Global War, 2nd edition - due 1\. November 2015

@John:

LHoffman, Coach can explain it better than I can, because he and the team are working on all these ideas. I don’t know if all the time periods will be on this map, or if there are pieces that will go on top of certain sections of the map or if there will be maps for other periods.

I just know that Germany and Britain were in Antarctica during World war 2 and towards the end of the war US started to investigate it, as well.

This maybe just a World War 2 map. That part, I 'm not sure. I do know there are three start dates of 1936, 1939 and 1942, so for all purposes, it probably is just World War 2 for now, but if want to know more about it, I would call coach before you buy it. he will be happy to explain his intentions for the map. He is very easy to talk to.

There number is on his website.

Cheers. :-)

John

Yeah, these are just my initial reactions. HBG is a great company and they tend to think things through much better than AH/WotC. They are truly strategic gamers themselves which shines through in the quality of their product and their respect for their customers. Of which I am a very satisfied one. It is great also that they are so accessible, either via phone, email or even here in our community.

The link I posted just blew my mind. I chuckled with absolute disbelief my eyes were trying to soak up all the information. I am surprised they haven’t sent out a newsletter with this info or made any sort of announcement (that I have seen). I would think that this is pretty big news for our Axis and Allies community so I don’t understand how it has flown under the radar for so long. I mean, the link was a rather average looking Facebook post from 2 days ago…

The 2025 scenario looks really cool actually. And the multiple boards addresses one question at least.

I am assuming that these are also NOT the finished maps. I imagine when finished they will look closer to the Global War 39 2nd Edition one shown on this thread.

Exciting times to say the least.

@John:

Yes, see that is what I’m talking about. They are getting customer input as well, because they want everyone to enjoy a slice of pie. :-D

And where are they getting the input? Here? Facebook? Unfortunately I am not on Facebook, but I do check it semi-regularly to see any news there. If here then I need to be a bit more proactive.

They are doing the best they know how, for such a small company, and they aim to please.

Those aren’t finalized maps.

You are suppose to vote for the maps or games, you want to see in the future. :-D

@John:

You are suppose to vote for the maps or games, you want to see in the future. :-D

Well, I understand that… but where? I have seen general conversation around here as to what they are up to, but haven’t seen any Doug or Variable activity of late regarding this. I have treated the HBG - Axis & Allies Parts/Accessories and Custom Piece Sets Store! thread (http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=27911.1095 as the de facto announcement and update place, but there hasn’t been much activity lately.

@LHoffman:

@John:

You are suppose to vote for the maps or games, you want to see in the future. :-D

Well, I understand that… but where? I have seen general conversation around here as to what they are up to, but haven’t seen any Doug or Variable activity of late regarding this. I have treated the HBG - Axis & Allies Parts/Accessories and Custom Piece Sets Store! thread (http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=27911.1095 as the de facto announcement and update place, but there hasn’t been much activity lately.

By clicking on, “put me on the waiting list”, this is your vote, but you can also, click on all of them, if you want. They will add the total votes at some point. They are just gauging the interests of what people want at this point.

Unfortunately, the only news you get on any of what they are doing is through face book or the stores website, but predominantly, it is through face book.

That is all I know at this point.

Thanks for the info John.

@LHoffman:

Thanks for the info John.

Just don’t add it to the cart, only click the game you like, and click “put me on the waiting list.”

This should be more clear, I hope. :-)

After examining the map more closely last night I am actually excited for this 2nd Edition. The longer I look at it, the less the squished Africa really bothers me. I still wish the China coast was bigger, but I am assuming there are good reasons to have it the way it is.

As I posted elsewhere, I am interested to read the revised rules when they come out. Particularly about difficult terrain and the new convoy system. If you zoom in to the picture you can distinguish what look like convoy routes drawn out around the map.

