4TH EDITION TABLE RELEASED.

[Matt W]

Brett,

In defense of Mike and AP in general, the 4th edition was moving in the direction you have identified in terms of totally revamping the system when several comments were made. Mike came out with a directive that, whatever changes were made, they were not to fundamentally change the game, especially in a manner which would invalidate the 1,800 or so scenarios that already existed.

This is why many of the proposed changes (such as those included in the PG:Modern system) are included as optional rules. It isn't that the proposals were bad or made PG less fun to play, merely that PG would not be the same game with those rules that it is today. Many would have made playing the game solitaire virtually impossible, some would have made a turn last much longer than they do now (elapsed time, not game time) and some would have fundamentally changed how one uses the various weapon systems.

As to why there is a fourth edition, many of us were asking for a revised set of rules to clarify some of the ambiguities. It was resisted for a very long time until the newest developer who also developed and designed the PG:Modern line stepped forward to do it. As in all things, be careful what you ask for, you just might get it! The project clearly took on a life of its own and almost, but not quite, changed PG into something entirely different.

Therefore, when it comes to the 4th edition there was no attempt to make it such a new product as to require wholesale repurchases of the line of products. On the other hand, some of the product "updates" have seemed to work that way (e.g. Edelweiss IV which requires one to rebuy the product in order to get 5 or so new scenarios). A few of us are addicted enough to get it (I have three versions or Arctic Front, including Lions of Finland, three of Airborne and three of Edelweiss). What I am seeing, however, from the company is a willingness to find ways to permit a more controlled "buy". Marianas only requires Saipan to play all of the scenarios. Patton's Nightmare only requires a couple boxed games.

Contrast this to some of the previous products which required multiple boxed games and supplements in order to play all of the scenarios. Idiots like me who have a large collection will be the only ones to ever play some of the truly esoteric scenarios (like the ones that require multiple copies of a map or multiple counter sets from a supplement) but the new products will be able to be played in their entirety without breaking the bank. This does require reengineering some of the old titles (especially the paper "historical" map products such as BN, Cassino, or Guadalcanal)but the end result will be the ability to play everything in a theater without having to break the bank to do so.

Having bought into the system when I did, I understand the dead ends and blind alleys that have been travelled by the system and appreciate the new approach. If however you want to play every scenario from Sinister Forces prepare to be frustrated.

I was a latecomer to Great War at Sea and Second World War at Sea and will not be able to ever play some of the scenarios as some of the necessary products no longer exist...