"Fleet Admiral to debut at RECON 2014" Topic

HMGS-South is pleased to announce that noted game designer and rules author Bill Madison will be officially releasing the first in his two volume set of naval miniature rules, FLEET ADMIRAL at RECON 2014. Mr Madison is the 2005 Origins award winner for Best Historical Miniatures Game "Dawn of the Rising Sun" and more recently co-designer of GMT's Germantown game from the Battles of the American Revolution series.

FLEET ADMIRAL volume one will cover naval actions from 1890-1924 with volume two, due in June, to cover 1925-1945. Volume one will be available at RECON 2014 through Time Portal Hobbies. In anticipation of volume two the author will be running two WW II scenarios. During Session 1 (Friday 9-1) he will feature The Battle of Cape Esperance. A great scenario for learning the game the players will take the American side and attempt to replicate the stunning US victory. During Session 6 (Saturday 8-12 in the evening) The Battle of the Komandorski Islands will be run.

Coupled with the as usual outstanding full slate of games by the SeeKrieg Admiralty RECON is a must attend for naval gamers. RECON 2014, Orlando, Florida 24-27 April WWW.HMGS-South.com for more details.

This ruleset is something I think I'll be interested in getting based on the link. It appears to be similar to Fire on the Waters concerning hit locations vs damage points and the use of a D100 algorithm for number of actual hits. I also like the idea of only a few modifiers to the die roll, with the claim that the tables already consider all the other factors for the chance to hit.

I would like to see more about the rules and how it plays. I hope you publish the convention AAR's. is there a web page on this ruleset with price, etc.?

Thanks very informative links. However, as even a brief scan through your excellent AAR shows, 'easy' and 'fast play' are relative terms when it comes to naval wargaming in the 20C !

Still and all, I will follow you progress with interest – particularly for Vol 2 – I do think theres a gap in the market for rules that adequately but simply cover carrier air battles…

Mr Madison is indeed developing a website to fully support the game. And expect more AARs with pictures following RECON.

I'm a big fan of Bill's work. I shall be watching this with interest

Thank you David! I'm flattered.

And thanks to you all. I will be launching a website as well as a Yahoo group as we get closer to RECON. I'm thinking either late March or early April. Right now the focus is getting everything set for the printers.

In the meantime I'm more than willing to answer any questions right here.

Sparker, I would be glad to send you a copy of the air rules if you would like to have a look (BTW, Volume I is dedicated to the Royal Navy).

I will have more info as far as cost and all that stuff once I hear back from the printers but I'm thinking, and don't hold me to this, around the $45.00 USD range.

Cheers
Bill

I have been lucky enough to have been involved in some pretty compelling play-testing of 'Fleet Admiral', and I am certain that they are going to be well-received and highly regarded. They flow beautifully and are just the job for larger scale actions, multiplayer or otherwise.

Bill, I did not know this was pending. I own a large collection of 1/2400 naval stuff. Most of it is Jutland era WWI but I have WWII Med. stuff as well. I am not entirely happy with any of the rules out there now. Will definitely have a look.

B

Thank you Richard and thanks for all your hard work play-testing!

Bill,

We'll talk at RECON, I am going to run several WWI battles at Hurricon being that our theme will be WWI Storm of Steel. Maybe we'll team up and run a battle together.

Cheers

Well this is all very encouraging and the price seems reasonable. Good luck with bringing the project to fruition, and please keep us updated!

@Bill M certainly, sounds good.

Along with my old pal Richard Wimpenny and our old school mate Dave Blair, we have indeed been conducting test plays and reviews of this game over here in good old 'Blighty', and from what we have experienced they do promise a great deal. At first actions were smaller scenario's but we managed a two player Ulsan, and later afully umpired ( by Richard) re – fight, by which time the ease of familiarity had us flowing along in double quick time. A few tweaks here and there and Dave solo'ed the WW1 Texel action successfully and also solo'ed Coronel. Could this be the set we've al been awaiting? Quck multi ship actions? The feel of damage was always a big thing with us ( those who digest Campbells ' Jutland – An Analysis of the Fighting' as 'de rigeur' bedside reading material)and without the (albeit wonderful)minutiae of SK5 this seems to capturethe differing behaviour and habits of differing vessels and the way they react to damage, without giving up the 'game' element of swiftness of paly and ' getting stuck right in' – which is, after all, why many of us do this – have fun.

Sounds great. Thanks for all the info.

Gents,

I just updated the HMGS-South website with a new AAR covering a carrier action during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.

It can be found here: hmgs-south.com/aar5.html

At the bottom of the AAR there is a special pre-Order price of $45.00 USD (no shipping charge) for those attending RECON 2014. I will hand deliver your copy at the Con.

For those who are/can not attend RECON 2014, have no fear. The FLEET ADMIRAL website will be launching in the next day or two where you can get the same Pre-Order price plus shipping.

FLEET ADMIRAL Volume I Naval Warfare 1890 – 1924 will start shipping within the next 4 – 6 weeks and the Pre-Order price will be valid till then. After that the regular price will be $49.00 USD.

Cheers
Bill M.

We have also opened a Yahoo Group here: link

Cheers
Bill M.

As promised the official home of FLEET ADMIRAL has launched:

fleetadmirals.com

Stop in and have a look. You will find tons of info about the game including a free download of the first three chapters, Ship Information Cards, scenarios and AARs.

Loads of stuff to give you a feel for the game.

Cheers and thanks for your interest.