@LHoffman:

After examining the map more closely last night I am actually excited for this 2nd Edition. The longer I look at it, the less the squished Africa really bothers me. I still wish the China coast was bigger, but I am assuming there are good reasons to have it the way it is.

As I posted elsewhere, I am interested to read the revised rules when they come out. Particularly about difficult terrain and the new convoy system. If you zoom in to the picture you can distinguish what look like convoy routes drawn out around the map.

Yes, I’m very excited about this new map, and they have been working, long and hard on this thing. I can’t wait to read these rules as well. :-D

As John Brown mention in a past message, I hope that HBG will have somebody that can answer a question on new game within 1 day or 2.  8-) 8-) 8-)

Sorry people, we have been very busy trying to finalize Amerika and all the new Global games we have lined out. We have been working on expansions for Amerika and Global. We have actually started researching over 40 expansions for Global War and it will be very neat. Antarctica was my idea but we have plans for it. We had a map artist make us maps for each time period that who owns what, rivers, etc. We then give it to our game artist and he turns it into a game amp with IPP, names, colors, etc This is a huge series with a lot of thought to tie them ALL together if you wish but also playable as a stand alone game.

Global War Series: Our Global War series consists of interconnected games spanning the time period of 1850-2025.  Players can play any Global War game individually, or connect them together in one monster game where victory in one affects the starting point of the next.  These games consist of both large scale wars (World War I, World War II, and hypothetical wars in 1985 and 2025), and interwar periods where players fight limited conflicts.  As players transition from one game to the next, they upgrade units to new models, and make decisions about how their nation will enter the coming era.
Global War 1850-1884:  This game takes players through a fascinating time in Global history.  Major Powers of the time are in great competition to secure colonies and natural resources around the globe.  Players engage in colonization, and fight limited scale wars (e.g. American Civil War, Crimean War), and deal with the rise of emerging nation’s states hungry for their share of power.  Victory in this game contributes
Global War 1885-1913: This game takes players through the final days of the Colonial Period including the intense competition over Africa.  The Russo-Japanese War, Spanish-American war, Boxer Rebellion and other conflicts keep players busy trying to maintain and expand their empires.
Global War 1914-1918: This is the definitive World War I game.  In this game players will play World War I in the expanded detail provided by our Global War line of games.
Global War 1919-1935: This game takes players through the inter-war years from the end of World War I to where Global War 1936-1945 begins.  Players will be kept busy with wars in Russia, the Chinese Civil War and others.
Global War 1928: This fascinating Alternate History game puts World War II on a completely new stage.  A fully described alternative timeline of the world has left almost all major powers roughly equal in power, and in intense competition for global resources.  There are no prescribed alliances, which means players might play different combinations of countries each time and use different strategies to meet their victory objectives.  New playable nations include Spain, Imperial Russia, Qing Dynasty China, the Ottoman Empire, Confederate States of America and others.

Global War 1936-1945: This is the definitive World War II game featuring greatly expanded rules, a whole new map, and a massive number of planned expansions.  Some unique features of this game include the inclusion of the Comintern as a third Alliance, separate from the Axis and Allies, improved convoy raiding and lease-systems, diplomatic options, multi-stage production and an optional 1936 start date where players can fight the Spanish Civil War and Chinese Civil War.
Global War 1951-1972: This game is an interwar treatment of the Cold War, where the USA and its allies struggle against the global threat of Communism. Players will fight conflicts such as the Korean War, Vietnam, Arab-Israeli wars as the specter of Global war with the Soviet Union always looms.
Global War 1985-1991: The Cold War is over, and the impending collapse of the Soviet Union has spurred its leaders to do the unthinkable – launch a massive invasion of Europe.  In this game, players battle US and NATO forces (and their allies around the Globe) against the worldwide threat from the Soviet Union and its Communist backed regimes around the world.
Global War 1992-2024: Welcome to the Modern World!  This game puts players in charge of modern historical events during the 1990s and 2000s including the Global War on terror, conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and elsewhere.  This interwar game connects the 1991 game to the 2025 game, and lets players vie for Global supremacy in the modern age:
Global War 2025-2031: After years of rising tensions, the Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Caliphate launch a global attack on the West and its Allies.  The United States, NATO and the Pacific Coalition (Japan, S. Korea, Australia, Japan and India) fight to beat them back before they destroy the free world.

