| 8 APR 2011 at 2:23pm |
RepublicCenturion
Posts : 285
Joined: 20 MAY 2010
Status : Offline | I've been wondering if there were any good web based wargames myself. It seems like a nobrainer, traditional wargames would be perfect web based. Check it on lunch, at home, etc no need for fancy graphics.
I'd never heard of these, thanks for posting!
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| 8 APR 2011 at 3:18pm |
BismarckColonel
Posts : 4434
Joined: 31 MAY 2001
Location: US, Wisconsin
Status : Offline | Seems like a money pit. You have to buy coins to advance.
Jim Cobb, Ph. D. Adjunct Faculty, Cardinal Stritch University 
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| 8 APR 2011 at 3:38pm |
Great AjaxCenturion
Posts : 508
Joined: 29 NOV 2006
Location: US, Oklahoma
Status : Offline | Two of those look like Evony clones. Evony is one of the biggest time sinks there is and it seems to take forever to get anywhere unless you pay for their services.
Trey
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| 8 APR 2011 at 3:42pm |
BismarckColonel
Posts : 4434
Joined: 31 MAY 2001
Location: US, Wisconsin
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Great Ajax
Two of those look like Evony clones. Evony is one of the biggest time sinks there is and it seems to take forever to get anywhere unless you pay for their services.
Trey
You nailed it. The Nappy game was like a Settler alpha that got scrapped.
Jim Cobb, Ph. D. Adjunct Faculty, Cardinal Stritch University
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| 14 APR 2011 at 2:41am |
AnsbachCenturion
Posts : 353
Joined: 24 FEB 2006
Location: US
Status : Offline | Well, I've been looking a lot since I first posted this.
First off, there is a *lot* of garbage out there!!! I am amazed at just how many online browser games exist - I had no idea. There are a few good ones out there, but between all the money-sinking Evony clones and the viral/portal marketing of that whole scene, it's been tough (and annoying) to try and find anything good.
So far I've only found two that I like, and interestingly - they aren't wargames, they are managerial-type games. One is like a RPG character building game where you build a wrestler and compete against others in the ring (The Wrestling Game), the other is a business sim where you own and manage a horse racing stable (Track King). The Wrestling Game is a lot of fun, but I will probably only play it a month or so. Stable Kings is great and I think I will become a permanent player, but I really like both business/financial-type games and horseracing so it's a perfect combo for me.
I think the Supremacy 1914 game is legit, but it hasn't interested me enough to try it out yet. Looks like a souped-up online Diplomacy.
I'm going to keep looking and I will let you guys know if I find anything good. I do like the idea of logging and taking turns casually and I don't mind spending a little bit of money if it's a good game. Lord of Ultima just went live from EA Games, I think I'm going to give it a shot next.
Republic, did you find anything decent?
"If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast."
- William T. Sherman
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| 14 APR 2011 at 3:47am |
spelkCommander
Posts : 1666
Joined: 19 FEB 2009
Location: UK
Status : Offline | The only two I've been mildly interested in are
Lords of Ultima
[link]http://www.lordofultima.com[/link]
and
IronGrip: Lords of War
[link]http://iglords.isotx.com/[/link]
The Ultima one is very polished, but ultimately its a Travian clone, as far as I can tell. Better than Farmville, I suppose.
I love the Iron Grip Universe, and their Warlord strategy Tower Defense/FPS game is still up there high in my estimation. Again though, Lords of War seems to be along similar lines to Travian, building empires raising armies and being spanked by co-ordinated alliances. They try to monetise at every turn.
Ultimately, these are games to keep you doing something, but in the end, they're a shallow experience compared to anything purchaseable. You're often better off buying a cheap older city sim really. You'll get more reward out of it at the end.
If anyone did come up with something online and truly engaging, they'd monetise it within an inch of its life. And for some that destroys most of a games charm, with glaringly obvious buy or fall behind signs posted everywhere. I mean World of Tanks is probably the best example of something free to play, that gives you something half decent without forcing you to pay. But even that has a sense of grind and futility about it (for me). And I love just watching 3d models of Tanks!
