"Tablet based gaming" Topic

I am in the process of mixing some of my favorite things: software development, military history, war gaming and miniatures. I had been enjoying miniatures gaming but always felt, for me anyway, that there was still something missing. I felt I was still focused too much on the mechanics and rules and not enough on what I loved, which is immersing myself in the challenges of being a general on the Napoleonic battlefield in large scale engagements. I also wanted to add some variety, surprise and randomness to my solo engagements. In order to do this I mixed in a little of my career with my hobby. I am developing a tablet based system to help me manage the scenario and the battles. It is certainly still a work in progress and simplified but it is useable today and I have just played my first few games with it.
 
I choose to develop it for a tablet so I can easily just keep it with me as I walk around the table. On first go it seems to be doing what I basically want it to do and it has eliminated the clutter of notes, result tables, dice, excessive markers etc. and the game moves a lot faster. I am just getting to the point where it is adding a few surprises for me also. As you can see from the pictures I have linked to it is still very rough and I have lots of stuff still hard coded but, in the software business, it's all about getting something working and then tune, tweak, alter and add more functionality.
 
My goal for myself has been to "keep the game on the table" and use the system to assist in making it a better experience for me. I wanted to start simple , and like some of the rules for large scale gaming, I wanted to start at a high level of abstraction. I did not want to have moderators and I certainly did not want to be spending a bunch of time entering things into the device as I played a battle. I have it just working on one device at the moment but I can see a time when I could have someone (or many) join me with their own tablet(s) and each of person seeing their side of the battle.
 
It has been and will continue to be a fun exercise and I think after I do some of the things I want to do to it I may move also move beyond just a single battlefield.

Some shots (running on my Nexus 10)
link

woah…
Sign me up now!!!!

/brushes away moths as wallet opens ready
:)

Finally..

Looks very promising.

Very interesting. Keep us all posted on how you go.

A similar system has been developed for years here in Australia.

The latest ACW rules are called Rally Once More! running on a (Windows 8) tablet. the latest version is being released in July at our ACW convention.

Also Clinton has developed version 5 of the Napoleonic rules "Iron Duke" also, as Far as I am aware being released at the Australian Napoleonic Congress this year.

cheers
Matt

Not sure about gaming on a tablet. Might scratch it.

Jaz
Http://revolutionaryroads.com

Looking very good Eldorado, especially for those of us who solo more often than not. Please keep us informed (and I have a feeling my wallet may be next in line after Gustav's)

Wonderful! About time! Definitely count me in for a License. I've tried the Computer based rule sets like Carnage & Glory, Follow the Eagle, Rally Once More/Iron Duke that all run on Windows and the interface gets in the way frankly and a laptop on the table feels like I'm working. I play mostly solo. No clubs or gamers in the area that meet on Saturdays. I would need an iOS version, not going near Android. I use my iPad for everything these days and find the interface so very …. human. Would love to walk around my table issuing orders and observing fatigue and casualties, fire and ammunition and random events on my iPad.

Encouraging news.

I'll try it-when do you suppose it will be available for general use?

Thank you for your comments, feedback and interest. After a long career of architecting systems for telecommunication companies and banks I am now at the stage where I do things for fun and passion and what is more fun than being passionate about Napoleonic gaming. My days of timelines and deadlines are behind me and my first goal in this area (one of my way too many interests) is to create stuff that helps me immerse myself in Napoleonic military history. I do care about solo gaming also given that I do a lot of that.

nsolomon99 – Yes, there is something liberating about a nice simple touch interface. You obviously can't tell by the pictures but my app also has text to speech in a few places so far. I am just trying it out. It announces the winner so I don't have to look down if I don't want to. Now wouldn't it be nice if I got voice activation in there also? Hmmm.

Matt – Great to see there are other things out there. I have read about a few of these. Anything that helps people enjoy their gaming is a wonderful thing. I am sure everyone has their own slant on platforms, development and focus and style of play.

Le Grande Quartier General – Sorry that I don't have a specific answer to your question. As I mentioned above my first goal is to get stuff working for myself.

sounds really interesting and think many gamers would use it when its fully up and running. hope you keep us updated with how your progressing.
cheers