Hi Folks - Will H here - Designer for Global War - 2nd edition: I’m really excited about this edition.

First - here is the expanded description:

Global War 1936-1945
Historical Board Gaming is proud to present Global War 2nd Edition� - the ultimate World War II strategic game.   We have greatly expanded the scope of the game to broaden the strategic options available to players.
The Rules
There are a lot of rules in Global War -2nd edition but do not be intimidated! Many of them are optional and you are encouraged to select rules that suit the type of play you enjoy.  New rules in this expansion include;
(a) Multi-stage ship and facility production
(b) Advanced research development system with 13 technologies.
© Nation-specific victory objectives
(d) New Lend-lease system
(e) Soviet Union as a third alliance
(f) Spanish Civil War
(g) Chinese Civil War
(h) Advanced convoy raiding system with world-wide convoy routes and escorts
(i) New units including airborne infantry, militia, cavalry, mountain infantry, marines, medium bombers, coastal submarines (and more)
(j) Carpet Bombing
(k) Combat Air Patrol
(l) Diplomatic Pacts
(m) Strategic Rail Movement
(n) New facilities: Shipyards, coastal artillery, fortifications (and more)
AND MUCH MORE
New Map
The new map is completely redone with more territories and land features than ever.  These include;
(a) Mountains
(b) Rivers
© Baltic-White Sea Canal
(d) Minor power colonies
(e) New nations
(f) Semi-autonomous regions of China
AND MORE
Increased Player Interaction
One of the goals of this game is to be fun and one of the things we consider fun is when players can spend more time interacting.  We�ve developed a lot of new ways the Axis, Allies and Comintern players  can interact during the game.
(a) Signing pacts (Molotov-Ribbentrop, Chinese Civil War truce etc�)
(b) Granting each other permission to use straits, canals and railways
© Lending money and military equipment
(d) Negotiating victory conditions
(e) Helping opposing sides in Spanish/Chinese civil war
Planned Expansions
We have gone overboard on the number of planned expansions for Global War.  We have expansions ready to go.  Prior to release of Global we released over 30 3D printed units.  We don�t plan on stopping.  We have many expansions but here are some of the ones that will be out in the first year:
(a) Advanced Ordnance (several sets)
(b) Spain at War
© United States at War
(d) Fighting Railways
(e) Partisans
(f) Commanders

Okay, now a few things: First, if you want to keep yourself current I do most of the updates on Facebook - so like the page people:

Second, we have so many games coming out and we put them out in order of YOUR input. So go to the HBG site and vote for the ones you want first.   Once we get 50 votes we start the production.  The more people we get the more awesome it can be.   While you are on the site check out the many many 3D units we have - all Global War 2nd edition compatible.

Third, if you have input you would like please don’t hesitate to contact us. We build these games on customer ideas.   We also have a boatload of expansions coming.   Tell us what you want!

Finally - if you want a discount on Global, preorder it.  Its on sale now!

PS = I was not allowed to post links but you can go to Facebook “Global War” and Historical Board Gaming dot com and figure out what you need to vote, preorder, post etc…

Will

@coachofmany:

Global War 2025-2031: After years of rising tensions, the Russian Federation, People�s Republic of China and the Islamic Caliphate launch a global attack on the West and its Allies.  The United States, NATO and the Pacific Coalition (Japan, S. Korea, Australia, Japan and India) fight to beat them back before they destroy the free world.

This sounds really cool. I am highly intrigued.

Thanks for the info Coach and Will… I am very excited for all of this!

