The Wargamer

Dan Verssen is working with Rodney Kenney’s Vassal Engine to create games to be played over the Internet in real time. We here at DVG are having a great time creating specialized games for this new system.

There is no AI in this system. Instead, a player has access to all the components of a game allowing him to manipulate those components on his computer screen. The other players then simultaneously watch as the counters are moved, die rolls are made, cards are played, maps are brought in, etc. The rules, help charts, player aids, tables, and counter trays are conveniently kept in handy pull down windows to be accessed throughout the game. This all allows the game to fit neatly in a much smaller area then an actual tabletop game.

Among the many games Dan has released on Vassal is Hornet Leader II, which is based on his award winning Hornet Leader game. Like the original, HLII is a solitaire game where the player flies FA-18 Hornets over hostile targets to engage in Air to Air and Air to Ground combat. This new version, however, has several improvements to make it easier to play without losing any of the feel.

Converting Hornet Leader to the Vassal system really makes the game easier to play. The Vassal system condenses all the components into handy pull down windows. Whenever a player needs to access a card, he can simply pull down that window, check the card and close the window.

When a player has a card or a counter on the screen, he can also right click on it to see a set of options unique to that card or counter.

Throughout the game, the player chooses the best pilots in his squadron to fly each mission based on skill and current fatigue. The ordinances are then chosen and loaded onto the FA-18s and the planes set out for the target destroying or avoiding anti-aircraft sites and air cover.

Imagine playing a game with several decks of cards, counters, help sheets, maps, rules, dice and campaign sheets without needing a large table to spread it all out on. Hornet Leader fits nicely on one computer screen.

During the mission, the components are clicked on and dragged around the screen. Rolling over and pausing on any component will increase its size to make it even easier to read.

Vassal, of course, is not only for solitaire games like Hornet Leader II.

For those seeking multiplayer games, they can try Earth Gone Mad, a fast paced game where you get to stop natural disasters from destroying the world using nuclear weapons! The goal is to get as many survivors to the shelters in Antarctica as possible before the major cities are wiped off the map.

Dan was also able to convert his Star Force Terra game over to the Vassal System. This game, originally published through World Wide Wargames, quickly went out of print and has been asked for by Dan’s fans ever since. With the Vassal system, he can finally return this game to the gaming world.

Special Forces was the first game Dan specifically designed for the Vassal system. This game brings players the world of military operations in urban combat. The game is based on a tactical system where each counter portrays one soldier and his equipment.

Among the many bonuses to using the Vassal system are of course meeting up with friends to play games without having to get together face to face. The Vassal system includes a chat window in each game to converse with players, discuss plans, or just taunt your opponent.

Because the Vassal system works over the Internet, one of its the advantages is that it allows a player to find new players for a game. Enter the game room for a specific game and make a general call out to everyone there asking for an available player. Meet new people, play games you can never find opponents for, or discuss favorite games and strategies with other players.

You can also learn new games from someone who already knows the rules. You can chat and discuss games with others and learn while you are playing. There are usually people in the game rooms willing to show a new player how to play a game.

With all of the games DVG has created or converted for the Vassal system to play over the Internet, if you would still rather play across the table with a buddy, you can do that too. Through the DVG.com website you can order either the Vassal version of the game or you can purchase a complete PDF download version of the game. The PDF version is a complete set of the counters, maps and rules, everything you would get in the Vassal Version.

So, what will DVG publish next through the Vassal system? Work is now being completed for a World War I Down in Flames game, complete with several fun animations. Also, a Corsair Leader game is being completed and a great Rail Game. This is only the tip of the iceberg. We plan to convert many of the DVG games from our past while also designing fresh new titles specifically for the Vassal System. Go to www.dvg.com to see all the available games as well as news on upcoming projects.

About the Author

Dan Verssen started his game design career in 1989 when 3W published Modern Naval Battles. Over the years he has designed games for a variety of formats including card, board, dice, and computer. Luckily for him, his family also enjoys gaming to the point where his wife, Holly, has been the developer on many of his games, and his children Kevin and Kira help to play test.