I've dabbled in a War themed one also,WAR2 - [link]http://www.dawnofnations.com[/link] - but again, beyond the Nazi "Christine Aguilera" Avatar imagery there doesn't seem to be anything enjoyable about it.
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| 14 APR 2011 at 4:09am |
YskonynCommander
Posts : 1118
Joined: 15 NOV 2004
Location: NL
Status : Offline | I saw a little review about a game called Illyriad.
Apparently this is a project by two dudes who resent the pay to get ahead/advance model, so this should be a true free to play game.
On top of that, there are many gameplay mechanics and supposedly makes for a deep game.
I haven't checked it out myself, but the article was quite positive about it.
There was one warning; it might be a little slow in the beginning, but soldier through and the game becomes vast and rewarding.
It can be found here; http://www.illyriad.co.uk/
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| 14 APR 2011 at 12:23pm |
AnsbachCenturion
Posts : 353
Joined: 24 FEB 2006
Location: US
Status : Offline | Personally, I’m not necessarily looking for a free game – I’ll pay if the game is worth it, just like I would for any other game. These games need to make money just like all the rest and we’re in a rapidly changing world where they are finding creative new ways of being profitable. I don’t have a problem with that; I’m just not going to participate if I don’t like it.
I’ve noticed two basic pay structures (although there are probably more): item mall and subscription. I despise item mall and won’t even try those games - these are the money pits, as Bismark mentioned. Under subscription, I have found two sub-types that I would call “advantages” and “perks”. In subscription advantage games, paying money gives you a competitive advantage over people who aren’t paying money. These games seem to be a little sleezy, for lack of a better term. They are free, but if you really want to compete you have to pay or you have no chance against those who do pay - so really they aren't free. I don’t like this method either, although I guess if the game was really good I would join and pay, putting myself in the Haves instead of the Have Nots. The subscription perk games, however, I like. In these games a subscription buys you extra features that are nice to have or time-saving, but don’t really translate into any kind of significant competitive advantages over other players.
To give you a couple of examples, both the games I have started playing are perk games:
In The Wrestling Game, basically a subscription will let you level your fighter faster. In an open RPG this would be an advantage, but in this game you only fight against people that are the same level as you in a structured ladder environment, so if you don’t pay you are just going to be 1st level for a longer period of time (about 20% longer, I’d say), fighting other 1st level characters. It’s a really fun game with a surprising amount of depth, but I figure I’ll probably only play it for a month or two so I shelled out a whopping $5 to level faster and experience more of the game in that month. I could tell from playing the free version for a day that I would get just as much enjoyment out of it as a $5 Gamer's Gate/Steam game that I would probably only play for a month or two. If I’m still interested in the game after a month, I probably won’t pay any more and will just slow down and play a little more casually.
Trade Kings, the horse racing game, is different. It has quite a bit of depth, but at the same time is casual and slow-paced so I think I will be playing it for quite a while. It's the kind of game where you log in once or twice a week and play for 15-60 minutes. In Trade Kings, a subscription buys you perks as well – you can customize your stable logo and jockey silks, you get a search feature to help you find races easier, and you get an advanced “race viewer” that makes the horse races look nicer when you watch them, plus a race analysis tool. A single horse racing season lasts three months, so I paid $15 for the season and I’ll go from there – it’s cheaper if you pay for a full year and I can see myself playing this game for years.
I’m not trying to push these two games specifically – I have no vested interest in them – but they give me hope. If there are managerial-style games out there with both strategic depth and price models that I don’t mind, then there have to be some wargames out there too that I will like even more. I just haven’t found any yet.
"If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast."
- William T. Sherman
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| 14 APR 2011 at 8:51pm |
Ron DockalCenturion
Posts : 532
Joined: 8 MAY 2003
Location: US, Texas
Status : Offline | Interesting thread. Recently, I have been toying with the idea of developing a Schwerpunkt wargame that is web based. I did not see any technical reasons why it can't be done. I can see the reasons why it would be great for the gaming community (access from anywhere/anytime, lots better than PBEM for remote head-to-end games, other wargamers can watch, etc).