@HBGWILL:

(e) Soviet Union as a third alliance

Can you explain this a little bit, to the extent you can without divulging whatever is prohibited?

I have recently become an advocate of separating the USSR from the Allies to better model real war interactions. I am just wondering if your mechanics are along the lines I have been imagining.

I assume this is an integral part of the game? Meaning the game is designed to play this way and you cannot choose to play classic A&A USSR-UK-USA alliance. Seems like it would be very hard to design the game so you have an option here.

Instead of making a bunch of more games can’t you just make Global War better and have rules that everyone understands? If people are still having trouble understanding 7.2 it doesn’t make much sense to make more games.

There is a great book to read about companies that take on too much. It’s called “How the Mighty Fall”. Only 1 or 2 great products are needed. 10 or 20 (or in this case it sounds like 50) products just means people lose focus. I’m sure it’s not a money grab because there is too little money to be made on games but if it is clear and makes sense people will buy it and a whole company can explode in sales from a single item. Why not just perfect your 1 or 2 best products instead of taking on more products? You could never find enough time to play test everything if you had a family or job.

@billcallaway:

There is a great book to read about companies that take on too much. It’s called “How the Mighty Fall”. Only 1 or 2 great products are needed. 10 or 20 (or in this case it sounds like 50) products just means people lose focus. I’m sure it’s not a money grab because there is too little money to be made on games but if it is clear and makes sense people will buy it and a whole company can explode in sales from a single item. Why not just perfect your 1 or 2 best products instead of taking on more products? You could never find enough time to play test everything if you had a family or job.

We offer many different games for many different people, we do not expect our customers to buy every game we put out but certain people like certain games.

@LHoffman:

Thanks for the info Coach and Will… I am very excited for all of this!

@HBGWILL:

(e) Soviet Union as a third alliance

Can you explain this a little bit, to the extent you can without divulging whatever is prohibited?

I have recently become an advocate of separating the USSR from the Allies to better model real war interactions. I am just wondering if your mechanics are along the lines I have been imagining.

I assume this is an integral part of the game? Meaning the game is designed to play this way and you cannot choose to play classic A&A USSR-UK-USA alliance. Seems like it would be very hard to design the game so you have an option here.

The Soviet Union as a third alliance should be interesting.  So to start there are 3 Alliances and each nation within that alliance has victory objectives to accomplish.  The Soviets are expansive, by in large (save for a few) they want to expand the influence of communism - in spain, in china etc….Both the Allies and the Axis want to prevent this but they have other issues - that the Axis are also wanting to expand, so this sets up the dilemma of exactly how much to help the USSR. Too much help and the USSR can roll through Europe at the end of the game.  Too little and they can get crushed.  So, it is the same dance the Allies did in World War II.  Many games can end without the USSR and USA going to war, but they can go to war once one Axis capital falls.  The USA loses a victory condition if they do go to war, so it really has to be worth it for the USA to take on the USSR.

@billcallaway:

Instead of making a bunch of more games can’t you just make Global War better and have rules that everyone understands? If people are still having trouble understanding 7.2 it doesn’t make much sense to make more games.

Bill - Global War-2nd edition IS the improvement to Global War.

@HBGWILL:

The Soviet Union as a third alliance should be interesting.  So to start there are 3 Alliances and each nation within that alliance has victory objectives to accomplish.  The Soviets are expansive, by in large (save for a few) they want to expand the influence of communism - in spain, in china etc….Both the Allies and the Axis want to prevent this but they have other issues - that the Axis are also wanting to expand, so this sets up the dilemma of exactly how much to help the USSR. Too much help and the USSR can roll through Europe at the end of the game.  Too little and they can get crushed.  So, it is the same dance the Allies did in World War II.   Many games can end without the USSR and USA going to war, but they can go to war once one Axis capital falls.  The USA loses a victory condition if they do go to war, so it really has to be worth it for the USA to take on the USSR.

Thanks for the info Will.

But it sounds like its losing the KISS affect.