SVF 2.0

AGEOD’S American Civil War - The Blue and the Gray is a historical operational strategy game with a simultaneous turn-based engine (WEGO system) that places players at the head of the USA or CSA during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Winter Revels

Post by berto »

ORIGINAL: Chliperic

BTW, it's each day clearer next AGEOD game should be AACW 2.
We disagree on this one. I think that AACW is a good and polished game (I would hope so, given its dozens of updates over the past 4-5 years!), even if it could stand some improvement (always the case).

No, I think there is a crying need for NCP2, unless there is some after-divorce legal impediment to that, what with PI now working on the Napoleon-themed March of the Eagles. Especially because of its many and varied campaign scenarios, and because the subject matter interests moi, I continue to think that an AGEOD NCP2 might very well be my favorite AGEOD game.
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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Winter Campaigning

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Late January 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

Winter Campaigning.

Rebels seized control of Petersburg! Lee bides his time at Richmond.

McClellan broods east of Petersburg. Banks is in winter quarters at Williamsburg VA. Signs of diminishing Union Pwr.

The sizeable L. Wallace Command has maneuvered around Jackson's rear at Manassas. Is Wallace smart to be campaigning in winter?

And coastal ops! Observe the blue-colored region at map bottom. Keyes has taken hold of Currituck NC.

Image

In the center, Buell has crossed the Mississippi River and advances against Island 10 from the northwest.

In the west Trans Mississippi, Sigel has joined Fremont before Fayetteville AR (Price, Hindman).

No fighting, and no combat losses in over a month.

Union Morale 131, VPs 1136, Combat Losses 18694

Confederate Morale 113, VPs 969, Combat Losses 19887

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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Winter Campaigning

Post by Chilperic »

Union AI is retreating toward Ft Monroe, but mud slows the moves and hits hard cohesion. Eevn if clumsy, the Union moves are sound in their aim. That's what I designed in events.
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Winter Revels

Post by Chilperic »

We don't disagree, as I amsharing your opinion. What I wanted to say is AGEOD could release AACW 2 as their next game. I'm not yet certain, but more and more hints are delivered about.
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Jackson Smacks Wallace

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Early February 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

Jackson Smacks Wallace.

Jackson's Command left its Alexandria encampment, marched through the mud, and Conservative Attacked Wallace's Command at Manassas. Was the issue ever in doubt?

Image

A refreshed and rested Beauregard Command approaches Petersburg from the west. Lee continues to bide his time in Richmond.

An ever weakening McClellan continues his slow slog through the mud towards ... Norfolk? ... Fort Monroe? (As you say, the latter.) Banks remains in winter quarters at Williamsburg.

A small Union force (of cavalry?) patrols south of Petersburg.

I have raised three units of NC militia to deal with the Union threat on the NC coast.

Image

Out west, Fremont bested Watie's Indians at Gibson, IT. In KY/TN and elsewhere, still no action.

Union Morale 133, VPs 1180, Combat Losses 22744

Confederate Morale 115, VPs 1017, Combat Losses 23687

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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Petersburg Retaken

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Late February 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

Petersburg Retaken.

Beauregard has retaken Petersburg, without a fight. Lee continues to wait patiently in Richmond. No sense campaigning in the winter mud. Let the Union army slog it's way out.

Banks has given up command to Hunter at Williamsburg VA. Clear signs of dwindling Pwr. Will the Union Williamsburg force retreat to Ft. Monroe?

McClellan's Army of the Potomac has crawled its way to Warwick VA. Next up, a move due east to Norfolk VA, or a move south to hook up with the Union occupying force at Currituck NC?

Keyes won a sharp engagement against the Laurel Brigade in Prince George VA. The Union cavalry force continues to patrol south of Petersburg. Can the Union rear guard escape destruction?

To the north, at Manassas, Jackson's command recovers from its earlier fight against Wallace.

In the Shenandoah, we face a sizeable force under Mansfield's command. The newly organized Texas Brigade at Winchester VA must retire southward. We are about to give up the Shenandoah Valley, likely for good.

All in all, Richmond & vicinity (including Petersburg) are near fully secured. The immediate crisis has passed.