A wargame publisher has to make a buck. So what would be the best cost model method? Unlimted play for a one-time fee? Small fee for each game you play? Other?
Thanks,
Ron
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| 16 APR 2011 at 7:51pm |
FarAway SoonerCommander
Posts : 1008
Joined: 23 OCT 2005
Status : Offline | I've had great enjoyment out of the first few games I played of Blight of the Immortals. It's still in Beta, but fun to play, especially with a friend or two! The co-op element lends itself to logging in once or twice a day to play for 15 minutes and strategize via e-mail.
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| 16 APR 2011 at 8:00pm |
Epee1Commander
Posts : 1218
Joined: 31 MAY 2005
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Ron Dockal
Interesting thread. Recently, I have been toying with the idea of developing a Schwerpunkt wargame that is web based. I did not see any technical reasons why it can't be done. I can see the reasons why it would be great for the gaming community (access from anywhere/anytime, lots better than PBEM for remote head-to-end games, other wargamers can watch, etc).
A wargame publisher has to make a buck. So what would be the best cost model method? Unlimted play for a one-time fee? Small fee for each game you play? Other?
Thanks,
Ron
Ron,
I would be more inclined to a one time fee personally. A web based game developed by a developer such as yourself, would draw in, at least your current gaming base of people, and probably many more depending on subject matter. Count me in!
Combat Command The Forgotten Gamers
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| 16 APR 2011 at 9:21pm |
Ron DockalCenturion
Posts : 532
Joined: 8 MAY 2003
Location: US, Texas
Status : Offline | Thanks for the advice, Epee1.
I have this dream of basically re-creating how my neighborhood friends (Houston Heights) would play and watch wargames in the 1960's. We would be on a front porch, and we would watch and discuss the head-to-head play of a Avalon Hill boardgame by two of us. We would take turns among us to select the two players.
I keep thinking we could do that using a web-based game. Friday night wargaming. The two players could have a running commentary on why they selected the operations. The wargamers watching could also have a running commentary on what they think of the decisons, and alternative strategies. That could be a lot of fun.
Ron
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| 16 APR 2011 at 10:48pm |
Wolverine101Colonel
Posts : 3797
Joined: 14 DEC 2009
Status : Offline | Speaking of browser based wargames there was one I played many many years ago and I can't find it again for the life of me or remember its name.
Anywas it was like a Squad level Combat game. Each player got 5 or 6 lil men to move around this map in a turn based fashion and there were fences and buildings you could hide behind or go inside and snipe from windows and throw grenades. Seems like there could be 2 or 3 palyers per side. The maps were pretty plain except for fences and buildings and I think the soldiers were kind of a yellow green hue and the germans a blue.
Anyone remember this game or the title of it? Is it still around? One of the few online wargames I enjoyed but that was back in the model 475 AMD days with 256mb ram and Savage video cards or 3dfx so that's how long it's been.
Want is the foundation of impatience, a step without thought can be a drop without end
Dbeves: And LMFAO - didnt you just have to work battlefront into your response somewhere - you are priceless.
Listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYhAycDqhog
"ha! GL getting THAT much...lolz"
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| 17 APR 2011 at 12:07am |
spelkCommander
Posts : 1666
Joined: 19 FEB 2009
Location: UK
Status : Offline | @Ron, I can't really comment on a "best" pricing model for a web based wargame, but I can comment on my personal preferences.
I would be all in favour of a small one-time buy in, or perhaps an annual subscription fee. I think the best online browser games come with a community of players, and are geared towards developing a community identity.
Sites like these:
Conquer Club
Weewar
GameTableOnline
All have free to play limited accounts, and encourage the adoption of a premium subscribers model to get the full functionality. For example, in Conquer Club, as a free member you can join up to 4 games, but you can't create games for you and your friends.
Whereas Weewar limits your map selection and number of games, as well as the playable unit types available. Weewar used to give you a whole lot more, on a free account, but EA2D got involved and peared free accounts down to the bear minimum.
