William Cooper - 08:58pm Jan 23, 2001 PST (#1990 of 2007)
Developing Victory in the Galaxy for GMT: soon to be in playtesting.
Saratoga/Brandywine GM @ WBC. . Preparing a full example of play for
Summer Storm, which might thereby be more readily sold.

Victory in the Galaxy

This game is about ready to go out to playtesters. Those of you with
whom I’ve been in contact for this project will be contacted directly
(and soon), but I thought I’d post a more detailed description of the
game, and put out a second call for playtesters.

VitG is loosely modeled, I’d say, on European/colonial trades wars in
the 17th-18th century; that is, the goal is not conquest (except of
scattered colonies and bases) but of control of shipping lanes, denoted
by Space Sectors. The game system is based on that of Victory in the
Pacific, but is adjusted to fit the universe of this game and the
technicalities of space combat.

Each player, representing one of the polities represented in Galaxy: The
Dark Ages, scores points by gaining control of sectors originally
enemy-controlled or neutral. At the end of the each turn, control points
are awarded, and each scenario (“war”) ends when certain levels of
control are reached, or after a certain specified period of time. Each
power has a variety of ships in a number of classes available to achieve
its ends. Ship classes range from Dreadnaught down to podship; Cruisers,
fighters, and other assorted craft complete the TO&E. Ground units are
armies, corps, divisions, garrisons, and “Jump Legions”; only the latter
may invade, while the others defend, bases and worlds.

The Sequence of Play is rather intuitive; players place reinforcements,
then may redeploy their ships and ground units throughout their own
space (each turn represents one month). Each power also has a number of
Task Forces available, allowing greater concentrations of force. Fighter
squadrons may be carried by larger ships. Then, during the movement
sequence, players move in a series of impulses. Impulse control is
determined by competitive die roll; the winner moves a number of ships
or TFs equal to the difference, while the loser moves one-half the
difference. Movement is mandatory; ties end the turn except during the
first impulse of a turn. Ships move either as Patrollers—they can
establish control of a Sector—or Raiders—which cannot control but can
deny control of Sectors. Ships which move too far from friendly Space
roll to determine if they remain Patrollers or become Raiders.

Combat has a fine tactical feel, requiring players to deploy their ships
in either the Forward Battle Line or in the Screen, and place their
fighters either in Cover/Flanking (“CAP”) or Strike mode. Fighter combat
is resolved first, with Strike Fighters combating Cover Fighters, then
(perhaps) penetrating to face flak; survivors then attack their target
ships. Following fighter combat, ships in the Forward Battle Line trade
shots.

Combat is simple. Each ship rolls a number of dice equal to its attack
rating, against an appropritate “To Hit” number—determined by weapons
class and target type. Each hit then rolls for damage against a target’s
defense value. Rolls higher than this value score damage, while 10s
destroy the ship.

Ground combat requires Jump Legions to land and establish a beachhead.
Each beachhead is attacked by a ground-unit at the base, and then the
Legion responds.

After space combat is resolved (and it may take a number of rounds),
control of the sector is determined, and points are scored.

The game has a number of details which flesh out the internal
consistency of the imaginary world. Bases can repair only a limited
number of ships, different powers have different capabilities depending
on their cultures, and other such details help make the game more
‘realistic.’

Each scenario is designed to last 2-4 hours; the game plays quickly.
Right now, it’s designed for two players, but it is anticipated that
modules will follow along, expanding the area of the Galaxy covered, the
races included, and the options available.

New playtesters are more than welcome; those of you who previously
volunteered should look for an email in the next few days. Please use my
email linked through my name above.

B