Bill M.

I received the printers proofs back today and it looks beautiful! Looks like we may also begin to ship sooner than the predicted 4 – 6 weeks. Better early than late!

Cheers
Bill M.

Bill

Whilst your rules look really good, personally I would find it hard to pay $88 USD for the both rules and shipping (I totally appreciate that this is out of your control and shipping over the pond can be a nightmare.

Are there any plans to release your set in PDF or is copyright to much of an issue?

Kind regards

Chris

Hi Chris,

The shipping charges for packages going across the pond has been changed. I had the shipping charge for Priority Mail listed and have changed it after hearing back from several people in Australia where it was even more costly. Basically the shipping rate is now a flat $25.00 USD for First Class no matter where it is going outside the US. With some places I will break even and in some I will take a loss of a few dollars but hopefully it will even out in the long term. I can ship Priority if requested.

As far as a downloadable PDF I have taken that into consideration and yes copyright will be an issue but I am looking into what is available as far as protections are concerned.

Thank you so much for your interest and for taking the time to ask this actually quite important question.

Cheers
Bill

No problem Bill, thanks for getting back to me.

Cheers

Chris

Gents,

The rules are back from the printer. They look great, tomorrow I take them for shrink-wrapping. The silk-screened binders should be here on about the 28th of this month. Looks like we will beat the posted 4 – 6 week shipping buy quite a bit. Better early than late, fingers crossed that everything stays on track as it has been to this point.

ATTN: Chris and all the other folks across the pond. I will be able to set up and sell digital downloads (PDF format). It will take a bit to get it set up and running properly and securely but it will happen and not to long after the hard copies start going out. The price for the downloadable version will be $45.00 USD.

Cheers
Bill

Bill

How appropriate are these for coastal actions?

Thanks

Joe

Hi Joe,

What type of coastal actions are you looking to play? The rules do cover vessels as small as TBs and MTBs… torpedo warfare and even minefields. But they do not cover for example laying/sweeping a minefield or coastal batteries.

I would need to know more about what you are looking to game out then I can give you a better answer as to whether or not these would work for you.

Cheers
Bill

That's great news Bill! Cheers

I Just received notice that the binders are shipping today. This means that FLEET ADMIRAL will begin shipping next week. If you are planning on getting the pre-order price order soon as it will go away once I start shipping.

Cheers
Bill

Greetings All,

The binders are in the rules are back from being shrink-wrapped and shipping will start on Saturday. Pre-orders will be accepted till Monday at 5pm then the full price will kick in.

Digital downloads for our overseas folks and folks in the US who want the option will be available starting Friday.

Thank you all for your interest.

Cheers
Bill

Bill,

Regarding coastal actions I was thinking MTBs raiding a coastal convoy or PT boats in the slot. Is each ship still tracked as an individual ship?

Thanks

Joe

Hi Joe,

Yes they are and I think that these rules would be perfect for just such actions. PT's in the slot would be Volume II though due to release in June.

Cheers
Bill

Gents,

Those that have placed a pre-order, your game is being packaged either today or tomorrow and will be shipped Saturday morning. I will e-mail each and every one of you confirming that it went out by Sunday.

For those that have not yet placed an order the pre-order price will be good till Monday.

For overseas folks waiting for Digital downloads, this function will be available by tomorrow, Friday.

I have investigated the pricing policies for Digital Downloads of other games available in print and digital format on the web and have found that the average difference in price is 8 – 10 dollars. Therefore Digital Downloads will sell for $39.00 USD while the print copy will go to $49.00 USD starting Tuesday post the pre-order special.

Thanks to all who have supported this project by pre-ordering!

Cheers
Bill

Gents,
I have updated the home page with a photo of the finished product: fleetadmirals.com

Cheers
Bill

Gents,

As promised. Digital downloads are now available from the FLEET ADMIRAL home page!

Cheers
Bill

New for Recon, Just picked up 150+ brand new Osprey from the $19 USD to $25 USD retail range. Command, Duel, Raid, Weapons, Campaign, Elite, Warrior, Fortress And 4 different aviation series plus other odds and ends. Regardless of retail all will be listed for $15 USD or less.

A lot of naval and Aviation titles.

A new review of FLEET ADMIRAL has just come out:

link

Cheers

Is there a problem with the web-site link. I can't get on it and I need to d/l the Falklands scenario in time for the 100th anniversary in December. I know about the Yahoo Group but Windows 8 won't let me open the pages!

Is there any info on these rules? All the links seam to be dead.

Thanks
Jim

The rules were picked up by Clash of Arms and then transferred to the Admiralty Group when Admiralty Group split off from Clash of Arms. Currently, they are unavailable with no word as to when/if that will change.

A shame they have not been reprinted yet. And volume 2 was ready to go as well. Perhaps this year will see both once again see the light of day!

Wouldn't hold my breath. Checked the Admiralty Group site and there is no mention of Fleet Admiral in any shape or form.

I suppose, unfortunately, they may have purchased to stop it from competing with their products or to incorporate parts of Fleet Admiral into existing updates/redoes of their rules.

Anybody know what happened to Fleet Admiral?

Look about 5 messages up for your answer. Bottomline: Its gone and nowhere to be seen.

Bill Madison, excuse me if this question has already been asked, but I assume you have plans to sell the Rules at Recon? If so, put aside a copy for me! : )

Unfortunately Bill look up at Charlie 12's answer as to the fate of the rules. If you like will bring along my set for you to droll over :)