GamesTableOnline provides a similar sort of boardgaming experience as the likes of Vassal/Zun Tzu, except their board games enforce the rules and have AI opponents available which makes the experience so much more enjoyable for me. I'm not one who wants to just use a computer to play out a boardgame over the net, having to rely on users to stay within the boundaries of the rules. Anyway, GamesTableOnline have one off fees for unlocking full access to their games, on a game by game basis. IMHO this model presents more "value for money" compared with Days of Wonder's pay per play scheme with Memoir '44 online. I'd much rather invest a chunk of money into a game type that I can then pick up and play whenever I want without having to worry about throwing more money into it each time I play. If I had to pay every time I felt like a play, I'd shift my attentions to a game where I didn't. However, if I had to pay a one off unlocking fee to get access to a game I really wanted to play, I'd do that in a heartbeat.
I know Hexwar.com also have a wargaming setup, although I've not explored that as much, so can't comment on their scheme.
I'd love to see some serious chit shuffling wargames come to browser arena, and develop their own playing communities. No doubt many folks here would make up the bulk of players anyway. I suppose its just a more convenient extension of the sort of multiplayer/PBEM stuff that currently goes on with retail or digital downloaded games that you have to install.
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| 21 APR 2011 at 8:43pm |
AnsbachCenturion
Posts : 353
Joined: 24 FEB 2006
Location: US
Status : Offline | Wow, I'm not sure how I missed this one - Company of Heroes Online:
http://mmohuts.com/review/company-of-heroes-online
Edit: ... which looks like the Beta was just closed on it. Wonder what they are up to?
"If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast."
- William T. Sherman
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| 22 APR 2011 at 1:18am |
spelkCommander
Posts : 1666
Joined: 19 FEB 2009
Location: UK
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Ansbach
Wow, I'm not sure how I missed this one - Company of Heroes Online:
http://mmohuts.com/review/company-of-heroes-online
Edit: ... which looks like the Beta was just closed on it. Wonder what they are up to?
I thought they were canning the whole idea.
[link]http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6297357.html[/link]
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| 22 APR 2011 at 5:08am |
UlfangCenturion
Posts : 855
Joined: 27 SEP 2005
Location: UK, Lancashire
Status : Offline | I'm playing Stronghold Kingdoms at the moment and although not a browser game (as you play in a client) it's the same sort of thing but I've been surprised how it's managed to keep my interest for 2 months. I normally get bored of these sort of game after a week or two. I think the fact that you can see your buildings and villagers at work and the fact you can see the battles... well sieges... represented makes it better than most of these sort of games. The tech tree is very large and you always have something to do.
Unlike most of these sort of games I've never attacked other than by the AI. Normally in these games, after my protection runs out, I'm mobbed by three or four 12 year olds and attacked continuously until I can't be bothered anymore so give up
Gameplay video - [link]http://youtu.be/5To2Vym2POQ[/link]
Xfire - Ulfang Steam - Gavmundo Xbox Gamertag & PSN Profile - Gavmundo
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| 28 APR 2011 at 2:06pm |
MontesanoCenturion
Posts : 59
Joined: 27 MAR 2010
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Ansbach
So far I've only found two that I like, and interestingly - they aren't wargames, they are managerial-type games. One is like a RPG character building game where you build a wrestler and compete against others in the ring (The Wrestling Game), the other is a business sim where you own and manage a horse racing stable (Track King). The Wrestling Game is a lot of fun, but I will probably only play it a month or so. Stable Kings is great and I think I will become a permanent player, but I really like both business/financial-type games and horseracing so it's a perfect combo for me.
I tried the wrestling game a year or so ago and it didn't hold my interest too long. Track King I had never heard of and signed up for it when I read this thread last Friday. It looks like a solid game and will likely give it a shot for a while. Its geared more towards people who like long range planning, with some RPG elements (you can train up apprentice jockeys). I'm not really into horse racing at all but the game mechanics seem pretty good, so if you like management type games might be worth checking out.
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| 28 APR 2011 at 2:50pm |
smaulCenturion
Posts : 205
Joined: 31 JUL 2006
Status : Offline | I do this one once in a while, I saw a link up a little higher but it didnt work for me so here is mine
[link]http://www.gametableonline.com/welcome.php[/link]
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