Saturday, November 27, 2010

EMAIL

Hi Joe,

I just finished listening to the most recent episode of the dice tower. It was a remix of episode 25 from five years ago when you and Tom debated whether or not Memoir'44 should be considered a war game simulation. I feel compelled to belatedly support your position and couldn't help but shake my head for poor misguided Mr. Vasel's extremely weak argument.

I know this is five years late and the ambiguity of defining simulation games is a tricky subject in many groups, but how on earth or anywhere else can this game be considered a war game simulation by anyone? Now, I like Memoir, but c'mon, really Tom...

1. You don't even have control over where you issue orders, the cards dictate this for you.
2. Often you don't get to determine which units receive the orders, the cards do this also.
3. There are 'magic hexes' that border the sections and the ability of a general to increase his odds of actually issuing orders to whom and where he wishes are in part determined by who occupies and controls these magical locations.

Final simple yet indisputable verdict: Without even considering anything else, if you don't even have control of making basic command decisions, then you are most definitely NOT playing a simulation. Also, any map with magic hexes necessary to increase a units ability to even potentially move is laughable in the context of war simulation gaming. Who would disagree with this? Finally, one of the member comments that Tom used, albeit humorously, in defense of his argument made some kind of weird comparison related to simulated bacon. Well, there is no such thing as simulated bacon, only imitation bacon, therefore using that logic at best Memoir'44 is an imitation simulation that goes well with eggs and a side of hash browns.

By the by, I can not seriously express how much I miss the way the show was with you on it. The lack of a decent war game contributor has caused the dice tower to really lose its luster. Also, I regret that I never made it up to Evart last July to game with you like we once talked about because I still want to meet you in person. Some day I'd still like to do this. I saw one of your own wargaming podcasts and there was a chess clock on the shelf behind you. Maybe I'll get a chance to play some five minute speed chess with you as a warm up to a longer game session. I like to game face to face and not online so I'll probably have to drive up your way to make it happen. I probably play chess better than any other game so consider the gauntlet thrown down.

Happy holidays to you and the whole in house game group Steadman clan you've got growing up there. Stay safe on the job this season and thanks for your previous service for God and country and your current service for Michigan community. Know that you guys are appreciated and thought about often.

Cheers and God bless,

Brian W Sinke

2 comments:

  1. I have to agree, although these old podcasts are rough, I'll rather hear about wargames than stupid Memoir '44.

    When you finish with these ASL tutorials, you should consider a podcast of your own make.

    BGG War Geek
    Garfink
    (aka. Eric Lai)

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  2. One other question:

    How did you go from a History Teacher in South Korea to a Police Officer in Michigan? Sounds like a world apart!.

    BGG War Geek
    Garfink
    (aka. Eric Lai)

    ReplyDelete