theater/time frame should it take place?

Thoughts.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

It would be interesting to have a China vs Taiwan or maybe a France vs US... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

China vs. India http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

From what I understand of the WW2 campaign, any modern version would call for large spaces, so preferably large countries, right?
I mean, if you're rolling a probability of encounter based on an 'Enemy Threat Level', better have the place of looking for the enemy rather than having it sitting in the middle of the FOV like an elephant in a phone booth?
E.G. in case of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, chances are that the enemy threat level will be busting the 100% all over the map... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

So China vs India sounds fine, or China vs Russia or India vs Pakistan...
Or something more Middle-Easty, just for the originality of it, y'know http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Like Egypt vs Libya, Egypt vs Sudan? Iran vs Saudi Arabia? Iran vs USA in Saudi Arabia? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

By the way, did you plan making this a 'combined arms' campaign, with different players controlling different types of units (e.g. one with a tank squadron, one with infantry, one with airborne forces...)? Just a thought.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Not necessarily larger countries need to be involved but larger maps will be depending on the number of players involved. The tactical maps would definitely need to be larger, probably go with 100x100 or 5kmx5km. The hexes on the operational level do not have to reflect the same scale as the WinSP hexes, they could be abstracted to make it more playable.
I have thought about this and it should be no problem, as long as units are kept to about company size. If I keep it vs AI only I could have 2 players engaged in one hex playing team vs AI in a single scenario file. They would just need to save the game after doing their part with their units and then pass the files to the other player. It would slow things down but make for better inter-team coordination and probably fun.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Hmm, sounds like work... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
But you're right, that's about the only way to make things interesting while giving single-type non-task-organized units to each player.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Another option would be to allow the senior commander of the team to "task organize" the player's units to make them more dimensional. He could also have some support units that he could allocate out. Thats always an option too.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Another interesting application of this concept may be say multinational operation, say Brits, US and Afghan troops against Taleban http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

I have also thought about something along the lines of a multi-national force going in to retake control of a network of oil facilities like the ones in Nigeria.

Maybe each player could take control of a force (company sized) from their home nation either Marine, Airborne or SF. Some using amphib vehicles and others using helo's as transport.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/afric...a_gas_1979.jpg

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Also the custom status of the campaign might allow including some "specialties" like, for example, placing civvies and news reporters to the enemy side and then decide outcome not only on VP's captured/points score but also on "collaterral damage" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif That would add another dimension to using heavy fire support as arty or air force. Or the player may be just told "you cannot use arty in specified locations:..."

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

I wonder what the square footage is on the deck of a large offshore oil platform? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Simulating offshore platform would go better in some smaller-scale multi-level game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif Jagged Alliance 2 comes to mind, in 1.13 version with map editor - the station would be there as a sector with underground additional levels http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif But then there is rather limited size of the unit http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
For SP purposes I'd ignore them and just state they were seized usin helicopter dessants by Commandos http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif But there might be a good mission neutralising coastal batteries firing at captured platforms http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

I've found some plans for oil platforms where the main deck is 250 square meters so that that would be 5x5 WinSP hexes in size. We can't do different levels in WinSP but if you simulated only the main deck it would work.

Add a few buildings and a squad or 2 of rebels and attacking it might be a little difficult from the air or sea. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Umm.. 5 hexes WinSP is 250 meters and 250x250 is 62500 square meters.. I may be missing something here.

Re: WinSPMBT Multi-player User Campaigns?
 

Right, 250 square meters would be one hex, else it is a 250 meter-wide square...
Anyway a one-hex oil rig, may be even easier to simulate, e.g. with a large industrial-type building. Since you probably can't place buildings on water hexes, that would require one hex of just any terrain type (impassable to make it landing-proof?), maybe at a large positive altitude?

Also, from the map you posted, there seems to be at least two large oil fields with several platforms close together in each. It could be interesting to have such a "swarm" of oil rigs, roughly 1km apart on the same map. Some could be highjacked by rebels, some not, the player would have to find out the hard way...
You can add to the challenge by placing some alloying AA units on a few of the platforms, e.g. a light AAG on the deck, or some MANPADS.