@Craig:
A few points up front about the playtesting:
Most of the time we spent playtesting was done under constantly changing maps and rules. As such, we actually only did a small portion of our work with the final map (which then changed a bit after that), the NOs were a bit different from what they are now, some of the rules changed slightly, and the tech was not like this at all.
What I would say is this- If you are trying to figure out what is and isn’t balanced, DO NOT PLAY WITH THE TECHS!
As Cousin Joe has proper pointed out, since tech is random, you can’t depend on what you will get and that means you can’t plan appropriately.
The techs are too uncertain a factor to try to figure into the equation when trying to find the balance in a scenario.
I’m glad to hear that the Tech situation was thrown in there last minute as I can’t possibly see how any playtesters would think that random tech is a good thing. I’m sure it’s in there just for the kiddies to get those miraculous victories with HB when they’re clearly beat or to laugh at their opponents misfortune when they get Super Subs :-) It would have been nice though, to get some Tech rules suitable for competitive play right OOTB, especially since I don’t see too many kiddies shelling out $100 for this game, and the fact it was meant to be a deluxe version.
I guess, as always, we will need some sort of tournament rules fix.
I do agree though, if you really want to assess game balance, you should do so without Tech.
No matter what, there is going to have to be a lot more game play before we can make a proper assessment as to what is or isn’t balanced.
Also, I would ask those who are playing the '41 scenario- What set up are you using? If it is the one from the GCI pic and is on the R12 map of Bluestroke’s, then there are a few things that are wrong.
Now I don’t know if that is on purpose or just a mistake. Larry may have just been busy and missed a few things when setting it up or he may have left out a few things to actually mess with the picture takers.
I believe that it is the former since it is just a few things missing. If he were trying to throw people off, then a bunch of things would be out of place and/or missing.
I will try to talk to him to see if I am allowed to clarify the info for you.
Craig
I hope one of those things that are missing is a pre-built UK IC and perhaps a few extra US naval units in the Pacific
From what I’m hearing and seeing, Japan is basically able to explode over the whole map as the Allies are too weak to stop them. This basically leaves KGF as their only strategic alternative.
I would like to do some playtesting, but I’m waiting until we get word of the official setup. It would be nice to have it before the release…
If the game truly is balanced, there will be a lot of positive feedback, and thus more support and free advertising for the new game.
If the game is not balanced, at least people will have some house rules or tournament rules available to fix it a lot faster (as playtesting will have been done in advanced).
Both of these would help boost sales. I really don’t think you’ll lose sales by showing the setup online prior to the release (It will definitely be up after the release :-)). Hardcore gamers will buy it regardless (most likely on the release date :-)). Non-hardcore gamers will probably wait until after the release date, and by then, they would have seen the true setup anyways.
October 23rd would be a nice date to release the true setup… as that’s when it was supposed to come out originally :-D