SPMBT campaign proposition! (long post but worthy)

[SaSTrooP]

OK folks, it is rather quiet here indeed. I was though talking to some friends of mine and players I play or played in the past, and some are interested. I am going to explain my idea here, publicly, in order to get some attention.


At first, before I will proceed to the concept, I want to inform you: I STRONGLY BELIEVE I CAN DO IT AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH SUCH ACTIVITY ALREADY.

I am saying that to assure these will not be empty words only.

My vision is to organize a at least 2vs2, possibly 3vs3 (but more the better) campaign for SPMBT, but it will not be a campaign like a tournament, but a long and complicated set of scenarios connected to each other via strategic situation both sides shall change with their actions and decisions.
I dont know if anything like that was organized here before, I dont know the details about SPWW2 campaign that were in motion not long ago.

It will be either 1985 or 1989 in Europe, where a war breaks out after Gorbatchev is ousted in a coup and Soviet leadership wants to prevent the country going into ruin by starting a conventional war, aimed at capturing some key positions across Europe and influence it more. Besides, a martial law can be declared in USSR and hawk lobby in Moscow would be able to purge pro-reform activists without hesitation.
This political aspect does not interest us, really, as we are the commanders of both sides involved.

Depending on the number of players, two variants of the campaign are proposed:
- Big one: strategic map is divided into fronts (Scandinavia, Germany North and Denmark, Germany South and Alps of Austria and Italy, Black Sea region of Turkey and Greece), for each turn players choose or dice decides where do we focus out actions for some time.
- Small one: strategic map consists only of Germany in its entirety, an Austria and Denmark.

So now finally about how to play it:

Who do I search for:
- Players of any experience
- Members of Blitz and normal players
- People DEVOTED to this game, that WILL NOT resign and they are sure they have enough time for fine tempo, I guess at least 1 turn per 2 days
- People not afraid of big scenarios, regiment/brigade scaled, with 300+ units quite often

What way the campaign will work:
1. Each side choose itself a leader or goes for democracy.
2. Sides are provided a map with provinces, most likely taken from other games, let it be Hearts of Iron maybe.
3. Each side is provided with OOB, modelled after real life units stationing nearby by that era. Formations are 1:1 sized as for unit construction (so Brigade is a brigade), however - for playability reasons - strategic forces are limited (some divisions are cut short to brigade only etc.).
4. Sides are deploying formations on map. Some formations will be available after certain amount of turns, so they will have to be sent in as reinforcements.
5. Sides are commanding the forces, ordering them to whatever is possible to be done in this game, like attacking, defending, delaying, digging in or retreating.
6. Such orders made on map are analysed for SPMBT world and a game between 2 players is set. The more players the more games go simultaneously.
7. Players recreate these formations basing on OOBs and are playing on basic security mode. After the end of the scenario casualties of both sides are tested and units lost are excluded from future fights with these units, so you need to be very careful and avoid unnecessary casualties.
8. From time to time a refit is possible for a formation.
9. Air force is simulated by Air Force Pool for each front, number of air sorties is dice rolled for every battle, following the analysis of tactical situation in the province.
10. After certain amount of turns or battles or objectives completed one side is declared a victor, otherwise we declare a draw.

Random events will be likely to happen each turn.
We shall use generated or custom maps, players set up scenario on their own after short discussion with Game Master.
Game master could be me, in this case (because I want to also take part) I will refuse to take any decisioning regarding tactics, I will purely command in battles and neutrally analyse tactical situation.

Actually, except decision making process, the only thing players must do is to carefully recreate their forces for PBEM game, choose a correct map and well... play. What I need to mention is I strongly urge for quick gaming pace since battles are simultaneous and we should not allow ourselves some delays.

In case number of players is odd, we discuss who is having a break OR who can play 2 battles at once, if its possible.

I am ready to do some map scouting, custom maps comparison and I am ready to prepare OOBs.


Please, tell me what are your experiences with stuff like that, what do you generally thing and definitely inform me by any means necessary if you wish to take part. I hope we will find good players and maybe reactivate SPMBT scene around.

Thank you for reading!