Life after blogging

[Norm]

Life after blogging!

That sounds a bit more dramatic than intended - while I miss the old blog, I thought my new workhorse for gaming presentation may be of interest to other bloggers. I recently closed my blog and instead use my own web space to discuss and share my gaming stuff.

This has required a slight re-design of the site, so that part of the functionality that I enjoyed at the blog can to some extent be replicated at the website. I hope the merging of two styles (blog and web page), even though resulting in an overall reduction of volume of reading material, actually produces something that is a little more immersive for the reader, even if they are only occasional visitors.

From a blogger perspective, I find the web site an easier space to organise, but it's size and scope is limited, even for this paid version. It is the virtually unlimited picture space and archiving capability of the blog that I miss most. Arguably it is less easy for people to 'follow' a website.

I have just put up an article on converting the game TANKS to hexes. Links to the file will be on the 'This week' page for 7 weeks before dropping off, as that tab has a 7 week cycle. It will also have a more permanent home on the article page under the 'hexing games' category. The 'this week' tab also has sub-information, so for example in the case of the tanks article, it also advises the reader that there is a work in progress at the 'Painting Table' page.

Anyway, please have a look and see what you think. Does it work for you? Any ideas or thoughts are gratefully received.

thanks Norm.

(still no picky before clicky - sorry :-). )

LINK -

http://commanders.simdif.com

[petercooman]

Good stuff norm!

I have been intigued by the tanks game from the day i read about it. It's x-wing-like movement system  looks like it would work great, and the upgrades look to add a fair bit of list building to it.

But as x wing almost never hits the gaming table with my group, i don't see me getting something similar.

Looking forward to seeing the 28's!

[Norm]

Thanks Peter. TANKS is an unusual game, but that is what we need, not more of the same. Essentially tankers might not be happy with the fact that armour accumulates hits until it is knocked out .... A straight KO is not usual, but the drama and narrative that goes with this unlikely cat and mouse game is fun and that is basically the game.

People are often put off moving tanks around because gun / armour rules are often so complicated in their goal for realism, but this is a players game. the tank can move in any direction regardless of its facing - can feel odd, but is makes the measuring stick thing dead easy, no 45 degree nonsense etc.

The thing that is good is that they give enough vehicles in the rule book for US. German. Soviet and British, to be able to collect some models and have a game without having to buy codex type books etc, so a player could just stay with the base set. Of course the company hope that once you have collected a number of models, you will want to go onto their Flames of War system - but at least the buyer has a choice.

the base game seems pretty good value. The tank kits are fast build.
At some stage I will try and put a detailed AAR together.

[petercooman]

People are often put off moving tanks around because gun / armour rules are often so complicated in their goal for realism, but this is a players game. the tank can move in any direction regardless of its facing - can feel odd, but is makes the measuring stick thing dead easy, no 45 degree nonsense etc.

Not so bad for me. A tank can turn on the spot quite well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTaTwMXH7sU

[paulr]

A very interesting web site Norm, I will be spending some more time there

Thoughts, a couple of minor one

• "In Print Games" rather than "In Print Designs", might be clearer to the reader (That is an impressive list of publications by the way)
• Gallery 1, Gallery 2 is a bit generic, it looks to be WWII Gallery, Other periods Gallery

And finally a question, who is the second of the five Commanders at the top of your introduction page

[Norm]

Thanks, will look at all those suggestions, some of the page transitions will take a while as new material is added.

The second leader is King Harold (1066). ...... (I had to think there for a minute). :-))

[paulr]

The second leader is King Harold (1066). ...... (I had to think there for a minute). :-))

I should have worked that out given a couple of you in print games