Au secour !!!! Des géant rose s'en prennent à nos sections !!!!!

Très joli !

I'm happy to say that the rules will be translated into French by Arnaud de Peretti. Version 2.3a are already done (great work!!) and they are now being updated into 2.3b.

You can start any scenario and end with any other later scenario. In other words, you can play a campaign if you feel that a single scenario is too short. I have introduced what I call new expectations. This means that the victory point level expectation is altered after each scenario. For example, the level is 70 VP at the start of a scenario. French victory is to end at certain number of points above this level. VM wins by ending a certain number of points below this level. Next scenario level is 60 with the same victory conditions for both sides, but starting from 60 this time. BUT the sinister part in this is that if you play both scenarios in a row (a campaign) and your VP level hasn't sunk to 60 after the end of the first scenario then neither of you will receive any...reinforcements!

For VM this represents the failure to spread out and recruit among new people and perhaps disinterest from China to supply you with war material unless you start using it. For France it represents an adjustment to new military situation and reluctance from Saigon to send even more units up your way since it doesn't seem to be that bad.

This will create two styles. VM gets points by conquering victory hexes and by acquiring dominance in delta and in the highlands (read the rules about this). He loses points by mobilizing too many troops (not the same as reinforcements). So, VM wins by pushing hard and aggressively without mobilizing everything that walks in a rice field. If he manage to do this, he will get his new troops and especially his precious artillery regiments, but he will also meet an increasingly stronger French adversary.

France also gets points by conquering victory hexes or, in a way, denying VM them. He loses points by using replacements. He needs less difference in points from the victory level than VM needs. So, he digs himself in, hoping that VM will kill himself attacking him while striking out suddenly to grab some victory hexes. If he is too successful, though, then Saigon will delay his reinforcements, saying that they are better needed elsewhere and "you seem to do OK". The French commander has to plan. He needs to replace his units and let VM show his intentions first, get his new units while counteracting VM attacks and then...strike hard.

Soon on a table close to you

I'm getting closer to the point where I will need playtesters outside my personal circle of friends here in my hometown. The game needs to be CCI:ed which means cleaned, clarified and improved.

I need to clean it from bugs. A rule bug is a contradiction like when rule A doesn't really work because rule B later on makes rule A work bad or not at all.

I need it clarified. For example "rule A allows me to do this, but am I still allowed to do it if I do that?"

I need it improved. It can be rules, functions and aspects which might feel too cumbersome, are not really used or are not necessary. These can be changed, improved or deleted. It can also be aspects and details on the map, in the tables or with the game flow that needs to be looked into.



I still have to do some corrections with the beta test counters and rules, but if you are interested, let me know and we can discuss things. What I need is this:

You have to like the game. This is not just to improve my ego (well, perhaps a little) but rather that you have to accept the pillars which the game stands on. It is no use to me that you say "this operation thingy is "complicated", why don't you change it into a Igo-Hugo system?" The game will not be redesigned. So, you have to like "Ici" and/or the basic idea with 1st ed Tonkin and feel comfortable with my kind of design thinking.

You have to have the time to play it several times, otherwise it is of no use to me. Be honest to yourself and check if you have the time, co-players and wish to do this.

You have to accept gluing together the front- and the backside of the counters. I will send all the material and two printed counters sheets (on sturdy paper) but, unfortunately, you will have to cut them out and glue them together. I'm sorry about this but sending out several sets with mounted counters will be too much for me.

In short, I need positive and contructive help by someone who is willing to put the effort into doing this. But if you do this you will have the chance to influence the outcome of the game.

The latest rules can be downloaded here (message 420): http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?50@79.hfLbaEdb7qt.7@.1dd17eb3

Take a look at playtest counters, version 2: http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?50@79.hfLbaEdb7qt.7@.1dd17eb3

Say Hello to my latest unit

hum ^^

"Hello" timidly says a french sailor, trying to avoid the fire...

All this looks, realy good !

Any news about a possible release date?

I hope it will be released this summer. It is in its final stage. I'm testing it all the time to get the system tuned in. Since it is not a Igo-Hugo system it needs to be carefully balanced. The game turn is:

Reinforcement and replacement phase, where France chooses wheteher to bring in reinforcements or not (costs VP if he does). Those reinforcements that are not brought in will reappear as reinforcements 6 months later. VM has to have a certain amount of VPs in order to receive his reinforcements (he has to be successful to get his new units). Both sides can then choose the mix on how many supply dumps or replacement points he chooses to bring in.

VM movement, where all VM units move and overrun (under certain conditions).

French movement, where all Frenchunits move and overrun (under certain conditions). Both sides move before the real combat starts during the operation phase. In order words, both sides get the chance to move everything and position themselves before the slugfest starts during the next phase.

Attrition phase, where those units which became Out of supply during the previous game turn will now suffer attrition unless they now can draw supply

Operation phase, where both sides have 10 operation points each. Each point enables you to move (a stack with or without transport such as trucks or airplanes or ships) and perhaps overrun, or to fight (normal or barrage through artillery, airstrike or navy), or to build trenches, or to remove disorganized markers. By casting the die you will know if you can spend 1, 2 or 3 points in a row. This is perhaps the best aspect in the game. It makes impossible to plan in detail and forces you to react to your opponent in a completely new way. It is actually very fun and exciting.

Supply check phase, where both sides check for supply. Your unit is in supply, basically, close to your supply sources or if you are in a trench. If not, then you have to draw to a supply dump.

I try make the system clear and logical and the scenarios short and fast. The biggest problem I still have to work with is balance in order to avoid chaos and strange effects.

Latest updated map

http://www.kangerproject.com/tonkin2/

ça se rapproche, ça se rapproche !
bravo, Kim