Open Letter to all Campaign Players

[Von Earlmann]

Before I start I want to clarify that this post is in no way directed at any one individual or team.Just a short collection of my thoughts from what I have observed while running the various campaigns.

First of all a special thanks to all who have played and offered thoughts and suggestions on how to improve and run the system. Over the years the campaigns have evolved into a highly playable and realistic form.Still limited somewhat by the game engines but we have found ways to simulate many things heretofore not possible with regular scenarios or even with the stock linked campaigns.

Playing a linked campaign by e-mail is the most difficult way to play the CS games.Players have to plan for the long term and a future.There are no defined objective hexs and no finite number of turns.There are no victory levels to watch.There is no last charge on the last 2 or 3 turns to achieve some magical major victory by expending all available resources.I think it is quite possibly the most realistic way to play the game.Of course I am a bit prejudiced cause it's my brainchild and I also have never been able to play much.

There will be times when you will be frustrated and feel you can't possibly win.There will be times you will lament the loss of your troops.There will be times you will feel tired and burned out and just plain spent.Now you have a small inkling of what it must have been like for the actual commanders of these battles.There is always the option of surrendering and the beauty of that is there will be no POW camp(or firing squad) and you can always begin another campaign with a fresh start and new challenges.

I have had many CICs complain they do not have enough to do.Frankly that statement amazes me.You have command of up to an armies worth of assets.There are 3 field commands to keep track of and of course the all time most difficult thing to do is get all the players to at least try and do what the plans and orders call for.A CIC with not much to do better have the best field commanders ever found.CIC has to have an eye for detail.

So,yes the campaigns are tough.They are supposed to be.I think this is the narrow path of CS gaming which is less traveled because it is so difficult.There is a very small percentage of players doing it for that reason.

Lastly, remember "If it was easy; anyone could do it"
I thank each and every one of you for at least giving it a go.It's a great way to dance.

von Earlmann

PS: Longest post I have made for quite some time.I am now off the soapbox.