Image

Having nothing to gain by continuing to face off against an overwhelmingly superior Union combined fleet in the James River, Semme's Fleet has fled from Norfolk VA south along the coast to the comparative safety of Ft. Clark NC.

Out west, and in KY/TN, winter doldrums only, nothing significant to report.

Our NM is recovering nicely.

Union Morale 133, VPs 1224, Combat Losses 22844

Confederate Morale 118, VPs 1065, Combat Losses 24037

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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- We Abandon the Shenandoah

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Early March 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

We Abandon the Shenandoah.

D.R. Jones led the Texas Brigrade and supporting militia in retreat from Winchester VA. Manchester's Unionists jabbed at them twice. We have left the Shenandoah.

Jackson commands considerable forces at Alexandria & Manassas. The defense of northern Virginia is in capable hands.

We continue to shore up our defense of Richmond & environs. We need to deal with the Union rear guard soon.

Hunter's Command continues to winter at Williamsburg VA. McClellan's AoP, plus Hooker's Old Guard Bde, twiddle their thumbs at Warwick VA.

The spring draws near. Time fast approaches where Lee's Army of Northern Virginia must take the field to confront McClellan.

Image

Out west, and in KY/TN, still nothing to report.

Union Morale 133, VPs 1272, Combat Losses 23614

Confederate Morale 118, VPs 1113, Combat Losses 26117

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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Which Way Did He Go?

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Late March 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

Which Way Did He Go?

Lee went after Keyes' rear guard at Prince George VA, but Keyes gave him the slip, moving north across the James River to Charles City VA. Somehow he avoided clashing with Longstreet, who was also moving to that place. What is Keyes doing?

I have left a strong Bonham division at Richmond with the order to Defend At All Cost, so I'm not worried about losing Richmond (to Keyes) yet again.

Hunter remains stuck at Williamsburg VA.

During turn execution, I could see McClellan crossing the James River, then turning eastward to Ft. Monroe. After that, he vanished. Evacuated out by navy? Which way did he go?

Image

Hibernation everywhere to the west.

Union Morale 133, VPs 1318, Combat Losses 23614

Confederate Morale 119, VPs 1160, Combat Losses 26117

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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- He Went Thataway!

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Early April 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

Which Way Did He Go? He Went Thataway!

McClellan, the AoP, plus Heintzelman's Corps, crossed over the Chesapeake Bay to land at ... Sommerset MD? I'm scratching my head over that one!

Image

I'm beginning to to think that the Union generals south and east of Petersburg are lost (to the AI), as my cavalry scouts report leaders only, no accompanying forces.

Oh, and Hunter remains quartered at Williamsburg VA.

An inglorious end to the North's Richmond Campaign?

In the KY/TN theater, Buell, Grant (a corps of the former's Army of the Cumberland), and Thomas have made their entrance. About right on schedule with the Real War.

Out west, Price beat back an attack by Sigel at the Battle of Fayetteville.

Image

A victory, but I don't like to see those 50/50 losses, or worse. The Union can afford to trade casualties, man for man. The Confederacy can't.

Still, Confederate NM continues to rise. Union NM is dropping. All in all, the South has reason to be somewhat pleased.

Union Morale 131, VPs 1362, Combat Losses 24869

Confederate Morale 120, VPs 1214, Combat Losses 27557

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[After a while, it gets to be rather boring reporting, and showing screenshots of, The Same Old Same Old. But I am doing this every turn lately, because of the unusual circumstances of this playtest -- losing Richmond, then taking it back, then the aftermath. I imagine that all of this is giving you plenty to think about.]
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- He Went Thataway!

Post by Chilperic »

McClellan is going back to Washington since a few turns. As AI hasn't used real naval transport but riverine movement, McClellan has crossed the Cheseapeake rather than going back to the Capital by sea. All in all, given the current AI limitation, UnioN AI has saved the largest part of the Potomac Army, an outcome that is rather unexpected with the official AI. Retreating during Winter by land toward Washington to Fredericsburg would have been very difficult, as cohesion would have been severely wounded by movement in mud or snow, giving you a full bag of trapping occasions or at least harassment. I exect McClellan replenish his Army with the new stacks present in Maryland and protect the Capital in the 2 following months.
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- He Went Thataway!

Post by berto »


After a hiatus, I have resumed my SVF playtest. Now at Late April 1862.

