HACKETT and Third World War

Vdmfighter · Post by **Vdmfighter** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:03 pm

Hi,
re-reading general Hackett'book on the "Third World War" (1978) my questions are :
-is there any boardgame which covers the entire campaign in Europe around 1985 ?
-did you come accross scenarios etc. which used the book as a basis for tabletop games ?
Thanks,
Vdmfighter

fredjg · Post by **fredjg** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:16 pm

Coyle's "Team Yankee" was written as the actions of a US armor company fighting the actions in Hackett's book. There was Game Designer's Workshop (GDW) boardgame, of the same name, that I remember playing scenarios from - albeit a long time ago.

The only boardgames, I remember, that covers the whole European front in a hypothetical WWIII was GDW's Third World War Series, Red Storm Rising and some SPI titles - whose titles escape me and a Victory Game's offering as well - "NATO"?

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:25 pm

I played a lot of SPI's 'Central Front Series' when I was at school and this covers the whole of Germany at a 1 hex:4km scale with units at Batallion-to-Regiment scale. Rules are quite simple as well.

I even did an Aide-De-Camp version and posted that up at Nick Bell's site years ago and recently managed to convert it to a Vassal Module, downloadbale from the Vassal page. So you can play the game on your PC.

For other games there's Avalon Hill's 'MBT' (a bit like Yacquinto's Panzer/Armor/88 for WW2) that does individual tank-tank combat.

And also GDW's 'Assault', 'Boots-and-Saddles', 'Bundeswehr' and 'Chieftain' modules.

And if you want a great game that's easy and fun to play then check out Lock'nLoads 'Eisenbach Gap' and 'Blood-and-Bridges'. Well recommended.

Check out Boardgamegeek for any more details on those.

voltigeur · Post by **voltigeur** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:14 pm

The best game I have found that encompases all of Germany in a hypothetical invasion is "Century of Warfare" it is the 3rd edition of the Operational Art of War series origionaly published by TalonSoft.

I remember all of the games that the others have mentioned but many or out of print and some are now collectors items and if they are not already punched you will loose alot of value if you actually play them.

I highly recomend this computer game.

Sorry for any typos posting this in a hurry and I can spell just not tipe!

Steel Arrows · Post by **Steel Arrows** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:07 am

Try Steel Panthers - WinSPMBT. It is a free download. Turn base with individual vehicle movement command with a top view of the battlefield. Like playing micro armor on the PC.

http://www.linetap.com/www/drg/SPCamo-4.htm

voltigeur · Post by **voltigeur** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:25 am

will it run on windows 7?

Steel Arrows · Post by **Steel Arrows** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:37 am

It runs in Vista and XP. I suppose 7 will take it. Follow the guide to adjust processor speed to slow down video play of movement. You might want to set the video settings to a low res.

Vdmfighter · Post by **Vdmfighter** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:43 pm

Gentlemen,
thank you for the very interesting answers.
A friend sent the old SPI game "Hof Gap" which may be a good start.
Cheers,
Vdmfighter

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:37 pm

Yep - that's a good one and part of the 'Central Front Series'.

Enjoy!

crbeck · Post by **crbeck** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:01 pm

Lock 'n Load Publishing has World at War: Eisenbach Gap and other modules that takes place in 1985 where each unit is a platoon. Corps Command: Dawn's Early Light which is a division/brigade unit game set in 1985. And to be released at a later date is Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap whichis a single vehicle/squad game that is in 1985.