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10:25, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

IC: WWII game?

Posted by Arkyn
Arkyn
member, 719 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:08
  • msg #10

IC: WWII game?

Re Gurps version: idk.  Not hardcore on system yet; I have all the gurps 3 stuff in a combination of pdf's and photocopies scanned, old-skool style.  I like gurps for some reasons, and hate it for others.

I'm more of a collaborative storyteller than a crunch-heavy number cruncher.  I like my combats fairly fast, not one month affairs, and with more description than rolls, more like a PbtA-type than a physics class.

Re Resistance/Partisans: i'm not the right person for that kinda game.  I'm a 'Fury', 'They Were Expendable' or 'Black Sheep Squadron' kinda guy.  'Run Silent, Run Deep'...not 'Defiance'.  Though 'Defiance' is a brilliant film.

Davy Jones: Would love to have those files, ty.

I like a small vehicle because it can act as a member of the team, kinda, a base in and of itself, and to some extent, a constant so that players can be folded in more easily.

I think a british or US tank or light bomber unit starting in North Africa could be fun, as could a US PT boat in the South Pacific.  Submarine is a little trickier, but that could be exciting too.

I do imagine the game as much a 'base/at rest' story as the 'action' component.
Anachronist
member, 73 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:25
  • msg #11

IC: WWII game?

Both North Africa and the South Pacific sound like great settings to me.

Both sound like they could have a lot of potential.

I think I am a little more partial to the tank crew story, but not by much.
Big Brother
member, 480 posts
Who controls the past...
... Controls the future.
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:31
  • msg #12

IC: WWII game?

Personally, I favor an Eastern Front campaign. Lots of interesting stories there.
Arkyn
member, 720 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:36
  • msg #13

IC: WWII game?

I used to favor the eastern front, but I am having a hard time thinking positively about the russians these days.  East Front is a no interest for me atm.
Lluis
member, 15 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:45
  • msg #14

IC: WWII game?

That would depend on the kind of game you intend to play... A combat heavy, a more interpersonal one, etc...

A vechicle/craft crew would be, IMHO, to constained. An infantry (better yet comando) squad would have more opportunity for varied play.

As per setting, there are less known fronts taht could be interestin. In the PTO, to give some examples, there was not only the Island control combats, but places like the Eastern Duch Indies, or Burma front would give more freedom of movement. A Merrill's Marauders squad could be quite interesting, albeit it would begin quite late (they were activated in late 42, IIRC).

In Africa, you could even begin (if you intend the players to be Commonwealth) with Italina East Africa and then move o Desert war...

In ETO, many countries could allow for comando/partisan action (always interesting, more so if you don't intend it to be just combat heavy, but also to have interaction with locals, stealthy intell gathering, etc.). Player soulc begin as Norwegian tropos that turn partisans after the war, just to give an example...

The Easern Front would probably lead to a more combat heavy and brutal combat (aside from begining latter)

As per rules, Salvage WOrds could also serve, and even Twilight 2000 rules could e easily adapted 8after all, many WWII weapons are even described there). I guess many more games could do the job...
Desert Mariner
member, 2 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 18:56
  • msg #15

IC: WWII game?

There was a series of GURPS (compatibly with 3rd edition) WWII sourcebooks published with this in mind.  Not sure I have them all, but I do have:
  • WWII – A World Ablaze: Basic
  • All the King’s Men: British Empire
  • Dogfaces: American
  • Return to Honor: France
  • Red Tide: Soviets
  • Doomed White Eagle: Poland
  • Frozen Hell: Finland
  • Grim Legions: Italy
  • Iron Cross: Germany
  • Michael’s Army: Romania
  • Hand of Steel: Special Forces
  • Their Finest Hour: Battle of Britain
  • Leyte Gulf
  • Motor Pool: Additional Vehicles

This message was last edited by the user at 20:28, Thu 19 Jan 2023.
darknash
member, 169 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 19:10
  • msg #16

IC: WWII game?

Achtung! Cthulhu
Arkyn
member, 721 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 19:16
  • msg #17

IC: WWII game?

In reply to Desert Mariner (msg # 15):

whoa.  that's a lot.

Well, this is still in IC stage.  If there's at least 3-4 who are interested in a particular setting (Armor, Air, Sea), I will open something up, and then recruit if need be from there.
Big Brother
member, 481 posts
Who controls the past...
... Controls the future.
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 20:07
  • msg #18

IC: WWII game?

Of those mentioned, I'm most interested in either commandos are partisans. I imagine after that would be armor. Sea and air are probably ranked about equally for me. But as I said before, I'm open to pretty much anything GURPS military.
Arkyn
member, 722 posts
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 20:22
  • msg #19

IC: WWII game?