Repositioning Southern forces around Richmond for an attack, likely a siege, of Hunter's Command at Williamsburg VA.

I have lost track of McClellan and the AoP. Disappeared into the Fog of War.

Ominous Union activity in KY/TN, but Fog of War there too.

A possible bug. In the message box, and gazette, this:
Lee Takes Command

Major General Robert E. Lee has been relieved from his duties at the Richmond headquarters and may now take command of a Confederate Army.
But clearly Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia a few months ago.

Maybe that event should check its assumptions first?
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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- McClellan Back at Washington

Post by berto »


SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Early May 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

McClellan Back at Washington.

McClellan and the Army of the Potomac have found their way back to Washington DC. It's fairly impressive that the AI was able to do that, and has done the sensible thing.

The Union has amassed a great horde at Washington. Across the Potomac River, at Alexandria, Jackson is clearly outmatched. Lee will have to abandon his campaign against Hunter in the James Peninsula and move north post haste to reinforce Jackson in northern Virginia. Great battles are in store, doubtless.

Image

In the center, battles are in prospect also.

Image

Note the reference to our losing a battle in the South West. That would be Fremont, with ~15,000 men, attacking a mere 500 Southern garrison at Tucson. It seems odd that the Union AI would devote that great a force to such a distant sideshow. You might want to investigate.

We are approaching parity with the Union in NM. We remain (hopelessly?) behind in VPs, though. Lastly, we are about even in combat losses. Over the long run, that's not good.

Union Morale 132, VPs 1466, Combat Losses 24869

Confederate Morale 124, VPs 1310, Combat Losses 28082

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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- McClellan Back at Washington

Post by Chilperic »

The next version should deliver an improved AI, from what I'm testing in FY right now.

Tucson? Indeed something has to be fixed here. Next version.

All things considered, Union AI has captured Richmond, then after losing it, saved most of the Army of the Potomac, by an amphibious retreat and is concentrating again at Washington. Apart better naval commitment, it's indeed an rather impressive action. I wasn't expecting that much when I wrote the events.
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- He Went Thataway!

Post by Chilperic »

Lee: The current offcial events are poor. But I've not yet determined what I will write to replace them.

First Lee made a suspicious start in WV on Autum 1861, before being called as Davis adviser and inspection of coastal defenses. That has to be simulated, but giving Lee freedom of movement with his 3 stars and high values will result in his immediate commitment to the command of the CSA main force... There are several solutions to this: very low seniority at start with one or two stars rank could be one, even if it has drawbacks.

Secondly, the nomination of Lee in 1862 was precipitated by Johnston's wound. Here too something must be defined to avoid the no brainer " I commit Lee as soon as possible as the commander of the Army".

But I'm thinking about [:)]
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Is Halleck Walking Into a Trap?

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Late May 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

Is Halleck Walking Into a Trap?

Movement in the central theater. Halleck is venturing forth with a middling sized force. Is he walking into a trap?

Image

To the east, I am shifting forces to north Virginia in anticipation of the Union AoP onslaught. Also sending out cavalry scouts towards the Shenandoah Valley, as I am in the dark about Union dispositions there.

Out west, Price has successfully fended off an attack by Sigel in yet another Battle of Fayetteville.

Union Morale 133, VPs 1462, Combat Losses 26224

Confederate Morale 125, VPs 1357, Combat Losses 28912

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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Reflections

Post by berto »


Now at Early June 1862.

No screenshots or saves, but some reflections:

[*]Still no coastal ops. At all.
[*]No Union offensive naval action. Whether at sea, or on the rivers. At all. This despite the Union Navy having the overwhelming advantage.
[*]The Union seems to have retreated in the center. Little or no aggressiveness.
[*]In contrast, the Union AI seems to be devoting too much resources to the West. Lots of action out there, compared to almost none in the center. And compared to the Real War.
[*]Hunter's Command, Pwr 701, sits tight in Williamsburg VA, since early 1862. A Union garrison, ~140 Pwr, occupies Ft Monroe VA. Between them, McGruder, 60 Pwr, awaits nervously at James City VA. Or maybe not so nervousely. Why doesn't the Union assault, or at least besiege, McGruder? The Union AI should find James City easy pickings. But here again, no action at all.
[*]Other than that, the eastern theater in general is active, entertaining, and plausible. The west is entertaining, too, if maybe too active. It's "just" the center, the coasts, and the riverine and sea inactivity that disappoint.

