Of Matters Tactical, Strategic . . . and Fun
"The advantage of time and place in all practical actions is half a victory; which being lost is irrecoverable."
Sir Francis Drake, while awaiting news of the approach of the Spanish Armada
"My center is giving way, my right is retreating; situation excellent. I shall attack."
Ferdinand Foch, 1918, during the Second Battle of the Marne
My interest in conflict simulation -- "wargaming" to the uninitiated and those who don't give the avocation its due respect -- is long-running. The bug first bit me over thirty years ago, and I grew up during the halcyon days of Avalon Hill, SPI, and a host of other simulations companies many of which, alas, are gone now or are but a shadow of what they formerly were.
Still, there is hope for those who enjoy this hobby. Many fine gaming companies remain to offer their products in the marketplace, and the computer has changed and improved the hobby fundamentally, as it has so many other aspects of our lives. And so, I am happy to add this feature to my Web site. As time goes on, I plan to add more links to simulation-oriented sites, as well as providing freeware games for download to the interested. I hope you enjoy the beginnings of this feature, and will revisit often to see what I have added.
I cannot say enough good things about this application. Not a game itself, Aide de Camp is instead a system for creating games. Those of us who have collected the "hard copy" variety, especially the "monster" games like War in Europe, War in the Pacific, Highway to the Reich, and The Longest Day, know the frustration of having a gust of wind (or a brushing-by human, or a visiting four-legged pest -- I mean "pet" -- of the feline persuasion) erase weeks, or even months, of work by shifting parts of the map and shifting the cardboard counters even more. Aide de Camp 2 permits a player to draw the maps, design the counters, and convert those wonderful classic games to be played on one's computer. Better still, one can design new games to be played on the computer.
A couple of words of caution. First, ADC2 does not "play" the game you load or create. There is no AI. The player(s) perform all actions with respect to the game -- moving the pieces, rolling the dice, implementing the effects of combat. Thus, while you can play games solitaire, via play-by-e-mail, or via "hot-seating," there is no "computer player" in the customary sense.
Second, in order to play any modules for ADC2, you must have the application itself, which means you should purchase it from HPS Simulations. It's affordable and more than worth and price, and Scott Hamilton at HPS goes out of his way to support his product (even to the point of putting up with a plethora of e-mails from me), so I encourage you to purchase it forthwith.
Third, while many modules are freeware, some are not. I invite you to send me ADC2 modules you have created if they are to be made available as freeware. I will not post any modules that are not available in that fashion.
ADC2 Gamesets by James J. Burnett
ADC2 Adaptations of Board Simulations
(Note: You must have Aide-de-Camp 2 to play these modules. They will not work with Aide-de-Camp 1. You must also have your own set of rules and charts in order to play these modules.)
All modules are offered as-is, with no warranties of any kind. I make no representations about the compatibility of the modules with any particular computer system, and I will not be responsible for any damage to or loss of data, equipment, hardware, or software.)
Campaign Game Module for Avalon Hill's The Longest Day
The Longest Day recreates the Allied invasion of France and the breakout from Normandy in June - August, 1944. The Americans and British must get ashore, stay ashore, and build up their forces on the Continent, then attack through the bocage to secure the critical highway junctions that will enable them to move into the French interior. The Germans must marshal a diverse combination of well-trained and ill-equipped units and try to stem the Allied advance before attrition leaves them unable to hold ground effectively. Note: You must have the rules and charts from Avalon Hill to play this gameset.
Click below to download The Longest Day.exe, a self-extracting zip file containing the map, symbol set, and game files. Run the zip file in the directory where you wish to extract the files.
Campaign Game Gameset for SPI's Campaign for North Africa
Campaign for North Africa simulates the see-saw war in Libya and Egypt between the British, the Germans, and the Italians in World War II. The campaign game begins in 1940 with Graziani's invasion of Egypt and continues until 1942, following Montgomery's attack at El Alamein. Campaign for North Africa is perhaps SPI's most detailed simulation; players account for the numbers of men, vehicles, artillery, and aircraft in each individual unit, and if playing with the most sophisticated set of logistical rules, must keep track of each unit's supplies of and needs for ammunition, fuel, stores, and water. Note: You must have the rules, tables, and charts from SPI's game to play this gameset.
Original ADC2 Gamesets by James J. Burnett
(Click to enlarge the image)
The Second World War: Storm Over Europe simulates World War II in the European, Mediterranean, and Russian Theaters. Click here or on the title image above to see screen shots from, and to download, this ADC2 module.
Die Hauptkampflinie (German: The main line of resistance) is the Web site of my friend, collaborator, and gaming mentor Nick Bell. Nick has a wealth of wargames, game editors, and other accessories for this hobby available on, or through links at, his Web site. He also makes some of the most beautiful ADC2 maps I've ever seen. Click on the title above and visit his site.
I welcome your submissions of wargaming sites, and of freeware ADC2 modules and other wargames.
"Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measures of far and near wins--this is the rule of armed struggle."
Sun Tzu