The Wargamer

Introduction and Overview

The Punic Wars were arguably the most significant armed struggle in all of antiquity. Over the course of more than a century the two most powerful nations in the Mediterranean—Rome and Carthage—battled for supremacy. The forces involved and the casualties suffered by both sides in battle were far greater than in any wars fought before modern times. The outcome of the Punic Wars was even greater. For Carthage it meant total destruction. For Rome it meant rising from a regional power to become the dominant military force that would rule Europe, the Near East and North Africa for hundreds of years to come. Punic War gives players command of the armies involved and gives them a chance to change the course of history.

In this first title in the new HPS Ancient Warfare series of games the primary focus is on the land battles from the Second Punic War. The time period chosen (300-200BC) is designed to encompass battles Rome fought not only against Carthage, but also against their neighboring Italian states, as well as the subjugation of Celtic and Iberian tribes and the bloody fights with the Epirotes.

Players can try their hands as Scipio Africanus, Hannibal, King Pyrrhus, or one of the other great captains in numerous historical battles. They can also face off against an opponent in a balanced hypothetical match from the “table top series” of battles included.

Features and Scenarios

Punic Wars includes 42 scenarios (17 historical, 8 hypothetical and 16 from the Table Top Series). They cover epic battles such as Cannae, Asculum, Heraclea & Trebbia. The Table Top Series (TTS) are scenarios made up of evenly matched armies based on points, using concepts from miniature gaming rules for this time period of gaming.

In addition to the main game engine there is also a scenario editor included which allows players to create their own scenarios from scratch, edit existing scenarios, and also create their own Orders of Battle. Detailed instructions are included on how to use the editors and also on how to calculate points for your army. A player can even modify the stock graphics if so desired; this feature is called “Paint Your Own Army”. 38 maps are included in the game covering both historical and random locations, so a large amount of terrain is available for scenario designers to use creating custom battles.

The Ancient Warfare engine is a hex based, tactical, plot – simultaneous resolution engine. A game turn is composed of three phases – Each player assigns commands to his units; movement, changing formation etc. The computer determines the net effect of these orders as the move is played out. Fire and melee combat are automatic and at this point the players watch the outcome. The game then moves on to the next turn.

Game Scale: Each hex represents a distance of 20 metres. Each turn represents 15 minutes of real time.

The game may be played against the computer AI or via E-mail against another person.

Ancient Warfare: Punic Wars is scheduled for release on 2 February 2007.

System Requirements

About the Author

HPS Simulations is one of the oldest publishers dedicated to producing computer games and simulations for wargamers. Since the company was founded in 1990, HPS has received dozens of awards, including the prestigious Premier Award from Computer Gaming World Magazine.