I can imagine some 'extra curricular' work as part of, well, any of these (land, sea, air), really, but I don't feel confident running a full-time commando game.
Davy Jones
member, 111 posts
Consulting Theologian
Veteran
Thu 19 Jan 2023
at 20:27
  • msg #20

IC: WWII game?

What, no Kelly's Heroes? :D
Big Brother
member, 482 posts
Who controls the past...
... Controls the future.
Fri 20 Jan 2023
at 07:39
  • msg #21

IC: WWII game?

Kelly's Heroes nothin'! Give me The Great Escape. The one with the cool theme song, from '63.

Arkyn: In that case, I sorta prefer a regular infantry squad to anything else. They can pull off the other things most believably, with the added benefit of everyone having a potentially active role at all times (squad leader, gunner, radioman, medic, etc). Also, sending an infantry squad behind on "extra curricular" activities is entirely believable; doing the same with a bunch of Navy scrubs is less likely (thought certainly not impossible - my uncle did it during the Cold War).
Arkyn
member, 723 posts
Fri 20 Jan 2023
at 13:14
  • msg #22

IC: WWII game?

BB - I hear you about the commando-esque roles that different units can get into.  A PT boat, operating quasi-independently in the huge theatre that was the pacific, well, similar to a tank crew or light bomber crew in supply-starved areas where they were outnumbered, might well have to resort to 'unconventional' means.

Anyway, what I am reading is that people want infantry/partisan/commando, but Im not the guy to gm that.

I'll leave the IC up for another few days, till Monday or Tuesday.
Davy Jones
member, 112 posts
Consulting Theologian
Veteran
Sat 21 Jan 2023
at 05:19
  • msg #23

IC: WWII game?

FWIW, I just stumbled on a new WWII RPG that uses the same system as T2K 4th Ed. It's called War Stories, and it's supposed to start shipping soon (though I think the PDF is available).

And, Arkyn, I was joking about Kelly's Heroes, because of the "extra curricular" comment. I'd love to see something with an infantry unit going from Africa to Italy to D-Day and beyond, or maybe even a tank crew (like Fury).
CaptainHellrazor
member, 308 posts
Sat 21 Jan 2023
at 05:25
  • msg #24

IC: WWII game?

Sounds very interesting :)
Corkman
member, 11 posts
Sat 21 Jan 2023
at 05:38
  • msg #25

IC: WWII game?

In reply to Davy Jones (msg # 23):
Interesting. I looked through DTRPG and didn't see it
Davy Jones
member, 113 posts
Consulting Theologian
Veteran
Sat 21 Jan 2023
at 06:12
  • msg #26

IC: WWII game?

Firelock Games is the manufacturer. I found the game on their site.
Corkman
member, 12 posts
Sat 21 Jan 2023
at 06:36
  • msg #27

IC: WWII game?

Thank you!
Arkyn
member, 727 posts
Tue 24 Jan 2023
at 12:18
  • msg #28

IC: WWII game?

ok, last call:

I see 11 responded; 1 Interested, 2 Maybe, 1 No, and 7 No Vote.  That's a little weak for me.  I'll give 24 hrs, then close the thread.
Davy Jones
member, 114 posts
Consulting Theologian
Veteran
Tue 24 Jan 2023
at 21:57
  • msg #29

IC: WWII game?

Did you settle on a system? Still planning on using GURPS?
Arkyn
member, 728 posts
Tue 24 Jan 2023
at 22:38
  • msg #30

IC: WWII game?

gurps 3.

It's what i have and what all the add-on WWII books are written for, and it's pretty widely available, and often for cheap or less.  It's a little crunchy for my taste, but I would gloss over some of that anyway for a pbem game, lest people spend a week rolling for mess hall.

It's ok if there's low interest. No need to force it.  I have other ideas for games.
Anachronist
member, 74 posts
Tue 24 Jan 2023
at 23:09
  • msg #31

IC: WWII game?

Still interested.

Hopefully you get a a few more.
Davy Jones
member, 115 posts
Consulting Theologian
Veteran
Wed 25 Jan 2023
at 05:55
  • msg #32

IC: WWII game?

Neat concept, but GURPS doesn't do it for me. I'll pass. I hope you get enough to start it up!
dokken
member, 3 posts
Wed 25 Jan 2023
at 06:24
  • msg #33

IC: WWII game?

I'd likely be interested. GURPS isn't my favorite, though (despite having the whole GURPS WW2 line!).
CaptainHellrazor
member, 310 posts
Wed 25 Jan 2023
at 08:23
  • msg #34

IC: WWII game?

I'd be interested in playing but I am not that familiar with the GURPS system.  Would prefer a Pacific centered game but that is just a personal preference, Europe, Africa or the Middle East are all fine :)
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