Not to be harsh. I am truly enjoying my test game. If not quite passing the Turing Test, the Union AI is passing the Turing Quiz. [:)]

But clearly there's still lots of work to do. (Maybe someday I'll be up to speed on AI programming, able to assist. If you agree, of course.)

I still plan on taking this as far into 1862 as I can before Sunday, when you have announced the next SVF release. We can assess then if I should start over -- again! -- or continue with my present game.
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Reflections

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More reflections:

Not to re-open old debates ... um, yes I will.

It seems to me that the Southern commanders are, in general (pun intended), over-rated. Especially in the east, an abundance of Southern commanders with decent to very good stats.

McClellan is rated 2-1-1, IIRC. I hate McClellan as much as the next guy, but I think that is -- especially compared to the generous Southern ratings -- too low. I would rate him at least a 2-2-2, possibly even a 2-2-3.

McClellan fought decently at Williamsburg, winning the battle against J. Johnston (rated 4-0-5). Yes, McClellan was a wimp during the Peninsula Campaign. But he put up a stiff fight against Johnston (again) at Seven Pines, and especially against Lee throughout the Seven Days. Yes, a strategic defeat, but McClellan inflicted significantly more casualties on Lee (4:3).

McClellan a mere 2-1-1? Hmm. There is this counterevidence:
Asked then who was the ablest Federal general he had opposed throughout the war, Robert E. Lee replied without hesitation "McClellan, by all odds."
Was Lee trying to explain away his relatively poor showing against McClellan, particularly at Malvern Hill? And the near-defeat at Antietam? (Yes, McClellan enjoyed 2:1 odds and should have destroyed Lee, especially on the lost-opportunity hypothetical second day.) Post-war "spin"?

I don't question McClellan's poor strategic rating. Just his offensive/defensive stats. Also the relatively high stats of the (eastern) Southern commanders in general.

Anyway, I wonder if some re-balancing might be in order.

And how to get the best Union generals out west sooner into the fight?
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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- localization bug

Post by berto »


In SVF 2.0 beta 20121019, another localization bug.

Early June 1862, in the message box:
5/6. strUnitSpawned
6/6. strUnitSpawned
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SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- The Waiting Game

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SVF 2.0 public beta test 20121019. Late June 1862. Union AI, Confederate Human.

The Waiting Game.

The situation in the east. Lee, and a posse of very capable lieutenant commanders, should have more than enough force to fend off the eastern Union armies.

At Williamsburg, Hunter continues to sit out the war. Does Hunter have 0-0-0 stats?

(At Prince George VA, I seem unable to recapture those lost Columbiads.)

Image

In the center, this screenshot exemplifies my frustration. Since the beginning of the war, there have been no aggressive moves by the Union, at least none that resulted in significant battle. General somnolence. [>:]

Image

Last turn, I observed a sizebable Union fleet, under Farragut's command, in the Gulf blockade box. The Union has a powerful navy, but to what purpose?

Union Morale 134, VPs 1554, Combat Losses 26274

Confederate Morale 125, VPs 1452, Combat Losses 29162

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[All constructive criticism, I hope.]
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RE: SVF 2.0 public beta 20121019 -- Reflections

Post by berto »


I'm beginning to wonder about game balance. Is this all a bit too easy?

In the east, it's almost as if the South had not temporarily lost its capital for several months last winter. The turnabout in fortunes has been remarkable.

In the center, in the Real War, A.S. Johnston rightfully felt woefully short of forces. Yet here he seems to face no serious challenge.

Along the coasts, out to sea -- nada, zip. No challenge there either.

I have no reason to suppose I'm an especially gifted player.

Again: A good, fun, plausible game, but only to the east and the far west.

Maybe downgrade some of those Eastern Theater Confederate commanders? Other adjustments?

If I am destined to restart again upon release of this Sunday's promised update, I wonder if my time now would be better spent preparing my own test suites and fiddling around with the AI. (With an eye toward the impending URR.) In other words, suspend this current playtest.

Thoughts?
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