"Iron Duke Computer Moderated Rules – Demo game report" Topic

Last weekend I played a demo game using Computer Strategies Napoleonic Rules, Iron Duke.

Very flexible and adaptable for any basing system, which you will see from the pictures. If, at the very least, you like clean and clutter-free tables, then it's worth a look.

Have a look to see the results and read my thoughts.
link

Some images from the blog.

Cheers,
Mick

Thanks Mick – interesting and thought provoking Batrep of a good looking game. We're quite the Napoleonic buffs at the Hall of Heroes aren't we! That would have been 2 naps games on the go at the same time as several GW type games, Flames of War and the card gamers…

It is good to see a completely clutter free table, and actually I see no harm in pausing between giving orders – I imagine that's what an army commander would have done – issued his orders and then bitten his fingernails until getting a dispatch back…

Good to see such well loved old Minifigs out – I'm not fond of the 1:50 figure scale, but the game looked superb!

What is the current version of Iron Duke? I bought a copy years ago (in the late 90s I think) due to the fact that you could mix in forts and ships with your other units. Haven't played it in a while but did like the system.

The only time I've seen a computer moderated game was at a con and I think it was Carnage and Glory. I didn't care for the procedure, you've replaced one type of accounting exercise (dice and charts) with another (OK, unit 1 advances forward on the oblique. Did it encounter rough terrain? Just this part. Will that be enough to have an effect? Probably. OK, unit 2…..). To each his own, certainly the pea soup of war is a nice feature.

Sparker – yeah, was a good showing by the historical bunch. There is no fixed figure scale. It works on actual numbers so you can represent a 600 man battalion with 12 or 60 figures.

Razor – I think it's version 6. Solo and campaign modules have been updated. I'm thinking that the solo rules will be useful.

Streitax – you are correct that you have to swap one system for another. PC rules are more narrative driven in the way you describe, you input the events and circumstances to get a result. Traditional games use the familiar dice/charts and allow for more player intuition and intervention for each event. I think when the software can get the most out of available tech, PC moderated games will reach another audience.

I have been using Iron Duke for some time and I find being able to use the game on a tablet is really cool!! It means you can game anywhere without having to lug around a PC or laptop. Mobility and convenience!

Agree with the other comments. Good blog, I might visit it again sometime.

I like the colour contrast between the armies, colourful French and dour Prussians.

Good battle report! I think you will find it even quicker to play when you have a game or two. I did.

Razor78 – It is now V6 and it is being enhanced a lot, the campaign system has had a good review recently. I like the combined arms battles too. Land only gets a bit monotonous.