Courier play in GCM

[SamSmith]

Great game tonight! I've been away from GCM for a long time, still playing the SP game, and I had forgotten how much better this game is with human opponents and allies.

I know from forum-lurking that the idea of using couriers in multiplayer was recently tested. What did y'all think?

I think that playing multiplayer close to the saddle with free text couriers would be great. I would argue that the imperfection of observation is an essential part of ACW combat. Additionally, maintaining communications was a prime tactical consideration for any ACW leader. Without taking these factors into account in our simulation the battles we fight develop unnaturally and unrealistically. At the least putting more historic constraints on our command potential would be a new way to play multiplayer. Any thoughts are welcome.

Best,
Sam Smith

[KG_Soldier]

Sam,

We recently played several games with sight restricted to 30 yards or so.

Couriers in multiplayer is a problem; most people micromanage their regiments. So you end up sending an unrealistic number of couriers.

Since we now have free text couriers, I'd be up for a game of courier only communication. Perhaps tomorrow we will try out more restrictive sight (currently we are at 200) and courier only communication.

That was a tough fight tonight -- 12 players: http://www.sow.philipmcg.com/c/platte/p ... attle=4736

My boys were in the thick of it. BeefStu got talked into following the "One Trick Pony" and they almost broke us (Sam and me). Even though costly, it was a fine sight: Seal and Stu in full retreat.

With courier only communication, maybe Seal won't be able to persuade anyone to braveheart the enemy's line with him.

[General P R Cleburne]

Id like to concur with this formula Gentlemen and put my X down.Great idea and lets try it.
Cleburne

[X Navy Seal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfv3kBzJZgU

[Beef Stu]

BeefStu got talked into following the "One Trick Pony"

i almost forgot, i have no free will.

Seal and Stu in full retreat.

you're just mad we gave you a bloody nose and you couldn't catch us

[SamSmith]

I don't think courier play would work with generals sending couriers to their regiments. I think we could reasonably accept a division leader exercising control over all of the brigades and regiments of his division.

But maybe by some kind of honor code we could limit communication between generals to couriers. This is the kind of gameplay I was looking for.

[Chris G.]

Gentlemen,
Thanks to you all for the MP introduction, I enjoyed it greatly (even if the day went against us). To actually be across the field from troops commanded by another human really adds an entirely new "white knuckle" experience to the game. I hope to be able to enjoy your hospitality and camaraderie many more times in the future. Hopefully, after a few more blood lettings, I'll be able to do more than just hold my ground.

Chris G.

[Little Powell]

I think a Free Text courier message only game would be the ultimate in realism. I'd love to take part in one of those. Maybe when we're done with Antietam I'll have time.. Very soon now...

[con20or]

I dont often play MP, but last time i did, i took full advantage of the free-text courier messaging. I sent loads of messages, intel/support reports etc to my fellow generals, but never heard back.

Turned out they didn't have the 'auto-open' setting for courier messages and never got any of mine.

Bummer.

[Little Powell]

That must have been a while ago because I thought that was fixed in a patch so that you'll still get the messages even with that setting off. I'll have to check the change logs though, cause I could be wrong.